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Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2009, Spring: Mojave National Preserve / Day 10: Nipton to Black Palisades and back hike, Mojave National Preserve 42

The thermometer hits 90 degrees today. Nipton is just a few feet from the northern boundary of Mojave National Preserve, but most of today's short hike is actually within the Preserve's borders.

"Black Palisades," as I call it, is a dark outcrop about three miles up the fan from Nipton toward the Mid Hills. I noticed it while riding down the nearby power-line road during last year's Mojave National Preserve trip. Presumably volcanic in origin, it stands out in relation to the nearby hills due to its dark colour.

6.5 hiking miles from Nipton to Black Palisades and back during 3.75 hours, with 700 feet of elevation gain (and loss). I carry six litres of water with me and drink two.