Antsell Rock

3 May 1970

By: John Backus

Leaders: John Backus, Duane McRuer

Thirty-five people met the leaders at Mountain Center during the recent week-end Los Angeles heat wave and were agreeably surprised to find the weather windy and almost cold. The group caravaned in over the new road from Hurkey Creek campground to Pine Springs Ranch, where we had permission to park. From there we hiked up to the Dougherty ranch, which we also had permission to cross, and up the jeep road on the south slope of Antsell Rock. From the end of this road we bushwhacked up to the ridge extending south of the mountain, then went along this to the base of the large rock outcropping which is the summit. This is a third class scramble, which everyone made in due course. The wind subsided somewhat at this time, so lunch on top was very pleasant. Three latecomers joined us there, as did How Bailey (who had come over from Southwell) so we had some spares in case we lost anyone on the way down. An hour was spent getting everyone off the summit, after which we bushwhacked back to the jeep road. We arrived back at the cars about 4:30, in good time to tackle the Sunday afternoon homecoming traffic.