Day 7: Castle Peaks Road to Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve, by bicycle via Lanfair Valley
Another perfect day, temperature-wise, though a bit windy at times. I pack up and move camp over to the Mid Hills area for a few days. 42.5 slow dirt-road bicycle miles plus about 2300 feet of elevation gain.
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Date: May 21, 2011, 09h17
Size: 71 items
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It's warm in the sun this morning, so I move everything into the shade of my juniper tree while I pack up camp
I slept well last night and enjoyed my quick breakfast of granola, nuts, dried fruit, vitamin-C drink and coffee. I've enjoyed my three nights here at the end of Castle Peaks Road and am ready for the next stage of this trip!
Date: May 21, 2011, 09h17
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I hate packing up, but it went reasonably well, and now I begin the ride down Castle Peaks Road
Leaving my campsite by 10h is early for me, but I have a long ride ahead across the heart of Mojave National Preserve. In the sand here, I have to walk the 10-ton bike, and I see my bike tracks and footprints from the past couple of days.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h03
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Approaching the dry reservoir on Castle Peaks Road, I see more of my bicycle tracks from three days ago
On yesterday's hike, I made a right turn here, but today I'll climb over the hill ahead and out of this valley.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h09
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Today's ride will be to the other side of Lanfair Valley, roughly as far as the eye can see here
I'm looking forward to the long ride ahead, all on dirt roads. It won't be a fast ride due to rough road surfaces, but the ups and downs along the way will be gradual for the most part.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h24
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It's fun riding down this little hill on Castle Peaks Road on the way out of the New York Mountains foothills
I forgot about this hill, but now I remember walking the 10-ton bike up it three days ago.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h30
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Riding a winding road in a quiet joshua-tree forest is always enjoyable
The best part is that it's slightly downhill on Castle Peaks Road, so the slightly sandy road doesn't pose any traction difficulties for the 10-ton bike.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h34
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Castle Peaks Road ends after 30 minutes; I start riding the Barnwell-Searchlight railway grade and find this stray balloon
This Mother's Day balloon speaks Spanish (Feliz dia mama). It goes into my saddlebags for later disposal.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h44
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I have a slight headwind, so I don't hear the six 4WD vehicles sneaking up behind me on the Barnwell-Searchlight railway grade
I'm startled! I hear a noise, then notice six vehicles right behind me! Shocking, I haven't seen people in 3 days. As they pass, we chat briefly. One of them gives me a bottle of water (colder than mine, thanks!) and one of them thinks I'm nuts.
Date: May 21, 2011, 10h49
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After 3 miles on the Barnwell-Searchlight railway grade, it ends by an open area, where the next road on my route should begin
Good view of the New York Mountains peaks at centre-left from this area. The lower peaks at centre-right are in the area of the Bathtub Spring Peaks, where I hiked yesterday.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h18
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With assistance from my Delorme GPS, I locate the old road that I'm hoping to follow; it's nearly invisible!
Can you see it straight ahead? I can't. I keep checking my GPS to make sure this is it, and it is. This road hasn't been used at all in a very long time, which is not a good sign. I try riding it anyway.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h20
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After about 100 feet on this old grown-in road, I decide to turn back and take the longer, but easier, Hart Mine Road instead
I love the old backroads, but... It looks like I'll be essentially walking the 10-ton bike cross-country if I continue on this route straight ahead. That might be fun, but I have many more miles to cover today, preferably during daylight.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h24
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Hart Mine Road is a rough dirt road that rises about 250 feet in 2.5 miles on my detour route via Barnwell
It's not steep, but it's bumpy and slow. The rocks along the road are radiating heat, and I'm sweating a bit. My U-shaped bypass around the non-existent road I was hoping to follow will add about 4.5 miles.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h32
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As I approach the former settlement of Barnwell, Mojave National Preserve, I pass an old windmill and water tank
The 10-ton bike waits for me while I climb up the side of the water tank. It's dry inside, as I expected, since it's no longer maintained for use.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h45
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Across the road from the old Barnwell water tank is a corral and another windmill
If I weren't on a mission to reach Mid Hills campground (or Hole-in-the-Wall campground) by the end of the day, I'd stop for an extended exploration break here.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h47
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That old house at Barnwell that I always notice with all the junked vehicles around it: the gate is open
I've always thought that this property is not abandoned, so I've never approached it. But maybe it is...
Date: May 21, 2011, 12h03
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It might be interesting to count how many old cars and trucks sit on this Barnwell property!
A few of these vehicles are rather old.
Date: May 21, 2011, 11h53
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This old house at Barnwell, Mojave National Preserve looks like it was once well cared for
The hipped roof makes the house possibly quite old, while the wide horizontal windows, sliding patio door, and front addition are probably later additions, intended to make the house more "modern."
Date: May 21, 2011, 12h00
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The old house at Barnwell has a stone chimney
The side door is open, but I don't enter, as much as I'm curious.
Date: May 21, 2011, 12h01
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