Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2009, Spring: Mojave National Preserve / Day 14: Clark Mountain Range day hike (north side) from Pachalka Spring, Mojave National Preserve 43
If I were really ambitious today, I'd attempt hiking to the summit of Clark Mountain, but I'm curious about a canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range that I noticed on my maps. 8.7 hiking miles with 2970 feet of elevation gain (from 4870 feet, down to 4450 feet, then up to 6350 feet, and back).
A cool morning at Pachalka Spring, Mojave National Preserve, with Clark Mountain Range in the background
Digging a cat hole in this area is difficult because the earth is almost as tough as cement
Before starting today's hike, I walk over to Pachalka Spring to filter some water
I walk through the grass that covers the meagre stream below Pachalka Spring on my way to the water source
I again pass that Asian-like flowering tree at Pachalka Spring with the penstemon-like flowers
Close-up of the penstemon-like flowers on the big flowering tree at Pachalka Spring
I walk out on the log that leads through the yerba mansa flowers to the fresh water at Pachalka Spring
I filter a couple of gallons of water amidst the yerba mansa flowers at Pachalka Spring (see the water gushing out of the pipe?)
My 10-litre MSR black water bag is nice and full and fat now
On the way back to my tent from Pachalka Spring, I look at the elderberry trees downstream and their creamy-white blossoms
I get my backpack together and begin hiking down the north side of Pachalka Spring Road, which I haven't seen yet
Pachalka Spring Road drops into this wash, beyond which I see two tailings piles
The old road is drivable for a short distance further, then ends at two campsites
My hiking route today follows an old mining road that rises up over the pass ahead to the north side of the Clark Mountain Range
What's left of the old road is slowly starting to slide down the hill and return to nature
Standing in the middle of the old road just beyond the pass at 5050 feet, the next segment of the road reveals itself
Several rock retaining walls were built along this part of the road to prevent wash-outs
I continue walking along the faded road after it drops into an unnamed canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range
I come across what might be the remains of a dugout for food storage at an old prospecting site
There's even an old fire ring here, but it doesn't look like it has been used in years
I start hiking up the canyon beyond the prospect and the end of the old road
This canyon provides excellent views to the south of a few high points in the Clark Mountain Range
I keep walking up the unnamed canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range
I keep hiking upward in the canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range, unaware of how much elevation I'm gaining
The canyon climbs over more rocks and seems to be heading toward a plateau above with open sunshine
From the canyon, I climb up a short, steep hill of loose rock and take a 1/2-hour break to soak up the views from 6350 feet
My maps show a spot labelled "cave" a quarter mile further (and 500 feet higher), probably high in the rock wall ahead
I begin the descent back down this unnamed Clark Mountain Range canyon toward my campsite at Pachalka Spring
The hike down the canyon is perhaps more dramatic than the hike up
A white pinnacle rises on my right on the way down the canyon
The cactus, rock, yucca and brush obstructions in the canyon are mostly easy to get around
I hike by the old prospect that I passed on the way up and I'm back on the old road again, still heading downward
The old road approaches the unnamed pass leading back to the Pachalka Spring area
The old road crosses over the pass and I suddenly have big views down into Shadow Valley below
On the way down to Pachalka Spring Road, I see a faint road rising up a steep hill toward an old mining area
I leave the old road and hike down in the wash for about 3/4 mile before catching up with the road back up to Pachalka Spring
I rejoin Pachalka Spring Road and climb up the final 400 feet of elevation on the way back to the tent
Getting home before sunset means that I get to catch that orange desert sunset light that I enjoy so much
As the sun sets at Pachalka Spring, I look to the southeast and see the full moon rising
Sunset tonight at Pachalka Spring, Mojave National Preserve, is quiet again, but not quite as spectacular as last night's show
One of my after-dark photos tonight is actually usable; usually they are not
Mojave National Preserve hiking route from Pachalka Spring up a canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range (Day 14)
Hiking route profile from Pachalka Spring up a canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range (Day 14)