Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2012
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012 Mountain-bike ride from Twin Buttes to Fenner and Essex on historic Route 66 via Woods Wash Valley dirt roads: Day 10
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012

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I get closer to the tailings pile at the old Trio Mine site

I get closer to the tailings pile at the old Trio Mine site

Date: May 22, 2012, 11h19

Mountain-bike ride from Twin Buttes to Fenner and Essex on historic Route 66 via Woods Wash Valley dirt roads: Day 10

My bud calls this the 73-mile beer run (I'll buy beer at the Fenner store). I explore some of the expansive cattle-grazing country in the Woods Wash Valley. High of 102F in the Essex area. 73 bicycle miles and about 3500 feet of elevation gain.

Date: May 29, 2012, 10h04
Size: 56 items
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I leave camp before 10h and ride past the Woods Mountains, at first on the way to Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre to get water

I leave camp before 10h and ride past the Woods Mountains, at first on the way to Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre to get water

After the usual coffee, almonds, granola, dried fruit and vitamin C drink for breakfast, I pack up the mountain bike for a day ride without all my gear that will turn out to be longer than expected.

Date: May 29, 2012, 10h04
I pause briefly at the high point of Woods Wash Road to check out remnants of barbed-wire removal

I pause briefly at the high point of Woods Wash Road to check out remnants of barbed-wire removal

Many former ranching fences in the Preserve have been removed to facilitate movement of wildlife and hikers.

Date: May 29, 2012, 10h14
More remnants of barbed-wire removal along Woods Wash Road, with Table Mountain and one of the Twin Buttes in the background

More remnants of barbed-wire removal along Woods Wash Road, with Table Mountain and one of the Twin Buttes in the background

Date: May 29, 2012, 10h16
After 5 miles, I arrive at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and go for a short ride, noting that it's nearly deserted today

After 5 miles, I arrive at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and go for a short ride, noting that it's nearly deserted today

Next, I head over to the visitor centre, closed today, for water and to recharge my cell phone: it seems to be becoming my main camera. My regular Canon pocket camera won't shoot still photos any more, but it still sometimes will shoot video.

Date: May 29, 2012, 10h41
Lots of bees at the water spigot outside Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre

Lots of bees at the water spigot outside Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre

It's been like this for as long as I can remember!

Date: May 29, 2012, 11h17
I go for a walk on the nature trail by Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre and pass a Cactus wren nest in a cholla cactus

I go for a walk on the nature trail by Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Centre and pass a Cactus wren nest in a cholla cactus

All you need to do is fly into that little hole. Time to walk back to the visitor centre; my cell phone should be fully charged shortly...

Date: May 29, 2012, 11h40
I ride down a short section of pavement on Black Canyon Road southbound from Hole-in-the-Wall

I ride down a short section of pavement on Black Canyon Road southbound from Hole-in-the-Wall

It will be less than a mile when I leave pavement again, but it feels so smooth and fast since I've hardly ridden on pavement for over a week now. And it's downhill too!

Date: May 29, 2012, 12h08
I try riding a half-mile down a really sandy road near Rustler Canyon, but it doesn't work out and I decide to backtrack

I try riding a half-mile down a really sandy road near Rustler Canyon, but it doesn't work out and I decide to backtrack

There aren't even any tire tracks on this road! Instead, I decide to try another open nearby road (thanks to my map), which proves to be more serviceable.

Date: May 29, 2012, 12h27
This better, unnamed road in the Woods Wash Valley is also rather sandy, but it is rideable

This better, unnamed road in the Woods Wash Valley is also rather sandy, but it is rideable

I quickly learn that this is heavy cattle-grazing territory, in addition to being designated Wilderness on both sides of the road.

Date: May 29, 2012, 12h59
Cow shit everywhere here in the upper Woods Wash Valley; 4WD required, I only have two (but I do have two feet in addition)

Cow shit everywhere here in the upper Woods Wash Valley; 4WD required, I only have two (but I do have two feet in addition)

As long as the road doesn't get any more sandy than this, I'm fine. But this sign worries me a bit... I continue onward, slightly downhill.

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h01
I notice a small water tank on the roadside and it's full of fresh, clean water

I notice a small water tank on the roadside and it's full of fresh, clean water

Nice to know, in case I should ever need it!

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h12
I go for a short ride up a side road, wondering where it leads, and it ends near a guzzler, which is dry today

I go for a short ride up a side road, wondering where it leads, and it ends near a guzzler, which is dry today

Hmmm... I can't imagine there's a lot of wildlife in this area due to the hordes of cattle roaming around.

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h25
I'm intrigued by a cow carcass that I discover along the road

I'm intrigued by a cow carcass that I discover along the road

I don't think I've ever seen one of these before.

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h46
Smile for the camera!

Smile for the camera!

The carcass still smells a bit, but there's no meat left on it. I'm sure some vultures and yellowjacket wasps have been happy with this find.

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h47
Ah, a view of Tortoise Shell Mountain in the Woods Mountains, where I hiked yesterday

Ah, a view of Tortoise Shell Mountain in the Woods Mountains, where I hiked yesterday

From this angle, it's easy to see why the hill is called "Tortoise Shell Mountain," owing to its shape.

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h50
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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