Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2011
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Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011 Day 10: Teutonia Peak hike, Mojave National Preserve, with Sarah and Heather
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Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping, Spring 2011

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After dark, I write notes in my journal and wind down as the evening gets progressively cooler

After dark, I write notes in my journal and wind down as the evening gets progressively cooler

Date: May 16, 2011, 20h09

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.

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

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
We drive in Sarah's minivan over to the Teutonia Peak trailhead from Mid Hills campground for our end-of-day hike

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
As we start up the Teutonia Peak Trail, we're greeted by some Indian paintbrush

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
Some of the open areas between joshua trees are lightly carpeted with tiny white and yellow flowers

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
Heather stops to check out a joshua tree on Teutonia Peak Trail

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
A soft, furry cactus (one of many) invites passers-by along the Teutonia Peak Trail

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
I spot another "pineapple cactus" near Teutonia Peak Trail

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
Here's a colourful Hopsage (Grayia spinosa) along Teutonia Peak Trail

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
A blue delphinium adds a spike of colour in the joshua-tree forest

A blue delphinium adds a spike of colour in the joshua-tree forest

The adjacent cactus just adds spikes.

Date: May 24, 2011, 16h54
Sarah and Heather check out a really huge "pancake cactus"

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
The Mojave Desert is most known for its spiny and tough plants, but graceful bunch grasses are also to be found

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
The area here below Teutonia Peak is also known for its big boulder outcrops

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
I've been seeing desert sages along this trail (Salvia dorrii) and this is one of the better ones

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
An elderly juniper tree picks up the late afternoon sun along Teutonia Peak Trail

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
Heather pauses in the middle of the Teutonia Peak Trail to contemplate the awesomeness of the area

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
We start seeing the occasional Desert four o'clock bush with its intense magenta flowers

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
As the trail rises toward Teutonia Peak, we pass through a patch of junipers

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
A Banana yucca sends out a fresh bouquet on the way up Teutonia Peak Trail

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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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