Dusty Mac Mine Peach Cliff Blues: Monday, February 8th!

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. -John Ruskin, author, art critic, and social reformer (8 Feb 1819-1900) 

Hi you two, Really enjoyed your company Saturday night.  Thanks again for the beautiful orchid and the nice wines.  Sorry we didn't get to the Orofino Chardonnay.  The Durif was amazing.  I guess I didn't get Clara's e-mail correct as I got an undeliverable message.  Could you please pass on the photos to Dusty. Cheers, Peter
 

 Bit of a late night by the time we had recovered from the Super Bowl, tidied up a tad, watched a recorded episode of Vera and then all gathered in the Rumpus Room for Downton Abbey. This being the case, although I set my alarm for 7:15 am I didn't manage to hop out of bed until almost 8:00 am! Dressed quickly and then set about cleaning out all the ashes in the fireplace, cleaning the platen and then laying the fire, ready for Dusty's first match. By this time it was close to 8:30 am and I was able to grab a banana before Lady Darjeeling drove me to Home Hardware.

[Guy Fawkes, detail from the book Peeps into the Past, c.1900. Art: Trelleek] Large gathering of Boot Hikers, 22 was final count, I believe, so much hugging and greeting one another as some of the gang had not been along for some time. I, together with Guillermo and Mary Lee, in the back seat of Otto's luxury, sheer luxury pick-up, with Jimbo, riding shotgun, took off for OK Falls, along Eastside Rd to Maple and then McLean Creek Road where we parked, just off the shoulder, around the first curve, heading north. Once we'd unloaded all our packs and poles, we crossed the road to begin the trek, through a gate in the cattle fence, to be cattle-prodded into formation there by Cowpoke Al. 

Some photos from the Boot hikers trip to Bighorn Mountain. All the best
Dorothy

As we started up a slight grade, on a reasonably wide, not overly rough, private  road, didn't realize it but this would be the first Boot Hike that didn't involve making our way through any snow. At first, it was really, for me at least, more than a bit discombobulating. However, I soon adjusted and quite enjoyed seeing the carpets of pine needles we often crossed, these often providing as much of a cushion as had the snow crust on earlier hikes. First point of interest we quite quickly came upon was a number of sets of abandoned shelving for core samples, some of the crating and samples strewn on the ground but most still intact and neatly housed on the upright stands. Local font of knowledge, Jim French, mentioned that these probably belonged to the Dusty Mac Mine and I was able to discover a bit more technical data:

Exploration on the Dusty Mac dates back to the turn of the century, as evidenced by four short adits, driven on quartz veins with chalcopyrite and pyrite, and several opencuts near the western side of the property, overlooking Okanagan Falls. Native silver was discovered in veins on the property in 1966 and the property restaked. Dusty Mac Mines Ltd. acquired the property in 1968. As a result of property exploration in 1968 and 1969, 61,485 tonnes of reserves graded 7.88 grams per tonne gold and 170.4 grams per tonne silver.

Further options, (Noranda, Canex, Minnova), took place in the 70's and 80's, with the most recent by Ecstall Mining Corp., in May, 2002.  A few minutes later we came to a number of small open pits, small skating rinks now as their surfaces were frozen. 
 

Nasty drop close to where we stood for a the first group photo, orchestrated by none other than Maestro Tinka! Quite a surprise to realize that there had been a small, producing mine not far from a road I've cycled on many, many times. Certainly a delight to learn more about the fascinating geological and economic history of this area. With respect to the former, I'm sure Aarturo would appreciate the following: 

The Dusty Mac property lies within the eastern part of the White Lake basin, a thick accumulation of Eocene Penticton Group volcanic rocks, interlayered with clastic sedimentary rocks which are largely of volcanic derivation. The Eocene rocks rest unconformably on Triassic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks of the Independence, Old Tom and Shoemaker formations, and Jurassic granitic intrusions. The White Lake basin forms a topographic low and is truncated by early gravity faults. The units generally dip to the east and are folded and faulted.   
Continued on, through a series of pleasant, generally flat wooded areas, mainly pines, before we encountered a series of pretty steep slopes, climbing a number of intervening hills between us and the summit of Peach Cliff or Bighorn Mountain, depending on individual you ask! In fact, once we started our ascent, the going was actually more difficult than doing the same through snow, as least as far as I was concerned. The hillsides, in many places, were often wet and after a few people had covered a given stretch, it became reasonably slippery and gaining purchase was sometimes difficult. As well, many of the routes one encountered were over loose rock and gravel sized pebbles. Footing here was precarious and required close attention. Ski poles helped but even finding firm placement for their tips was not always easy, given the rocky sub- strata beneath the thin layer of soil. 

Found myself huffing and puffing on the last significant hill between us and our goal, a fairly long, precarious footing climb up its face, zig-zagging to break the steepness of the ascent and was more than happy to take a number of short stops, on any reasonably flat surface that presented itself, to enjoy the gorgeous views, in almost  any direction, and regain my breath. On this particular ascent, Guillermo took a slightly different route and literally found himself almost hugging the face of the manageable but still very steep slope, inching his way, gecko-like, past nasty spots to finally scramble over the lip of the summit, offering thanks to the hiking gods, and a most helpful Janos, for the close shepherding which ensured a safe delivery! 

After we'd all clambered to the top, some of the company took a short break to have a sip of tea or a bite of sandwich. A few minutes later, sharped-eyed Antonio beckoned us to look into the narrow valley below where we spied a small herd of mule deer. I wasn't aware of it but Peach Cliff is home to herds of these deer. I did know about the California bighorn sheep in this vicinity as I've often seen them, in the fenced meadow across from Myer Family Vineyards. Some of the party thought they'd seen some of the latter, at this point, but my unassisted eyes could only pick out the deer, scampering away.

For my part, the rest of the hike wasn't nearly as difficult, although we were climbing steadily until we stood atop Peach Cliff itself, a 600 metre, volcanic rock formation. Here we took a short lunch break, some munching, most chatting, everyone enjoying the spectacular views: a stupendous, almost aerial view of OK Falls, spread out below us like a child's doll house community; north, over Skaha, catching a point out of Kaleden and, in the just discernible distance, the runway of YYF. Refreshed and refueled, we set off downhill, most of us noting how much easier the descent would have been through six or seven inches of snow. Nevertheless, no mishaps on the slip-sliding away surfaces, although I paid particular attenzzionne to each and every step, unlike the sure-footed mule deer and bighorn sheep many of my companions emulated, almost trotting down the steep slopes at a pace that made me both envious and somewhat apprehensive, knowing how very easy it could be, for me, to take a nasty tumble. Still, all went well and we continued our return, following a different route, as is our usual practice.

Back close to the Dusty Mac open pits about 11:30 am so Big Al suggested we extend the hike for another 50 minutes, (to bring total moving time to three hours), and gave us two options: for those ready to return, follow the road we'd traversed earlier, back to the vehicles or a more circuitous route, involving a bit more up and down. Most of us opted for the latter so we waved goodbye to those who had had enough punishment and set about making our way up a reasonably steep hillside. However, the footing was very easy even if the grade was a good one. By the time I had achieved the peak of this last hill, most of the rest of the contingent had already scampered away and due to the fact that I took much longer than those left to negotiate the various slopes we next encountered, I had my very own, more than solicitous Sherpa guides to accompany me. Jimbo, Timbo and Federico were considerate enough to wait for me and make sure I descended safely. 

Just after crossing a barbed wire fence, made easier by the fact that one section had been crushed by a fallen tree, we found ourselves in a tiny hanging valley, (At least I believe this is the technical name for the spot we were in.), and Ace Travel Photographer, Timbo, pointed out the spectacular Balancing Rock, (technically, a large glacial erratic, as opposed to a large, tall, garrulous, toothy Dutch Erratic!), perched high above us on a spur of Peach Cliff. Had visions of Guillermo, as Sisyphus, labouring the huge boulder up the mountainside, only to have it roll back down again each time he managed to push it to the top! 

Down one last carefully negotiated slope to the pine studded floor below and it was plain sailing, along the aforementioned road back to where we'd parked the cars. Had been decided to convene at the pub in the OK Falls Hotel and a few minutes later we were inside, rearranging tables and chairs to accommodate all twenty-two of us. While the group usually gather for coffee at the end of each hike today there was even more reason to do so as everyone wanted to wish Big Al a belated 75th Birthday. (He turned this magic number this past Saturday). Jim French had put together two stunning cards, using a number of snaps he'd taken on earlier, different hikes, which we'd all signed, at some point, before during and after the hike. After singing a communal Happy Birthday, our Capo Formidable was presented with the cards and a collection of other wonderful photos, again, from various previous outings. When toasting Al, a number of the gang hoisted tankards of beer, (Ottavio, of course!), but our more abstemious table raised mugs of Mocha Java or, in the case of the purists, Josinta and Guillermo, cups of warm water, slightly infused with lemon! Nevertheless, in spite of the tipplage in question, a terrific appreciation of the man, by and large, responsible for the formation and continuation of this simply amazing hiking group. Hip Hip Hooray and Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Al!

Stats for hike:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1044162625#.VrkbgrZvLd4.email 

Once again, I goofed. While I turned on my Garmin just as we started the hike, I neglected to turn it off until we were outside the pub! Still, most of information provided is interesting if not absolutely correct.

Hi Al! Thanks again for wonderful hike, pasty Dusty Mac, etc. Particularly pleased with picture of Big Horn Sheep as I wasn't able to capture a shot of these magnificent creatures. Cheers, Patrizzio! Nicely done Patrick! Pam

Hi Everybody: It is Summerland's turn. The meeting times and places - as usual. Destination will be decided on the spot, depending on the weather, snow conditions and our collective preference. Al Greetings, all you GBs: There will be a light S-S hike. Arrangements - as always. Al    

Good Morning, Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. I'm sorry that you were unable to submit it online but I so appreciate you taking the time to send it. I will make sure I forward to both Dr. Jung and Aimee as well. Thanks again Patrizzio! Take care, Kristina