Day 6: Late-morning hike up Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve
On my fourth trip to Mojave National Preserve, I'm finally doing the popular Kelso Dunes hike, which just never made it into my previous visits.
I'm camping just down the road from Kelso Dunes, so it's easy to get there, but it will break up the short winter day such that I won't have time for a longer day trip afterwards (which is why the dunes hike never got scheduled into my previous trips).
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Date: December 30, 2007, 10h00
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Awake, I peer out the back of my tent to see a sunny day, Kelso Dunes, and a creosote bush poking me in the face
I slept really well last night despite the cold and the dampness that seemed to collect in this valley. Water on my bicycle tire and tent roof tells that heavy frost set in earlier this morning.
Date: December 30, 2007, 10h17
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I take a short walk to warm up and get used to today's surroundings (it was dark when I got here last night)
I'm hungry, so it's time for coffee and breakfast. The built-in filter on my coffee-dripper apparently fell off and got left behind yesterday at Kelso Depot while repacking. In lieu of a filter, I try using toilet paper, which works surprisingly well!
Date: December 30, 2007, 10h31
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Large dry clumps of animal dung are everywhere around my tent
I don't know what animal here produces these grey blobs, but the interesting thing is that they are completely dried out and almost weightless, like Italian meringue cookies.
Date: December 30, 2007, 10h34
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I ride back up the road 1.25 miles to the Kelso Dunes trailhead
Most destinations within Mojave National Preserve are quite spread out, so it's odd to have such a short ride to get somewhere.
Date: December 30, 2007, 10h56
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Near the Kelso Dunes trailhead, I pass an unoccupied roadside campsite
I remember seeing this campsite during my Spring 2006 visit here, but I didn't notice it on the way in yesterday evening in the dark.
Date: December 30, 2007, 10h59
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A nice touch at the Kelso Dunes trailhead is a modern outhouse that's even equipped with toilet paper
So I don't need to dig a cat hole this morning, yay! There's no running water here, but it's a real convenience if you've been camping backcountry-style.
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h08
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I lock the bike to the fence at the Kelso Dunes trailhead
I'm glad there's something to lock my bike to. Sometimes in the desert, there's nothing, and the best bet is to lay the bike on the ground behind a few creosote bushes where it will likely go unnoticed (just don't forget where you stashed it!)
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h13
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I begin the walk toward Kelso Dunes
The Kelso Dunes sand piles rise about 600 feet at their highest point; they're a bit taller than they look.
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h17
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There are a number of people hiking Kelso Dunes today
Unlike the earlier part of this week's trip, today is not all about solitude. There are several cars at the parking area by the outhouse.
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h36
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The Kelso Dunes sand is soft, and one does sink in with each footstep, but it's not as difficult as I thought it might be
The juxtaposition of the soft sand dunes and the rugged Providence Mountains in the background is striking.
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h48
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Excellent perspectives of the surrounding mountains come into view as one climbs higher up Kelso Dunes
Often in the desert, everything is gently tilted. The slope that Kelbaker Road slowly climbs for miles in front of the Providence Mountains behind me is quite evident here, exaggerated a bit by the camera angle.
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h53
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Approaching the top of Kelso Dunes, this final stretch is the steepest part
With the bright light reflecting off the sand, I feel like I'm climbing a big snow bank. Except that I'm sweating enough to be wearing just a T-shirt and a sweat band. It's probably close to 60 degrees F here today.
Date: December 30, 2007, 11h53
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