Serving the Coachella Valley and Beyond

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1 Follow the leader, leader, leader...meet SOME of our hike leaders Nancy Bone "Nancy, aka Broken Bone, is originally from North Carolina, transplanted to Minnesota and now, thankfully, winters in sunny, warm California far away from cold and snow. Hiking and travel are her favorite pasttimes!" Mary Barlow Leads hikes for DTHC since Hike 4 Hope presented Mary with an award for raising funds for the past 11 years. Andy Dolan Andy has been leading hikes for over five years both here in the Desert and in Denver for the Colorado Mountain Club. Mary Finnan (known as Irish Mary) grew up in Ireland and now lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. My favorite hikes are strenuous and at higher elevations. I co-lead strenuous hikes with Nancy Bone. I have been leading for the club for 2 years. Carl Gorretta I enjoy getting people out of their recliners and onto trails to enjoy the beauty of our earth. KIm Glasgow Hello Fellow Hikers, I love the outdoors and I love showing the outdoors to everyone. I lead hikes in the Coachella Valley and in the Sierra Nevadas where I live during the summer. Cont d on page 2 Page 1

2 Newsletter John Green and Christy Anderson Tim Liddell Richard Peregrin Winters in Indian Wells. Summers in Kelowna, BC. Hike leaders since 2006 Has been a Joshua Tree resident for the last 10 years He began leading hikes in Joshua Tree National Park on January Has been hiking with the CVHC and DTHC for the past nine years and really enjoys going to beautiful places, the camaraderie and all the social events. Rich has been a hike leader for the past 7 years leading moderate, strenuous hikes. Mike Ovesen Originally from Seattle, now residing in Rancho Mirage since 2005 and hike leader since Dave and Cathy Luckwell Hale from Alberta, Canada, and winter at the home we purchased in Indio. We have been leading hikes now for DTHC since To ALL our hike leaders, a huge thank you for donating your time and experience. You are most appreciated. Page 2 Jim Sherb I started hiking with Desert Trails in 1999 and became a hike leader in That makes this my 13th year. I also lead hikes in Kamloops with 2 Probus Clubs for the past 3 years.

3 DESERT TRAILS HIKING CLUB COUNCIL MEETING - FEBRUARY 5, 2014 Attendees: Rich Jarvinen, Gary Ward, Dave McGuire, Cathy Luckwell, Carl Gorretta, Dave Luckwell, Charlene Hope, Jack Hope Guest: Jonelle Dedrick Call to Order: Carl 1:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes: Moved by Dave Luckwell, seconded by Gary Ward; Carried Treasurer s/membership Report: Up to date membership/financials reports were handed out by Gary. Gary reported that, although PayPal has been working smoothly, only 30% of members complete and submit the disclaimer. Members need to be reminded about the importance of completing and returning the disclaimer. Committee Reports Socials: In Sandy s absence, council discussed a variety of issues including set-priced socials, various ways to acknowledge new members at socials, and to consider offering some socials nearer to Palm Springs. Location is still to be set for the March dinner social. Council agreed to change the location for this April social to Coachella Valley Preserve. Hike Schedule: Rich reported that the process for scheduling hikes this year generally went smoothly but needed refinement. Dave L. will look into the possibility of streamlining the process for entering hikes. Dave L. also volunteered to act as Hike Schedule Coordinator for next year. Getaway: Rich informed Council that the number of registrants for the Anza Borrego Getaway is currently 30 with 15 rooms booked and 7 signed up for the Sunday dinner. The hotel has another 25 rooms reserved for the Getaway. After much discussion, the following decisions were made. To develop a list of restaurants and activities in Anza Borrego; post a simple and short questionnaire to determine the demand for hikes offered at the Getaway; an Evite to alert members of the Getaway and to visit the website; and will look at arranging a progressive appetizer party for the Monday night. Hike Leaders: Carl informed Council that Rich Peregrin has developed and used a PowerPoint presentation to train new hike leaders. This presentation may be used for in future leader training sessions. Carl mentioned that Jamie Haney is willing to do another PCT presentation at the Palm Desert library for DTHC members. After much discussion, Council decided not to schedule a presentation this year but to consider a presentation in the future. Communication: Dave/Cathy indicated a new newsletter will be published shortly after receiving the minutes for this meeting. Hike leaders were ed to submit a short profile and photo for the February newsletter and so far about 12 leaders have responded. Council decided that a mass ing is the most effective way to inform members when the newsletter is posted on the club website. Cathy advised that she will be entering the last of March hikes to be advertised in the Desert Sun. Desert Trails Coalition: Rich informed Council that a table reserved for the Desert Trails Coalition needs to be staffed by club members during the Wildflower Festival, March 1, at the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto visitor center. He also advised Council that Desert Riders will display two saddles used by Hopalong Cassidy and have several old-timers present to talk about the early days of their club. Workdays: Jack advised Council that 11 club volunteers went to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on December 16, They worked with Tom Haworth of Friends of BMCP to clear bush along the Canyon Trail. Minutes cont d on page 4 Page 3 Answer: Magnesia Falls

4 On January 27, 11 volunteers worked with Ryan Stendell of the City of Palm Desert to improve the Hopalong trail between Ramon Creek and Stone Eagle s golf course entrance. Jack advised Council that the workday scheduled for Monday, February 17 will change because it is President s Day and a holiday for staff of sponsoring agencies such as BLM. As an alternative, the workday will be on Wednesday February 19. There was some discussion whether the club workdays have been obsolesced by the introduction of Trail Tuesdays and Weed Warrior programs sponsored by FODM. Council believed there is still a need for club workday, and suggested that more future workdays be located at Whitewater, Coachella and Big Morongo. Cathy reported that the PCT in Whitewater has a lot of Sahara Mustard whose removal might be a task for a future club workday. Website: Dave M. advised Council that all is going well with the website and encouraged club members to send more photos to add to the website. Dave will determine whether it is possible to use the website counter to ascertain the hit frequency of the features included on the website. Old Business: Nothing discussed. New Business Amplifier: Cathy and Dave L. will try to acquire an inexpensive sound system to make announcements at the Socials. Off-trail hikes: Rich advised Council that the Agua Caliente band is concerned about scheduled hikes in Indian Canyons described as being off trail. He has informed the head of Aqua Caliente security that DTHC does not hike off trail on ACR lands. Because DTHC has a stay on trail policy, Council will advise leaders to use the term off trail to describe only hikes where off-trail is not prohibited. Rich volunteered to communicate the off-trail policy to hike leaders who have currently scheduled hikes. Carl will communicate the policy through hike leader training. Updated Club Information: Charlene distributed a document listing updated information about banking accounts, club insurance, and important passwords. Next Meeting: It was agreed that the next and last council meeting for the Spring season will be held at 1:00 p.m. March 19, 2014 at the Hope s. Other Business: Nothing discussed. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Minutes prepared by Charlene Hope Guess where this is. Answer on page 3 Page 4

5 Mark your Calendars March 2 - Hike 4 Hope March 4 - Dinner Social- Watch for Evite or check the DTHC website March Getaway to Anza Borrego check DTHC website for details April 1 Potluck Social at Coachella Valley Preserve Hike4Hope is a noncompetitive hiking event open to all ages and hiking levels. Hike 4 Hope unites survivors and supporters women, men and children in the fight against women's cancers. This movement raises necessary funds to continue groundbreaking research at City of Hope and to raise awareness for women's cancers. DTHC has a team, with Jonelle Dedrick, as team captain entered in the H4H. Look for the team to join or sponsor if you cannot attend in person. Online registration closes on Thursday February 27, A fun day was had by close to 75 participants in the New Years Eve Day Hike. Great hiking, and yes of course the many pot luck items were enjoyed by all. Hikers in Carrizo Canyon were treated to this sight Picture taken by Kerry Berman Thanks.....goes to Jack and Charlene Hope for car sitting out at the Ladders/Painted Canyon hike on January 7th...hike leaders, Carl Gorretta, Jim Sherb and John Tang for helping to lead hikes for a group of hikers from Victoria Canada. Council Members 2013/14 Page 5 Remember too... Continue checking our website for all current and updated DTHC news, especially the hike schedule. The schedule is an ongoing process that should be reviewed frequently. Carl Gorretta Charlene Hope Jack Hope Rich Jarvinen Cathy Luckwell Dave Luckwell Dave McGuire Sandy Reed Gary Ward