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 To the Lost Campsite in Lanfair Valley from Slaughterhouse Spring, via Hart Mine Road: Day 3
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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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I don't need a rest yet, but this looks like a good place to stop and go for a short walk

I don't need a rest yet, but this looks like a good place to stop and go for a short walk

Date: November 21, 2012, 11h51

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.

Date: November 20, 2012, 07h12
Size: 50 items
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Another morning at Slaughterhouse Spring; nice!

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
I walk down to the wash for my morning toilet run and notice the tracks of an old road no longer used

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
A big sage is sprouting some fresh-looking growth

A big sage is sprouting some fresh-looking growth

Smells great; probably Salvia dorrii.

Date: November 20, 2012, 09h09
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

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
Packing up done! I ride the 3/4 down the bumpy hill to Ivanpah Road

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
I arrive at Ivanpah Road and turn right to head up into the New York Mountains

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
There's that threatening sign again on Ivanpah Road: Rough Road, Next 23 Miles

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
I ride a short distance up Ivanpah Road and turn back to take in the great view across Ivanpah Valley behind me

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
I pass the old stone foundation of something near Ivanpah Road

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
Riding up Ivanpah Road, Mojave National Preserve

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
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

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
On the way to Bathtub Spring I pass several small, colourful butterflies

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
Before Bathtub Spring Road rises up to the old Ivanpah railway grade, I notice a drainage tunnel under the old track bed

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
I'm surpised that this drainage tunnel is in such good condition

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
Close-up of the tunnel under the old railway grade

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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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