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Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2010, Mojave National Preserve / Day 8: Mid Hills campground to Nipton by bicycle, Mojave National Preserve /

I begin the stimulating descent down Morning Star Mine Road into Ivanpah Valley, and I don't stop until I reach the bottom

5926-morning-star-mine-road.jpg Looking across Ivanpah Valley from upper Morning Star Mine Road, I wonder if maybe I will experience rain after allThumbnailsNear the bottom of Morning Star Mine Road, signs and cars pop up through the creosote-bush scrubLooking across Ivanpah Valley from upper Morning Star Mine Road, I wonder if maybe I will experience rain after allThumbnailsNear the bottom of Morning Star Mine Road, signs and cars pop up through the creosote-bush scrubLooking across Ivanpah Valley from upper Morning Star Mine Road, I wonder if maybe I will experience rain after allThumbnailsNear the bottom of Morning Star Mine Road, signs and cars pop up through the creosote-bush scrubLooking across Ivanpah Valley from upper Morning Star Mine Road, I wonder if maybe I will experience rain after allThumbnailsNear the bottom of Morning Star Mine Road, signs and cars pop up through the creosote-bush scrubLooking across Ivanpah Valley from upper Morning Star Mine Road, I wonder if maybe I will experience rain after allThumbnailsNear the bottom of Morning Star Mine Road, signs and cars pop up through the creosote-bush scrub

The almost-1500-foot drop over 10 miles on Morning Star Mine Road is one of the best bicycle downhills in Mojave National Preserve. It's never steep, but I have a tailwind here as I often do. I take the lane and ride at over 35 miles per hour for a while.

It's not nearly so much fun in the uphill direction, which can feel endless after a while.