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Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / Spring 2011: Mojave National Preserve and area bicycle camping / Day 4: Searchlight to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve by bicycle /

Since I'm between a couple of hills, I don't get to see a full sunset here at the end of Castle Peaks Road

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2601-sunset.jpg I set up camp next to a juniper tree, hoping that it might provide a bit of a wind break should I need itThumbnailsElevation profile of bicycle route to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve from Searchlight, NevadaI set up camp next to a juniper tree, hoping that it might provide a bit of a wind break should I need itThumbnailsElevation profile of bicycle route to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve from Searchlight, NevadaI set up camp next to a juniper tree, hoping that it might provide a bit of a wind break should I need itThumbnailsElevation profile of bicycle route to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve from Searchlight, NevadaI set up camp next to a juniper tree, hoping that it might provide a bit of a wind break should I need itThumbnailsElevation profile of bicycle route to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve from Searchlight, NevadaI set up camp next to a juniper tree, hoping that it might provide a bit of a wind break should I need itThumbnailsElevation profile of bicycle route to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve from Searchlight, Nevada

I go for a walk up on a nearby hill, make my add-boiling-water-to-bag meal, then settle in for the evening. Beautiful moonlight later shining into my tent, and the high winds of the day have disappeared. I go to sleep in the serenity at around 23h30, rather tired and a bit sore.

But not all is completely silent. In the distance, I can hear the murmur of freight trains down in Ivanpah Valley on the other side of the New York Mountains, a familiar sound in much of Mojave National Preserve that I've come to enjoy. Also, occasional airplanes undo the silence.

After dark, the temperature drops significantly, probably into the low 40s(F). Suddenly I'm cold! I wear double socks, long underwear, my sweater and my outer shell to stay comfortable in my sleeping bag.

My add-boiling-water-to-bag meal tonight is Natural High "Classic BBQ Chicken and Rice." The sauce is good and robust, but that's all you can taste. Would I buy it again? Maybe, but only to add variety to my menu on a long trip; it's too one-dimensional.