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Mazourka Peak - 08/28-29/10

Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:40 am
by DennisDawg
One more to get caught up . . .This is a run we have wanted to do for some time and finally got the chance to head up into the Inyo Mountains and enjoy this wonderful area! In pre-contact times the Piute Indians spent the summer and fall in the Inyo Mountains gathering pinyon and hunting game. They’d then migrate to the Owens River Valley for winter and spring. Their major camps in the mountains where we are going were at Papoose Flat and Badger Flat and the path they often used up and down the mountains was through Mazourka Canyon. The area is also full of old mining ruins. Mining flourished in the Mazourka Canyon area in the 1860s. There is interesting geography, changing as one goes up and down. Plus there are wondrous views, including a spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west.

A couple of us camped Friday night at Baker Creek outside of Big Pine. In the morning we met in town and John lead the way east on Highway 168 to Death Valley Road and on to the trailhead approximately 15 miles from Big Pine. We then explored Harkless Flat, Papoose Flat, Mazourka Peak, Badger Flats and more. We made camp in a wooded area where an owl who remembered John from a previous trip let us know he did not like us either!

Sunday morning we got up to watch the sun rise from Mazourka Peak and then continued south to exit to the Owens River Valley via Mazouka Canyon, stopping at mines and such as we encountered them.

A great trip, full of new things and the promise for more to come!

Pictures: http://www.socaltaco.com/images/thumbnails.php?album=44

Next rip out to Saline for Halloween! We are simply meeting at the Warm Springs Friday the 29th, goofing around the 30th and heading back the 31st. Costume Optional!

Re: Mazourka Peak - 08/28-29/10

Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:37 pm
by OLLIE
I would love to see this area sometime. The list is getting long for the places to see. :lol:

Re: Mazourka Peak - 08/28-29/10

Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:11 pm
by DennisDawg
Eventually I will be going back for a slower look. There is a lot of stuff I know if there but could not find and some stuff I need to hit on foot. A really nice area with very few people in it!

Re: Mazourka Peak - 08/28-29/10

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:25 am
by BorregoWrangler
Nice report and great pictures! Like Ollie said, the list is getting longer. I would love to explore this and the surrounding areas sometime early next year. Hopefully before fatherhood has me tied down! :o

Re: Mazourka Peak - 08/28-29/10

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:14 am
by DennisDawg
Up in this area you can go as soon as the snow clears up there in the Spring. If you have ever been coming out of Saline Valley via Eureka Dunes and wondered what was in those mountains to the west, this is part of that.

The Mazourka 2-meter repeater is up there and it linked to Little Lake, so you have a big part of the 395 up there covered for rendezvous.