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.
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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'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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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