Forty-eight hikers turned out on a beautiful fall day for the bushwhack assault on Cone Peak. There were kids, and also several of the "old timers" with outstanding HPS records. We followed a trail of sorts past Hop Patch Spring, then up to the saddle between Cone and Palm View. From there it was pretty brushy back to the peak, but all but two made it. About half the group signed in on both rock summits, but a level indicated that the more northerly of the two, the easier one holding the HPS register, is actually the higher. There was a fancy celebration for a 200-bar, a 100-emblem and a birthday. A more direct but steeper route, also brushy, was taken down. This went south to the first saddle, then left down a valley (keeping right of a tree-covered rocky mound about 2/3 down) right to the cars.
After collecting all the strays and would-be rescuers, we headed to Thomas Mtn. With a terrific burst of energy, we made it a full 1/4 mile from the Lookout to the hight point and then back to the cars for more celebrating! Two emblems and another birthday were recognized with the biggest party yet -- champagne, peaches, brownied, two cakes and more champagne. Bob Funke was acclaimed Assistant Schedule Chairman for Celebrations.
