Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping Bicycle 2000
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Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping Trip 2000 Day 3: Mountain-bike ride from Mid Hills Campground through Wild Horse Canyon Road, Mojave National Preserve
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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 3: Mountain-bike ride from Mid Hills Campground through Wild Horse Canyon Road, Mojave National Preserve

It's nice to be here at Mid Hills Campground again. This was one of my favourite spots on last year's 1999 Mojave National Preserve trip, my first desert bicycle-camping trip.

Today is a day to sleep in late and recover from yesterday's exhausting ride up the long hill. I'm relieved to find that the water taps at the campground are functional this morning, after being apparently frozen solid overnight.

When I finally crawl out of my tent and expose myself to the flawless blue skies, I ride from here at 5500 down Wild Horse Canyon Road to Hole-in-the-Wall Campground at around 4200 feet, then return to Mid Hills Campground via Black Canyon Road. I did this ride when I was here last year and it is definitely worth repeating.

21.2 bicycle miles, 2:13 hours, 23.5 mph max speed, 9.5 mph average.

Date: November 07, 2000
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Morning at Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

Morning at Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

I didn't take any photos when I got here last night, so it's time to catch up! Lots of pinon pines, banana yuccas, sagebrush and junipers up here.

Date: November 07, 2000
Huge old juniper tree near my campsite at Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

Huge old juniper tree near my campsite at Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

One doesn't always associate juniper and pine trees with the Mojave Desert, but there are plenty of these trees up in the desert mountains here at Mid Hills Campground at 5500 feet.

Date: November 07, 2000
These mountain-desert trees don't provide as much shade as you might get from big trees in a moister climate

These mountain-desert trees don't provide as much shade as you might get from big trees in a moister climate

There's a singular beauty to the gnarled starkness of these old trees up in the Mojave Desert mountains.

Date: November 07, 2000
An old, crusty juniper by my campsite offers the perfect sit-down for a late-morning pipe

An old, crusty juniper by my campsite offers the perfect sit-down for a late-morning pipe

Coffee was good, my simple breakfast was good, and shortly I'll be heading down Wild Horse Canyon Road on a scenic, lightweight day ride.

Date: November 07, 2000
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

The dirt road winds around and over a series of hills as it descends 1000 feet, with sharp peaks of the Providence Mountains in the distance.

Date: November 07, 2000
Wild Horse Canyon Road meanders over the hills

Wild Horse Canyon Road meanders over the hills

There are plenty of little ups on the way down.

Date: November 07, 2000
I stop briefly at the top of Macedonia Canyon Road, though I won't be riding down that road today

I stop briefly at the top of Macedonia Canyon Road, though I won't be riding down that road today

Macedonia Canyon Road descends through the mountains down to the Kelso Depot area. I would like to ride down that route one day, but it looks sandy and is probably only feasible in the downhill direction with a 10-ton bike.

Date: November 07, 2000
The lower part of Wild Horse Canyon Road passes interesting geological features like Wild Horse Mesa

The lower part of Wild Horse Canyon Road passes interesting geological features like Wild Horse Mesa

The scenery in this area looks like an excerpt from an old wild-west movie.

Date: November 07, 2000
Heavy sand appears on the lower parts of Wild Horse Canyon Road

Heavy sand appears on the lower parts of Wild Horse Canyon Road

Wild Horse Canyon Road is periodically graded, which gives the road the appearance having been carved out by a snow plow. Only two cars have passed me here on Wild Horse Canyon Road.

Date: November 07, 2000
A horse grazes at the bottom of Wild Horse Canyon Road

A horse grazes at the bottom of Wild Horse Canyon Road

Some of the land around here is ranch land, so I'm guessing that this horse is not wild, despite the name of the road.

Date: November 07, 2000
At the end of Wild Horse Canyon Road, I start up Black Canyon Road, which is paved for half a mile or so

At the end of Wild Horse Canyon Road, I start up Black Canyon Road, which is paved for half a mile or so

Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is just off to my left and I pull in there to fill up my water bottle.

Date: November 07, 2000
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

I turn back here to take in the views of the valley below down in the direction of old Route 66. I'll probably ride down that way tomorrow.

Date: November 07, 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