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.
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Date: November 10, 2000
Size: 12 items
(163 items total)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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