Mustache Mosey 2017 Day 1: Kelso Peak & Mojave Lava Tubes
- Updated: January 14, 2017
- Post By: Matthew Hengst
January 14th, 2017
The Mustache Mosey (aka The Premier Upper Lip Hair Based Desert Social Event Of The Season) began back in 2011 as a way to spice up a relatively pedestrian pair of peaks with some not insignificant access difficulties. Peaks were climbed, ridiculous mustaches were worn, and unfortunately several vehicles had tires shredded before we were done. And we've maintained the tradition ever since. (Except for the tires. Mostly...)
The first was in 2011 / 2012 when we climbed Manley and Needle in a remote area of Death Valley.
In 2013 we climbed Spirit & McCullough and we damaged zero tires.
In 2014 we did Virgin Peak near Mesquite Nevada and attempted Mount Bangs only to blow two tires while trying to reach the trailhead. Several hours and one round trip into town to try and find a tire that would fit Jacks truck we limped out.
And in 2015 we did Big Maria off the DPS list and then did the off list McCoy Mountain. Despite a rough drive for the later no damage!
In 2016 I was sidelined by knee surgery and we elected to skip that year.
Which brings us to 2017 where while I'm not quite as good as new at I'm at least doing far better than I have been in recent years.
This time around the plan was to head out to an area just south of the 15 before the Nevada border. We'd climb Kelso Peak, then play tourist at some local lava tubes I'd always wanted to see, then the following day do an easy 3rd class peak called Teutonia before finishing up at everyone favorite roadside gas station with a urinal fountain and animatronic gold panners.
We'd been having a series of significant storm in southern california but lucked out this weekend with two clear days. Or at least that was what we were supposed to have.
Kelso Peak
9.9 miles, 1500 ft
Most of us were running on only a few hours of sleep when we met along the side of Kelbaker Road. We just pulled off the pavement and aimed for the northwestern slopes.
We aimed for the wash northwest of the peak though you can probably climb the peak from just about any direction.
We did run into one interesting thing in the wash, a big game guzzler complete with with plaque and motion sensing camera.
Once through the wash we climbed the northwestern slope to the summit.
The register went back to 1967 and has seen quite a bit of traffic.
And then of course it was mustache time.
After a good long while enjoying the views we dropped back down the same way.
Despite the forecast claiming we had a two day break in the series of storms that have been battering California recently it started to rain on us a bit on the way back to the cars.
The road from Kelbaker leading to the lava tubes is passenger car friendly and has numerous camping locations along the way complete with firepits. Though I preferred our spot on the southern side of Kelbaker since it was more protected.
The lot was completely full when we arrived and we had to find spots back along the road. From the parking area a short trail leads up the hill to a large entrance.
You had to crouch down to pass this section but then it opened up again.
You could actually do the cave without a headlamp since there are so many openings.
And finally at the end the often photographed beam of light.
When we got there someone was trying to goad a small child into climbing down the rocks from above. We all watched really hoping she wasn't about to fall the 15 ft or so to the dirt but fortunately she gave up. Jack tried climbing up from the inside but the hole was a bit of a tight fit.
So of course we needed someone smaller. Can't let the little kids have all the fun. With some encouragement Jen consented to trying to fit down the hole.
She got inside but decided not to climb down. Getting out proved to be a bit more difficult than getting in but she eventually managed...
With some minor help from her friends...
For better or worse the weather than wasn't supposed to be happening was clearing and by the time we arrived back at our camp location it was downright pleasant.
The grazing food from our happy hour.
Best on theme happy hour item went to Sharon Moore who used olives to turn eggs into mustache faces.
We were even joined by WTC celebrity and Kaweah Alum Bus Driver Bill who drove all the way out just to party with us.
We had a late night but plenty of food and firewood. And despite the unsettled weather I decided to risk sleeping out
Mojave Lava Tubes
The Mojave lava tubes are something I see pop up on Facebook and Instagram fairly often on account of a particularly photogenic beam of sunlight that shines down into one of the chambers.
The road from Kelbaker leading to the lava tubes is passenger car friendly and has numerous camping locations along the way complete with firepits. Though I preferred our spot on the southern side of Kelbaker since it was more protected.
The lot was completely full when we arrived and we had to find spots back along the road. From the parking area a short trail leads up the hill to a large entrance.
You had to crouch down to pass this section but then it opened up again.
You could actually do the cave without a headlamp since there are so many openings.
And finally at the end the often photographed beam of light.
When we got there someone was trying to goad a small child into climbing down the rocks from above. We all watched really hoping she wasn't about to fall the 15 ft or so to the dirt but fortunately she gave up. Jack tried climbing up from the inside but the hole was a bit of a tight fit.
So of course we needed someone smaller. Can't let the little kids have all the fun. With some encouragement Jen consented to trying to fit down the hole.
She got inside but decided not to climb down. Getting out proved to be a bit more difficult than getting in but she eventually managed...
With some minor help from her friends...
 |
| Me yelling "Is that all you've got!" to the clouds in an attempt to goad the universe into a flash flood |
For better or worse the weather than wasn't supposed to be happening was clearing and by the time we arrived back at our camp location it was downright pleasant.
The grazing food from our happy hour.
Best on theme happy hour item went to Sharon Moore who used olives to turn eggs into mustache faces.
We were even joined by WTC celebrity and Kaweah Alum Bus Driver Bill who drove all the way out just to party with us.
We had a late night but plenty of food and firewood. And despite the unsettled weather I decided to risk sleeping out
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