To the Lost Campsite in Lanfair Valley from Slaughterhouse Spring, via Hart Mine Road: Day 3
Despite traveling on some well-used roads (by Mojave National Preserve standards), I won't see any other people. I take a wrong turn near Hart and end up camping in a remote spot in Lanfair Valley. 19.4 bicycle miles and about 1200 feet of elevation gain.
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Date: November 20, 2012, 07h12
Size: 50 items
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Another morning at Slaughterhouse Spring; nice!
I've decided to pack up this morning and ride toward the Piute Range area. We'll see how far I get with these short autumn days and my love of procrastinating and packing up slowly. Despite low energy, I'm inspired after yesterday's hike!
Date: November 20, 2012, 07h13
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I walk down to the wash for my morning toilet run and notice the tracks of an old road no longer used
I'm surprised that I didn't notice this while walking around here yesterday morning. (A jet flies by overhead.)
Date: November 20, 2012, 09h08
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A big sage is sprouting some fresh-looking growth
Smells great; probably Salvia dorrii.
Date: November 20, 2012, 09h09
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I've had breakfast, done my toilet run and lazed around a bit: now it's time to pack up the tent and move on
Breakfast was the usual granola, tamari almonds, dried apricots, vitamin C drink and two cups of instant Starbucks coffee (much better than regular instant coffee).
Date: November 20, 2012, 09h52
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Packing up done! I ride the 3/4 down the bumpy hill to Ivanpah Road
I've left camp before 11h; that's pretty good for me! It's always nice to start with a downhill, however brief, but it's so bumpy that I don't accumulate any speed on the way down.
Date: November 20, 2012, 10h45
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I arrive at Ivanpah Road and turn right to head up into the New York Mountains
Compared to the worn and battered track I've been riding, Ivanpah Road looks like a very modern engineered road.
Date: November 20, 2012, 10h55
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There's that threatening sign again on Ivanpah Road: Rough Road, Next 23 Miles
Indeed, my overloaded rear rack snapped on the stretch ahead several years ago. That taught me to not overload it (the sign didn't help me though)! However, this road isn't so bad compared to the rougher back roads in much of Mojave National Preserve.
Date: November 20, 2012, 10h56
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I ride a short distance up Ivanpah Road and turn back to take in the great view across Ivanpah Valley behind me
While hiking and biking, never forget to stop and take a look behind you! The tall peaks over in the distance are in the Clark Mountain Range, also part of Mojave National Preserve. An old structure from the former Goldome Mine sits in the middleground.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h03
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I pass the old stone foundation of something near Ivanpah Road
Those are the Bathtub Spring Peaks in the background, where I hiked in May 2011.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h20
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Riding up Ivanpah Road, Mojave National Preserve
I'll turn off soon to stop at Bathtub Spring to filter some water. This part of the road is a bit more level, and easier to ride. This is good because my energy is still not as high as I would like this morning!
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h27
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I ride a short distance up the road to Bathtub Spring, stash the 10-ton bike in some bushes and hike up to the spring
Bathtub Spring is just 0.5 miles up the road, a nice short hike. It was getting dark when I hiked here yesterday after sunset.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h37
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On the way to Bathtub Spring I pass several small, colourful butterflies
I see these from time to time out here, but wasn't expecting to see butterflies on this autumn trip.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h48
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Before Bathtub Spring Road rises up to the old Ivanpah railway grade, I notice a drainage tunnel under the old track bed
I walk over to check it out.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h49
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I'm surpised that this drainage tunnel is in such good condition
...then it occurs to me that the tunnel has likely been maintained here because the important access road to Bathtub Spring passes over it. Most other parts of the old railway grade are apparently being allowed to return to nature.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h50
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Close-up of the tunnel under the old railway grade
Some nice stone work here! I'm guessing that most of the stone work is original, despite the apparent recent restoration work.
Date: November 20, 2012, 11h51
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