While most visitors are there to do rock climbing, we hiked the trail to the waterfall. Weather was perfect, and the waterfall was flowing well.

I went back to Vantage for a second week in a row to get another serving of crag climbing. As usual, the weather was gorgeous; it was even warmer than the prior weekend. There were plenty of climbers around but it didn't seem overcrowded. Routes climbed: - The Chossmaster (5.7, 2 bolted pitches, I led the first) - Another Notch in My Lipstick Case (5.7+, top-rope) - Chapstick (5.5 trad, mock lead, then real lead) - Two easier routes (max 5.7) at The Feathers whose names I can't find.

I missed this place, and boy, it feels good to be back here, first time since October. I was hoping to do some bolted leading but in the end we stayed in the hard areas at the Sunshine wall, which are above my leading abilities, but no big deal, I'm going back next Saturday. Routes we climbed: three easier half-columns in the first part of the wall, to warm up at 9AM. I don't recall the names. Later: Vantage Point, Whipsaw, Pony Keg and Crossing the Threshold. Pony Keg is a difficult crack climb; only Ian made it to the top, the rest of us gave up two thirds of the route in.

camped overnight at the feathers climbing area, enjoyed cliff-top views and many stars. from the trailhead, crossed the road and walked to a large dune. great fun! side note: if you find a set of keys please LEAVE THEM! I'm returning to look for them ASAP

The desert is bursting into bloom! Phlox is in full bloom, and lupines are reviving, gearing up to bloom within the next couple weeks or so. We saw a LOT of different animal tracks and scat. There were tons of shotgun shells on the Babcock Bench trail. We picked up as many as we could, but had to leave what we couldn't carry. Does anyone know of a way to recycle them properly? This seems to be a recurring issue on some trails, and we'd love to know how to handle it. (Hey WTA, that would make a good article -- how we hikers can responsibly dispose of shells we find!)