dryfj.com / drycyclist.com (kevin cook)

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Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2008: Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping and Hike / Day 4: Globe Mine Road to North Coyote Springs, Mojave National Preserve /

I arrive at Kelso Depot in no time, chat with rangers, load up on water, rinse a wool t-shirt, and dump my garbage

08775-kelso-depot-800px.jpg Riding down the gentle grade of Kelso-Cima Road to Kelso DepotThumbnailsI leave Kelso Depot and begin the trudge up Kelbaker Road toward Coyote SpringsRiding down the gentle grade of Kelso-Cima Road to Kelso DepotThumbnailsI leave Kelso Depot and begin the trudge up Kelbaker Road toward Coyote SpringsRiding down the gentle grade of Kelso-Cima Road to Kelso DepotThumbnailsI leave Kelso Depot and begin the trudge up Kelbaker Road toward Coyote SpringsRiding down the gentle grade of Kelso-Cima Road to Kelso DepotThumbnailsI leave Kelso Depot and begin the trudge up Kelbaker Road toward Coyote SpringsRiding down the gentle grade of Kelso-Cima Road to Kelso DepotThumbnailsI leave Kelso Depot and begin the trudge up Kelbaker Road toward Coyote Springs

The rangers are the first people I've spoken to since I last visited Kelso Depot three days ago. It's always good to chat with them as they often have extra information to share about the nooks and crannies of this huge park.

A ranger explains how Wilderness boundaries have changed here and there, so I buy a copy of the new map.

I linger at Kelso Depot for almost an hour, browse the library upstairs, and load up with another 18 gallons (40 pounds) of water from their downstairs utility closet.

I rinse a wool t-shirt and lightweight undies while I have access to water. This is my first trip using highly touted merino-wool t-shirts and I must say that I'm getting to like them.