Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2012
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012 Twin Buttes and Table Mountain hike, Mojave National Preserve: Day 12
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012

1. Mojave... ... 9. Tortoise... 10. Mountain-bi... 11. Rings Trail... 12. Twin Buttes... 13. Cave Spring... 14. Borrego... 15. Twin Buttes...

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On the way back down Borrego Canyon, I get a good view of some rock igloos a bit like the ones I saw near Cave Spring yesterday

On the way back down Borrego Canyon, I get a good view of some rock igloos a bit like the ones I saw near Cave Spring yesterday

Date: June 02, 2012, 15h22

Twin Buttes and Table Mountain hike, Mojave National Preserve: Day 12

Time for a walk up Twin Buttes and Table Mountain, both of which I've looked at for years. I doubt I'll make it to the top, due to the steepness, but who knows... 99 degrees F at Cima today, yikes. 9.8 hiking miles and about 1800 feet of elevation gain.

Date: May 31, 2012, 09h41
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Today's hike up into the rocky Twin Buttes area starts with a walk down Woods Wash Road

Today's hike up into the rocky Twin Buttes area starts with a walk down Woods Wash Road

It was chilly enough overnight that I slept with my long underwear on, but as soon as the hot sun hit my tent this morning it was an emergency to open the screen and take off the long undies ASAP!

Date: May 31, 2012, 09h41
I pass the remains of an old corral fence in front of the Woods Mountains made from unhewn wood

I pass the remains of an old corral fence in front of the Woods Mountains made from unhewn wood

I drank three cups of coffee with breakfast in my tent, instead of the usual two, feeling that I need the boost to stay in shape today, with temperatures forecast in the 90s. I'm carrying 4.5 litres of water.

Date: May 31, 2012, 09h55
I leave the road and cross the Wilderness boundary to begin walking toward flat-topped Table Mountain

I leave the road and cross the Wilderness boundary to begin walking toward flat-topped Table Mountain

I'm walking slowly, to warm up, though I'm warm enough from the hot sun already. I'm headed toward that slot between the Twin Buttes and flat-topped Table Mountain.

Date: May 31, 2012, 10h04
Shade! A big boulder with a few pinon pines around it in the canyon between Twin Buttes and Table Mountain

Shade! A big boulder with a few pinon pines around it in the canyon between Twin Buttes and Table Mountain

I want some, I'm getting hot already!

Date: May 31, 2012, 11h13
I take five minutes under the pinon pine and behind the rock, might be the last shade I get for a while!

I take five minutes under the pinon pine and behind the rock, might be the last shade I get for a while!

Date: May 31, 2012, 11h20
As I reach a saddle between Twin Buttes North and Table Mountain, it looks like Table Mountain isn't that far away

As I reach a saddle between Twin Buttes North and Table Mountain, it looks like Table Mountain isn't that far away

I guess I'll keep going and see how far I get.

Date: May 31, 2012, 11h41
Nice view back down the canyon I just climbed up between Twin Buttes North and Table Mountain

Nice view back down the canyon I just climbed up between Twin Buttes North and Table Mountain

Now that I'm warming up, this uphill part of the hike feels a bit easier than the flatter part down below where I started. Maybe that's because there's a bit of breeze up here.

Date: May 31, 2012, 11h55
Wow, I can now see across Gold Valley to the Hole-in-the-Wall area where I hiked yesterday

Wow, I can now see across Gold Valley to the Hole-in-the-Wall area where I hiked yesterday

I love these perspectives where I can build a visual map in my head of places that I've visited, and those that I haven't yet.

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h02
Table Mountain is getting a bit closer now; I didn't expect to come this far up

Table Mountain is getting a bit closer now; I didn't expect to come this far up

The easy route, for a while at least, seems to be to head toward my upper right, so I continue.

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h03
Boulders frame this view over to Hackberry Mountain from the south flank of Table Mountain

Boulders frame this view over to Hackberry Mountain from the south flank of Table Mountain

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h17
Another view around boulders on the side of Table Mountain, this time down to Woods Wash

Another view around boulders on the side of Table Mountain, this time down to Woods Wash

I hiked down there a couple of days ago on the way to Tortoise Shell Mountain...

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h18
An interesting collage of rocks and ridgetops from the flank of Table Mountain

An interesting collage of rocks and ridgetops from the flank of Table Mountain

Twin Buttes in the middle, with a few trees on it, and the Woods Mountains beyond.

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h29
Woods Wash Road is visible in this view from the side of Table Mountain

Woods Wash Road is visible in this view from the side of Table Mountain

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h36
The views across Gold Valley are even better now!

The views across Gold Valley are even better now!

I can even see across to the jagged Providence Mountains now.

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h36
Hmmm... it's getting a bit steep along here....

Hmmm... it's getting a bit steep along here....

Do I feel vertigo setting in? Crap, I hate that.

Date: May 31, 2012, 12h48
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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