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Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2010, Mojave National Preserve / Day 1: Baker, California to Kelso Peak area, Mojave National Preserve /

A nice sunset and views of the cinder cones end my first day of this trip

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3441-powerline-road.jpg One of two major powerline routes that cut across Mojave National PreserveThumbnailsBaker to Kelso Peak powerline road elevation profile (Day 1)One of two major powerline routes that cut across Mojave National PreserveThumbnailsBaker to Kelso Peak powerline road elevation profile (Day 1)One of two major powerline routes that cut across Mojave National PreserveThumbnailsBaker to Kelso Peak powerline road elevation profile (Day 1)One of two major powerline routes that cut across Mojave National PreserveThumbnailsBaker to Kelso Peak powerline road elevation profile (Day 1)One of two major powerline routes that cut across Mojave National PreserveThumbnailsBaker to Kelso Peak powerline road elevation profile (Day 1)

The day's heat has left me a bit nauseous, but I'm hungry anyway, and make tonight's supper as soon as the sun goes down (Mountain House Sweet and Sour Pork with rice, yum). I enjoy the quiet evening, hearing an occasional car on nearby Kelbaker Road.

I'm glad to be up here where the breeze is slightly cool, 2800 feet above Baker and its valley-floor heat. Still, it's warm enough that I go to sleep on top of my sleeping bag and not in it.

After a few birds chirp around sunset, the night is quiet, except for the light breeze making my tent walls flap a little. A few shots of brandy cancel that unwanted noise. It hasn't been a super-strenuous day, but I'm not in shape for this yet, and not yet acclimated to the heat. Also, I started the trip a bit sleep-deprived, so I sleep beautifully tonight.