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Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / Fall 2010: Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bicycle Camping / Day 3: Day hike into Kelso Dunes Wilderness to the south end of Broadwell Mesa /

I cross another small drainage at dusk; I'll have several more to cross, a few quite deep, by flashlight, on my way home

7167-kelso-dunes-wilderness.jpg A few clouds are rolling in east of the Bristol Mountains at duskThumbnailsElevation profile of Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area "South Broadwell Wash" hiking routeA few clouds are rolling in east of the Bristol Mountains at duskThumbnailsElevation profile of Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area "South Broadwell Wash" hiking routeA few clouds are rolling in east of the Bristol Mountains at duskThumbnailsElevation profile of Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area "South Broadwell Wash" hiking routeA few clouds are rolling in east of the Bristol Mountains at duskThumbnailsElevation profile of Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area "South Broadwell Wash" hiking routeA few clouds are rolling in east of the Bristol Mountains at duskThumbnailsElevation profile of Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area "South Broadwell Wash" hiking route

The wind is picking up as I end my hike in darkness before the almost-full moon rises. I don't even see my tent, hiding in the dark behind a creosote bush until I'm 10 feet away!

It takes me a while to boil water for supper due to this evening's wind, which gives me a good excuse to pace around outside and stare at the full moon while the temperature drops down into the 30s. Tonight's meal is instant Mountain House Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice, yum, with cognac for dessert.

Moderate winds continue throughout the evening, but not enough to make sleeping impossible while my tent walls gently flap, flap, flap. I get to sleep around midnight.