McGiver Cabin DAY RUN

McIvers Cabin Club Run
January 18, 2014
Attendees:
Jerome B.
Bill C. and Cheryl
Bob. B.
Mike W. (riding with Bob B.)
Joe P.
Steve S.
Zuki John and Rob
Chad, Joanna and Nash O.

With the exception of Joe who we caught up with along Hwy. 14, the group left from the P&R at 6:35. After gassing up in Mojave, we headed for the trail staging area along the 14 near Red Rock Canyon to offload trailered rigs, air down and hit the trail to McIvers Cabin.
McIvers Cabin was originally built and used during construction of the first Los Angeles Aqueduct. It was purchased in 1938 by Murdo (that is correct) George McIver, a miner, then moved to its current location in the Sequoia National Forest, near the PCT. There is a spring (McIver's Spring) in front of the cabin. He used it to work a mining claim. McIver died in 1981. Since then it has been surprisingly well maintained.
The trail into the cabin is old road bed. You can see where it was paved at one time to the top of the mountain, probably for access to the communication towers at the top of the mountain on the way into the cabin. The trail is mostly dirt with a bit of rock here and there.
Last year, we encountered some patchy snow and some fun icy sections, especially on the North facing slopes. This year, no snow (except for a few very small patches) and no ice. The day was beautiful, more like Spring than mid Winter. This was intended to by a club snow run. Unfortunately the weather gods haven't cooperated. Maybe next year. After we all ate lunch at the cabin, we headed for home.
Even though we all had a good time, I think all would agree that if someone asked us to describe the trip, they would say we drove, drove some more, drove some more, ate lunch and then drove home. Way too much driving! Next year, if we don't have snow, or even if we do, I think we need to change it up a bit by adding a BBQ when we reach the cabin. There is a nice little grill there. Bring some hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. Then everyone bring a salad, desert, chips, condiments, to share with the group. We can run it by the club next January.