Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009 Mojave National Preserve: Bull Canyon hike, Granite Mountains, (Day 7)
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009

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My cheap digital camera picks up some of the glowing pinks and blues of this Mojave National Preserve sunset

My cheap digital camera picks up some of the glowing pinks and blues of this Mojave National Preserve sunset

Date: November 24, 2009, 16h43

Mojave National Preserve: Bull Canyon hike, Granite Mountains, (Day 7)

My first time hiking into a canyon in the Granite Mountains. I approach it from the Kelso Dunes area. Great rocky scenery worth another visit. 11.5 hiking miles, 2140 feet elevation gain.

Temperatures recorded in Baker, CA: high of 54F, low 41F.

Date: November 28, 2009, 08h31
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A brisk sunny morning on my camping mound with a view of Kelso Dunes

A brisk sunny morning on my camping mound with a view of Kelso Dunes

I still have a cold, but it's not as bad as it was. If I look closely, I can see two people, smaller than ants, climbing up the Kelso Dunes a couple of miles away. It's noticeably cooler this morning.

Date: November 28, 2009, 08h31
On the other side of my tent are the Granite Mountains, with the mouth of Bull Canyon, today's hike, in front of the hill

On the other side of my tent are the Granite Mountains, with the mouth of Bull Canyon, today's hike, in front of the hill

Several canyons penetrate the Granite Mountains in this area. I've randomly chosen Bull Canyon because it penetrates the mountains deeper than some of the others, but I probably won't have time to hike all the way up.

Date: November 28, 2009, 08h33
The hike begins with a 1.3 mile walk on the power-line road west of Kelso Dunes, which soon becomes quite sandy

The hike begins with a 1.3 mile walk on the power-line road west of Kelso Dunes, which soon becomes quite sandy

I was hoping to arrive in the area earlier yesterday and set up camp a bit closer to the mouth of Bull Canyon, but a fun two hours of socializing at Kelso Depot yesterday afternoon delayed me a bit.

Date: November 28, 2009, 10h34
This road also serves as access to a gas pipeline, as evidenced by "marker 64" here

This road also serves as access to a gas pipeline, as evidenced by "marker 64" here

Signed "Pacific Lighting Gas Supply Company." Presumably the pipeline leads to Los Angeles.

Date: November 28, 2009, 10h40
The power-line road heads straight up a really steep grade ahead, but a detour to the left offers an easier way over the hill

The power-line road heads straight up a really steep grade ahead, but a detour to the left offers an easier way over the hill

Since I'm hiking, I'll take the shorter, steeper route. The power-line roads out here are notorious for their steep ups and downs as they trace straight lines across the desert, ignoring the topography.

Date: November 28, 2009, 10h47
The short, sandy hill on the power-line road is really steep, rising at about 15% grade, with poor traction

The short, sandy hill on the power-line road is really steep, rising at about 15% grade, with poor traction

This would be tough to get up with the 10-ton bike. With the bike, I would have taken the more gradual detour road around the hill for sure.

Date: November 28, 2009, 10h50
Looking back down the power-line road hill that I just walked up, toward the Providence Mountains

Looking back down the power-line road hill that I just walked up, toward the Providence Mountains

Yup, it's as steep as it looks. Edgar Peak in the Providence Mountains is hidden by clouds this morning.

Date: November 28, 2009, 10h52
Heading down the other side of the power-line road is almost as steep as it was coming up

Heading down the other side of the power-line road is almost as steep as it was coming up

The power-line road continues for many miles, reaching the next speck of civilization about 25 miles further on at the village of Ludlow, CA.

Date: November 28, 2009, 10h54
A GPS check tells me that I can turn left anywhere here and start hiking up the fan to the mouth of Bull Canyon

A GPS check tells me that I can turn left anywhere here and start hiking up the fan to the mouth of Bull Canyon

Good, I'm tired of the power-line road!

Date: November 28, 2009, 11h00
Looks like I may have a rocky hike ahead me up into Bull Canyon, the gap in the middle of the two big hills

Looks like I may have a rocky hike ahead me up into Bull Canyon, the gap in the middle of the two big hills

I haven't been to Bull Canyon before, so I'm not sure what to expect. A lot of desert canyons are quite rocky and sometimes densely vegetated.

Date: November 28, 2009, 11h06
Now that I'm about 1.25 miles up the rocky fan and 300 feet higher, the Kelso Dunes create a contrasty backdrop behind me

Now that I'm about 1.25 miles up the rocky fan and 300 feet higher, the Kelso Dunes create a contrasty backdrop behind me

Of course, I'm more interested in the view ahead of me right now as I approach Bull Canyon with anticipation.

Date: November 28, 2009, 11h41
Approaching Bull Canyon, I'm happy when I stumble upon an animal trail like this one, to help me navigate the rocky terrain

Approaching Bull Canyon, I'm happy when I stumble upon an animal trail like this one, to help me navigate the rocky terrain

These animal trails vanish sometimes as quickly as they appear, but they're always helpful whenever I find them.

Date: November 28, 2009, 11h43
Burned desert willow (chilopsis linearis) in Bull Canyon wash, Mojave National Preserve

Burned desert willow (chilopsis linearis) in Bull Canyon wash, Mojave National Preserve

Quite clearly, there was once a brush fire here in Bull Canyon.

Date: November 28, 2009, 11h58
Seasonal streams have done a good job of polishing this rock bed in lower Bull Canyon, Mojave National Preserve

Seasonal streams have done a good job of polishing this rock bed in lower Bull Canyon, Mojave National Preserve

It may be dry right now, but this place must get pretty wet after a thunderstorm... I take note of the trees (probably junipers and pinon pines) growing on the high hill in the distance.

Date: November 28, 2009, 12h00
I finally start to enter the foot of the Granite Mountains in Bull Canyon

I finally start to enter the foot of the Granite Mountains in Bull Canyon

The canyon is starting to have walls, albeit it low ones.

Date: November 28, 2009, 12h08
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Other bicycle camping trips on drycyclist.com:
  • Mojave National Preserve Lanfair Valley Loop Bicycle Camping, Fall 2012 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2012 (15 days)
  • Cady Mountains, Sleeping Beauty and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bicycle Camping, Fall 2011 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve and Area Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2011 (15 days)
  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve bikepacking and camping, Spring 2010 (14 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking 2008 (14 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Xmas 2007 Mountain-Bike Camping (one week)
  • Henry Coe State Park Mountain-Bike Camping 2007 (eight nights)
  • Death Valley Bicycle Camping 2007 (two weeks)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bicycle Camping 2006 (four nights)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2006 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2000 (11 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 1999 (one week)
Contact mojave2009 at drycyclist dot com