Sunset on Pinto Mountain, Mid Hills, Mojave National Preserve

This is always my favourite time of day to be out on my bike, despite the chill. After dark, it keeps getting colder as I approach Mid Hills Campground. So I decide to skip Mid Hills and ride seven miles downhill on Black Canyon Road to Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. It's 1000 feet lower there, and perhaps a bit less cold.

When I pull into Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and pay the fee at the entrance kiosk, I pass a couple from Minnesota who say, "He's touring!"

They're not on their bicycles on this trip, but they've done a lot of bicycle touring, so I end up spending much of the evening at their campsite chatting and trying to stay warm by their campfire.

It's probably as cold here at Hole-in-the-Wall as it was up near Keystone Canyon last night. The campground is largely empty tonight, and the water taps are still functioning (not frozen).

Continue to day 8: Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, Mojave National Preserve, to Goffs via Essex Road and historic Route 66.