Organizer
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Daniel Coleman
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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!
THE WILLIE BOY STORY
This is a 4 mile out-and-back hike through high desert north of Ruby Mountain. You will look out over great vistas to the east in Homestead Valley and the Bullion Mountains and visit the legendary ambush site and reputed grave of WIllie Boy.
The road to the start of the hike requires a four-wheel drive high clearance vehicle. Email or text Dan Coleman for details. Hiking poles recommended. You should have good shoes and be comfortable hiking at 4000 feet of elevation. We will stop to rest as needed.
You may have seen the movie ‘Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here!’ starring Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Robert Blake, and Susan Clark. A new film, The Last Manhunt, had a limited release in 2023 but was not widely distributed and can now be found on YouTube.
For those who are interested in additional history of the area, we will stop at the Morongo Basin Historical Society/Museum and step back 120 years. This small facility holds a wealth of information on the history of the area carefully preserved by a few volunteers. The volunteers are currently working with California state library system to archive all the information that local residents have gathered over the years. It is surprisingly interesting and charming.
4 miles, 750 foot elevation gain starting at 4,000 feet
Hiker Limit: 10
Distance: 4 Miles Out and Back,
Elevation Gain: 750 feet starting at 4000 ft
Hike Difficulty: Moderate with a few short steep sections.
Time: 4 hours hiking time in addition to an hour drive to the start. Add an hour or so for the historical society visit if you choose to join.
Location: North of Ruby Mountain and West of Landers, CA off Old Woman Springs Road
Please email Daniel to sign up for this hike.
HIKE LEADER: Daniel Coleman
HIKE LOCATOR: Ruby Mountain
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Note: You must be a current CVHC member to hike with the club! Join Now!