Old Government Road day hike to Piute Spring from Piute Gorge campsite: Day 6
I'm tired this morning, so today's hike down to the Piute Spring is short, but scenic. It's bright and sunny, and the temperature almost hits 70F, despite being in the low 40s last night. 5 hiking miles and about 1000 feet of elevation gain.
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Date: November 23, 2013, 10h43
Size: 38 items
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Another morning at Piute Gorge; strong winds this morning, and I try to sleep in a little
I take the morning slowly, eating Mountain House Beef Stew for breakfast and lazing around to recover from yesterday's bike ride to Hackberry Spring. I didn't sleep well due to the high winds overnight, and didn't fall asleep until about 2h30.
Date: November 23, 2012, 10h43
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While getting ready for today's hike down to Piute Spring, I have my first and only sighting of humans for the day
A pair of Jeeps ride up the road and stop briefly at the next overlook above Piute Gorge. They're close enough that I see them get out of their vehicles for a few minutes to take in the views, but I don't know if they can see me over at the next overlook.
Date: November 23, 2012, 12h58
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This part of the Piute Gorge Trail is marked by rocks, but there are few footprints here to keep the trail alive
OK, I'll add a few footprints of my own.
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h24
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As I gain a little elevation, I can see the rounded corral that I rode past yesterday
... and I can see all the way across Lanfair Valley to the New York Mountains, where I was a few days ago.
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h39
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On my way up the hill, I pass by this engraved rock
Strange, this doesn't seem like a location where I would normally find one of these...
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h41
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And here's another one...
Did someone place this here? I look around, but don't see any others like it, so I continue on with my hike over the hill toward Piute Spring via the Old Government Road route.
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h41
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The Piute Gorge Trail joins the Old Government Road and I approach the crest
I look around and realize that there's a lot to explore around here in addition to following the old dirt road that was used for decades. Maybe I should have started today's hike a little earlier.
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h44
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Nice views across the next valley toward the Dead Mountains Wilderness area, outside Mojave National Preserve
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h49
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From here, I'll start winding my way downhill toward the Piute Spring area
I can see some of the Old Government Road ahead of me that will serve as my downhill trail.
Date: November 23, 2013, 13h52
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Today, not much remains of the Old Government Road except for some rock build-up
Just enough of a track to follow...
Date: November 23, 2012, 13h56
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Sometimes, the old trail is washed out
...but I know I'm headed toward the wash down below, so it doesn't matter if I get off-track a little.
Date: November 23, 2012, 14h03
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I arrive at the wash headed toward Piute Creek and follow it downward
I've been having stomach cramps all the way down the hill, probably because I was hungry and ate too much this morning before starting today's hike. My mistake!
Date: November 23, 2012, 14h20
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At the bottom of the wash, I walk around looking for P G s that are indicated on one of my maps
I don't see any signs of said P G s, so I wonder if maybe they were stolen long ago. Or maybe I've walked right past them without noticing!
Date: November 23, 2012, 14h29
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It's fun to explore randomly, but I'm also here to fetch more drinking water
Here's Piute Creek again, my water source today. Rare desert streams like this are almost magical amidst the dry landscape.
Date: November 23, 2012, 14h49
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I cross through some of the riparian brush at Piute Creek
There might be some remains of an old road around here, so I take a few minutes to look for it.
Date: November 23, 2012, 14h51
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