Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping 2007
I don't usually visit Mojave National Preserve during the winter due to cold wet weather, but Xmas week 2007 is forecast as dry, although still typically cold.
With only eight days, I'll pedal fewer miles (160) than on some of my trips and visit a few Mojave National Preserve destinations off Kelbaker Road that I've previously bypassed. I'll stay at lower elevations and avoid the Preserve's colder mountainous areas, as enticing as they are.
Baker, California again serves as the start and end of this Mojave National Preserve trip, with Amtrak train and bus transporting me to Baker from home in San José, CA. I'll spend Xmas Eve and New Year's Eve at a motel in Baker on the first and last days of the trip.
Low-elevation daytime temperatures in Mojave National Preserve will range from 45 to 60 degrees F, while overnight lows will vary from 27 to 35 degrees. Full moon happens on Xmas Eve, so there should be some good late-night moonlight during the trip.
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Date: December 24, 2007, 08h00
Size: 10 items
(299 items total)
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Mojave National Preserve map of my simple route down Kelbaker Road from Baker, California
I'll drink filtered water from Indian Springs and Coyote Springs (don't expect these springs to have water in the summer, or even in the winter), tap water from Kelso Depot, and bottled water and brandy from stores in Baker.
Date: January 22, 2008, 21h37
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Album: Day 0: Baker, California, gateway to Mojave National Preserve, Xmas Eve
Mojave National Preserve has numerous entrance points, but Baker, California is the only one served by public transit. I arrive from San José on Amtrak at 20h30 and spend the evening at the el-cheapo Royal Hawaiian Motel, as I often do.
Date: December 24, 2007, 08h00
Size: 13 items
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Album: Day 1: Baker to Indian Springs, Mojave National Preserve
Indian Springs is an area of usually dry springs at the end of a short dirt road off Kelbaker Road that I've never gotten around to visiting because it's so close to Baker. 18.5 bicycle miles.
Date: December 25, 2007, 10h00
Size: 37 items
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Album: Day 2: Hike beyond Indian Springs toward Cane Spring, returning cross-country via Eyeball Rock in an unnamed wash, 7-8 miles
With the unexpected luxury of drinking water here at Indian Springs, I'll stay an extra day and explore on foot some of the wash and lava-flow areas up toward Cane Spring. No bicycling today.
Date: December 26, 2007, 12h00
Size: 53 items
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Album: Day 3: Indian Springs to Devil's Playground via Jackass Canyon, Mojave National Preserve
Upon leaving Indian Springs, I climb Kelbaker Road for a few miles, then descend into Jackass Canyon to reach the Devil's Playground. There will be no water at today's destination, so I need to carry all that I need. 21.9 bicycle miles.
Date: December 27, 2007, 12h00
Size: 32 items
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Album: Day 4: Mountain-bike ride across Devil's Playground to Sands, California and back, Mojave National Preserve
I have enough water to last into tomorrow, so I'll stay here today and ride over to the abandoned settlement of Sands. I had hoped to camp at Sands last night, but I didn't make it that far. 13.5 bicycle miles.
Date: December 28, 2007, 10h00
Size: 36 items
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Album: Day 5: Devil's Playground to Kelso Dunes via Jackass Canyon Road and Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve
I'm heading toward Kelso Depot, back up Jackass Canyon Road, and will get to see what I missed after the sun went down on my way here. At Kelso Depot, I chat with Park staff and decide to ride over to Kelso Dunes. 37.1 bicycle miles.
Date: December 29, 2007, 10h00
Size: 28 items
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Album: 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. It's not a long hike, but it will break up the short winter day such that I won't have time for a longer day trip afterwards.
Date: December 30, 2007, 10h00
Size: 20 items
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Album: Day 6: Water in the Mojave Desert! Coyote Springs round trip bicycle ride from Kelso Dunes campsite, Mojave National Preserve
This afternoon's ride wasn't planned, but since I finished my Kelso Dunes hike early, I should have just enough time to discover what's at Coyote Springs a few miles from here on the edge of the Granite Mountains. 16.7 bicycle miles today.
Date: December 30, 2007, 13h00
Size: 34 items
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Album: Day 7: New Year's Eve ride from Kelso Dunes to Baker via Kelbaker Road to conclude the trip (and 2007), Mojave National Preserve
I've enjoyed this classic Mojave National Preserve ride several times over the years. This won't be a day of exploration, but the scenery is great and I may have a few good desert chats along the way. The trip isn't over yet! 49.1 bicycle miles.
Date: December 31, 2007, 08h00
Size: 36 items
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