Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009
My Spring 2011 Mojave National Preserve trip travelogue (15 days) is now online.
My 10th anniversary Mojave National Preserve bicycle-camping trip. I didn't know when I first visited Mojave National Preserve back in 1999 that I would be coming back with my bicycle many more times. As usual, I take the Amtrak train-and-bus combination to the start of the trip in Baker, California.
The chilly late-November weather means that I'm avoiding the higher elevations in the Preserve, but it provides an opportunity to comfortably visit the often-hot Devil's Playground area. High daytime temperatures in nearby Baker during this trip range from 54F to 72F, while overnight lows range from 32F to 41F.
Four of this trip's eight days were hiking days. I camped two nights on the east side of Devil's Playground, three nights on Cornfield Spring Road and two nights off the power-line road west of Kelso Dunes. Drinking water came from Kelso Depot, Cornfield Spring and a store in Baker.
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Date: November 22, 2009, 07h00
Size: 9 items
(425 items total)
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: Baker to east side of Devil's Playground, northwest of Old Dad Mountain, by bicycle (Day 1)
I was hoping to visit the Old Dad Mountain area while visiting Mojave National Preserve a few months ago, but hot weather was setting in at the lower elevations. 20.8 bicycle miles and 1560 feet of elevation gain, carrying a 16-litre load of water.
Date: November 22, 2009, 07h00
Size: 34 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: Old Dad Mountain Canyon and Idora Mine Canyon day hike (Day 2)
Two unnamed canyons east of Devil's Playground off Old Kelso Road once sustained minor mining activity and have been on my list to visit for some time; today I'll hike them both. 13.4 hiking miles and 3325 feet elevation gain.
Date: November 23, 2009, 07h11
Size: 67 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: Devil's Playground to Cornfield Spring Road via Jackass Canyon by bicycle (Day 3)
It will be a long day, with several tiring miles of walking the bike in parts of Devil's Playground and scenic Jackass Canyon. 31 bicycle miles and 2739 feet elevation gain; more hike-a-biking than I've ever done in a single day.
Date: November 24, 2009, 08h12
Size: 34 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: hike to Cornfield Spring on the west side of the Providence Mountains (Day 4)
When I camped here in May, hot valley temperatures were setting in. I didn't make it to Cornfield Spring, but today I will, and I'll filter some fresh drinking water. I won't see another person today. 9.5 hiking miles round-trip.
Date: November 25, 2009, 11h49
Size: 50 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: Hike to Rex Mine and west edge of the Providence Mountains (Day 5)
Camp stays set up while I go for a hike over to the old Rex Mine. I improvise my route after that and end up in "West Edgar Canyon #3" on the west edge of the Providence Mountains. 10.8 hiking miles and 1575 feet of elevation gain.
Date: November 26, 2009, 10h16
Size: 81 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: Cornfield Spring Road to west of Kelso Dunes by bicycle (Day 6)
I haven't seen people or pavement for a couple of days. That will change as I move my campsite to somewhere west of Kelso Dunes, with a nice social stop at the Kelso Depot visitor centre along the way. A laid-back day with just only 16 bicycle miles.
Date: November 27, 2009, 10h43
Size: 27 items
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Album: 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.
Date: November 28, 2009, 08h31
Size: 74 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve: Kelso Dunes area to Baker, CA by bicycle (Day 8)
After last night's thunderstorm, it's a relief that the sunshine has come out. A satisfying ride back to Baker and an enjoyable chat with Preserve staff at Kelso Depot along the way. 48.9 bicycle miles, and 2195 feet of elevation gain.
Date: November 29, 2009, 07h33
Size: 32 items
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Album: Mojave National Preserve hiking and biking maps from this trip
Mojave National Preserve hiking and biking maps from this trip.
Date: December 29, 2009, 13h10
Size: 17 items
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