Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2012
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012 Tortoise Shell Mountain and Woods Wash day hike, Mojave National Preserve: Day 9
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Hiking, Late Spring 2012

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According to the windows at the old Essex Café on Route 66, 'good food' was served here

According to the windows at the old Essex Café on Route 66, 'good food' was served here

Date: May 29, 2012, 19h10

Tortoise Shell Mountain and Woods Wash day hike, Mojave National Preserve: Day 9

I want to hike somewhere in the Woods Mountains, so I end up visiting Tortoise Shell Mountain on foot, via Woods Wash. A bit warmer than yesterday, high of 86F at Cima, mid 40s at night. 12 hiking miles, 1500 feet elevation gain.

Date: May 28, 2012, 10h19
Size: 26 items
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It got rather cold overnight, so I didn't sleep well, but as soon as the sun hit my tent this morning, it was intensely hot!

It got rather cold overnight, so I didn't sleep well, but as soon as the sun hit my tent this morning, it was intensely hot!

I'm awake for good just after 8h and have my usual camp breakfast of vitamin C drink, cold instant Starbucks coffee, granola, almonds and a bit of dried fruit. A slight breeze drifts through the tent.

Date: May 28, 2012, 10h19
I encounter a barbed-wire fence shortly after I start today's hike toward Woods Wash; I find a spot where I can crawl under it

I encounter a barbed-wire fence shortly after I start today's hike toward Woods Wash; I find a spot where I can crawl under it

I'm going to hike a bit up into the Woods Mountains after the hike down Woods Wash, not exactly sure where yet. I marked a few possible good spots on my GPS.

Date: May 28, 2012, 10h38
I'm mostly hiking cross-country, but I walk briefly on a segment of Woods Wash Road and spot a lizard

I'm mostly hiking cross-country, but I walk briefly on a segment of Woods Wash Road and spot a lizard

There are lots of these out here, but it's not always easy to catch them on camera!

Date: May 28, 2012, 11h23
I stop to take a look at an old corral in Woods Wash

I stop to take a look at an old corral in Woods Wash

Date: May 28, 2012, 11h29
I arrive at the Woods Wash trailhead and find that someone else, in a Jeep, is also doing the hike down the wash

I arrive at the Woods Wash trailhead and find that someone else, in a Jeep, is also doing the hike down the wash

I saw that Jeep drive down the road past my tent earlier. I start my hike down the wash and meet the folks with the Jeep, on their way back. We have a good chat. They've been coming here for years.

Date: May 28, 2012, 11h39
Hiking down Woods Wash, I take a look around the historic site and start hiking up an unnamed side canyon

Hiking down Woods Wash, I take a look around the historic site and start hiking up an unnamed side canyon

I come across an animal trail, and follow it when possible for the best route up the canyon. Due to obstructions here and there, it's easy to lose it occasionally, only to find it again shortly thereafter. There's Tortoise Shell Mountain in the background

Date: May 28, 2012, 12h34
At a bend in the canyon, I decide to climb up the hill where it's not too steep  to get some views of the area

At a bend in the canyon, I decide to climb up the hill where it's not too steep to get some views of the area

I realize that Tortoise Shell Mountain, fairly low at just under 4600 feet elevation, is just ahead, so I'll continue upwards and check it out. It's getting rather warm in this canyon. A yellowjacket wasp chases me up the hill.

Date: May 29, 2012, 13h12
I reach the plateau below Tortoise Shell Mountain and spot a deer in the distance on the hillside

I reach the plateau below Tortoise Shell Mountain and spot a deer in the distance on the hillside

S/he sees me and darts off. This seems like bighorn sheep country, but I think it's a deer, which are more common out here.

Date: May 28, 2012, 13h40
I arrive at the top of little Tortoise Shell Mountain and notice there's a rarely used register here for me to sign

I arrive at the top of little Tortoise Shell Mountain and notice there's a rarely used register here for me to sign

I take a 30-minute break up here to enjoy the landscape. Expecting a cool breeze up on this exposed hill, I find it's actually rather hot up here from all the volcanic rock soaking up the heat.

Date: May 28, 2012, 13h52
Sitting up on Tortoise Shell Mountain for half an hour, I enjoy views toward Wild Horse Mesa and the Providence Mountains

Sitting up on Tortoise Shell Mountain for half an hour, I enjoy views toward Wild Horse Mesa and the Providence Mountains

The Cave Spring area that I hope to visit before I go back to San José is just off to the left.

Date: May 28, 2012, 14h02
I also enjoy views across the Lanfair Valley while sitting up on Tortoise Shell Mountain

I also enjoy views across the Lanfair Valley while sitting up on Tortoise Shell Mountain

I had planned to head over that way, to the Piute Range, during this trip, but the hot-weather system that moved in changed those plans. Next time!

Date: May 28, 2012, 14h03
After a break to enjoy the summit of Tortoise Shell Mountain, I start my way back down to Woods Wash

After a break to enjoy the summit of Tortoise Shell Mountain, I start my way back down to Woods Wash

On my way down, I'm serenaded by the electrical sound of some kind of desert cicada. I consider a side hike up adjacent Burro Canyon, but the mid-afternoon heat is starting to get to me, and my drinking water is getting really warm.

Date: May 28, 2012, 15h00
An hour later, I'm back down in the Woods Wash area

An hour later, I'm back down in the Woods Wash area

I'll check out the historic site during the hike back to my tent.

Date: May 28, 2012, 16h01
Scribbles

Scribbles

Date: May 28, 2012, 16h03
Crescent moon and etchings

Crescent moon and etchings

Date: May 28, 2012, 16h03
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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