Cache Peak Exploratory

13 September 1969

By: How Bailey

Leader: Lew Hill
Asst.: How Bailey

After three scouting trips, the owner of Cache Peak was finally located and permission to go in was obtained. However, because the family patriarch is buried very close to the top, permission was granted only for schedule Sierra Club trips (a key to a locked gate is required), and a charge of $1.00 per person is made -- essentially a contribution toward the maintenance of some 11 miles of private roads.

Fourteen people finally collected at the Lone Tree Canyon turnoff on Hwy 14, about 14 miles north of Mojave and got into four cars for the safari. Much of this road has been recently constructed and does not show on the topo, and the last two miles were quite soft and rough. The three VW's made it, but our "backup" 4-wheel drive (of all things!) got stuck a mile from Weldon Pond. Here we started walking, up a fairly steep ridge to the east end of the "flat" top, then some fun-type class 2-to-3 scrambling over the last half-mile, which took about an hour, led us to the summit. The was particularly rewarding since it enabled us to relate the Tehachapis to the Southern Sierra at least up to Walker Pass. (We think we saw Olancha.)

We returned by a somewhat longer but easier route, mostly on a very rough jeep road. Everyone was out to the highway by 4:30, except that we still had to call the Auto Club and go back for the stranded vehicle. Everything was back to normal by 7:30.

Note: The peak was recommended for addition to the List in 1970, but apparently was rejected. "CACHE PEAK (6705) Tehachapi area. Climb via Weldon Pond. (4 mi., 1800' gain). Climb is entirely on private property. $1.00 fee charged. Highest point between Tehachapis & Piutes. Interesting summit, with view dominating large area."