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Sierra Club Bulletin 



at the mouth of Andreas Canon. This grove a hundred years ago, ac- 

 cording to Pablo, an Indian, was the annual meeting place of the Agua 

 Caliente Indians, a few of whom may be seen today around the hot 

 springs below. Mortars and hieroglyphics can still be seen in the near- 

 by caves. Last year the club had camped here and explored five nearby 

 cafions, tropical with thousands of these palms. Farther from the stream 

 there is only cactus, greasewood and mesquite. The "barrel cactus" 

 grows nearly head high, and by cutting out the top with a hand ax and 

 crushing the pulp with the handle, a cup of watery juice can soon be 

 extracted which easily allays thirst on the desert. 



But again is heard the honk of the mountain buses, and we gather the 

 stragglers of the group to wave adieu to the most varied scenes of this 

 four-day trip, and after a stop at Palm Springs to test the mud baths 

 and see the Desert Inn, the enjoyment and the hardship of the outing 

 mingle in pleasant memory. 



Club Gathering 



Wishing to bring more of the spirit of informality into the annual in- 

 door reunion of the Southern Section of the Sierra Club, an informal 

 supper was given in the municipal club house at Echo Park, Los Ange- 

 les, on November 24th. Arrangements were made with a cafeteria for 

 the hot food and the Sierra Club members did all the rest. At six-thirty 

 there was a real Sierra Club line-up for supper, and nearly two hundred 

 hungry hikers took their plates and cups to the long tables which had 

 been set in the main hall. 



After supper the tables were removed and, naturally, a very informal 

 social time ensued while changing the room into an assembly hall. A 

 very good program followed, Mr. Tappaan officiating. This included an 

 informal talk on the High Sierra by Chester Versteeg, illustrated by 

 beautiful natural-color views, mostly by Mr. Ink. Then a little informal 

 dance and it was time to leave, every one feeling that this was the most 

 successful indoor gathering ever held by the Southern Section, and at 

 just half the expense of the more formal affairs, thus keeping in line 

 with the universal purpose of conservation and the avoidance of useless 

 expenditure. 



Mum Lodge 



The Muir Lodge reunions in the spring for John Muir's birthday cele- 

 bration, and in October for the dedication anniversary, are events long 

 anticipated and largely attended. But Muir Lodge means more than 

 that. Almost daily, along the high, winding trail come members of our 

 big mountain family to rest in their own mountain home. It is a well- 

 observed code of honor to leave Muir Lodge a little cleaner and the fire- 



