Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping Bicycle 2000
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000 Day 10: A rest day at Mitchell Caverns (Providence Mountains State Recreation Area)
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000

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Just beyond the end of the pavement, Black Canyon Road crosses a cattleguard

Just beyond the end of the pavement, Black Canyon Road crosses a cattleguard

Date: November 07, 2000

Day 10: A rest day at Mitchell Caverns (Providence Mountains State Recreation Area)

Despite the high winds, I like it up here perched on a ledge at 4300 feet above the desert below. I decide to stay here an extra day, take the tour of the Mitchell Caverns caves, and explore the area a little. No bicycling today.

Date: November 14, 2000
Size: 11 items
Late morning at my campsite at Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Late morning at my campsite at Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

There are only six campsites here, and mine is the only one that was occupied last night. Despite the heavy winds yesterday evening, it's a pleasant sunny morning here now.

Date: November 14, 2000
Excellent views eastward from the ledge on which the campground sits

Excellent views eastward from the ledge on which the campground sits

I spend some time trying to identify roads and features in the distance where I might have been.

Date: November 14, 2000
Northeast from Providence Mountains Campground, one gets a view of Wild Horse Mesa

Northeast from Providence Mountains Campground, one gets a view of Wild Horse Mesa

Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is beyond that. Looks like nice hiking country...

Date: November 14, 2000
After taking the tour of the Mitchell Caverns, I go for a walk up the hill behind the Park office

After taking the tour of the Mitchell Caverns, I go for a walk up the hill behind the Park office

This could easily turn into a day-long hike way up into the Providence Mountains, but I'm feeling far too lazy today for anything like that.

Date: November 14, 2000
Cholla cactus

Cholla cactus

There are lots of these around here; fortunately I haven't been bitten by one yet.

Date: November 14, 2000
I've bought another box of fire wood from the Park office to have a campfire tonight

I've bought another box of fire wood from the Park office to have a campfire tonight

Earlier this morning, I had considered packing up and moving on, but the allure of the cave tour, another campfire and water at my disposal, easily convinced me to stay another day.

Date: November 14, 2000
A view of the Mitchell Caverns campground from a bit higher up shows how it's little more than a small, scenic parking lot

A view of the Mitchell Caverns campground from a bit higher up shows how it's little more than a small, scenic parking lot

Several cars come and go during the day, especially around the hours of the Mitchell Caverns cave tour, but it looks like the other five campsites here will be vacant tonight again.

Date: November 14, 2000
Concrete attached to the inside of a garbage can lid at the campground

Concrete attached to the inside of a garbage can lid at the campground

I thought the lid felt a little heavy when I opened the can. The sometimes-strong wind here is obviously a known force to contend with.

Date: November 14, 2000
I go for another short walk on one of the trails at Mitchell Caverns

I go for another short walk on one of the trails at Mitchell Caverns

One of these trails is quite short and has a brochure available to help to identify the plants growing here.

Date: November 14, 2000
More cholla cactus

More cholla cactus

I like how the needles make the cactus look luminous.

Date: November 14, 2000
The wind is picking up and I think it's going to be another noisy night in the tent with the tent walls flapping hard

The wind is picking up and I think it's going to be another noisy night in the tent with the tent walls flapping hard

After a relaxing campfire and supper, I crawl back into the tent to get some sleep. It's a chilly night again, but without the icy feel of the nights that I spent higher up in the mountains.

Date: November 14, 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