A lazy day at Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve, to recover from heat exhaustion from the past few days: Day 5
Cooler weather today, warm and comfortable! I resolve to do as little as possible today, and spend time thinking and writing notes in my journal. A short sunset hike up the low peaks east of the campground is a fine end to a relaxing day.
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Date: May 24, 2012, 12h01
Size: 12 items
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I go for a short walk around Mid Hills campground and notice there are still a few flowers blooming, such as this Desert mallow
For the first time on this trip, morning is pleasantly warm, but not hot. I make coffee before going on my short walk. Due to the cooler air, I could sleep in until 10h this morning, which I really needed.
Date: May 24, 2012, 12h01
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I think this is a kind of fleabane growing by the road at Mid Hills Campground
It looks so lush in this dry environment.
Date: May 24, 2012, 12h01
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Turpentine broom in the foreground, Banana yuccas in the middle, and Antelope brush behind that
.. and lots of burned pinon pines and junipers, of course.
Date: May 24, 2012, 12h02
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Several types of yellow flowers grow in the Mid Hills campground area and a few of them are still blooming today
I think these are groundsels (Senecio).
Date: May 24, 2012, 12h04
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My campsite at Mid Hills Campground is the one with no motor vehicle parked out front
I chose this campsite last night because it's somewhat sheltered from the wind (and it was windy for a while last night). I often choose one of the more popular campsites at the north end of the campground with better views (and more wind).
Date: May 24, 2012, 12h06
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A nicely placed picnic table by a juniper tree makes for a semi-shady brunch at Mid Hills Campground
I add boiling water to a bag of Mountain House New Orleans Rice with Shrimp and Ham (tasty). Bag says it serves two, but it only serves one of me. I spend the afternoon relaxing, catching up with writing notes in my journal and practicing language lessons
Date: May 24, 2012, 12h25
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Just before sunset, I go for a short hike up to 'Campground Peaks' just east of Mid Hills Campground
I've camped here at Mid Hills Campground many times, but I never bothered to walk up these hills east of the campground. Today is the perfect occasion to do it, the sunset should be nice from up there.
Date: May 24, 2012, 18h45
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On South Campground Peak, Mid Hills Campground, I discover a couple of juniper trees that survived the 2005 brush fires here
I also find an installation (a weather station?) in between the hills, which may be the source of mysterious loud noises I've heard when camping here during high winds. It's rather windy up here now too, even though not so much down at the campground.
Date: May 24, 2012, 19h00
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On the way over to North Campground Peak is another juniper tree that survived the 2005 brush fires here
I walk up the hill to the summit to check out the views and the possible cell-phone signal.
Date: May 24, 2012, 19h08
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Lots of wind up here on Campground Peak North, overlooking Mid Hills campground, nice sunset
I have cell-phone reception up here, so I check my messages, but can barely hear them due to the wind! I walk back down the hill and have another Mountain House Meal. A few people are partying up at the north end of the campground, but my area is quiet.
Date: May 24, 2012, 19h37
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Campground Peaks hiking route (in blue)
1.5 hiking miles, 500 feet elevation gain.
Date: May 24, 2012, 19h37
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Campground Peaks hiking route elevation profile
1.5 hiking miles and 500 feet elevation gain.
Date: May 24, 2012, 19h37
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