Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2000: Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip #2 / Day 2: Leaving Kelbaker Road campsite and riding to Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve 8
Today's ride is more ambitious. From here at 2000 feet, I'll ride over the crest of Kelbaker Road at 3800 feet, down to Kelso Depot at 2100 feet, then up to Mid Hills Campground at about 5500 feet.
The final 10 miles or so are on gravelly and sandy dirt roads: Cedar Canyon Road, Black Canyon Road, and Wild Horse Canyon Road.
50.6 miles, 6:15 hours, 34.1 mph max speed, 8.1 mph average
A few miles up Kelbaker Road, I stop for a short break along the edge of the lava beds
A little further up the road, I climb up the edge of one of the lava flows to get a better view of the area
I make another stop in the lava-flow area, this time at Black Tank Wash
Beyond the old lava, Kelbaker Road continues to rise slowly
Looking back down behind me on Kelbaker Road as I approach the summit at 3800 feet
Once over the 3800-foot summit of Kelbaker Road, I start the 12-mile glide down to the abandoned Kelso Depot at 2100 feet
At Kelso Depot, I turn north on Kelso-Cima Road and ride 14.4 miles: more slow uphill, back up to 3800 feet
Continuing uphill on Kelso-Cima Road, looking ahead