Organizer

Daniel Coleman
Daniel Coleman
Phone
(360) 481-1477
Email
teninopt@gmail.com

Daniel Coleman has been hiking on his own and with clubs in the Coachella Valley and nearby areas for over 10 years. He has participated in many hikes as sweep and enjoys mapping and tracking the hikes as well. Back home in Washington State, Dan hiked and camped over many years with family and friends in the deserts in Eastern Washington and in the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. As a serviceman in the Air Force, he enjoyed some hiking in the Phillipines, eastern France, Germany, and Austria. Dan's experience includes marine navigation and sailboat racing as well as search and rescue for the Olympia Harbor Patrol and the Civil Air Patrol. Dan retired from practice after 40 years as a physical therapist and enjoys leading hikes here in the desert. Dan has developed 7 hikes in and around Joshua Tree National Park during which he relates historical tales of adventure and misadventure at these sites. When you discover an old cabin or mine while hiking in the desert, it likely holds a story of adventure from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Join Dan on his hikes to hear what happened in seven of these different locations!

Location

Pipes Canyon
Pipes Canyon

Other Locations

Pioneertown

Category

HIKE GROUP SAFETY

Date

Jan 31 2026

Labels

Easy Hike

HIKE FULL Pipes Canyon Hike to John Olson Cabin

TEXT DAN TO GET ON THE WAITLIST.
Have you ever wondered what happened to John Olson?  Come on the Pipes Canyon hike and hear the sad story of what happened on a cold snowy January morning in 1945! There was another tragedy in the same area in 1909….hear about the connection to Willie Boy.

All hikers will hike to the Olson Ruins and hear the stories.  We’ll see some petroglyphs on the way there.  After exploring the ruins and enjoying a snack and stories, hikers will return to the ranger station.

Hiker limit: 15
Distance: Easy 4 mile out-and-back at an Easy Pace
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Time: 2-3 hours

HIKE LEADER:   Dan Coleman

HIKE LOCATOR:  Pioneertown Preserve

HIKE RATING:   EASY

 

Please email Dan at danandsusancoleman@gmail.com to join the hike.
We’ll meet and park IN FRONT of Motel 6/Denny’s north of I-10 and arrange any needed car shares. Instructions and weather forecast will be sent out a couple days prior to the hike.

Those interested may join us for a snack at the Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown following the hike, casuaal, outside dining.

Note: You must be a current CVHC member to hike with the club!   Join Now!