Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping Bicycle 2000
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000 Day 6: Nipton to Keystone Canyon area via Walking Box Ranch Road
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000

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I ride southward down Wild Horse Canyon Road away from Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

I ride southward down Wild Horse Canyon Road away from Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

Date: November 07, 2000

Day 6: Nipton to Keystone Canyon area via Walking Box Ranch Road

It's a cool day that gets much chillier as I climb up toward Keystone Canyon in the New York Mountains from Nipton. I don't see any other people after leaving the highway.

By the time I reach Keystone Canyon Road at the end of the day, a few snowflakes are floating around in a light drizzle. I can see that it's cloudy and snowing a little higher up the mountains, just up the road.

Instead of continuing on further up Keystone Canyon proper, I set up camp just off the adjacent road to the old Trio Mine.

42.2 miles, 4:35 hours, 23.8 mph max speed, 9.2 mph average. From Nipton at 3000 feet, I rise to 4900 feet near Crescent Peak on Nevada Highway 164, drop down to 3900 feet at the start of Walking Box Ranch Road, then rise slowly up to my campsite for the night at Trio Mine Road in Mojave National Preserve at 5000 feet.

Date: November 10, 2000
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I leave Nipton and start the 12-mile crawl Nipton Road hill toward the Nevada border and Crescent Peak beyond

I leave Nipton and start the 12-mile crawl Nipton Road hill toward the Nevada border and Crescent Peak beyond

It's still a bit cold this morning, but the sunshine feels good. Fortunately, it appears to have cleared up a bit in the mountains too, where I'm going today.

Date: November 10, 2000
Looking back down at Nipton as I climb slowly

Looking back down at Nipton as I climb slowly

After climbing a bit, it's fun to look back down at Nipton in the Ivanpah Valley. Starting on an uphill with no warm-up first is not really the best way to get the day going, but, as the song says, "I will survive."

Date: November 10, 2000
Welcome to Nevada!

Welcome to Nevada!

The sign says it all. Actually, I won't be in Nevada for long. In a few miles beyond the summit, I'll start the ride up Walking Box Ranch Road, which reenters California, and then Mojave National Preserve.

Date: November 10, 2000
Nipton Road, now Nevada Highway 164, rises through a pass between the New York Mountains and the McCullough Mountains

Nipton Road, now Nevada Highway 164, rises through a pass between the New York Mountains and the McCullough Mountains

The views down toward Nipton and the Ivanpah Valley disappear behind me for good. I'm working up a sweat on this climb, but the wind is chilly enough that I almost feel cold.

Date: November 10, 2000
Walking Box Ranch Road turns out to be easy to locate on Nevada Highway 164

Walking Box Ranch Road turns out to be easy to locate on Nevada Highway 164

Walking Box Ranch Road is a decent dirt road that seems to have been covered with pavement long ago. I stop here to put on my outer shell and booties, to warm my cold feet.

Date: November 10, 2000
Views of the New York Mountains (today's destination) while heading west on Walking Box Ranch Road

Views of the New York Mountains (today's destination) while heading west on Walking Box Ranch Road

Walking Box Ranch Road seems almost flat, but it does rise slowly, with a few little humps like these along the way. Dark clouds have moved in and obscured the sun, and the temperature feels like it might be dropping.

Date: November 10, 2000
Walking Box Ranch Road passes fairly close to the Castle Peaks, which are visible from Nipton down below on the other side

Walking Box Ranch Road passes fairly close to the Castle Peaks, which are visible from Nipton down below on the other side

Castle Peaks, a recommended hiking area, are actually part of the New York Mountains, but their lower stature makes them seem separate from the taller formations west of Ivanpah Road.

Date: November 10, 2000
There are a few sharp turns on Walking Box Ranch Road

There are a few sharp turns on Walking Box Ranch Road

A little bit of sunshine is still getting through...

Date: November 10, 2000
Taking a Joshua-tree break on Walking Box Ranch Road

Taking a Joshua-tree break on Walking Box Ranch Road

I'm starting to feel a chill, but the slight climb is keeping my body working just enough to stay warm. I took my booties off a while ago, but I may have to put them back on over my sneakers soon.

Date: November 10, 2000
After that previous sharp curve on Walking Box Ranch Road, it looks like there might be another one ahead

After that previous sharp curve on Walking Box Ranch Road, it looks like there might be another one ahead

I'm in a bright semi-sunny spot here with dark clouds surrounding me.

Date: November 10, 2000
Ominous dark clouds overhead!

Ominous dark clouds overhead!

Somewhere along here, Walking Box Ranch Road becomes Hart Mine Road, but I haven't seen a road sign mentioning that.

Date: November 10, 2000
Pinkish gravel on Hart Mine Road; the New York Mountains are not too far away now

Pinkish gravel on Hart Mine Road; the New York Mountains are not too far away now

Not enough gravel to make bicycling too difficult.

Date: November 10, 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