Day 6: Bathtub Spring Peaks (New York Mountains) and Willow Wash hike, Mojave National Preserve
I've often looked at this part of the New York Mountains while passing by, but hadn't explored any of it on foot.
I prepared a route through the area and loaded it into my Delorme GPS to follow as a guide, expecting to make a few changes along the way, depending on topography and time constraints.
Perfect hiking weather again and, like yesterday, I'll see no people today. I'll drink about 3.5 litres of water, eat one energy bar, plus some chocolate, almonds and dried apricots (not quite enough food, really). 13.4 hiking miles and about 2300 feet of elevation gain.
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Date: May 20, 2011, 10h34
Size: 92 items
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Morning #2 at the end of Castle Peaks Road is warm and sunny
I'm glad I filtered extra water at Indian Spring yesterday so I can hike another day in this area. Even though I woke up cold around dawn, it's hot in the tent now whenever the light morning breeze stops.
Date: May 20, 2011, 10h34
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Insect webs (caterpillars?) on a Desert almond bush near my tent
I've seen quite a few of these webs around here. While eating my usual dry camp breakfast, I watch a mourning dove snuggling up against a joshua-tree branch; perhaps there's a nest there which I couldn't see.
Date: May 20, 2011, 10h57
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Today's hike begins by walking about 1/3 mile down the non-Wilderness section of Castle Peaks Road
Some scarlet Indian paintbrush and yellow flowers (possibly Goldenbush) add occasional colour to the roadside. I see my tire tracks and footprints from two days ago.
Date: May 20, 2011, 10h59
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I veer to the west (right) when I reach the dry reservoir 1/3 mile down Castle Peaks Road, instead of staying on the 'main road'
I can see the Castle Peaks Road climbing up over the berm on the other side of the reservoir.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h06
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I hike past another set of Wilderness markers on the west side of the Castle Peaks Road dry reservoir
The former ranch roads in this Wilderness area serve as good hiking trails these days, even though they aren't formally considered as trails.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h08
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A few Mojave asters are still blooming in this joshua-tree forest
These asters seem so delicate compared to their rugged environment.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h16
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The former ranch road cuts across a wide-open area in the New York Mountains foothills
I'm just high enough in the New York Mountains foothills that I can see all the way across Lanfair Valley to Table Mountain, at distant right, and Hackberry Mountain, at distant left behind that joshua tree.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h29
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I reach another dry reservoir with a Desert four o'clock blooming on the "shoreline"
The cracked clay shows that water does accumulate here, despite its absence today. A few quail and mourning doves flit about, breaking the silence.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h41
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I've seen these tiny pink flowers so many times, but can't remember what they are
Quite a few Mojave flowers are in this category of I-remember-I-forget-what-this-is, since I only see many of them when I'm visiting the Mojave Desert.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h41
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Miniature high-Mojave flower garden
Desert trumpets (the upright, dry stems), orange desert mallow, and tiny purple flowers whose name I forget.
Date: May 20, 2011, 11h49
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I start walking up a wash away from the dry reservoir and inadvertently scare a few quail into a joshua tree
Actually, they startle me as much as I startle them; it's otherwise so quiet out here, with just a light breeze and no other people around.
Date: May 20, 2011, 12h16
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I'm heading up a small drainage now toward that rounded hill on my way to the Bathtub Spring Peaks area
To keep the grade as gentle as possible, I'll soon veer a bit to the right, then back to the left when it's time to climb the big hill.
Date: May 20, 2011, 12h17
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Does one ever see enough scarlet Indian paintbrush while hiking in the Mojave Desert?
It's a slightly uphill hike now, and my energy is just not kicking in yet. Maybe I needed to sleep more last night. Maybe I'm not yet inspired by the gentle topography here after yesterday's awesome hike in the Castle Peaks area.
Date: May 20, 2011, 12h21
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The drainage wash has fizzled out and I find my self hiking uphill and cross-country amidst some gangly joshua trees
According to my GPS, I'm almost at the high point of this stretch.
Date: May 20, 2011, 12h48
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To my surprise, the crest of this anonymous wash in the New York Mountains foothills overlooks some of the Ivanpah Valley; wow
Time for a short break and an energy bar. It's not just the energy bar that helps, but the views invigorate me too. Sometimes, the psychological is as important as the physical.
Date: May 20, 2011, 12h50
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From this overlook above Ivanpah Valley, I'll hike to my left a bit to avoid the gulley, then to the right up the big hill
My goal is to get up on top of that hill at upper-right.
Date: May 20, 2011, 12h51
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When I reach the base of the higher hill ahead overlooking Ivanpah Valley, it doesn't look like it will be as steep as expected
Onward and upward I go to the top of that hill ahead. Energy kicks in. Is it the energy bar I just ate?
Date: May 20, 2011, 13h08
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Climbing this hill toward the Bathtub Spring Cliffs requires some care to avoid the rocks and ground-hugging cacti
I'm glad to be wearing long pants so as not to collect burrs and such on my socks and legs. I'll be up on top of this hill shortly!
Date: May 20, 2011, 13h13
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