Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2012
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Mojave National Preserve bicycle-camping and hiking, Lanfair Valley loop, fall 2012 Slaughterhouse Spring hills and old Ivanpah railway bed hike: Day 2
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Mojave National Preserve bicycle-camping and hiking, Lanfair Valley loop, fall 2012

1. Nipton to... 2. Slaughterho... 3. To the Lost... 4. The Lost... 5. Piute Gorge... 6. Round-trip ... 7. Old... ... 9. Ivanpah Rd ...

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The first part of the road into the Hackberry Mountains is a bit sandy and bit rough

The first part of the road into the Hackberry Mountains is a bit sandy and bit rough

Date: November 22, 2012, 15h34

Slaughterhouse Spring hills and old Ivanpah railway bed hike: Day 2

My energy is low again today, but the Slaughterhouse Spring canyon makes for an inspiring day hike. I had hoped to hike this canyon during my May 2012 trip. 13.8 hiking miles and about 1500 feet of elevation gain (and loss). I see no other people today.

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h14
Size: 59 items
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Nice, almost warm morning near Slaughterhouse Spring; I wake up baking in my tent around 8h30

Nice, almost warm morning near Slaughterhouse Spring; I wake up baking in my tent around 8h30

I'm surprised at the expiring Desert senna flowers here and there; I didn't realize they can bloom in autumn. My energy is still a bit low this morning, but I head out on today's hike after breakfast anyway.

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h14
My first stop of the day is to see see what's at Slaughterhouse Spring

My first stop of the day is to see see what's at Slaughterhouse Spring

I haven't been here before. I've heard that there's no water available here, so I'm not expecting any.

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h34
Slaughterhouse Spring, Mojave National Preserve

Slaughterhouse Spring, Mojave National Preserve

As I expected, there's not much water here. But there is a little, perfect for use in case of an emergency!

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h36
It was fun checking out Slaughterhouse Spring; time to continue up the old road on today's hike

It was fun checking out Slaughterhouse Spring; time to continue up the old road on today's hike

The old road passes through a gate as it leaves the area.

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h40
I pass a few buckwheat blossoms along the old road near Slaughterhouse Spring

I pass a few buckwheat blossoms along the old road near Slaughterhouse Spring

They look fairly fresh, and I'm not expecting to see that out here at this time of year. A result of the recent big rains in the area?

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h50
Looking back behind me, I have a view of the old Goldome mine buildings off in the distance on the other side of Ivanpah Rd

Looking back behind me, I have a view of the old Goldome mine buildings off in the distance on the other side of Ivanpah Rd

I take note of the Bathtub Spring Peaks above it all, where I hiked in May 2011.

Date: November 19, 2012, 10h58
The old road here that serves as part of today's hiking route rolls up and down, and is rocky in places

The old road here that serves as part of today's hiking route rolls up and down, and is rocky in places

A view of the New York Mountains peaks entertains me as I continue ahead. I quickly realize that I'd like to camp out in this area.

Date: November 19, 2012, 11h10
Nice views down to Ivanpah Valley behind me as I hike up the old road

Nice views down to Ivanpah Valley behind me as I hike up the old road

Down in the distance is Primm, Nevada, where I started the night before last after getting dropped off by the Amtrak bus.

Date: November 19, 2012, 11h21
I run across some ruins on the way toward the canyon

I run across some ruins on the way toward the canyon

An old corral? An outbuilding?

Date: November 19, 2012, 11h33
I think these old flowerheads in the wash are from last season's Cliff roses

I think these old flowerheads in the wash are from last season's Cliff roses

I'm almost at the end of the dead-end road here, and there are even a few human footprints here in addition to the tire tracks.

Date: November 19, 2012, 11h40
Rock piles along the wash attract my attention

Rock piles along the wash attract my attention

In particular, I notice the etching-like horizontal lines in one rock at centre-left. Hmmm. A pinon pine grows on top of the rock pile.

Date: November 19, 2012, 11h46
At the bottom of this pile of rocks is what I call the flat-foot rock toes

At the bottom of this pile of rocks is what I call the flat-foot rock toes

... or maybe it's knuckles on a fat hand?

Date: November 19, 2012, 12h19
I enter the canyon, and some of it is really narrow, at least at first

I enter the canyon, and some of it is really narrow, at least at first

Cool and damp in the shady areas populated with small willow trees. It's a hidden world back here with no human footprints. What else is to come?

Date: November 19, 2012, 12h29
I encounter a small dry waterfall in the canyon

I encounter a small dry waterfall in the canyon

Will there be more of these? Maybe!

Date: November 19, 2012, 12h29
A narrow spot in the canyon, with willows growing in the canyon floor

A narrow spot in the canyon, with willows growing in the canyon floor

This keeps getting more interesting.

Date: November 19, 2012, 12h37
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Other bikepacking trips on drycyclist.com:
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Camping, Spring 2012 (15 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