HPS, Hundred Peaks Section, 274 Peaks

       The idea for the Hundred Peaks Section came from architect and author Weldon F. Heald (1901-1967) who compiled a list of 112 peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation in the Southern California area in 1940. Weldon Heald and Jack Bascom climbed many of the peaks and established names for high points that were unnamed. On March 10, 1946 the first 100 Peaks scheduled hike was organized to Iron No. 3 and Rabbit Peak. In June 1946 Weldon completed hiking 100 of the peaks on his list. On September 15, 1954 the Hundred Peaks Section was officially established as a section of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.
        Although still called the Hundred Peaks Section the HPS list presently has 271 peaks shown in the January 2010 listing. All of the peaks are over 5,000 feet and extend from Sheephead, the most southerly peak in San Diego county, to Owens Peak the most northerly peak located northwest of Inyokern. Owens Peak is also on the SPS list. In the south there are three peaks, Martinez Mountain, Rabbit Peak, and Rosa Point that are also on the DPS list.
       In November of 1999, by a vote of the members, the section deleted one peak and added five new ones thereby increasing the total to 277 peaks. The peak deleted was Ranger Peak, a drive-up summit with a nearby microwave tower which was deemed not worthy by the membership. Three new peaks have been added which have been named for distinguished deceased members of the section. Two of these: Russell Peak and Backus Peak are in the southern Sierra on a ridgeline southeast of Morris Peak. The other named for a person is Sam Fink Peak in the San Jacinto Mountains southeast of the tram station. Another peak added is Newton Drury Peak on the San Jacinto crest south of Little Round Valley. The final peak added is Dragons Head, an unofficially named point on the slopes about 3/4 mile southwest of San Gorgonino Mountain. Of these five new peaks Newton Drury Peak is the only one officially named which appears on the relevant topo map.
      Another change was made to the HPS list when by vote of the members in December, 2000 the peak Bighorn Mountain in the San Bernardino Mountains was added. This peak is shown on the map as spot elevation 10,997 feet and is not officially named. Also, due to access problems Mt. Harvard has been permanently deleted. The most recent change is the addition of Toro Peak by a vote of the members in the fall of 2002. This peak, although nearly a drive-up, is one of the more prominent peaks in southern California and is the high point of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
       The membership deleted seven peaks in the fall of 2010 and three peaks have been added. Deleted peaks are: Cannel BM, Pilot Knob, Cleghorn Mtn., Cajon Mtn., Sugarpine Mtn., Monument Peak #2, and Cuyapaipe BM. Added peaks are: Goodykoontz Peak, Bailey Peak and Mt McDill. The first two of these are spot elevations on the relevant topo maps and are not officially named peaks. Mt. McDill was on the HPS list years ago and has been relisted after some access problems have now been resolved.
       Sometime earlier, Hot Springs Mountain was deleted and this is unfortunate since it is the highpoint of San Diego County. It is true that access to this peak has been a prolem since it is on Indian land, but lately the situation has improved and it is generally possible to go to the summit on weekends.
       The official publication of the Section is The Lookout which is issued six times a year. A subscription is $10.00 per year and full membership is attained by being a Sierra Club member and climbing 25 or more of the listed peaks. The Section has an HPS Peaks Guide which is $31.75 including postage. The guide does not include topo maps showing routes to the summit, but these can be purchased separately for $18.00 including postage. Guides and maps can also be found on the HPS web site at: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/

Revised: January 20, 2010