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!
Gilman Ranch Tour – First of Four Events in Willie Boy Series
This Saturday tour and walkabout is the first event followed by a series of 3 hikes that take us farther north and east in the Valley.
We’ll meet at Gilman Ranch for a guided tour that includes the history and significance of the ranch in late 1800-s early 1900’s commerce and, in particular, a tragic event that took place in 1909. The guide will introduce the story of Willie Boy that began here with the 1909 incident that triggered a famous manhunt. Dan Coleman, hike leader, will relate more of the story of Willie Boy and invite you to participate in future hikes to important points along the route of the manhunt.
If you want more background on the Willie Boy story, you can watch “Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here” on YouTube or other streaming source for the fictionalized tale.
Participants will meet at the ranch at 8:45 am. There is a $10 entry fee payable at the museum. There is plenty of time to tour the grounds of the ranch, the museum, and the old family home before we gather to enjoy our own picnic lunch and hear more of the story.
Participants are free to leave at any time. Bring a snack lunch. Dress recommendations based on weather will be provided shortly before the date by Dan.
