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 with about 1300 feet of elevation gain.
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Date: May 23, 2011, 09h59
Size: 91 items
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Another beautiful morning at Mid Hills campground; it's nice to have a water supply, so I heat up water to wash myself
I don't always have the luxury of extra water for washing! It was less chilly last night, so I slept well. After a slow breakfast of coffee, granola, nuts and dried fruit, I pack the bicycle and ride to the Providence Mountains for today's hike.
Date: May 23, 2011, 09h59
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I stop at the water tap near my campsite at Mid Hills campground and fill up; I won't be passing any water holes today
Of course, I'm bringing along the usual items as well: maps, cell phone (which usually can't get reception), hiking hat, energy bars, epipens in case of a yellowjacket sting, bicycle tube and pump...
Date: May 23, 2011, 10h32
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After leaving Mid Hills campground, I ride down Wild Horse Canyon Road and cross over this cattle guard
I'll be reminded soon that cows still graze in this area and that this cattle guard is not just a remnant from the past.
Date: May 23, 2011, 10h43
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A pick-up truck passes me on Wild Horse Canyon Road, a major event
The lack of traffic on this road makes it a pleasure to ride. I always enjoy riding this part of Wild Horse Canyon Road with the high peaks of the Providence Mountains poking up in the distance.
Date: May 23, 2011, 10h50
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As I ride down Wild Horse Canyon Road, a few cows start to cross, but I end up inadvertently chasing them
The cows have decided to stay on the road, and they run away from me, spooked. It's like I'm rounding them up on my bicycle!
Date: May 23, 2011, 10h53
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After 5 minutes, the cows are still running down Wild Horse Canyon Road, with me chasing them on my bicycle
They ran briefly into the brush, but returned to the road immediately thereafter. It's funny to watch; cows don't run very gracefully! Is the earth here vibrating?
Date: May 23, 2011, 10h59
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We come around a bend by Macedonia Canyon Road and start heading uphill; the cows aren't running quite so quickly anymore
And I'm not riding so quickly anymore either. Finally, the cows disperse into the brush and I pass by them as I continue riding along Wild Horse Canyon Road. Should this be called Wild Cow Canyon Road instead?
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h00
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I continue riding down Wild Horse Canyon Road toward the Wild Horse Mesa area, watching for the easy-to-miss Bluejay Mine Road
A few puffy Desert thistles (Cirsium neomexicanum) grow along the road here. If I were camping at Hole-in-the-Wall campground, I would be much closer to today's hike, but I just don't like that campground as much as Mid Hills.
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h08
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And there it is: Bluejay Mine Road; I leave Wild Horse Canyon Road here
I've been here a couple of times now, and it's a fun ride on a mountain bike: about 1.5 miles to the end of the road, which will be the trailhead for today's hike in the north end of the Providence Mountains
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h12
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A short stretch of Bluejay Mine Road is in a sandy wash, and I'm glad it doesn't last too long
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can drive this easily enough, but it's just uphill enough that I occasionally lose traction and have to walk the bike a short distance.
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h21
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Bluejay Mine Road gets a bit better after rising out of the sandy wash
It's slightly uphill, but has good traction here, so it's good mountain-bike riding again, at least for a few feet.
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h28
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Like so many desert backroads, Bluejay Mine Road deteriorates as it approaches its end
Yes, this is a road!
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h37
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Bluejay Mine Road ends here, so I stash my bike in the brush, lock it up, and begin today's hike
Before I begin climbing the big hill, I'll make a quick stop at the entrance to the old Bluejay Mine over there.
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h42
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I take a look into the old entrance to the Bluejay Mine before I start climbing up the hill
Hey, I took this photo last year also, while hiking through this area. I take a peek inside the opening, but it doesn't go in very far.
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h54
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A yellow-chested bird watches me begin the hike up the steep hill above Bluejay Mine
The branches of the tree may have burned during the 2005 brush fires here, but they still provide a nice perch.
Date: May 23, 2011, 11h56
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My first stop on the way up the hill is the upper shaft opening to the Bluejay Mine
Some birds live here; they fly away when I approach. Presumably, this opening once communicated with the lower opening that I just visited.
Date: May 23, 2011, 12h01
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Because the upper opening to the Bluejay Mine is treacherous, it's surrounded by barbed wire
I try to imagine how green this area used to look before the 2005 brush fires that swept through here.
Date: May 23, 2011, 12h02
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I soon make it high enough up the hill to have a view across the Providence Mountains to the subtle curve of Cima Dome
Sprays of orange Desert mallow flowers contrast nicely with the brown soil and blue sky.
Date: May 23, 2011, 12h08
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