Charleston Peak C-54M 5/23/09
Read MoreOn 11/17/55 the USAF C-54M Skymaster #44-9068 crashed while on a routine flight carrying scientific and technical personnel from the Lockheed Skunk Works in Burbank, California to Groom Lake, Nevada where they were working on the U-2 spy plane. Because of the secrecy, the crew were never in contact with air traffic control. The plane flew on a new route that would cut 10 minutes off the total flight time by first heading northeast to Goodsprings, then turning northwest to their destination. The pilot thought they were flying west of the Spring Mountains, but a 75 mph crosswind, twice as much as expected, pushed the C-54 into a canyon heading toward Charleston Peak. The error in the aircraft’s position in relation to the Spring Mountain range and blinded by clouds resulted in the C-54 impacting just 50 feet below the crest of the ridge leading to Charleston Peak’s 11,818 foot summit. The crew of four and the ten passengers were killed in the accident.
After hiking about 4.5 miles and gaining 3,100 feet of altitude, we reached the top of the switchbacks and now are on the ridge leading to the peak. It will be about another 4.0 miles and due to the ups and downs on the trail, another 1,100 foot gain to reach the C-54's crash site.
At the top of the switchbacks, Sooz and Robin headed off to climb Griffith Peak which will add a mile and 500 feet of gain to their hike while Chip and I continued on. They will met up with us at the crash site.