Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2009, Fall: Mojave National Preserve / Day 8: Kelso Dunes area to Baker, CA by bicycle 32
After last night's thunderstorm, it's a relief that the sunshine has come out. A satisfying ride back to Baker and an enjoyable chat with Preserve staff at Kelso Depot along the way.
48.9 bicycle miles, 2195 feet of elevation gain, 3730 feet of elevation loss. Temperatures recorded in Baker, CA today: 65F high, 41F low.
Sunny skies this morning, but raindrops from last night's thunderstorm glisten on the roof of my tent
I make my last two cups of strong coffee of the trip and enjoy the views while I procrastinate the task of breaking camp
As I pack the tent's contents into my saddlebags, I remove the big rocks I placed inside the tent to keep it from blowing away
It's that everything-out-of-the-tent moment again; time to leave the Kelso Dunes area!
After packing up, I carry my saddlebags and bicycle down to the power-line road for final assembly
The 10-ton bike reassembled, I'm ready to put my helmet on and start riding up the Kelso Dunes power-line road
Off the Kelso Dunes power-line road, I notice vehicle tracks going past a Wilderness boundary marker
I cut over from the power-line road to Kelso Dunes Road and make a stop at the washroom near the dunes trail
The last couple miles up Kelso Dunes Road is enjoyable with the view toward Providence Mountains in my face
At the end of Kelso Dunes Road, I start riding down the paved Kelbaker Road, with the Granite Mountains behind me
I have 8 miles of downhill on Kelbaker Road before I reach Kelso, but a strong headwind is slowing me down
As I head down Kelbaker Road, I glance to my right at the Providence Mountains, where I hiked a few days ago
Coming up to the "big bend," I can now see the town of Kelso down in the distance
I stop for a moment when I pass the unmaintained Vulcan Mine Road
Approaching Kelso, I see a freight train in the distance with a lot of red cars
Arriving at Kelso Depot visitor centre, Mojave National Preserve
Kelso Depot is receiving a lot of visitors today due to the long weekend (Thanksgiving)
I've taken this photo several times in the past with the 10-ton bike under the Kelso Depot porch
After the nice break at Kelso Depot, it's time to start the 12-mile climb up to the Kelbaker Road summit
For some reason, I always enjoy the climb out of Kelso toward Baker on Kelbaker Road
I pause on the way up Kelbaker Road to eat an energy bar and look across Kelso Valley toward the Mid Hills
Heading toward the Marl Mountains as I climb Kelbaker Road out of Kelso, Mojave National Preserve
20 minutes later, I'm around the bend on Kelbaker Road, with the Providence Mountains further and further behind me
Up, up, slowly up Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve
As I get closer to the Kelbaker Road summit, the moon rises behind me
I reach the Kelbaker Road summit at the power lines just after 16h and stop for a quick energy-bar break
I put on my windbreaker for the easy 20-mile downhill to Baker, and off into the sunset we go
I catch the red rays of sunset as I pedal down Kelbaker Road toward Baker
It's still and silent as I ride into the sunset on Kelbaker Road
Sunset fades into dusk, then darkness joins me while I enjoy the final 12 miles of the ride into Baker
Bicycle route from Kelso Dunes area to Baker via Kelbaker Road
Elevation profile of bicycle route from Kelso Dunes area to Baker via Kelbaker Road