Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping Bicycle 2000
Login
Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000
Advanced Search
View Slideshow

Random Image

One final view of my campsite at Hole-in-the-Wall campground, Mojave National Preserve, before I pack up and leave

One final view of my campsite at Hole-in-the-Wall campground, Mojave National Preserve, before I pack up and leave

Date: November 12, 2000

Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000

An 11-day self-supported bicycle camping trip in and around Mojave National Preserve in early November 2000.

One year ago, in 1999, I completed my first bicycle-camping trip, and it was here in Mojave National Preserve. That was my first serious camping trip in over 10 years, my first long-distance bicycle trip, and my first desert-camping trip ever. I enjoyed it so much that I've decided to come back and explore a bit more.

Like last year, this trip starts and ends in Baker, California, with the Greyhound bus transporting the 10-ton bicycle and I from home in San José.

I will log 376 miles riding through Mojave National Preserve via Kelso Depot, Nipton, Walking Box Ranch Road, Ivanpah Road, Goffs, Mitchell Caverns (Providence Mountains State Recreation Area) and Foshay Pass.

Date: November 10, 2000
Size: 11 items (162 items total)
Day 1: Baker, California to Kelbaker Road campsite, Mojave National Preserve

Album: Day 1: Baker, California to Kelbaker Road campsite, Mojave National Preserve

The Greyhound bus drops me off at Baker, California. I ride 10 miles up Kelbaker Road and set up camp at the foot of one of the Kelbaker Hills.

Date: November 05, 2000
Size: 5 items
Day 2: Leaving Kelbaker Road campsite and riding to Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

Album: Day 2: Leaving Kelbaker Road campsite and riding to Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

Today's ride is more ambitious. From here at 2000 feet, I'll ride over the crest of Kelbaker Road at 3800 feet, down to Kelso Depot at 2100 feet, then up to Mid Hills Campground at about 5500 feet. 50.6 bicycle miles.

Date: November 06, 2000
Size: 8 items
Day 3: Mountain-bike ride from Mid Hills Campground through Wild Horse Canyon Road, Mojave National Preserve

Album: Day 3: Mountain-bike ride from Mid Hills Campground through Wild Horse Canyon Road, Mojave National Preserve

It's nice to be back at Mid Hills Campground. Today is a day to sleep in late and recover from yesterday's exhausting ride up the long hill, followed by a tourist ride down Wild Horse Canyon Road.

Date: November 07, 2000
Size: 15 items
Day 4: Mid Hills Campground to Nipton via Death Valley Mine Road

Album: Day 4: Mid Hills Campground to Nipton via Death Valley Mine Road

40.7 miles, mostly downhill, woo hoo! The slow, rough and remote Death Valley Mine Road is quite beautiful as it passes through a Joshua tree forest for a few miles.

Date: November 08, 2000
Size: 16 items
Day 5: Day ride from Nipton up to I-15 near Clark Mountain area and back

Album: Day 5: Day ride from Nipton up to I-15 near Clark Mountain area and back

Today is a not quite a day off, but close. I'll stay here and camp at Nipton again tonight. 22.9 miles on today's "maintenance ride."

Date: November 09, 2000
Size: 12 items
Day 6: Nipton to Keystone Canyon area via Walking Box Ranch Road

Album: Day 6: Nipton to Keystone Canyon area via Walking Box Ranch Road

It's a cool day that gets much chillier as I climb up toward Keystone Canyon in the New York Mountains from Nipton. 42.2 miles.

Date: November 10, 2000
Size: 16 items
Day 7: Keystone Canyon area (Trio Mine Road) to Hole-in-the-Wall Campground via Cedar Canyon Road

Album: Day 7: Keystone Canyon area (Trio Mine Road) to Hole-in-the-Wall Campground via Cedar Canyon Road

When I approach Mid Hills Campground at the end of the day, I decide it's too cold up at Mid Hills at about 5500 feet, so I drop down to Hole-in-the-Wall campground at 4500 feet. 40.3 bicycle miles.

Date: November 11, 2000
Size: 15 items
Day 8: Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, Mojave National Preserve, to Goffs via Essex Road and historic Route 66

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

Again, the cold prevented me from sleeping well last night, but at least I managed to sleep in after sunrise. My fellow bicyclists from Minnesota were awake early and they deserted Hole-in-the-Wall well before dawn (probably frozen).

Date: November 12, 2000
Size: 22 items
Day 9: Goffs, California, Mojave National Preserve, to Providence Mountains State Recreation Area (Mitchell Caverns)

Album: Day 9: Goffs, California, Mojave National Preserve, to Providence Mountains State Recreation Area (Mitchell Caverns)

After a hearty scrambled-eggs breakfast at the Goffs General Store lunch counter, and a great chat with the owner, I decide to ride to Providence Mountains (Mitchell Caverns), backtracking most of yesterday's ride.

Date: November 13, 2000
Size: 7 items
Day 10: A rest day at Mitchell Caverns (Providence Mountains State Recreation Area)

Album: Day 10: A rest day at Mitchell Caverns (Providence Mountains State Recreation Area)

Despite the high winds, I like it up here perched on a ledge at 4300 feet above the desert below. I decide to stay here an extra day, take the tour of the Mitchell Caverns caves, and explore the area a little. No bicycling today.

Date: November 14, 2000
Size: 11 items
Day 11: Providence Mountains State Recreation Area to Baker via Foshay Pass and Kelbaker Road

Album: Day 11: Providence Mountains State Recreation Area to Baker via Foshay Pass and Kelbaker Road

62.2 miles. The ride over Foshay Pass is remote, peaceful and satisfying. I skip a planned overnight camp at Kelso Dunes and keep riding back to Baker, ending the trip a day early.

Date: November 15, 2000
Size: 24 items
 
Page: 1
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 Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Day Hikes 2008 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Xmas 2007 Trip (one week)
  • 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 1999 (one week)
Contact mojave2000 at priss dot org