Mojave National Preserve: Old Dad Mountain Canyon and Idora Mine Canyon day hike (Day 2)
Mojave National Preserve is largely a land of nameless canyons waiting to be discovered.
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. I'll call them "Old Dad Canyon" (the canyon north and east of Old Dad Mountain) and "Idora Mine Canyon" (the east-west canyon that leads up to a mining claim owned by Idora Silver Mine).
13.4 hiking miles and 3325 feet elevation gain. I'll eat 3 Clif bars and drink 2.25 litres of water. This is less water than I'm used to consuming, but I often hike in much hotter weather than this.
Temperatures recorded in nearby Baker, CA today are a high of 66F and a low of 39F.
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Date: November 23, 2009, 07h11
Size: 67 items
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I spend a bit of time at the summit of Old Dad Canyon at 3250 feet, enjoying the views and the solitude
I'm pondering how I want to continue my hike from here. It's still fairly early in the day, but sundown begins around 16h, with darkness arriving just after 17h.
Date: November 23, 2009, 11h34
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One option is to continue ahead, down into the south end of Old Dad Canyon and climb up Old Dad Mountain on a known ascent route
I like the idea, and the ascent route is only about 3/4 mile down the hill from here. It may be a slow climb and I probably wouldn't make it back to the tent until well after dark. I start walking down the hill, but then turn back.
Date: November 23, 2009, 11h34
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I could also try heading straight west from here up to the top of the Old Dad Mountain range
It might be a bit steep and slippery in places, but it might be easier than it looks. I'd get great views across the Devil's Playground below from up there. It's not that far from here.
Date: November 23, 2009, 11h38
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I decide that what I really want is to hike back down Old Dad Canyon the way I came, and then hike a bit of Idora Mine Canyon
The views will be great on the way back down Old Dad Canyon, and I've been curious about Idora Mine Canyon for a while now.
Date: November 23, 2009, 11h50
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I have to put my sweater on for the hike back down Old Dad Canyon
Strong, chilly winds have set in, so I have to put my sweater on before starting the walk back down. I wonder if it's just windy up here, or if it's windy down at my campsite as well.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h00
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Walking back down Old Dad Canyon
I sort of regret not climbing higher up into the mountains, but there just isn't enough time to do everything in a day, especially a late autumn day that's short on daylight hours.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h20
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Part of Old Dad Canyon ahead is now deeply shaded from the midday sun
The juxtaposition of various earth textures contributes to making this an interesting hike.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h31
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In the shaded area, I stumble upon an archeological feature
I missed this on the way up the canyon because I was walking up the other side of the wash.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h47
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This close-up focuses on the teeth and jaw
Adjacent Old Dad Mountain is territory for these rock-climbing animals, so this find probably isn't all that surprising.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h47
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Looking closer, I see that a small tuft of fur remains between the two horns
I wonder how long this has been here...
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h48
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I look around and notice a few bones scattered nearby
I keep scanning the area to see if there's anything else of interest nearby that I haven't seen yet.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h48
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A few of the bones look dark and perhaps a bit moist, as if the last remaining meat was plucked off them just a few days ago
Ive only seen one skull and set of horns, so perhaps the darker bones are from a more recently deceased sheep than the lighter bones.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h49
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Up the steep rock hillside above Old Dad Canyon are scattered numerous small caves
Some of these are pretty high up; I wonder if the sheep can get to them using their superior vertical-climbing skills.
Date: November 23, 2009, 12h51
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A little further down the wash, I pass by the old truck again
This time I'm going to take a closer look.
Date: November 23, 2009, 13h06
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I lift up the hood to take a peek inside
A few plants are living inside the engine cavity, including a number of barrel-cactus sprouts. It would be interesting to come back in a couple of years to see if the sprouts continue to grow or if they die off in their confined living space.
Date: November 23, 2009, 13h07
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