Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2010
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Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Mountain-Bike Camping, Spring 2010 Kelso Peak area to Mid Hills campground, Mojave National Preserve, by bicycle (Day 3)
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Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Mountain-Bike Camping, Spring 2010

1. Baker,... 2. Kelso Peak ... 3. Kelso Peak ... 4. Pinto... 5. Woods Wash ... 6. Beecher... 7. Eagle Rocks... ... 15. Mojave...

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Riding through Cedar Canyon is scenic, but my fingers are getting cold!

Riding through Cedar Canyon is scenic, but my fingers are getting cold!

Date: May 23, 2010, 11h52

Kelso Peak area to Mid Hills campground, Mojave National Preserve, by bicycle (Day 3)

Kelso Peak area to Mid Hills campground, Mojave National Preserve, by bicycle. 37.8 bicycle miles, 3640 feet elevation gain.

Date: May 18, 2010, 09h38
Size: 43 items
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No sign of last night's rain; I'm up around 7h, have breakfast, then pack up leisurely for today's ride to Mid Hills campground

No sign of last night's rain; I'm up around 7h, have breakfast, then pack up leisurely for today's ride to Mid Hills campground

I didn't sleep well last night due to the howling winds. The sun is hot, but the cool wind up here at 3700 feet keeps me refreshed while packing up. Still, I feel tired by the time I'm ready to leave!

Date: May 18, 2010, 09h38
I walk my packed saddlebags back to the powerline road, assemble the 10-ton bike, then ride a short distance to reach pavement

I walk my packed saddlebags back to the powerline road, assemble the 10-ton bike, then ride a short distance to reach pavement

When camping off-road like I did here, I always carry my bike so as to leave footprints, but no bicycle tracks.

Date: May 18, 2010, 10h24
Once back on the pavement of Kelbaker Road, I begin the always-wonderful 12-mile downhill to Kelso

Once back on the pavement of Kelbaker Road, I begin the always-wonderful 12-mile downhill to Kelso

The descent on the pretty patched pavement begins quite gradually; an occasional automobile passes by.

Date: May 18, 2010, 10h40
As I coast down Kelbaker Road, I glance often at Kelso Peak, where I hiked yesterday

As I coast down Kelbaker Road, I glance often at Kelso Peak, where I hiked yesterday

There are plenty more hills in the Kelso Mountains to climb besides that one I went up. Maybe on a future visit...

Date: May 18, 2010, 10h44
An old-style power line follows Kelbaker Road as it descends past the Kelso Mountains toward Kelso

An old-style power line follows Kelbaker Road as it descends past the Kelso Mountains toward Kelso

Usually I just ride down this hill non-stop because it's so fun, but I've decided today to stop and smell the desert a couple of times on the way down (as hard as it is to interrupt the descent).

Date: May 18, 2010, 10h44
I pull over on Kelbaker Road, with Kelso Peak still in view, and go for a short walk

I pull over on Kelbaker Road, with Kelso Peak still in view, and go for a short walk

A few cars pass by, and I make sure I have my camera out so that nobody thinks I've stopped here because of a mechanical breakdown.

Date: May 18, 2010, 10h56
I look across a patch of yellow desert senna flowers at the Mid Hills area in the distance, my destination today

I look across a patch of yellow desert senna flowers at the Mid Hills area in the distance, my destination today

I recognize many landmarks in the Mid Hills, such as Eagle Rocks, the sharp points in the distant centre of this photo. The Mid Hills campground, where I'll camp during the next few nights, sits just behind that.

Date: May 18, 2010, 10h59
A little further down Kelbaker Road, I stop again to look at a desert senna with dodder growing in it

A little further down Kelbaker Road, I stop again to look at a desert senna with dodder growing in it

Dodder is a parasitic plant that looks like a bunch of orange string tangled up on its host (it looks more yellow-brown than orange in this photo).

Date: May 18, 2010, 11h12
Across the lower, southeastern end of the Kelso Mountains are nice views to Kelso Dunes and the Granite Mountains beyond

Across the lower, southeastern end of the Kelso Mountains are nice views to Kelso Dunes and the Granite Mountains beyond

Kelso Dunes make for an excellent short day hike. I climbed the 600 feet of sand there during my Xmas 2007 Mojave National Preserve trip. Well worth your visit!

Date: May 18, 2010, 11h19
As I reach the bottom of this stretch of Kelbaker Road, the hamlet of Kelso keeps getting closer

As I reach the bottom of this stretch of Kelbaker Road, the hamlet of Kelso keeps getting closer

The next segment of Kelbaker Road, where it rises into the Granite Mountains, is visible from here, but I'll make a left at Kelso and head up Kelso-Cima Road. It's warmer down here in the Kelso Valley, but not as hot as I was expecting.

Date: May 18, 2010, 11h26
Approaching Kelso, I spot a mine tunnel on a hillside that I didn't notice before

Approaching Kelso, I spot a mine tunnel on a hillside that I didn't notice before

This might make for a good hike destination if I camp in the Kelso area again one day (there's no camping allowed at Kelso, but backcountry camping is feasible a couple of miles away).

Date: May 18, 2010, 11h27
Coyote melon grows on the shoulder of Kelbaker Road just north of Kelso

Coyote melon grows on the shoulder of Kelbaker Road just north of Kelso

The melons are small and apparently not edible.

Date: May 18, 2010, 11h29
I break for 60 minutes at the Kelso Depot visitor centre to refill my water supply and enjoy an iced tea at the lunch counter

I break for 60 minutes at the Kelso Depot visitor centre to refill my water supply and enjoy an iced tea at the lunch counter

It's not as hot (only mid 80s) as I was expecting here in the Kelso Valley. I am told that it was very windy last night, but they didn't experience any of the rain here that I had up on the ridge above.

Date: May 18, 2010, 11h54
After my break at Kelso Depot, I begin the gentle 15-mile uphill ride on Kelso-Cima Road

After my break at Kelso Depot, I begin the gentle 15-mile uphill ride on Kelso-Cima Road

From here at 2100 feet elevation, it will be uphill until the end of the day when I arrive at Mid Hills campground at 5600 feet, in those hills at the distant right. A few old buildings remain along the road here.

Date: May 18, 2010, 12h52
My favourite old house here at Kelso, the one with the rounded roof, isn't doing so well

My favourite old house here at Kelso, the one with the rounded roof, isn't doing so well

The front porch has fallen off since I did a walk-through of this Kelso house during my 2006 Mojave National Preserve trip.

Date: May 18, 2010, 12h54
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Other bikepacking 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 Hiking and Bicycle Camping, Fall 2009 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking 2008 (14 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Xmas 2007 Mountain-Bike Camping (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 2000 (11 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 1999 (one week)
Contact mojave2010 at drycyclist dot com