Mojave National Preserve: Day 3

For the ride home we cut south through the New York Mountains via Ivanpah Road and the small town of Goffs. The MDHCA has done a fine job of restoring the town and placing markers at the surrounding historical sites.

The rest of the pictures from our trip, as always, are on Flickr »

Las Vegas

The city hasn’t changed much since the last time I was here. They’ve torn down some buildings, built some new ones, closed some shops and opened others… it is still a crowded, noisy, modern city. In spite of my admittedly biased view of the place, we had a great time celebrating the big 3-0 with Kay, visiting with my friend Drawk, and learning how the game of Blackjack is played with real live people.

Mojave National Preserve: Day 2

Two great things about hoteling it in Baker: you get to go on night runs without fear of losing your camp, you get to have iHop in the morning.

It was already well over 100° by the time we finished breakfast, so we quickly fueled up and got underway. Just south of the border we picked up an eastward-bound dirt track and headed in the general direction of Las Vegas.

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Mojave National Preserve

Off to Vegas for a celebration of our good friend Kay Passa’s 30th, but of course my best possible route to Sin City involves an extra three days zig-zagging through Mojave National Preserve by dirt track. Monsoon season has come late to the Mojave Desert this year, and has so far been somewhat disappointing for folks like us that are actually seeking thunderstorms. Still, the trip was well worth it and the clouds were beautiful…

We also made a stop by Kelso Depot to visit The Beanery, and visited the still-missing Mojave Cross. The Beanery, the lunch room at the Kelso Depot, is once again open and serving food to hungry travelers. The smoothies alone are worth a detour. The food is ok… not great, but it beats a sack lunch.

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Carbonate Gulch

This has been an absolutely wonderful trip so far for reptile viewing. Lizards of all shapes, sizes and colors have paused long enough and often enough for great photo opportunities. Many of them have even let me get close enough to use the little backup pocket-camera I’ve been stuck with since my SX200 died. While packing up camp this morning we noticed a Mojave brown rattlesnake taking a nap, right in the middle of camp!

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Cadiz Valley

The morning brought more of this perfect desert summer. Its odd, my body somehow knows I am “home” and wakes me up with the sun, rested and relaxed, every time I’m on the road. Normally, I’m lucky if an alarm clock will get me out of bed before 08:30. Today, we’re packed, fed and ready to go before 08:00.

Our agenda for today took us by the unknown ruin just west of National Chloride’s Amboy facility known only as “that round cabin by the lava”, to Roy’s Cafe for some cold Route Beer 66 (root beer), across Bristol Dry Lake to Calumet Mine, and out to Cadiz Dunes before heading for camp in Skeleton Pass. While I’m always happy to go it alone, it was nice to have the company of like-minded folks for a change.

At Calumet we found the mine shaft occupied by a family of hawks, so we kept our distance and took to exploring the surrounding ruins. There isn’t much information available about this place beyond that they were mining gold in these unlikely sand and mud hills. There is a rumor that one man did make out on the claim, but it is more likely his profit came from a foolish buyer, not gold.

The wilderness boundary at Cadiz Dunes has been expanded since the last time I visited, though I’m not sure if the actual border was moved on paper or if it was just a lazy federal employee that felt like marking the road half a mile short. The result was a long and very hot hike through the sand to get up on the dunes. The pictures were worth it.

Shortly after setting up camp I started to regret the sunny 100° sand hike from this afternoon, and had to skip dinner for some much needed rest. Next time, perhaps I’ll listen when my body tells me something is a bad idea… perhaps not.

Wonder Valley

It never ceases to amaze me how a campfire will, without fail, single someone out from the group at which to hurl plumes of smoke. It does not matter what side of the fire they move to, whether it is calm or windy, or if the fire is large or small. Tonight, that someone is me.

I love summer in the desert. The days are hot enough to drive out all but the heartiest of tourists, the nights are warm and calm – perfect camping conditions. Tonight is one of those perfect nights, no wind, just barely cold enough for a fire, and a small group of friends looking forward to tomorrow’s drive.

Navajo Expedition: Day 11

We opted to skip breakfast at camp, not so much for the light snow that was coming down, but the fact that the rest of the group had to make it all the way back to Los Angeles today. It was warmer this morning than yesterday. At least it felt that way, maybe because there was no wind? Either way, a little snow was a great way to end the trip. I’m also very glad it was cold enough for snow, as it would have been much harder to pack up in rain.

Mc Donald’s has changed their pancake recipe – it’s actually pretty good. Their “Mc Cafe” coffee is total crap though.

I finally got my crumb doughnuts.

Navajo Expedition: Day 10

Betatakin was an easy hike down over a typical NPS-style trail with a restroom at each end. The ruins are fairly large, and in good shape at the ends (a rock shelf gave way in the center taking much of the village with it). Unfortunately, you can only walk into a small portion of the collapsed area. The hike back up is a 750-foot elevation gain, but easy terrain. This is a great place to visit if you are unable to hire a guide, or lack a vehicle capable of reaching the more remote ruins. Both this guided hike and the adjacent Sunset View Campground we stayed in are free of charge.