Panamint City Jan 2010

It was that time of year again.

When a busy life keeps me away from my beloved mountains, I at least make myself a promise to spend the weekend nearest my birthday in Panamint City. This year would be no different, yet it would include a treat.

This year my Brother-In-Law, Shawn would be able to accompany me! Shawn and I go way back in our history in the Panamint's. It was He and I who made that first hike in 1998. That first hike to Panamint City that got us hooked on the old ghost town. We averaged 1 hike to the city every 4-6 weeks for over two years. Shawn also did spotting duty the first time I drove the old Toyota to the city.

Over the years, life moved on and we found ourselves making fewer hikes to the city together. We still make many hikes to the city. He's usually up there with the Boy Scouts and I'm up there with other groups or the lone person who doesn't know what they're getting themselves into when they ask me to take them to PC for the first time.

This trip we had two PC newbies with us. My buddy Woods and his friend Patrick recently returned from a tour with the Marines in Afghanistan. They would be joining us for a great weekend in the old ghost town.

It had snowed in the days prior to or arrival in Surprise Canyon. We had clear skies and cool crisp air our entire trip. Woods and Patrick had the honors of breaking the snow trail into Panamint this year.

We saw many of the usual sites while up there. We explored Sourdough, Woodpecker, and Water Canyon. We also made a night time trip to the Lewis tunnel. I guess it's always night time in a mine tunnel...

Woods has some great pics of the trip posted. Click Here