Palen Mountain
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2025 6:01 pm
My goal was the Palen Mountains High Point (DPS #85). This is another small range about 25 miles west of Blythe, CA. I was uneasy attempting this solo, due to the combination of a long approach on a rough dirt road, difficult terrain, and isolation. From Blythe, I drove up Midland, then took Arlington Mine Road. It got rougher the further I went, eventually hitting deep sand and rocks. High clearance was necessary, 4x4 recommended for the sand. When the road conditions slowed me to 5 mph, I parked since I wasn't saving much time. The official 4x4 trailhead was another 1.3 miles. I planned on hiking DPS route C (gully route). As I got into the eastern gully, I met the famous pink boulders, cheerful pastel companions most of the way.
More than half way up, I hit one class 3 dry fall that could not be bypassed. There was a ramp on the right side that let me get most of way up before having to scramble. There was enough catclaw to pay attention to route details. Alex Obbard had marked a waypoint where a bighorn skull could be found. It was impossible to miss, mounted on top of a large boulder. Below the skull were other remains: a couple of legs, hips, and the spine. Looked like the bighorn skeleton had been there a long time. When I reached the ridge, there were only a couple of rocky obstacles between me and the summit. There was solid class 3 scrambling on the ridge, with a modicum of exposure. An ammo box held the old, but sturdy, register (circa 2000). It was less than half full. Palen only gets a handful of parties each year. The benchmark was stamped "Red Top". The summit was small. The views in all directions were rewarding. The descent in the upper gully was at least as slow as coming up. It got easier past the dry fall, but I didn't relax until I was back on the road.
Class 3 dry fall
Summit ahoy
Final look back
More than half way up, I hit one class 3 dry fall that could not be bypassed. There was a ramp on the right side that let me get most of way up before having to scramble. There was enough catclaw to pay attention to route details. Alex Obbard had marked a waypoint where a bighorn skull could be found. It was impossible to miss, mounted on top of a large boulder. Below the skull were other remains: a couple of legs, hips, and the spine. Looked like the bighorn skeleton had been there a long time. When I reached the ridge, there were only a couple of rocky obstacles between me and the summit. There was solid class 3 scrambling on the ridge, with a modicum of exposure. An ammo box held the old, but sturdy, register (circa 2000). It was less than half full. Palen only gets a handful of parties each year. The benchmark was stamped "Red Top". The summit was small. The views in all directions were rewarding. The descent in the upper gully was at least as slow as coming up. It got easier past the dry fall, but I didn't relax until I was back on the road.
Class 3 dry fall
Summit ahoy
Final look back