Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2011
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Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011 Day 7: Castle Peaks Road to Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve, by bicycle via Lanfair Valley
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Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011

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A major luxury...

A major luxury...

Date: May 18, 2011, 10h30

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.

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

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
I hate packing up, but it went reasonably well, and now I begin the ride down Castle Peaks Road

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
Approaching the dry reservoir on Castle Peaks Road, I see more of my bicycle tracks from three days ago

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
Today's ride will be to the other side of Lanfair Valley, roughly as far as the eye can see here

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
It's fun riding down this little hill on Castle Peaks Road on the way out of the New York Mountains foothills

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
Riding a winding road in a quiet joshua-tree forest is always enjoyable

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
Castle Peaks Road ends after 30 minutes; I start riding the Barnwell-Searchlight railway grade and find this stray balloon

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
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 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
After 3 miles on the Barnwell-Searchlight railway grade, it ends by an open area, where the next road on my route should begin

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
With assistance from my Delorme GPS, I locate the old road that I'm hoping to follow; it's nearly invisible!

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
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

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
Hart Mine Road is a rough dirt road that rises about 250 feet in 2.5 miles on my detour route via Barnwell

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
As I approach the former settlement of Barnwell, Mojave National Preserve, I pass an old windmill and water tank

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
Across the road from the old Barnwell water tank is a corral and another windmill

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
That old house at Barnwell that I always notice with all the junked vehicles around it: the gate is open

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
It might be interesting to count how many old cars and trucks sit on this Barnwell property!

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
This old house at Barnwell, Mojave National Preserve looks like it was once well cared for

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
The old house at Barnwell has a stone chimney

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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Other bikepacking 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)
  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bicycle Camping, Spring 2010 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bicycle Camping, Fall 2009 (8 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 mojave2011 at drycyclist dot com