Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2010
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Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Mountain-Bike Camping, Spring 2010 Nipton to Malpais Spring by bicycle via Walking Box Ranch Road, Mojave National Preserve (Day 9)
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Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Mountain-Bike Camping, Spring 2010

1. Baker,... ... 6. Beecher... 7. Eagle Rocks... 8. Mid Hills... 9. Nipton to... 10. Malpais... 11. Juniper... 12. Malpais... ... 15. Mojave...

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When I arrived here at Indian Spring, a flurry of doves took flight and left; this one watches me from a nearby branch

When I arrived here at Indian Spring, a flurry of doves took flight and left; this one watches me from a nearby branch

Date: May 25, 2010, 13h31

Nipton to Malpais Spring by bicycle via Walking Box Ranch Road, Mojave National Preserve (Day 9)

The striking Malpais Spring area of Mojave National Preserve has been on my to-visit list for a few years. I hope to find water in the area. Near-perfect temperatures today: warm sun, a bit chilly at times, but never cold.

I rode the unpaved Walking Box Ranch Road on an earlier trip, almost 10 years ago, but I didn't stop near Malpais Spring.

27.6 bicycle miles today. The 3500 feet of elevation gain reported is probably exaggerated as usual by the Topo 7 software that I use.

Date: May 24, 2010, 08h48
Size: 56 items
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I'm up reasonably early and walk over to the Nipton store for some breakfast snacks and coffee

I'm up reasonably early and walk over to the Nipton store for some breakfast snacks and coffee

I slept so well last night that even the booming trains passing a few hundred feet from my tent barely woke me up. I miss Bill's home-cooked breakfast at the Nipton café. Bill passed away just recently and the new management isn't open for breakfast yet.

Date: May 24, 2010, 08h48
I enjoy the morning shade of the eucalyptus trees at Nipton campground on this cool morning

I enjoy the morning shade of the eucalyptus trees at Nipton campground on this cool morning

I don't need them in this morning's weather, but these non-native trees are really nice when one wants to sleep in a little and not be woken up by hot morning sunshine cooking the tent.

Date: May 24, 2010, 08h49
Time to brush my teeth and pack up for the ride from Nipton to Malpais Spring, Mojave National Preserve

Time to brush my teeth and pack up for the ride from Nipton to Malpais Spring, Mojave National Preserve

The morning sun is already heating up the quonset hut behind me that houses the washrooms.

Date: May 24, 2010, 09h42
A datura blooms at Nipton campground while a long freight train squeals by

A datura blooms at Nipton campground while a long freight train squeals by

Daturas grow all along the train route that crosses Mojave National Preserve.

Date: May 24, 2010, 11h08
The outdoor sink at Nipton is decomposing after many years of service in the hot Mojave sun

The outdoor sink at Nipton is decomposing after many years of service in the hot Mojave sun

I fill up my four 1.5-litre water bottles, my two litre Camelbak and my 10-litre water bag. I'm hoping to find water at Malpais Spring, my next stop, but I don't know for sure if there will be any.

Date: May 24, 2010, 11h16
From Nipton campground, I look across the train tracks and up Ivanpah Valley toward Cima

From Nipton campground, I look across the train tracks and up Ivanpah Valley toward Cima

Wide-open space for miles... I was up there just yesterday.

Date: May 24, 2010, 11h34
The cactus garden in front of the Hotel Nipton is artfully built of multi-coloured rock

The cactus garden in front of the Hotel Nipton is artfully built of multi-coloured rock

Coloured rock creates spaces and patterns in the garden.

Date: May 24, 2010, 11h39
The 10-ton bike awaits departure at Nipton's outdoor sink after the final, heavy addition of my water supply

The 10-ton bike awaits departure at Nipton's outdoor sink after the final, heavy addition of my water supply

I bungee the weighty 10-litre water bag on my front rack to avoid overloading the rear rack. This saves my rear rack from breaking, but makes steering more difficult, and more demanding on the arm muscles.

Date: May 24, 2010, 12h07
Across the road from the Nipton General Store is a rock-display yard

Across the road from the Nipton General Store is a rock-display yard

Rocks for sale from the nearby Lucky Dutchman Mine; maybe some of the colourful rocks in the Nipton cactus garden came from there.

Date: May 24, 2010, 12h28
The 10-ton bike and I wobble up Nipton Road away from the campground and pass a few antique buildings while leaving town

The 10-ton bike and I wobble up Nipton Road away from the campground and pass a few antique buildings while leaving town

Back on the highway, I begin the next phase of this year's adventure.

Date: May 24, 2010, 12h28
I head east up Nipton Road toward Crescent Pass, Nevada, up in the hills at centre-left

I head east up Nipton Road toward Crescent Pass, Nevada, up in the hills at centre-left

I'll climb almost 1850 feet over the next 4.5 miles. The cool breeze helps to moderate the hot sun. A tailwind makes the climb easier.

Date: May 24, 2010, 12h32
After half an hour, I stop for a few minutes on the way up the hill: I'm in Nevada now

After half an hour, I stop for a few minutes on the way up the hill: I'm in Nevada now

A new "Welcome to Nevada" sign has been posted since I last rode by here and entered Nevada briefly, two years ago, this one with fewer...

Date: May 24, 2010, 13h05
At the Nevada border, I notice that my 10-litre MSR water bag is dripping a bit from the nozzle

At the Nevada border, I notice that my 10-litre MSR water bag is dripping a bit from the nozzle

Hmmm... it didn't leak when I last used it almost six months ago. I guess the plastic is finally reacting to being stuffed in my overheated saddlebags for days on end while bicycle touring.

Date: May 24, 2010, 13h04
From the Nevada-California border on Nipton Road/Nevada 164, I look back down the hill to the tiny town of Nipton

From the Nevada-California border on Nipton Road/Nevada 164, I look back down the hill to the tiny town of Nipton

On the far side of the Ivanpah Valley are the Ivanpah Mountains, and behind that, the Clark Mountains.

Date: May 24, 2010, 13h07
Just beyond the "Welcome to Nevada" sign is an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern" sign

Just beyond the "Welcome to Nevada" sign is an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern" sign

Perhaps it's referring to the Wilderness areas that I'll pass soon.

Date: May 24, 2010, 13h13
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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