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.
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Date: November 28, 2009, 08h31
Size: 74 items
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Another tiny dry waterfall and tinaja in Bull Canyon
I climb over it toward the rockslide in the background.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h06
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I stumble upon a big patch of fairly fresh scat in Bull Canyon
This spot apparently gets frequent non-human visitors. Is one of them perched up on the rocky hills above, watching me? Maybe I'll find another horn on the ground around here.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h14
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At this time of year when so many plants are going dormant, it's surprising to come across a lone yellow flower in Bull Canyon
I'm not completely sure, but I think this is evening primrose (oenothera hookeri).
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h17
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Gnarled root or trunk, probably from chilopsis linearis (desert willow), which seems to be the only tree in Bull Canyon
Perhaps this has been pushed down the wash by flash floods.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h18
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Even way out here in Bull Canyon, I again come across an old balloon; I doubt someone had a birthday party right here
I keep finding balloons in the most remote places! I stuff it in my backpack for later disposal in the trash.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h31
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I climb over a granite platform as I head further up Bull Canyon
The canyon should bend to the left somewhere soon, but I can't yet see the turning point.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h33
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There is rabbitbrush to push through, and rocks to climb over, in this section of Bull Canyon
One good thing about desert hiking in the cool season is the much-reduced possibility of accidental encounters with snakes hiding in brushy areas like this (they hibernate).
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h48
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I like the exposed rock areas in Bull Canyon that allow me to get out of the brush for a few minutes
This is "avoidance hiking" at its finest: I'm always walking around some rock or shrub!
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h50
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A few dried red buckwheat flowers from this past summer remain in Bull Canyon
I've only noticed a few of these plants in this canyon.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h52
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At times, an imaginary corridor along the canyon wall provides a best way to squeeze past heavy brush
At other times, it's easier to just bushwhack from one opening in the rabbitbrush to another.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h54
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Ah, more rabbitbrush to get past in Bull Canyon!
The rabbitbrush is dusty enough that bushwhacking through it sometimes sends puffs of dust into the air.
Date: November 28, 2009, 13h59
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I'll get past this patch of rabbitbrush by walking up the rock steps at the base of the canyon wall
It's 14h now: let's see how much further I can get up Bull Canyon before I have to turn around and go home for the night.
Date: November 28, 2009, 14h00
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Walking through an open area in middle Bull Canyon
After a few more bends and perhaps half a mile is a major fork in the canyon, and a couple of springs beyond that. Due to the short days, I won't have time to go that far today, unfortunately.
Date: November 28, 2009, 14h03
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More rock ahead to climb over in middle Bull Canyon...
It looks much bigger than anything I've hopped over or around so far today.
Date: November 28, 2009, 14h05
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How cool, a little dry waterfall in middle Bull Canyon; it must be 15-20 feet tall
It's odd that I should encounter a natural obstacle just at the time that I'm thinking of turning around and returning to camp. It looks steep and slippery, but I could probably make it up if done carefully.
Date: November 28, 2009, 14h08
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