Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2012
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012 Black Diamond Spring and Barnett Mine day hike and bicycle ride, Mojave National Preserve: Day 7
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012

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As the Rings Trail approaches a slot in Banshee Canyon, it's nice to look back

As the Rings Trail approaches a slot in Banshee Canyon, it's nice to look back

Date: May 30, 2012, 13h18

Black Diamond Spring and Barnett Mine day hike and bicycle ride, Mojave National Preserve: Day 7

Cooler weather today, which is nice. Cima, 1500 feet lower than here, only reports a high of 67F. I wasn't planning on being at Mid Hills campground on this trip, but there's always more to explore out here. I haven't hiked in the Black Diamond Spring area before. 22.3 bicycle miles and 7.5 hiking miles.

Date: May 26, 2012, 12h15
Size: 37 items
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Another nice morning at Mid Hills campground, where I didn't expect to stop on this trip; time to plan an outing for the day

Another nice morning at Mid Hills campground, where I didn't expect to stop on this trip; time to plan an outing for the day

Feeling a bit rested after yesterday's "day off" and due to the onset of cooler weather, I'm ready to head off on a bicycle ride and hike to the Barnett Mine area, near Rock Spring.

Date: May 26, 2012, 12h16
Primroses at my Mid Hills Campground campsite

Primroses at my Mid Hills Campground campsite

I manage to sleep in until 10h30 this morning; I really needed the sleep. After a couple of cups of coffee, granola, nuts and vitamin C drink, I'm ready.

Date: May 26, 2012, 12h23
All rides out of Mid Hills Campground start with Wild Horse Canyon Road, and I always enjoy the descent into Round Valley
View Panorama

All rides out of Mid Hills Campground start with Wild Horse Canyon Road, and I always enjoy the descent into Round Valley

It's not quite as easy to come back up though, when the 10-ton bike is loaded up. But I'm carrying no gear on today's day ride.

Date: May 26, 2012, 13h21
I ride past a windmill in Round Valley on Black Canyon Road

I ride past a windmill in Round Valley on Black Canyon Road

You can see the remains of the old fence posts that burned in the 2005 brush fires, since replaced with a wire fence.

Date: May 26, 2012, 13h29
I spot a Desert four o'clock blooming in Round Valley under a tree on the Black Canyon Cut-off Road

I spot a Desert four o'clock blooming in Round Valley under a tree on the Black Canyon Cut-off Road

I've hardly seen any of these this year, unlike some other years.

Date: May 26, 2012, 13h44
The short Black Canyon cut-off road is always a fun mountain-bike ride

The short Black Canyon cut-off road is always a fun mountain-bike ride

Vehicles rarely use this part of the road.

Date: May 26, 2012, 13h46
The dead coyote I passed on Cedar Canyon Road a few days ago is still there

The dead coyote I passed on Cedar Canyon Road a few days ago is still there

But there's less of it now.

Date: May 26, 2012, 14h16
The road to the Barnett Mine area, about 1.5 miles long, is rough and slightly uphill
View Panorama

The road to the Barnett Mine area, about 1.5 miles long, is rough and slightly uphill

Like most backcountry desert roads, it gets rougher as it gets closer to the end.

Date: May 26, 2012, 14h38
A bit of assorted debris is scattered around at the end of the Barnett Mine Road
View Panorama

A bit of assorted debris is scattered around at the end of the Barnett Mine Road

Perhaps a cabin was once here, and burned? Good view across the valley to Pinto Mountain.

Date: May 26, 2012, 14h49
Have a seat and relax at the end of the Barnett Mine Road
View Panorama

Have a seat and relax at the end of the Barnett Mine Road

This squarish area with char on the ground looks like a possible site of an old structure or cabin.

Date: May 26, 2012, 14h49
I start walking up the trail to the old mine site: I see people over there--amazing

I start walking up the trail to the old mine site: I see people over there--amazing

We don't meet, since they're walking in the other direction. I suspect they don't see me. I rarely run into people in the backcountry out here, but this location is an easy walk in from the historic Mojave Road, which is fairly well-traveled.

Date: May 26, 2012, 15h16
I go for a walk past one of the mine shafts at Barnett Mine

I go for a walk past one of the mine shafts at Barnett Mine

I wonder if the shaft was once deeper, and has been since filled in for safety reasons.

Date: May 26, 2012, 15h20
More mining remains at the Barnett Mine
View Panorama

More mining remains at the Barnett Mine

Date: May 26, 2012, 15h22
Time to explore a little: I climb up a hill behind the Barnett Mine and take a look at the panorama

Time to explore a little: I climb up a hill behind the Barnett Mine and take a look at the panorama

Today's hike wasn't planned, so I'm just walking around and enjoying the surroundings.

Date: May 26, 2012, 15h43
A row of vertical rocks outcrops above Barnett Mine frame a view of Table Mountain
View Panorama

A row of vertical rocks outcrops above Barnett Mine frame a view of Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a prominent landmark visible from many parts of Mojave National Preserve.

Date: May 26, 2012, 15h48
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Other bikepacking trips on drycyclist.com:
  • Mojave National Preserve Lanfair Valley Loop Bicycle Camping, Fall 2012 (8 days)
  • Cady Mountains, Sleeping Beauty and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bicycle Camping, Fall 2011 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2011 (15 days)
  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bicycle Camping, Spring 2010 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bicycle Camping, Fall 2009 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking 2008 (14 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Xmas 2007 Mountain-Bike Camping (one week)
  • Henry Coe State Park Mountain-Bike Camping 2007 (eight nights)
  • Death Valley Bicycle Camping 2007 (two weeks)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bicycle Camping 2006 (four nights)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2006 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2000 (11 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 1999 (one week)
Contact mojave2011 at drycyclist dot com