Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / Spring 2012: Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking / Day 13: Cave Spring hike, Mojave National Preserve 47
It's another hot day (102 degrees F today at nearby Cima), so I take it slowly. I don't know what to expect in the Cave Spring area, and it turns out to be an excellent short hike. 4.7 hiking miles, plus 17.6 bicycle miles.
- A cow is near my tent this morning; I shoo it away before leaving for the day on today's hike in the Cave Spring area
The hot sun had me up early this morning, but I managed to get a bit more sleep before finally getting up around 7h30. I hope this cow doesn't get too curious about my campsite while I'm gone for the day! - I arrive at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre after 5.5 bicycle miles, 3 cups of coffee and granola breakfast
Another hot day, high of 102F at nearby Cima, so I'm taking it slowly. I slept well last night, perhaps because I ate a lot of granola after not being able to fall asleep at first. - I recharge my phone and headlight battery from the outdoor plug at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre, which is closed today
The adjacent campground is almost empty in today's heat, and there's nobody around. I eat a 1/2 pound packet of Vietnamese deer jerky, generously seasoned with lemongrass, sesame and chili. I was only going to eat a few pieces, but I can't stop. - My cell phone recharged to 65%, I ride the 3+ miles down Black Canyon Road to the Cave Spring area to start today's short hike
The hot air blowing against me feels good, even though it's roasting me lightly. - There it is, the old road leading to Cave Spring, closed by a couple of Wilderness markers; I stash my bike behind some bushes
I've passed by here several times over the years and never noticed this old road because I wasn't looking for it. I like the feeling of discovering something that has actually been here for decades. That sweet orange-like smell is catclaw blossoms. - The old road to Cave Spring is easy to lose at first, but I eventually find it and follow it up a gentle hill
The old road hasn't been used in a long time and is washed-out in places. That looks like a water tank up there... - This old water tank on Cave Spring Road is dry and shot-up, but has great views over to the Woods Mountains
There's flat-topped Table Mountain in the background, where I hiked yesterday, and Black Canyon Road in the middleground. My tent is behind those mountains. - There are so few flowers on this hot late-spring trip that a few expiring Desert senna flowers here are an exciting find
Desert senna flowers sometimes give off a sweet scent, but I think it's too late in the season this year for that. - I see a bit of greenery over there; that must be Cave Spring
Onward go the feet! Anything bright-green in the desert is worth checking out. - Yes, Cave Spring, Mojave National Preserve, just ahead
Will there be water here? - I arrive at Cave Spring, Mojave National Preserve and take a look at the water tank
I thought this might be another dry spring, so I'm surprised to see that it's a bonafide spring for cattle. - Apparently, water has flowed over this rock at Cave Spring for a very long time
It's so smooth. - I think I'll walk over to that rock outcrop over there and see what I find...
I passed by there on my way here and saw some interesting features. - I stumble across some cool rock igloos in the Cave Spring area
Why have I never heard anything about this place before? - Cave Spring rock igloos
- Cave Spring igloos
- You could crawl through this rock igloo near Cave Spring
- The beginnings of a nest in one of the igloos near Cave Spring
- Close-up of one of the rock igloos (I guess it's a natural arch, really) near Cave Spring
The green area in the background is by Cave Spring itself. - I catch a good front-on view of the Cave Spring area from the rock igloos
- I walk away from the rocks igloos to further explore the area near Cave Spring
- I find that many big air bubbles made holes in the volcanic rock in the area beyond the rock igloos
- More little natural arches in the Cave Spring Hills area
- Bighorn-sheep-head rock?
- Maybe it's a seahorse head?
...out here in the desert? - No, it's a hawk head!
- I decide to walk down the hill and around this volcanic outcrop, since I have no hike plan for the day
- So many little holes in the rocks provide shelter for wildlife
- I hike a short distance up an adjacent canyon near Cave Spring, but decide not to continue too far, given the heat of the day
Lots of barrel cacti in this area! - Barrel cacti and layered rocks near Cave Spring
- Since I've seen so few flowers on this trip, it's great to come across a few barrel-cactus flowers
- Cholla cacti and barrel cacti pick up the late-afternoon sun while I walk across this area above Cave Spring
- I walk though the Cave Spring area again on this short and pleasantly aimless hot-weather hike
- Oops, this barrel cacti fell over and, I think, died
- Hmm, a leaning barrel cactus ahead
- I suppose this leaning barrel cactus will eventually fall over like the one I saw on the trail a short while ago...
The dark volcanic rock here is shiny and hot to the touch in the late-afternoon sun. - Life in a tilted world for this barrel cactus near Cave Spring, Mojave National Preserve
I think I understand the feeling. - I think I understand the feeling. - On my way back to my bicycle near Black Canyon Road, I pass a rather svelte Mojave yucca
- Before I leave the Cave Spring area, I hike up onto a low mesa above the old road
- Walking down Cave Spring Road on the way back to Black Canyon Road where the bicycle is parked
The heat of the day is getting to me and I'm glad to be wearing lightweight long pants to shield my legs from the hot sun. My light wool t-shirt is the best for hot days like this, but I should probably find a long-sleeve version. - After a stop at Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre to recharge my phone and fill up on water, I ride over to Woods Wash Road
I pour cold water over myself and drink a litre of the cold stuff here. It's always nice to see Table Mountain around sunset. The thermometer on the porch at the visitor centre is 90F in the shade. A tailwind pushes me nicely up the gentle slope. - Great views behind me of Woods Mountains (left) and Wild Horse Mesa as I ride back to camp
I'm getting used to this ride "back home" and have never camped in one spot for a week like this before. Comfort and familiarity! - Riding the bicycle back to camp on Woods Wash Road
Almost there! - Back at the tent on Woods Wash Road for sunset, I crawl inside, home again for the night!
Almost no wind this evening, I listen to crickets and a few flies trying to get into the tent, and the occasional cooing owl. I send a couple of satellite messages since email doesn't work here. - A close-to-full moon sits above the Woods Mountains just before sunset on this hot day
The sun goes down, some significant, but warm, moderate winds pick up, and I make Backpackers' Pantry Chicken Vindaloo, tasty and spicy. Tomorrow will be my last night here; where should I go tomorrow on another hot day like today? I study my maps. - Bicycle route (red) and hiking route (blue), Cave Spring, Mojave National Preserve
4.7 hiking miles, plus 17.6 bicycle miles. - Elevation profile of Cave Spring hike, Mojave National Preserve
4.7 hiking miles.