Organizer
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Daniel Coleman
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Phone
(360) 481-1477 -
Email
[email protected] -
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!
Spy Mountain/Giant Rock/Coffee Tasting/Goat Mountain
This is a ‘Three-fer’….the Giant Rock….Coffee Tasting….Spy Mountain Story
The story of Walter Critzer….was he a Nazi spy?
- Did he live under The Giant Rock?
- What use did he make of the antenna on top of the rock?
- What was the purpose of the other structures around him?
- Was he in contact with the Nazi’s during World War II?
Come join us for a Coffee Tasting event sponsored by “Desert Rat Coffee Roasters” and hear the story of Walter Critzer, Giant Rock, and Spy Mountain.
The walkabout is easy; we’ll park close to the Giant Rock and the story and exploration will take a little over an hour.
Participants will be able to purchase Desert Rat coffee beans by the bag from a local roaster at $17 each, cash only.
See Goat Mountain Hike Posted Same Date
Following the coffee tasting and story, those who wish to do a short but interesting hike will drive 15 minutes on a dusty but drivable dirt road to Goat Mountain. (Hike posted separately and is moderate.) The hike features some beautiful vistas over Landers and passes by the former Charles Reche gold mine as well as some more recent ceremonial rock circles. Charle Reche was the only deputy sheriff shot by Willie Boy during the Ambush at Ruby Mountain. That story will be told on top of Goat Mountain during the snack break.
Please email Dan to join this hike and include your phone number.