Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011
It's late May, so I plan this 15-day trip mostly in Mojave Preserve's beautiful New York Mountains and Mid Hills area, where it's higher and a bit cooler. However, the warm weather is slow arriving this spring, so I have great temperatures (though chilly at night).
The Primm, Nevada Amtrak bus stop is the start and end of this trip; the former stop at Baker, California was discontinued last November, to my disappointment.
I'll log just over 300 combined hiking and bicycling miles during the two weeks I spend here. Excellent trip with some hikes into new-to-me areas. I easily avoid seeing other people for several days at a time.
Click the slideshow link inside each photo album...
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Date: May 15, 2011, 08h38
Size: 15 items
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Album: Day 1: Primm to South McCullough Mountains Wilderness area, Nevada by bicycle
Starting at Primm, Nevada, where the Amtrak bus left me yesterday evening, I ride to the Pine Spring area and set up camp next to the South McCullough Mountains Wilderness, Nevada. 29.3 bicycle miles plus roughly 3500 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 15, 2011, 08h38
Size: 54 items
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Album: Day 2: McCullough Mountains hike, South McCullough Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
McCullough Mountains hike to two unnamed peaks (6557 and 6425) from a campsite near Pine Spring. I was hoping to do this hike last spring, but ran out of time. I won't see any people today. 9.2 hiking miles plus about 2200 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 16, 2011, 09h21
Size: 79 items
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Album: Day 3: South McCullough Mountains Wilderness area to Searchlight, Nevada by bicycle
Today is an easy and scenic ride, often along the edge of the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, from my campsite near Pine Spring in the McCullough Mountains to the town of Searchlight, Nevada. 19.2 miles and about 1500 feet of elevation loss.
Date: May 17, 2011, 07h43
Size: 46 items
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Album: Day 4: Searchlight to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve by bicycle
A wave of happiness sets in when I set up camp at the end of Castle Peaks Road. Back in Searchlight, I was starting to feel a bit "bla." 26 bicycle miles and about 2000 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 18, 2011, 08h01
Size: 56 items
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Album: Day 5: Castle Peaks hike, New York Mountains, Mojave National Preserve
Perfect weather. First, I'll hike over to Indian Spring, hoping to find water so I can spend an extra day here. Then I'll hike around a few of the Castle Peaks pinnacles. I'll see no people today. 10.1 hiking miles and about 2300 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 19, 2011, 10h46
Size: 77 items
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Album: Day 6: Bathtub Spring Peaks (New York Mountains) and Willow Wash hike, Mojave National Preserve
I've often looked at this part of the New York Mountains while passing by, but hadn't explored any of it on foot. Perfect hiking weather again and, like yesterday, I'll see no people today. 13.4 hiking miles and about 2300 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 20, 2011, 10h34
Size: 92 items
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Album: 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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Album: Day 8: Gold Valley bicycle ride and a short hike in Saddle Horse Canyon, Mojave National Preserve
I need to recharge my cell-phone battery, so I ride down to Hole-in-the-Wall visitor centre from Mid Hills campground. I won't have time for a full-day hike, so I do a short one in Saddle Horse Canyon. 19.7 bicycle miles and 3.4 hiking miles.
Date: May 22, 2011, 08h46
Size: 83 items
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Album: Day 9: Summit Spring hike and Wild Horse Canyon bike ride, Mojave National Preserve
Last year, I did a hike in this scenic area, but didn't get as far as I hoped, so today I'll go the rest of the way to Summit Spring in the Providence Mountains. 7.1 hiking miles with about 2200 feet of elevation gain, plus 15.5 bicycle miles.
Date: May 23, 2011, 09h59
Size: 91 items
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Album: Day 10: Teutonia Peak hike, Mojave National Preserve, with Sarah and Heather
A simple hike that's so scenic: the perfect intro for folks new to Mojave National Preserve. I haven't hiked it in several years, so I'm happy to join Sarah and Heather on their hike there. 3.3 hiking miles and about 700 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 24, 2011, 15h01
Size: 41 items
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Album: Day 11: Bicycle ride from Mid Hills campground to Pinto Valley, Mojave National Preserve
After yesterday's relaxing and social day with Sarah and Heather, I'm refreshed and excited to start the final chapter of this trip. I've visited Pinto Valley before, but haven't camped there yet. 16.2 bicycle miles with about 850 feet of elevation gain.
Date: May 25, 2011, 08h37
Size: 45 items
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Album: Day 12: Five-springs hike in the northern Mid Hills/New York Mountains, Mojave National Preserve
After visiting Butcher Knife Spring, Cottonwood Spring and Howe Spring during recent years, I've been wanting to do a hike in this part of the northern Mid Hills to connect these three springs with two others that I haven't visited yet. 12.2 hiking miles.
Date: May 26, 2011, 10h39
Size: 90 items
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Album: Day 13: Bicycle ride to Keckiella Rocks, Mojave National Preserve
After yesterday's inspiring hike, it's time for some easy-going mountain biking from Pinto Valley.
Date: May 27, 2011, 05h17
Size: 38 items
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Album: Day 14: Cliff Canyon Peaks hike, New York Mountains, Mojave National Preserve
From down below (in Ivanpah Valley), I've looked up at this part of the New York Mountains and wondered what's up there. It's much easier to get to from where I'm camped near Pinto Valley, which is partly why I'm here. 9.3 hiking miles.
Date: May 28, 2011, 08h05
Size: 72 items
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Album: Day 15: Pinto Valley, Mojave National Preserve, to Primm via New York Mountains, Ivanpah Road and Nipton by bicycle
Today's ride to end the trip is mostly downhill and so scenic. I get to ride five miles on a new-to-me rough backroad that I'll call the Sagamore Canyon Cut-Off. 46.5 bicycle miles and about 2700 feet of elevation loss.
Date: May 29, 2011, 06h02
Size: 76 items
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