Day 2: McCullough Mountains hike, South McCullough Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
Day hike into the McCullough Mountains 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. 9.2 hiking miles plus about 2200 feet of elevation gain.
I'll drink a bit more than two litres of water, and see a bluejay, a few lizards, and a couple of jackrabbits. Otherwise, the day will be rather quiet critter-wise. I won't see any people today.
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Date: May 16, 2011, 09h21
Size: 79 items
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Nice morning here near Pine Spring, South McCullough Mountains Wilderness, Nevada
Waking up after the first night of a camping trip is always special; I've finally arrived. It was chilly overnight and I'm feeling exhausted from yesterday. I was so tired that I didn't wake up once during the night.
Date: May 16, 2011, 09h38
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One nice thing about my Pine Spring campsite is a little sandy drainage area near my tent, perfect for a cat hole
In so many places out here, it can be really hard to dig a hole in the rocky desert soil.
Date: May 16, 2011, 09h21
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Gold flowers growing in the gravel near my tent, which I think at first are goldfields (Lasthenia californica)
However, these are Eriophyllum wallacei (Wallace's Woolly Daisy). I haven't seen a lot of wildflowers yet, perhaps I'll see more on today's hike up into the McCullough Mountains.
Date: May 16, 2011, 09h52
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I start today's hike after a slow breakfast and notice an old coconut-juice can by Pine Spring Road
This is different... usually the discarded cans I find in the desert tend to be of the "Bud Lite" variety. Breakfast was granola and tamari almonds, a combination I usually like, but I guess I'm not used to dry low-fat camping food yet.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h02
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My energy is really low this morning as I start walking up the road toward the McCullough Mountains
A mature juniper grows almost in the road ahead. My two cups of coffee (Starbuck's instant Tribute Blend) a short while ago don't seem to be providing much of a kickstart. My cup of vitamin-C drink doesn't seem to have helped much either.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h21
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There are also a few old pinyon pine trees along Pine Spring Rd: not a surprise given the name of this place
It's not even a hot day, but I'm already appreciating the brief shade as I hopefully get warmed up for this hike. The road is quite sandy in places, so I'm glad I didn't bother dragging the 10-ton bike any further last night.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h24
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A few healthy barberry bushes grow along Pine Spring Road
Though lush-looking and green, this plant has tough, prickly leaves that you don't really want to brush up against.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h35
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I must be near Pine Spring; here's an old rusty tobacco can lid
Copenhagen satisfies!
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h38
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I'm surprised to find a trough at Pine Spring, overflowing with water of decent quality; a few bees are living on the margins
I was expecting a dry, or semi-dry, spring here, not a developed one. I've brought enough water with me to this area, but it's nice to know that there's more in case of an emergency.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h39
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The Pine Spring water trough is inside a corral, which is apparently still in use by cows
However, I haven't seen any cows around here yet.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h41
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A bit beyond the Pine Spring corral is an old water trough and a rusty water tank
It appears that a smaller water trough was installed inside the larger one when it rusted out.
Date: May 16, 2011, 10h45
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I've hiked two miles up Pine Spring Road, which ends here, so I climb a hill to get oriented for the day's off-trail hiking
There is almost a trail here in places, probably an animal trail, but perhaps not. People do visit this area, as told by the fresh tire tracks on the road below.
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h01
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From this hill above Pine Spring, I see a possible route to the McCullough Mountains ridgeline straight ahead, a bit to the left
This route would probably be fine, but I decide to dip down into a wash at my right to pick up one of the routes that I prerecorded in my GPS.
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h13
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Out of nowhere, a grasshopper pops into the air and lands nearby
This is one well-camouflaged insect...
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h36
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A few mariposa lilies are blooming on this hill above Pine Spring
Despite their brilliant colour, I rarely notice insects in these flowers.
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h37
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On the way down to the wash, a patch of ankle-high cacti requires careful avoidance hiking
This is my first desert hike of the year, so I'm still getting reacquainted with the zigzagging hiking style often required in order to avoid the prickly stuff.
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h40
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I arrive in the sandy wash and prepare to climb the hill on my left, on my way toward one of the McCullough Mountains peaks
I've just lost 275 feet elevation in the half-mile downhill walk to here from that hill above Pine Spring behind me.
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h47
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Diminutive chia sages grow in the wash here
Though easy to miss while hiking, you know when you've brushed up against these by the rich sage scent that they emit.
Date: May 16, 2011, 11h51
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