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.
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Date: May 24, 2011, 15h01
Size: 41 items
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The morning sun at Mid Hills campground is warm, but it was really chilly overnight, one of the coldest nights of this trip
I sleep in until 8h30, have breakfast, including Mountain House Beef Stew (yum) and spend part of the day hanging out with Sarah and Heather at the campsite next door. It's nice to have a day off!
Date: May 24, 2011, 15h01
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We drive in Sarah's minivan over to the Teutonia Peak trailhead from Mid Hills campground for our end-of-day hike
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h20
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As we start up the Teutonia Peak Trail, we're greeted by some Indian paintbrush
We're at about 5000 feet elevation here, so the wildflowers haven't all dried up yet from the summer heat that's on its way. It's a perfect day here in the low 80s F, with a cool breeze.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h29
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Some of the open areas between joshua trees are lightly carpeted with tiny white and yellow flowers
I think the white daisy-like flowers are Tidy tips (Layia glandulosa), while the yellow ones might be gilias.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h34
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Heather stops to check out a joshua tree on Teutonia Peak Trail
A lot of the joshua trees in this area are quite well-developed. They grow very slowly, so these big trees are old.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h35
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A soft, furry cactus (one of many) invites passers-by along the Teutonia Peak Trail
You want to reach out and touch it, but you don't want to.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h43
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I spot another "pineapple cactus" near Teutonia Peak Trail
I snapped a photo of one of these while hiking in the Castle Peaks area last week.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h43
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Here's a colourful Hopsage (Grayia spinosa) along Teutonia Peak Trail
They're not rare by any means, but I haven't noticed many so far on this trip.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h45
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A blue delphinium adds a spike of colour in the joshua-tree forest
The adjacent cactus just adds spikes.
Date: May 24, 2011, 16h54
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Sarah and Heather check out a really huge "pancake cactus"
Most of the ones I see aren't as big as this one.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h00
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The Mojave Desert is most known for its spiny and tough plants, but graceful bunch grasses are also to be found
Teutonia Peak, the climax of our hike, is that rocky pile up ahead.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h02
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The area here below Teutonia Peak is also known for its big boulder outcrops
There are several campsites on the opposite of Cima Road from here for those wishing to camp out in this area.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h06
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I've been seeing desert sages along this trail (Salvia dorrii) and this is one of the better ones
They're just starting to wind down their flowering season, so some of them have lost some of their colour. They still smell great, of course.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h12
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An elderly juniper tree picks up the late afternoon sun along Teutonia Peak Trail
Like joshua trees, these grow slowly, so this one must be quite old.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h22
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Heather pauses in the middle of the Teutonia Peak Trail to contemplate the awesomeness of the area
The trail is quite narrow, but mostly an easy hike.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h42
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We start seeing the occasional Desert four o'clock bush with its intense magenta flowers
We're not too late for these flowers...
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h49
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As the trail rises toward Teutonia Peak, we pass through a patch of junipers
On a really hot day, the shade from these trees would be welcome.
Date: May 24, 2011, 17h49
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A Banana yucca sends out a fresh bouquet on the way up Teutonia Peak Trail
We're high enough now to see down into the valley where the minivan is parked, and all the way beyond to the Ivanpah and Clark Mountain ranges.
Date: May 24, 2011, 18h00
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