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- I sit under the big oak tree at the spring for a few minutes to enjoy the shade
And to enjoy just sitting here at this high point of today's hike, at about 6000 feet elevation... The hot weather adds a certain stillness and serenity to the land. I've seen no other people today. - Presumably, this rusty, old sign used to deliver a message of some kind
- This wood block looks like it was used as a base for pounding things
- A couple of signatures adorn the inside of the door
- Time to head back down to Keystone Canyon; next stop Keystone Spring
I decide to follow the narrow rocky drainage 3/4 mile back down instead of the trail that climbs up and around the drainage. - A few little red flowers catch my eye as I walk quickly down the canyon: probably Scarlet gilia
I've read that this smells skunky, but I didn't crush the flowers to find out! - This is a great little canyon, full of rocks and trees, completely quiet and remote
Real wilderness, more than worthy of the federal designation as such. - I think I've found it: Bronze Mine Spring
It's dry right now, except for a few green grasses by the source. I wasn't expecting to find water here, but I was hoping to be surprised and find some. - Rails once ferried a tram to the the top of the chute
Now it's an antique sculpture in an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert. - Looking in the opposite direction, the tram track leads from a storage building
The track is starting to fall off the eroding hillside. - As I walk around, looking for the spring, I come across a pile of acorns
Yep, a few oak trees grow in the New York Mountains. - OK, now I take a break under the shade of a big old pine tree and eat some almonds
... and drink more water, of course. I've been sweating a lot and it's in the 90s today, to which I'm not yet acclimated. Shade is such a treat when there isn't much! - Slightly refreshed from my break, I go for a walk around the site and note a fairly intact old chute
- Timbers prop up the old chute
- I go for a walk to see what the chute looks like from above
There's also supposed to be a spring nearby, so I'm looking for that too. - I keep hiking up the old road into the New York Mountains, looking forward to seeing the old mine site ahead
I'm at about 5800 feet elevation now, but it still doesn't feel much cooler than it was down below. - Ah, now I can see some old mining remains in the distance
Best of all, it looks like my road is almost level, and even a bit downhill, from here to there. - The road ends and I find a fire ring that hasn't been used for a while, and an abandoned truck
... and I think that's a building over there hiding in the trees. - I wasn't expecting to find anything at this site except for perhaps some old mining debris
Looks like I'll be spending a few minutes looking at stuff here... - I'm overheating and need a break, but I can't resist the urge to take a peek inside first
... then I'll take a break. - A stove and a broom
- A platform for sleeping and a shelf for food
Pretty basic, and there's even a bottle of raspberry syrup on the shelf. - Here and there in Keystone Canyon, I've been seeing the occasional red penstemon flower for hummingbirds
With so few flowers in bloom right now, these really stand out. - After a few minutes, I'm already high enough to have a view across to the other side of Keystone Canyon
Keystone Spring, where I'll stop for water later, is somewhere over around that meadow area halfway up the hill over there. - Striped boulder in lower Keystone Canyon, Mojave National Preserve
- Here is some kind of manzanita bush growing in Keystone Canyon, New York Mountains
It's always interesting to see these growing in Mojave Desert mountains since I'm used to seeing them mainly in the Coast Range east of San José. - Rock wall in Keystone Canyon
It's a hot day (90s F) and all this rock and gravel seems to be adding a bit to the heat. - Time to hike uphill and gain a few hundred feet of elevation on another old road
I'm getting slower as the day gets hotter, so I take it easy on the uphill. - This small shrub in Keystone Canyon reminds me of Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum)
... but it's not the Yerba Santa that grows in the San Jose area. It might be Eriodictyon angustifolium (Narrow-leaf Yerba Santa). - A few yellow flowers bloom in the gravel of Keystone Canyon (probably Groundsel, aka Senecio)
There's no coolness at all in the slight breeze today. I can only imagine how hot it must be down at Nipton and Primm! (I'll learn later that it reaches 104F today at Nipton) - Back on my feet after my break, partially rejuvenated, I start hiking up Keystone Canyon
This little sign wasn't here when I last visited this area a few years ago. - I look at sap on the bark of the pinon pine at my former Keystone Canyon campsite while drinking water and eating almonds
Some of the limbs of this tree have obviously been cut for firewood by campers over the years, but fortunately this tree has survived. - I luxuriate briefly in the shade of a big pinon pine at a campsite in Keystone Canyon where I've camped before
I just took a short break under a juniper 15 minutes ago, but in today's hot weather, I'm ready for another break, and many more. The shade here is better than my last stop. It's odd to be at this spot without my tent and bike this time. - I take a look back at the tent down there as I get going on today's hike to Keystone Spring; hot sun, slight hot breeze
I was hoping that just maybe there might be water at Mail Spring, but since there isn't, my next destination will be Keystone Canyon and Keystone Spring. I'm carrying 4.5 litres of water for today's hike, already luke-warm. - I've missed most of this spring's flower blooms, but there are still occasional cactus blossoms
Many of these will have a bee inside them, if you look closely. - Hiking cross-country here in the New York Mountains foothills provides views across to the Castle Peaks
I've hiked over there a few times, but probably won't hit that area on this trip unless I make a detour to a water hole over that way. - I haven't seen any people yet today, but I have found signs of people: a balloon
It's pink, but it's not a flower. A hummingbird will likely approach this to see if it's a flower or not. - By 9h, it's too hot in the tent, and I have no choice but to get up and start today's hike to Keystone Spring
It's hot inside my tent and I've opened "the lid" to get more air inside without bringing in flies, or having the hot sun shine on me. I sweat a bit while eating breakfast (hard to swallow) and drinking two cups of cold coffee. - The first stop on today's hike is nearby Mail Spring; a pair of deer stare at me as I approach
Mail Spring supposedly has water sometimes. However, I'm not expecting to find any water here now that the dry season is well underway. But you never know... - Hmmm... a rubber glove near Mail Spring
Usually I find stray balloons or their remains in remote places like this, but not rubber gloves! - Well, here's how much water remains at Mail Spring in late spring 2012
It's not enough for me to filter, and it's probably just barely enough for the wild animals that use it, like those deer I saw a few minutes ago. - There's a wildlife camera here at Mail Spring; I wonder if my photo has been taken
Judging by the greenery, there's obviously a fair amount of moisture here during wetter times of the year. - Several large mahonia (berberis) bushes at Mail Spring are covered with thousands of yellow flowers
Hundreds of bees are buzzing around the flowers and their sweet scent. - This old cistern at Mail Spring was probably frequented by cattle back when this was still grazing land
It looks like it has been "improved" a few times over the years. - An inscription in the concrete at the Mail Spring cistern reads 'Bob + Louise'
- Another inscription in the concrete at the Mail Spring cistern reads 'Ed Shirey'
- I wake up in the Mail Spring area of Mojave National Preserve and realize I'm still alive after yesterday's hot bicycle ride
When I set up camp in the dark last night, I thought this juniper tree outside my tent might help cut the sun. It help doesn't much though. It's still early; I should try to sleep a while longer, if the sun permits. I'm still tired. - I'm tired and not feeling refreshed, but the New York Mountains up the road from my tent look good in the early morning sun
It's only 7 a.m. and the morning is already quite warm. It was dark when I arrived here last night, so it's fun to take a look around and see where I am. - Mojave National Preserve: Primm, Nevada to Mail Spring, 3000 feet of elevation gain
33.3 bicycle miles and about 3000 feet of elevation gain. - Mojave National Preserve: Primm, Nevada to Mail Spring, 3000 feet of elevation gain
33.3 bicycle miles and about 3000 feet of elevation gain. - Close-up of my fuzzy shadows caused by the eclipse
Disorientation. - A few years ago (2008), my overloaded bike rack broke while riding on the washboarded road here on Ivanpah Road
I learned a lesson. I now try to distribute more of my extra water weight on the front rack, which I hate doing, since it makes the bike even harder to ride. - As the sun goes down on Ivanpah Road, I pull over to look at the Bathtub Spring Peaks area where I hiked last year
Great area to explore on foot, humans apparently don't go up there often! - The sunset light on upper Ivanpah Road is incredible; tired, I'm walking the bike sometimes, enjoying the colours
I still have several miles ahead until I reach the Mail Spring area where I intend to camp the next few days. Take it slowly, but take it. I don't want to use what little energy I have left all at once. - Finally, I've reached the flatter, upper part of Ivanpah Road, still with blurry shadows due to the eclipse
I'm exhausted, but I can pedal a bit more now with the lower sun and slightly cooler air. Some phony positive-packaging folks would call this moment a renaissance; I call it running on empty with stamina. - The sun goes down behind me with a nice belt-of-Venus over Ivanpah Valley below as I continue riding up Ivanpah Road
It gets dark, and I ride past only one other oncoming car on my way to the Mail Spring area. I'm tired beyond tired, but I want to keep going to higher ground as originally planned in the hope that it won't be so hot up there tomorrow! - Well after dark, I find a nice campsite along a road near Mail Spring, Mojave National Preserve, and set up for a couple of days
I was hoping to make it further up this road, but too exhausted to go any further. Just happy to be here in the land of junipers and Joshua trees, hot here, but high enough to not be in the hotter area that I passed through below earlier today. - I set up the tent and lay down, too tired to boil water for an instant meal tonight (I just eat a lot of roasted almonds)
I send a couple of messages by satellite (Delorme InReach satellite beacon system) since I'm off the grid, and fall asleep exhausted, hungry but unable to eat, looking forward to a hike tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to wake up! - As I ride (and sometimes walk) the 10-ton bike up Ivanpah Road, I notice the light somehow seems a bit weird
Then I remember that an eclipse is happening right now, blocking a bit of the sun, responsible for the fuzzy shadows that I'm seeing--which is not because of impaired vision due to heat exhaustion. Relief, I'm not crazy nor about to pass out! - Scape sunscreen: I feel like a chemical test site: it's bubbling and foaming in the extreme heat (high 90s F), how weird
I brought some of this new-to-me brand of sunscreen, which is supposed to be good under athletic conditions, because I was running low on my preferred brand (REI), which was out-of-stock. I won't be buying this again. - Just ahead on the other side of the tracks is the old Ivanpah store, which means this segment of today's ride is ending
I'll be on pavement again for a couple of miles. - Here in the Ivanpah area, I'm at about 3500 feet elevation, about 1000 feet above where I started down at Primm
I'm just high enough now to see across Ivanpah Dry Lake to a few specks in the distance that are probably the casino buildings at Primm, NV where I slept last night. - I'm back on pavement for a couple of miles and ride past the former Ivanpah store on Ivanpah Road
I've often stopped for a break at this building during past trips, but today I'll pedal on past it. I'm already tired and want to keep going. - Ivanpah Rd slowly climbs toward a pass in the New York Mountains: I look for another place to escape the sun for a few minutes
A couple of miles of pavement here makes the ride a bit easier. A bit of heat exhaustion is setting in, which I clearly recognize, so it's time to do something about it. Any shade around here? - I pull over for a heat-exhaustion break where the pavement ends on Ivanpah Road
Great views down to Ivanpah Valley from here, but all I care about right now is getting a bit of shade. There are some low hills to my left and and old building a few hundred feet off the road to my right. I start walking around, looking for shade. - Hmm, there will surely be some shade over by that old building over there that was probably part of the Goldome Mine complex
I like checking out old buildings and have never looked at that once up close before (I've ridden my bike past here several times over the years). I go for a walk toward there. - I'm hungry for shade right now, so I approach the old building as if it were a piece of food
From a distance, I thought it was a cinder-block building, and it is. - I take refuge from the hot sun on the shady side of the abandoned cinder-block building that I've been eyeing
Just as I arrive at the building, I notice a park-ranger vehicle stopping on the road over where my bike is parked. I wave over to her/him, hoping to somehow make a "all is fine" signal, and s/he sees me and then drives away. - Someone has set up a fire ring in front of the old building
With the nice views across the Ivanpah Valley below, and New York Mountains behind, this would be a great place for an evening campfire. - Perhaps this old building once served as a kitchen or showers for the adjacent Goldome mine
The building has a lot of plumbing in it. - Large window openings open onto big views of the Ivanpah Mountains and the Clark Mountains in the distance
Of course, there are no longer any windows in the window openings! - Somewhat rejuvenated from my break in the shade, I return to the 10-ton bike to continue the ride (or walk) up Ivanpah Road
The sun is a bit lower, thus not quite so hot, and the temperature has probably dropped into the low 90s F at this point, maybe even the high 80s. I try to eat an energy bar, but can only eat half of it. - This short stretch of Nipton-Moore Road is extremely sandy where it crosses a wash near the power lines
I'm getting off here anyway to take a break under the train tracks. - I hide under the train tracks for a few minutes to get out of the hot sun
While I'm here, I send another text message, since I'm still in cell-phone range, and won't be for much longer. - Back on the road, I pedal onward, slowly, toward the New York Mountains
I see another railway siding up ahead. - I pass by a road leading down into the Ivanpah Valley toward private property
"Road not maintained," I am warned, in case I decide to head on down that way (I don't). - Ooo, another railway undercrossing along Nipton-Moore Road; I think I should stop here for a moment to check it out
Anything for another quickie break out of the hot sun! - I'm happy when I get past Desert siding, cross under the tracks, and reach some old pavement
I stop to take a quick look at the old corral here, as I've done before. One of those really long freight trains is passing me on the right. - A few Coyote-melon vines extend out into the road along Nipton-Desert Road
That "baseball" on the ground is one of the coyote melons. - That patch of buildings ahead is Nipton; I'll take a break there in a few minutes
And there in the background is the New York Mountains. I expect to be in that area by the end of the day. - Nipton, California, population 20; I take a half-hour break here
Sometimes I camp here, but today I'm just filling up on water (my 10-litre water bag), having a cold drink, eating some chips, and passing through. A kind European tourist who doesn't speak much English offers me a small bottle of water. Thanks! - After my break at Nipton, I return to the dirt road parallel to the train tracks for the next 10-mile segment
My bike is so heavy now after adding 10 litres of water to the front rack, bleh. This part of the road is commonly referred to as Nipton-Moore Road. New York Mountains, here I come! - 2.5 miles beyond Nipton, I'm feeling hot again and notice some potential shade as I cross under the power lines
It hasn't been long since my break at Nipton, but I think it's time for another short break. - Sunscreen on, and the 10-ton bike packed up, I pull away from the hotel at Primm
After a quick boring breakfast at the McDonald's in the hotel, my first stop will be the Starbucks on the other side of the freeway, and the gas-station store for water. It's amazing how terrible the tap water in the hotel tastes. - After my coffee and water stop at the gas station (I don't need gas), I leave pavement and ride down this dirt road out of Primm
The morning is already quite warm, and temperatures in the high 90s F are forecast for today. Hitting the dirt road feels really good. - It's nice to see the I-15 freeway and its traffic getting smaller as I ride down the dirt road away from Primm
It's less nice though to see the giant towers of the new solar-power plant under construction that is ruining a chunk of Ivanpah Valley over there below Clark Mountain by blanketing it with mirrors. - I reach the main dirt road from Primm to Nipton, often called Nipton-Desert Road, and note that I'm 10.5 miles from my next stop
I send out a couple of text messages to let folks know that I've left Primm, I'm in the Mojave Desert for real now, and I'm sweating already. - I've got about 7 miles of bumpy dirt road to ride on the way to Nipton (the last 3 are old pavement)
It's a slow ride due to the road's roughness, and it's ever so slightly uphill, rising about 500 feet from Primm to Nipton. But it's *my* road, essentially traffic-free except for me. - I pass a few old household items dumped along Nipton-Desert Road
A suitable foreground for the freeway and solar-power-plant towers in the background, I suppose. - After almost an hour and a half in the heat, I'm already getting hot, and grab some shade under the railway tracks
This is going to be interesting... I'm only partway into today's ride and I'm already starting to overheat! - While taking my shade break under the train tracks, I notice a washed-out cattleguard on the old road to the Lucy Gray Mine area
These days, people just drive around the cattleguard, instead of over it! - I spent last night at Whiskey Pete's Casino Hotel in Primm, NV and I'm more than ready to get going this morning
I'm not a fan of casinos, so I don't have a fun benefit from staying here like many people would. However, the Amtrak bus stops here, so it's a good place to start a Mojave National Preserve bicycle-camping trip. - Tomorrow morning, I look across the train tracks at Barstow Station toward old cabins while waiting for my Amtrak bus
They're all boarded-up now; I wonder when they were last occupied. - I'm always intrigued by the airplane graveyard here at Mojave, CA when the Amtrak bus drives by
Today's highlight is meeting Alex on the train out of Bakersfield, who has also been bicycling in Southern California. One train-rider presumes we're a couple travelling together and another suggests that we get married since we've connected so well! A fine ending to another great Mojave-Desert bicycle-camping trip that I wish could last longer. - Bicycle route elevation from Cady Mountains to Barstow via Route 66
46.2 bicycle miles and about 1000 feet of elevation gain. - I'm awake somewhat early this morning since I have the 45-mile ride back to Barstow today and I might have a big headwind
Maybe I should go back to bed for another hour though! I slept well and want more. The wind stayed calm all night and I only woke up once. Because it was warmer last night (high 40s instead of low 40s), I didn't need to wear my wool hat to bed. - This stretch of old Route 66, heading into Newberry Springs, parallels the I-40 freeway, clearly visible to my right
Newberry Springs is straight ahead in front of the Newberry Mountains. Barstow is over by those distant hills. Here I come. By bicycle. - A number of old trailers dot the outskirts of Newberry Springs along old Route 66
Some of these are starting to feel like icons now that I've travelled this stretch of road a few times during the past couple of years. - I pass a lava field along old Route 66 east of Newberry Springs
Maybe I'll get around to hiking out onto that black expanse one day; I'm usually on my way to somewhere when riding by here, so I haven't yet stopped here to explore on foot. - Near the lava field east of Newberry Springs is the end of Troy Dry Lake
The I-40 freeway is just over there, crossing the middle of the dry lake. Minerals rise to the surface, creating snowy white crusts in places. - I take a very short break along the shores of Troy Dry Lake to enjoy the Mojave Desert scenery
The i-40 freeway is still over there. - I pass another collection of old mobile homes along Route 66 east of Newberry Springs
It looks like people still live here, with their add-ons and roof repairs. A good way to eke out an inexpensive living in the Mojave Desert. - I enjoy looking at this well-kept property in Newberry Springs when I pass by; perhaps a former gas station
The small building at centre-right, which I've photographed before, contains old washrooms (perhaps for former rental cabins?) - Also in Newberry Springs is this abandoned A-frame building with a roof of wood shingles
This style of construction was somewhat popular in the 1970s, but apparently is no longer. - A playful, and perhaps vicious, group of dogs protect a former gas-station/restaurant property in Newberry Springs
One of the dogs at left is quite intent on being on top of the other dog, despite their barking due to the distraction that my presence provides. - Another old Route 66 mobile home
This one near Daggett, California. - I arrive at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow and its collection of old cars 'n' such, and check in for another night
I didn't expect to be here as early as 16h, but here I am. A nice Indian couple runs this place and the smell of their home-cooking wafting out into the check-in office is making me hungry (unfortunately, there are no Indian restuarants in Barstow)! - I love the quirky old round beds at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow
I just got back from a celebratory meal of Mexican-American food at Rosita's just up the street. For the Americanized style of Mex food that they cook, most of it is quite tasty and filling. I think I'll be ready soon for a good night's sleep, and an Amtrak bus/train ride back to San José tomorrow. - Junk plays on TV at my room at the Route 66 Motel in Barstow
I hardly ever watch TV, so it's fun to look and see what people feed their brains every day. Goodnight! Looking forward to tomorrow's Amtrak bus and train ride back to San José after a short 2-mile ride to Barstow Station. - Next-door to the Bagdad Café is the old Henning Motel, with its metal roof being stripped by vandals
The property is also for sale; fantasy ideas set in. - I ride the 2.5-mile segment of the I-40 freeway where bicycles are allowed, since there is no practical alternate route
It's really noisy riding here due to all the big trucks speeding by. However, with the extra-wide shoulders, ideal for bicyclists, it's probably safer riding here than on the old adjacent Route 66 road. - Fast-food break! Subway restaurant at the Newberry Springs gas station at the I-40 freeway
Meatball sub sandwich with tomato sauce with onions and lettuce, and Mountain Dew for some caffeine buzz. I need all of this! Route 66 crosses under the freeway here and I continue riding toward Daggett, and then Barstow after my meal break. - A short paved section of road passes under the I-40 freeway and connects me to old Route 66
Interesting how a former line in the middle of the road has turned into an erosion scar on the old pavement over time... - Back on old Route 66! Only another 40 miles or so until I reach Barstow, my destination for the day
So far, the headwind, to be expected when riding in the westward direction here, isn't too bad. I'm happy about that! - As I eat a quick dry breakfast and get ready to pack up, I notice a thorny cholla piece that I tracked into my tent
I don't want to step on this! There's a cholla cactus right outside my tent, so it's no surprise that a little piece of one got in. Granola, nuts and three cups of instant Starbucks coffee to start the sunny day. - The tent and all is packed up and I start riding the powerline road back down to old Route 66
I'm on the road before 10h; that's pretty good for me on day when I have to pack up everything! - The Cady Mountains powerline road cuts a straight line across this part of the Mojave Desert
Nice to be riding this road in the downhill direction this time! Route 66 is down in the low area ahead. I haven't been up in the Rodman Mountains in the distance yet. - I pass the Bagdad Café in Newberry Springs, famous for its appearance in the movie of the same name
An A-frame-style roof façade was added at some point to give more character to this flat-roofed building. I consider stopping in here here for a breakfast meal like I had here last year, but decide I want something quicker due to today's longer mileage. - After I get off the freeway, I have another two miles to ride on a frontage road into Barstow, parallel to the I-40 freeway
Some of the pavement along here is a bit rough and I'm having some problems with my gears for some reason. - I'm having problems switching gears in Barstow, so I pull over to take a closer look
I've had problems with skipping gears off and on all day, but can't see any problem at first glance. I'll find out later that my freewheel is on the way out, but since I don't know that yet, I keep trying to keep my rear derailleur clean and well-oiled (unusual for me). - After another 10 lonely miles riding old Route 66, I arrive at the village of Daggett and ride down some of the side streets
Daggett is charming, but not prosperous (which is not always bad). I could probably afford to buy this house. - I ride up a quiet residential street in the village of Daggett
Saguaro cacti aren't native to the Mojave Desert, but these folks in Daggett have one in their front yard. - I still wonder about this former gas station fashioned into Mugwumps printing business at some point; I've noticed it before
It looks abandoned now, but you never know out here in the desert what is abandoned and what isn't. - Abandoned something in Daggett, California
- Cady Mountains hike elevation profile
8.3 hiking miles and about 2000 feet of elevation gain. - And there it is, home for one last night on this trip, my tent
The sun goes down so early at this time of year! - The last light of the day in the Cady Mountains shines on the power lines, with the Sleeping Beauty peaks in the background
- Just after sunset, my cheap pocket Canon camera picks up the final glow of the day, and a crescent moon
There's even a bit of moonlight tonight, thanks to the clear skies. The nights have been beautifully dark out here this past week. So many stars in the sky... - It wasn't an especially strenuous hike today, but I'm hungry, and boil water for my instant evening meal
Mountain House instant Rice and Chicken, mmmm. Evening is quiet and serene, almost wind-free, but there are numerous explosions down at the nearby military base. I get to bed before 23h, in preparation for tomorrow's longish ride back to Barstow. - Many of the Smoke trees in the lower part of this Cady Mountains canyon look a bit dead (just dormant in the cold season?)
Some of them look like they might have been burned in a brush fire. - Despite the many dead or dormant Smoke trees in the area, here's one with a bit of foliage
I saw many much-healthier-looking ones while hiking to Hyten Spring a few days ago. - I contemplate the views across Broadwell Dry Lake to the Bristol Mountains, past Hyten Spring, where I hiked a few days ago
- I hike cross-country in the Cady Mountains foothills one final mile to get back to my tent, avoiding the powerline road nearby
I was up near the top of one of those peaks of Sleeping Beauty a few days ago. I'm piecing the visual map together in my mind. - Hmmm... here's a little yellow flower that I'm not familiar with
The foliage reminds me a bit of a datura. - The power lines crossing the pass in the Cady Mountains pick up the end-of-day sunlight quite sculpturally
- On my way down, I notice a solid way up the next hill, so up I go to reach my high point of the day in the Cady Mountains
Even better views than earlier as I head upward. Hey, there's Ludlow down there! - I'm already in the shade while climbing up this Cady Mountains hill after 14h in late November
I love the autumn daylight in the desert, but the days are so short (of course, they'd be much longer if I could wake up early like a real Morning Person[TM]). - Now I'm really above Broadwell Dry Lake!
I haven't seen any other people all day. Sunshine and a bit of wind are my friends and neighbours today. - I climb up the rock staircase to another Cady Mountains summit of sorts
I stare at my GPS and realize that I could probably continue further upward to the ridge of the Cady Peak, but I'd end up returning to camp after dark. Decisions, decisions... - Awesome views everywhere; I decide to be content with my Cady Mountains summit of 4350 feet here today
I take another short break here and then begin my way back down. - On the way back down the Cady Mountains, I notice a tiny hole in a shaded rock outcrop at my upper left
Rock holes like this generally go unnoticed unless they're backlit like this one is right now. - I head back down from my Cady Mountains summit
The excitement of gaining elevation is over, but the late-day sunlight is setting in for a scenic 4-mile hike back "home" to the tent. - A few steps down that rock pile I climbed up earlier on the way up into the Cady Mountains
- As I head down the wide canyon in the Cady Mountains that I hiked up, I realize I gained more elevation here than I thought
The grade is gradual enough that it didn't seem like I rose 1000 feet in the canyon on the way up. - I pass an interesting "gravelslide" on the way back down my Cady Mountains canyon
- Nice blue shadows are being cast in the Sleeping Beauty peaks area as I hike down my Cady Mountains canyon
With the gentle downhill here, hiking is quicker than expected, and I start thinking that maybe I could have tried hiking the rest of the way up to Cady Peak after all. Next time! - I wonder about this U-shaped deposit of rock in the Cady Mountains as I walk past it
- I spot a larger cave in the Cady Mountains next to the smaller one I saw earlier, on my way up the saddle
I'm wearing short sleeves all afternoon, but still in long pants. The cool wind up here is comfortable, but not cold, while the sun is still shining. - I return to the main canyon, looking for a better route up, and head straight toward the Cady Mountain peaks and a rock outcrop
The route ahead might be blocked by those rocks ahead, but it might be easy too. I'll find out when I get there. A fly (a yellowjacket?) has been following me for a while along here. - Great, the rocks look like a really easy step up to the next level of this Cady Mountains canyon
I'm at around 3750 feet elevation here. - A few steps up...
- I take a quick look back down beyond the rock pile I just climbed up
On we go... - Above the little dry waterfall is easy walking on gravel below the Cady Mountains peaks
I see what looks to be an easy way up the hill off to my left, so I follow it upward. - This climb right here is short and steep, but fairly easy, with mostly good footing
Views are suddenly getting better. - Arriving at a saddle in the Cady Mountains, I notice a little cave
I climb up onto the saddle at my left to see what's up there. - I feel like I'm on top of the world as I arrive at a local summit in the Cady Mountains
There are higher points in the Cady Mountains nearby, however. - I take a nice water-and-energy-bar break up here on my Cady Mountains summit to enjoy the views
I'm at about 4125 feet elevation here, nice place to sit for a few minutes. - I slowly climb back down the Cady Mountains gulley that I just came up
Despite a few loose, slippery spots, it's mostly pretty good. A family of chukar flutters away noisily. - Cady Peak, behind my hat, is not all that far away, but I'm not really on the route up to the peak
I'll enjoy the view from here, since I won't make it that far today. - I climb a short distance up and around this dry waterfall, but decide it's more slippery than I was hoping for
An adjacent hill looks like it might be worth a try instead. - This adjacent hill has good views of the hill I just climbed, but it too is quite slippery
Lots of loose, fine gravel and sand in some spots here. That's OK on flat terrain, but I don't like that on a hill. - I notice several "Chinch weeds," if that's what they are, as I walk across the alluvial fan
According to some photos I've found on the web, this might be Pectis papposa. I saw some of these while hiking in the Sleeping Beauty area also, a few days back. - I've seen Brittlebrush a few times on this trip
I didn't realize Brittlebrush can flower this late in the year. - Big ant hill at the mouth of my chosen canyon in the Cady Mountains with a nice view of Broadwell Dry Lake
Hyten Spring, where I hiked a few days ago, is behind the Bristol Mountains peaks at the left. - As I hike up the canyon into the Cady Mountains, I come across a balloon stuck in the brush
I make the mistake of removing it for later disposal, scraping my hand on thorns in the process! - I keep walking up the Cady Mountain canyon, looking for possible easy routes up into the rocky hills
I saved several possible upward routes on my GPS so I wouldn't miss them while hiking past. - Another beautiful morning, hot sun, cool air, and I'm ready for the last hike on this trip, into the Cady Mountains behind me
Another dry granola-and-fruit breakfast with coffee (and a couple of Vietnamese honeyed-kumquats for dessert) and I'm slowly psyching myself to go. I first woke up at 6h30 (too early!), but went back to sleep until about 8h45. - I start walking up and down across the rocky fan and pass one of several jackrabbits that I'll see today
I usually can't catch them in a photo because they're so fast! But this guy thinks I can't see him because he is stationary. Thanks for the photo! - Ludlow to Cady Mountains bicycle ride, elevation profile
20.4 bicycle miles and about 1000 feet elevation gain. - The morning after Thanksgiving, Ludlow Café is almost deserted, which is unusual
I decide to try the "house omelet" (chili, ground beef, mushrooms and tomato). Tasty, but perhaps a bit heavy before a day of bike-riding. Oh well, too late now! As always, the homemade biscuit on the side is my favourite part. - Crap! I have the dreaded headwind while riding westward out of Ludlow alongside the I-40 freeway
The road only rises 550 feet in elevation over 8 miles here, but it feels steeper than that due to the strong wind pushing me back. It's a nice day though, so I simply enjoy the scenery. - I take note of a makeshift land-for-sale sign while riding past Sleeping Beauty
Nice idea, but the I-40 freeway is right behind me. I continue riding slowly up the gentle hill, enjoying the great scenery. - Here's one of those photos that I have to take each time I pass by here: Route 66 crosses the train tracks at Pisgah siding
The ground between here and Pisgah Crater looks rather black because it's a lava field. I'm struggling a little as I ride into a strong headwind, but that's to be expected out here sometimes. - 5 miles later, it's time to cross I-40 again, this time by crossing under it
I've just left Old Route 66 and am on my way into the Cady Mountains toward tonight's campsite. This is my first time up this road. Will it be rideable after the pavement runs out ahead? - This short worn-out paved road (perhaps once a part of Old Route 66?) has a gouge down the middle where the yellow line would be
I'm expecting a sharp right turn (and end of pavement) in the road almost a mile ahead when it reaches the power lines just ahead. - OK, the pavement has departed, and I'm headed up into the Cady Mountains on dirt and gravel
Desert dirt roads are sometimes easy, but sometimes nearly impossible to ride, so I'll find out now which category of road this one falls into. I seem to have some of the wind behind me now, which should help. A 4WD vehicle passes me. - More loose rock along the road as I slowly rise and enter the Cady Mountains
There's enough rock along here that my traction is improving, though I still need to occasionally walk the 10-ton bike. - As hoped, the road surface is firmer as I get higher into the Cady Mountains
I can ride again now! I'll camp somewhere up here in the pass tonight. Time to start looking for a campsite, but I have plenty of time left. I haven't been up here before, so I'm getting excited. - As I ride though Cady Mountains pass, I start looking more seriously for a campsite for the next two nights
I don't want to start riding down the other side of the hills, down toward my Kelso Dunes Wilderness campsite from a couple of days ago! I want a campsite with a view of the area, but not too visible to any vehicles that might drive by. - Morning at the Ludlow Motel is nice and quiet; I walk over to The Café next-door for a home-cooked breakfast
The Sleeping Beauty mountains where I hiked a few days ago sit in the background. After breakfast at The Café, I'll be headed up that way again today, to the Cady Mountains, just behind there. - Old Route 66 crosses over the I-40 freeway
Having reached the high point of Route 66 in this area, I take a break here to watch the busy people driving by beneath me. There's almost no traffic on my road, so it's been a really relaxing ride so far. My GPS unit keeps rebooting here for some reason. - As I approach the Pisgah Crater area along Old Route 66, I take note of the many pink plants growing on the shoulder
I've seen these many times out here, at first not knowing they are a member of the buckwheat family, native to the area. - My gears are acting up still, so I pour more lubricant onto them
Perhaps I have a different problem and some sand has gotten deeper inside? Seems like there's plenty of lube there on the outside... - I pause on the way up the gentle hill leading into the Cady Mountains to look back on the sandy road
It's not steep at all, but I walk the bike occasionally along here due to slippery sand. I'm guessing that the sand will subside as I get higher into the hills, which is often the case. A lone dirt-motorcyclist passes me. - I check out the side roads as I ride through Cady Mountains pass and find a great campsite for two nights, before sunset even
I'm far enough back that I'm not too visible to anyone driving the road, and I'm just high enough to have some views in this upland valley. Shortly after setting up camp, a group of 4WD vehicles drives by on the road below. A large fly (a yellow-jacket?) buzzes around my tent much of the evening. Yes, I'm carrying my epi-pens... During this very dark evening (no moon), the wind increases, but not violently so. It dies down by the time I go to bed around 23h30 after a meal of Mountain House Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice, but boiling water for my meal in the wind was really slow. I hear no military explosions tonight, but I do hear a few trains of course, and a few airplanes. I sleep really well, looking forward to tomorrow's hike up into the Cady Mountains. - It gets slippery here and there on Crucero Road due to powdery surface sand
Apparently no other vehicles have driven up this road since I did two days ago because my tire tracks (and a few footprints) from then are still visible. I add a few new tracks today. - Wheee, here we go riding straight ahead the 4.5-mile length of Broadwell Dry Lake!
I decide to avoid the old gravelly railway grade that passes down the middle of Broadwell Dry Lake, and ride on the solid lake surface. It's pretty smooth for the most part. - I take a break out in the middle of Broadwell Dry Lake to walk around and enjoy the expanse without the noise of my bicycle
I keep expecting to run into at least a couple of four-wheel drive folks out here, but I guess not on Thanksgiving Day. I enjoy the solitude. - On the south end of Broadwell Dry Lake are scattered many small rocks which look like they may be volcanic in origin
This is reminiscent of the famous Racetrack Dry Lake in Death Valley, except that these rocks here don't move across the lake leaving tracks. - The dirt of Crucero Road comes to an end as I reach pavement at Ludlow and the I-40 freeway
A lot of noisy ravens live up in those palm trees here on the edge of town by the Dairy Queen gas station. - I've arrived early enough to have supper at the Ludlow Café.
I have scrambled eggs and hamburger patty at the Café, which is almost empty today due to the holiday. Such a lazy, but scenic, day as far as bicycle-camping goes today. No camping tonight; I'll stay at the Ludlow Motel next door. - After Broadwell Dry Lake, I crawl up Crucero Road toward Ludlow, which is about 2 miles beyond the transmission tower
It's a slow 6-miles-per-hour ride up this sandy road out of the Broadwell Dry Lake basin. Maybe I have a bit of a tailwind today; it feels slightly easier than it did last year. - I turn for a look across Crucero Valley as I stumble across the rocky landscape
There are many reddish buckwheat skeletons left from last year's flowering season. - And here's one of those Goldfields-like flowers of which I saw several while hiking Sleeping Beauty a couple of days ago
They're tiny and easy to miss. - I think this is a little Claret-cup cactus sprouting an early blossom
Because of the rocky terrain, I'm looking down at the ground a lot (always a good idea when desert hiking anyway); otherwise I wouldn't be noticing little details like this. - I pass through a forest of Smoke trees on the way up Hyten Spring Wash
Here in the Kelso Dunes Wilderness, automobile (and bicycle) travel is supposed to be prohibited, but there are some tire tracks here. Maybe I should have brought my bicycle up here and camped in this area, despite the law. - It's easy to miss little piles of cactus droppings like these as you walk over them in the Mojave Desert
These cholla cactus "children" stick to your shoes and pants; have fun getting them off if you've picked them up! - The Lewis (Lew) Carpenter Guzzler, Kelso Dunes Wilderness
Constructed 1992, according to the plaque. - I follow the tire tracks a short distance off my Hyten Spring hiking route and find that they end at a guzzler
This unexpected discovery explains most (but not all) of the tire tracks I've seen today. Guzzler-maintenance folks have permission to violate the mostly-good law that prohibits ordinary people from driving a bicycle or car into a Wilderness area like this. A full pond of water here, though not the freshest. I consider filtering some, and hiking an extra day in the area, but I do have plenty to get me back to Ludlow tomorrow. - I pass a deflated barrel cactus in Hyten Spring Wash that lost its footing on the steep adjacent hillside
I come across these occasionally in the Mojave Desert.