Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping Bicycle 2000
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000 Day 7: Keystone Canyon area (Trio Mine Road) to Hole-in-the-Wall Campground via Cedar Canyon Road
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000

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Cholla cactus

Cholla cactus

Date: November 14, 2000

Day 7: Keystone Canyon area (Trio Mine Road) to Hole-in-the-Wall Campground via Cedar Canyon Road

It was pretty cold last night up here near Keystone Canyon at about 5000 feet, with temperatures near or below freezing. I had a hard time sleeping, and I got up at 3h to make something hot to drink.

Toward the end of the day's ride across Cedar Canyon Road, approaching Mid Hills Campground (my original destination for the day), I notice a few light snow patches here and there that apparently didn't melt during the "warmth" of the day.

I decide it's going to be too cold up at Mid Hills, which sits around 5500 feet, so I ride past and drop down to 4500 feet at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, hoping that it might be a tiny bit less chilly.

40.3 miles, 3:49 hours, 24.4 mph max speed, 10.5 mph average, all maintained dirt roads. From 5000 feet down to 4100 feet at the junction of Ivanpah Road and Cedar Canyon Road, up to 5400 feet near Mid Hills, then down to 4500 feet at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground.

Date: November 11, 2000
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Morning frost at sunrise at Trio Mine Road near Keystone Canyon

Morning frost at sunrise at Trio Mine Road near Keystone Canyon

I don't usually get up at sunrise, but I'm sleepless from the cold. I was awake at 3h to make something hot to keep myself from freezing. The yellow rays of sunrise and the light frost on my tent and bike make for a beautiful morning.

Date: November 11, 2000
The frost is especially thick on my bicycle tires

The frost is especially thick on my bicycle tires

My sleeping bag wasn't adequate for last night's cold, but now that the sun's up, I'm happy to be here again. There's just enough heat that I manage to fall back asleep. I get up for good at 9h30.

Date: November 11, 2000
After a hot ramen breakfast and fixing my flat tire, I go for a short walk in the area of my Trio Mine Road campsite

After a hot ramen breakfast and fixing my flat tire, I go for a short walk in the area of my Trio Mine Road campsite

I haven't seen nor spoken to anyone since yesterday afternoon. So I'm astonished when two cross-country horse riders, ignoring the little road through the area, break the silence and pass by while I'm packing up.

Date: November 11, 2000
Trio Mine Road, on the way back to Ivanpah Road, 1/4 mile or so away

Trio Mine Road, on the way back to Ivanpah Road, 1/4 mile or so away

Despite the cold, I really like this landscape and should spend more time here exploring. There are even a few juniper trees growing here, which makes it feel very different from the lower desert areas.

Date: November 11, 2000
I ride down the almost imperceptible slope of Ivanpah Road toward Cedar Canyon Road

I ride down the almost imperceptible slope of Ivanpah Road toward Cedar Canyon Road

Cedar Canyon Road will be about 11 miles down from Keystone Canyon Road and 800 feet lower. I stop along the way to tighten the bolt of my rear rack, which had come loose and announced itself with a loud clunk.

Date: November 11, 2000
Street sign in the Mojave Desert at the junction of Ivanpah Road and New York Mountains Road

Street sign in the Mojave Desert at the junction of Ivanpah Road and New York Mountains Road

The New York Mountains sit in the background; last night's campsite next to Trio Mine Road is off to the right in this photo.

Date: November 11, 2000
This very gnarled old tree on Cedar Canyon Road gets my attention

This very gnarled old tree on Cedar Canyon Road gets my attention

I'll rise slowly for the rest of the day from about 4100 at the junction of Cedar Canyon and Ivanpah Roads to about 5400 feet on Black Canyon Road near Mid Hills Campground.

Date: November 11, 2000
For about six miles, Cedar Canyon Road heads straight westward, after which several sharp corners appear in the road

For about six miles, Cedar Canyon Road heads straight westward, after which several sharp corners appear in the road

This short stretch of Cedar Canyon Road points north toward the New York Mountains before turning sharply left and aiming west again.

Date: November 11, 2000
Cedar Canyon Road crosses the historic Old Mojave Road

Cedar Canyon Road crosses the historic Old Mojave Road

The Old Mojave Road runs parallel to nearby Cedar Canyon Road in much of this area.

Date: November 11, 2000
Taken east to west, Cedar Canyon Road is a slow route due to its occasional deep wash crossings, and ever-so-slight uphill

Taken east to west, Cedar Canyon Road is a slow route due to its occasional deep wash crossings, and ever-so-slight uphill

Gradually, my speed on Cedar Canyon Road slows to about 6.5 miles per hour and, oh, I remember this area so well from last year's ride out here, when it was already dark.

Date: November 11, 2000
Kitty-litter sand and gravel on Cedar Canyon Road in the Watson Wash area

Kitty-litter sand and gravel on Cedar Canyon Road in the Watson Wash area

I have to walk the 10-ton bike in some of the areas like this if there's not enough traction.

Date: November 11, 2000
Further beyond Watson Wash, Cedar Canyon Road rides across firm ground again

Further beyond Watson Wash, Cedar Canyon Road rides across firm ground again

Of course, there's still plenty of that teeth-rattling washboard texture on the road.

Date: November 11, 2000
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Other bicycle camping trips on drycyclist.com:
  • Mojave National Preserve Lanfair Valley Loop Bicycle Camping, Fall 2012 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2012 (15 days)
  • Cady Mountains, Sleeping Beauty and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bicycle Camping, Fall 2011 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve and Area Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2011 (15 days)
  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2010 (14 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle-Camping and Day Hikes 2008 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Xmas 2007 Trip (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 1999 (one week)
Contact mojave2000 at priss dot org