Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2011
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Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011 Day 12: Five-springs hike in the northern Mid Hills/New York Mountains, Mojave National Preserve
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Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011

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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 arrive in the sandy wash and prepare to climb the hill on my left, on my way toward one of the McCullough Mountains peaks

Date: May 16, 2011, 11h47

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: Cabin Springs and Bathtub Spring.

12.2 hiking miles and about 2300 feet of elevation gain in perfect sunny weather, not hot, not cold.

Date: May 26, 2011, 10h39
Size: 90 items
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A sandy wash near my tent makes for a nice place to dig my morning cat hole, but of course I won't disturb this chia sage

A sandy wash near my tent makes for a nice place to dig my morning cat hole, but of course I won't disturb this chia sage

I woke up many times last night with weird dreams, none of which I remember. Perhaps it was the occasional strong winds that woke me. I was tired enough that I fell back asleep easily.

Date: May 26, 2011, 10h39
Light clouds moved in overnight, attenuating the morning sun and allowing me to sleep in until 9h30, wow!

Light clouds moved in overnight, attenuating the morning sun and allowing me to sleep in until 9h30, wow!

It's cool and breezy this morning, and quite comfortable inside the tent as I munch on breakfast: the usual granola, almonds, dried fruit, vitamin-C drink and instant Starbucks coffee.

Date: May 26, 2011, 10h53
The wind has picked up again, so I place large rocks inside my tent before leaving on today's hike

The wind has picked up again, so I place large rocks inside my tent before leaving on today's hike

I don't want the tent to blow over while I'm gone for the day (which has happened before)! Tent stakes don't work very well in most desert soil, which tends to be either too hard or too soft.

Date: May 26, 2011, 10h57
I've been hearing occasional bluejay chirps all morning

I've been hearing occasional bluejay chirps all morning

There s/he is...

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h14
The Five Springs hike begins and I pass a blooming Goodings verbena as I walk away from my campsite

The Five Springs hike begins and I pass a blooming Goodings verbena as I walk away from my campsite

I've narrowly missed much of the spring wildflower season here. Some areas of the Mid Hills and New York Mountains have a lot of these verbena flowers earlier in the year.

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h16
A couple of bluejays perch on a burned tree, watching my tent

A couple of bluejays perch on a burned tree, watching my tent

Thank you, please defend my tent against any possible intruders while I'm gone hiking!

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h26
I start by walking up the road toward Howe Spring, spring #1 of 5 on today's hike

I start by walking up the road toward Howe Spring, spring #1 of 5 on today's hike

A few old junipers survived the 2005 brush fires here, even though much of the vegetation burned.

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h30
Approaching Howe Spring, I notice some old scrub oaks growing back from their burned structure

Approaching Howe Spring, I notice some old scrub oaks growing back from their burned structure

Turbinella oak (Quercus turbinella), I believe.

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h50
The old cistern at Howe Spring is dry, but there is some water in the adjacent hole in the ground

The old cistern at Howe Spring is dry, but there is some water in the adjacent hole in the ground

It looks like this was a well-maintained spring once upon a time.

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h51
The water at Howe Spring is quite stagnant!

The water at Howe Spring is quite stagnant!

A water filter would probably make this safe to drink, but I'm glad I've brought sufficient water with me today (6 litres).

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h52
I continue walking up the wash beyond Howe Spring toward the top of one of the forks of Butcher Knife Canyon

I continue walking up the wash beyond Howe Spring toward the top of one of the forks of Butcher Knife Canyon

About 3/4 mile ahead, I'll start heading downhill. I've previously hiked the lower part of Butcher Knife Canyon, but not the upper area, so I'm excited.

Date: May 26, 2011, 11h56
I relax at the top of Hill 1751-T above Butcher Knife Canyon and try my cell phone before hiking down to the sandy wash below

I relax at the top of Hill 1751-T above Butcher Knife Canyon and try my cell phone before hiking down to the sandy wash below

I get some reception here at 5720 feet elevation, just enough to send a text message. I should have better reception later on around at the bottom of Butcher Knife Canyon.

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h30
The hike down into Butcher Knife Canyon starts off as a small, rocky drainage

The hike down into Butcher Knife Canyon starts off as a small, rocky drainage

Prior to the 2005 brush fires, this area would have been quite green and shady.

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h47
A few yellow Groundsel flowers and orange Desert mallows brighten up the burned area here

A few yellow Groundsel flowers and orange Desert mallows brighten up the burned area here

I wonder if these plants would have grown here before the 2005 brush fires...

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h48
An instant later, I arrive near the top of Butcher Knife Canyon and start the downhill hike

An instant later, I arrive near the top of Butcher Knife Canyon and start the downhill hike

I visited Butcher Knife Canyon back in 2008, but only hiked the lower areas. I'm looking forward to seeing the upper part of the canyon on the way down.

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h49
Upper Butcher Knife Canyon just looks like a bunch of sand at first, but many little pincushion flowers grow here

Upper Butcher Knife Canyon just looks like a bunch of sand at first, but many little pincushion flowers grow here

Probably Chaenactis fremontii.

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h49
A little further down Butcher Knife Canyon, a green carpet covers the sandy ground

A little further down Butcher Knife Canyon, a green carpet covers the sandy ground

It's going to get greener as I descend further down the canyon.

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h54
I've just reached the really green part of Butcher Knife Canyon

I've just reached the really green part of Butcher Knife Canyon

I haven't seen another person today, so all is quiet, except for the wind. I think I can hear a trickle of water somewhere nearby. There's a reason that these plants are so green, despite being in the Mojave Desert!

Date: May 26, 2011, 12h59
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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