Surprise Canyon Exploration February 27-March 1
Spend the weekend hiking a spectacular desert canyon oasis with Friends of the Inyo. On the edge of Death Valley in the Panamint Range, Surprise Canyon is home to a rare desert stream, complete with year 'round water and a thriving riparian zone. There are even waterfalls. Unfortunately, there is also some invasive tamarisk. Work to control the invasive plant has continued successfully for several years. This trip combines canyon exploration and treating tamarisk as needed.
Where and When: Friday, February 27, Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1. Call for carpool information from Bishop, or meet at the campsite at the turnoff to Surprise Canyon. (Heading east on CA 190 at Panamint Springs, turn right on Panamint Valley Rd. Turn right and drive 23 miles to Ballarat Junction. Go east 2 miles to Ballarat ghost town, then 2.5 miles NE to Surprise Canyon Road.)
Friends of the Inyo staff will arrive Friday afternoon, allowing time to set up a comfortable camp. Participants can show up Friday night or Saturday morning by 8:30am.
What and How: Saturday's hike heads up-canyon to Brewery Springs, a gain of several thousand feet that involves some scrambling. It will be mostly a hike with a bit of tamarisk work thrown in. Sunday will be a quick patrol of the lower stream, departing in time to be back in the Bishop area by late afternoon.
Bring camping gear, clothing for warm or cold, wet or dry. Much of the hike is in the stream so expect wet feet on the way to Brewery Springs. Friends of the Inyo will bring food for all meals from Friday night through Sunday morning for participants who sign up in advance--a $25 donation is requested (the trip leader, Todd Vogel, is a great cook and barista!).
Sign up for the Surprise Canyon trip and get all the details by emailing todd@friendsoftheinyo.org or calling 760-873-6500. Download a map and see other upcoming adventures at
friendsoftheinyo.org.
Friends of the Inyo is a Bishop-based non-profit group dedicated to the preservation, exploration and stewardship of the Eastern Sierra's public lands.
