Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping 2007
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Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping 2007 Day 5: Devil's Playground to Kelso Dunes via Jackass Canyon Road and Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve
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Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping 2007

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I pass by an area of subtly colourful hills

I pass by an area of subtly colourful hills

Date: December 29, 2007, 12h03

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, the route I used to get here. But today I'll 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 to spend the night, instead of other possible sites in the area.

My Devil's Playground campsite is at about 1800 feet and the main climb up Jackass Canyon Road ends at about 3200 feet 6.5 miles later, so it's not very steep. I ride over the summit of Kelbaker Road at about 3800, down to Kelso Depot at around 2100 feet, up to Kelso Dunes Road at about 2800 feet, then to the end of Kelso Dunes Road near 2500 feet. About 37 bicycle miles and 2700 feet of elevation gain.

Date: December 29, 2007, 10h00
Size: 28 items
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I step outside into the bright sun of a chilly morning at Devil's Playground

I step outside into the bright sun of a chilly morning at Devil's Playground

I'm up early today (for me) in order to get to Kelso Depot before it closes, in the hope that they sell batteries, which I need.

Date: December 29, 2007, 08h20
It's time to dismantle the tent and pack up the bike, while making and drinking coffee

It's time to dismantle the tent and pack up the bike, while making and drinking coffee

I also eat my usual camp breakfast of tamari almonds, dried apricots and granola. I'm also having a few strips of beef jerky this morning.

Date: December 29, 2007, 09h14
Many of these flat primroses dot the sand around my campsite, but this is the only one that's flowering

Many of these flat primroses dot the sand around my campsite, but this is the only one that's flowering

I'm not sure if it's because I'm too early or too late in their flowering season.

Date: December 29, 2007, 22h47
The 10-ton bike packed to go, I start the trek back up Jackass Canyon toward Kelbaker Road

The 10-ton bike packed to go, I start the trek back up Jackass Canyon toward Kelbaker Road

I have some ancient pavement here for traction, but within a mile I'll be hike-a-biking up the sandy wash. The more I look at rocky Old Dad Mountain in front of me, the more I think I'd like to explore it one day.

Date: December 29, 2007, 10h55
Heading up Jackass Canyon Road, I see a car coming toward me!

Heading up Jackass Canyon Road, I see a car coming toward me!

This is a surprise because I haven't seen a soul since leaving the pavement of Kelbaker Road two days ago. As the car approaches, I see that it sports government license plates. The driver waves at me as he passes.

Date: December 29, 2007, 11h11
As I'm drawn into the canyon ahead, I look back to Devil's Playground one last time and say goodbye

As I'm drawn into the canyon ahead, I look back to Devil's Playground one last time and say goodbye

I've enjoyed visiting Devil's Playground and am glad that I finally got to explore this area. It's a bit chilly, but I'm sweating already and have taken off my sweater, deciding that it's T-shirt weather.

Date: December 29, 2007, 11h30
Gravel on lower Jackass Canyon Road

Gravel on lower Jackass Canyon Road

This looks like I should be able to ride it, but the fine kitty litter beneath it makes it hard to get any traction, so I'm hike-a-biking now.

Date: December 29, 2007, 11h44
These plants are quite abundant here in the wash

These plants are quite abundant here in the wash

This plant seems at the end of its flowering season. A slightly sweet scent is exuding from something here and I wonder if it's this plant.

Date: December 29, 2007, 11h48
Looking back down Jackass Canyon Road as I walk the bike up the gentle grade

Looking back down Jackass Canyon Road as I walk the bike up the gentle grade

I'm spending a lot of time looking back because it was dark on my way down this part of the road two days ago and I missed out on the views.

Date: December 29, 2007, 11h54
Hike-a-biking through sand on the way up Jackass Canyon Road

Hike-a-biking through sand on the way up Jackass Canyon Road

Since I knew I'd be hike-a-biking a few miles up this road today, I'm enjoying it, instead of seeing it as an inconvenience.

Date: December 29, 2007, 12h00
I pass by an area of subtly colourful hills

I pass by an area of subtly colourful hills

Different tints colour each layer of earth visible in these hills, ranging from grey to green to golden to rust. The vegetation dotting each layer provides varying styles of cover that accentuate the changing soil composition.

Date: December 29, 2007, 12h03
To get out of the sandy wash, I opt for a "high road" that looks like a short bypass

To get out of the sandy wash, I opt for a "high road" that looks like a short bypass

I'm in the area where I was two nights ago when it got dark. I may have ridden this short high segment on the way down to avoid some of the sand.

Date: December 29, 2007, 12h32
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Other bicycle camping 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)
  • Mojave National Preserve and Area Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2011 (15 days)
  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2010 (14 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping and Day Hikes 2008 (two weeks)
  • 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 mojave2007 at priss dot org