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.
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Date: May 17, 2011, 07h43
Size: 46 items
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I slept fairly well, but wake up early to a chilly, grey morning here in the McCullough Mountains foothills
One of my jobs as I pack up camp is to transfer all that extra water in my 10-litre black bag into my water bottles. The wind is still high this morning, and my tent still nicely sheltered from most of it.
Date: May 17, 2011, 07h43
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Near my tent, this shiny black bug is having fun climbing a bush
I slowly eat one of my typical camp breakfasts: granola, some tamari almonds, dried apricots, dried pineapple, two cold cups of good Starbucks instant coffee (Tribute blend) and a cup of vitamin-C drink.
Date: May 17, 2011, 09h30
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Camp slowly gets packed up, and I lazily leave my Pine Spring campsite around 11h30
Today I've decided to ride into nearby Searchlight, Nevada, skirting around the east side of the Wee Thump Wilderness on a dirt road. This is not part of my original plan, but it won't take me significantly out of my way. Plans are made to be changed!
Date: May 17, 2011, 10h36
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The first part of the backtrack ride away from the Pine Spring area rolls in between some low hills
It's a remarkably green landscape, for the Mojave Desert, if not a bit grey, due to all the joshua trees, cholla cacti and blackbrush.
Date: May 17, 2011, 11h38
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I've just climbed up the single short, steep hill on the way out of Pine Spring
I'm still quite tired this morning, so even this little hill, which I had to walk up, feels like a lot of work. I can't wait until my strength builds up as this trip continues!
Date: May 17, 2011, 11h50
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From here, the high point of the day, at about 4925 feet elevation, it will be mostly gentle downhill until I reach Searchlight
Searchlight is down around 3550 feet. On the way, I'll cross that expanse of joshua tree forest ahead, the right portion of which is the Wee Thump Wilderness. The road here has a fair amount of loose rock.
Date: May 17, 2011, 11h53
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This part of Pine Spring Road is fun to descend, with a drop of about 600 feet elevation in 1.5 miles to the powerline road
Parts of the road are clear of loose rock, but for much of it, I have to keep my speed really low, despite the gentle downhill.
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h04
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On the other side of Piute Valley is the Highland Range, about which I know little
I make a note to myself to look up information on the Highland Range when I get back home. The ridge-line profile is intriguing...
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h10
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It's a great ride rolling downward toward the McCullough Mountains powerline road
However, I am riding the brakes hard to keep my speed low, due to the loose rock. Without all the gear I'm carrying, this could be a fun faster-speed mountain-bike ride.
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h09
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I take a short break at the junction of Pine Spring Road and the powerline road, looking back toward the McCullough Mountains
Time for an energy bar (yes, I need an energy bar already) and to give my hands a brief rest from all the braking I've done coming down that hill.
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h23
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I'm still wearing my sweater as I ride along the Wee Thump Wilderness' northern boundary
I'm down at around 4400 feet elevation now, and the sun is coming out, but I can still feel that cold breeze. It's unseasonably cool here this year.
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h41
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I spot a few Indian paintbrush flowers near the road on the northeast side of Wee Thump Wilderness
I thought I missed the wildflower season at lower elevations, so I'm pleased to see these. I've seen relatively few wildflowers this year compared to last spring's trip at about the same time of year.
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h55
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The road along the northeast side of Wee Thump Wilderness is often (but not always) in good condition
It's a really enjoyable ride, even on the 10-ton bike, since it's mostly level.
Date: May 17, 2011, 12h57
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At around 4200 feet, I'm starting to see just a few wildflowers in the Wee Thump Wilderness area
A patch of beavertail cactus blooms magenta under a joshua tree next to some familiar yellow flowers whose name I forget.
Date: May 17, 2011, 13h04
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Nearby, a campsite and fire ring are on the other side of the road from the Wee Thump Wilderness
The McCullough Mountains, where I hiked yesterday, sit in the background.
Date: May 17, 2011, 13h04
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I come across a road marked as a dead-end, only 0.2 miles long
Since it's such a short road, I decide to ride up that way and see where a 0.2-mile-long road would lead. It must have a reason to exist...
Date: May 17, 2011, 13h11
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It turns out that the short dead-end road ends at a guzzler (a contraption for storing rain water for later use by wildlife)
I knew this road had to lead to something!
Date: May 17, 2011, 13h14
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"This device for watering game birds was paid for with YOUR money"
No bullet holes in this sign yet.
Date: May 17, 2011, 13h14
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