Old Dad Mountain, East Ord Mountain

Dec 1984

By: Maris Valkass

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This was a private trip over the Christmas weekend. It seems like everyone I called was on his way to visit relatives in Ohio or just had to go shopping so I piled my things in the truck and with good directions from Jay Holshuh, went by myself. I stopped at McDonald's in Barstow for coffee and ran into Susan Hanna and Jay on their way skiing in Utah.

The weekend weather was beautiful, but the evenings were freezing and snow, of course, was on the higher peaks.

From Baker I took the Kelbaker Rd. south, and followed (see AAA, St. Bernardino county map), the paved road for 19.9 miles, turning right on the graded gravel road per the map. After about 5 miles I turned right on one of the service roads for the power lines and drove to the wash which parallels the east side of the Old Dad Mtn. I climbed the peak via the canyon separating the north peak (high pt), and the south peak. The highlight of the climb was sighting seven bighorn rams at the wash about 100 yards from me. They were in no hurry to get away and slowly started ascending the slope.

On my way to East Ord, I stopped at Kelso Dunes and climbed the highest point there. (I did not check my altimeter). The cows are grazing all over the dunes, they eat the grass and leave dropping. (Better than dune buggies!) The restaurant at Kelso station is open on weekdays only.

The directions to E. Ord are also quite simple. (See map). From hwy I-15, go east on Bear Valley cutoff, which turns into Old Woman Springs Rd. Turn left on Camp Rock Rd. or Harrod Rd (one and the same), go north until Camp Rock Rd. bears to the right. Bear to the right and go 6.4 miles turn left and then go 4.4 miles where a jeep road leads to the right for E. Ord. Follow it 1 to 1.5 miles and park in the mouth of the canyon. (Do not take the road posted as an active mine). The canyon where you are now parked is a minor one just to the right of the main canyon that you want to go up. Take the canyon to the saddle and turn left and go for the peak.


Detailed information for visiting one or more peaks mentioned in this article can be found in the
Desert Peak Section Road and Peak Guides

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