Page Type Page Type: Trip Report
Date Date Climbed/Hiked: Nov 18, 2013
Activities Activities: Hiking
Seasons Season: Fall

Kelso Peak

Weather in the Mojave has been wonderful this autumn so far, and this was another fantastic day. Some wispy clouds, light to no wind, and mid 60 degree temperatures made for a perfect sunbathing day. I parked right off the Kelbaker Road where the transmission towers crossed and set out. Easy hiking the whole way thru sparse joshua tree forest

Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree


with plenty of creosote and yucca, if a little strenuous for the final few 100' to the summit. A few shallow washes were crossed until I picked the one I wanted to head into Kelso Peak's west basin. Once there it was a wonderland of rocky outcrops.

Rocky Outcrop
Rocky outcrop in Kelso Peak's west basin.


Rocky Outcrop
Rocky outcrop in Kelso Peak's west basin.


I wandered around a bit enjoying the rocks then headed the short ways up to Kelso Peak.

Rocky Outcrop
Rocky outcrop on Kelso Peaks west slopes


Kelso Peak
Kelso Peak from south ridge


The summit views are really nice. Kelso Peak is the highest thing around for a good distance in any direction.

Cinder Cones & Lava Beds
Cinder Cones & Lava Beds in the distance


Cinder Cones & Lava Beds
Cinder Cones & Lava Beds


New York Mountains
New York Mountains


Cima Dome
Cima Dome


Lunch was ate, water was drank, then the hike out to the car. Over all too soon.

I hesitated to add this originally, but the truth must be told. I encountered a Mandoshowan on my hike out.

Mandoshowan
Fleeing area 51


It was fleeing Area 51 where it had been held and studied. It remained in its armor, claiming its true form would appear so hideous as to cause instant insanity, if not death. Something like this I imagine -

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O the horror !


I challenged it to a round of rock, paper, scissors of course. I'm not going to encounter a Mandoshowan and NOT challenge it to a round of rock, paper, scissors. That would be nuts ! it was horrible, always went rock. Really, no sense of strategy at all. How they are the guardians of the Supreme Being is beyond me. I mean really, is rock, paper, scissors that complicated ? Anyway, I was so disgusted over its inability to grasp that simple concept that I used having to pick my son up from school as an excuse to bounce. I muttered a goodbye and took my leave.



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Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.