Ice in my water bottles this morning at Indian Springs!
The water bottles with the most ice were the ones I left outside my tent, but there was even some ice in the drinking tube of my Camelbak, which I kept inside.
Date: December 27, 2007, 09h09
I slept poorly again last night due to the cold and had plenty of weird dreams again, none of which I can remember. I almost got up at 6h due to the cold, but I managed to fall back asleep again.
The water bottles with the most ice were the ones I left outside my tent, but there was even some ice in the drinking tube of my Camelbak, which I kept inside.
The water bottles with the most ice were the ones I left outside my tent, but there was even some ice in the drinking tube of my Camelbak, which I kept inside.
Looking back down to my campsite from my outhouse with a view
The earth up here on the hillside is hard, dry clay. It would have been easier to dig a cat hole down in the sand of the wash, but the views up here are worth the extra effort.
Date: December 27, 2007, 09h14
The earth up here on the hillside is hard, dry clay. It would have been easier to dig a cat hole down in the sand of the wash, but the views up here are worth the extra effort.
Bladderpod (Isomeris arborea) flowering and fruiting on the hillside behind my tent near Indian Springs
I like this plant enough that I would try growing one in my yard back in San José if I thought it would tolerate the wet winters back there.
Date: December 27, 2007, 09h12
I like this plant enough that I would try growing one in my yard back in San José if I thought it would tolerate the wet winters back there.
Unidentified alyssum-like plant
I wouldn't be surprised if I know the name of this plant from having studied the native-plant catalogues, but I don't recognize it in its real-life situation.
Date: December 27, 2007, 09h14
I wouldn't be surprised if I know the name of this plant from having studied the native-plant catalogues, but I don't recognize it in its real-life situation.
Before packing up, I head back up to Indian Springs 1/2 mile up the road to refill my drinking-water supply
I still have some water left, but not enough to last another day or two.
Date: December 27, 2007, 10h47
I still have some water left, but not enough to last another day or two.
Pumping water at Indian Springs
I refill all my containers: four 1.5-litre water bottles, two-litre Camelbak, and 10-litre MSR water bag, all of which weighs almost 40 pounds when full!
Date: December 27, 2007, 10h47
I refill all my containers: four 1.5-litre water bottles, two-litre Camelbak, and 10-litre MSR water bag, all of which weighs almost 40 pounds when full! There will be no water at today's destination: Devil's Playground.
The high level of particulate matter in this tiny stream requires that I clean my MSR water filter five times while filtering water due to clogging.
The high level of particulate matter in this tiny stream requires that I clean my MSR water filter five times while filtering water due to clogging.
Dismantling the tent; time to move on and continue my bikepacking trip
I hate to leave Indian Springs; I really like this area. I could easily do another day hike here like yesterday, exploring more branches of the wash. The next time I come here, the springs will quite possibly be dry.
Date: December 27, 2007, 11h41
I hate to leave Indian Springs; I really like this area. I could easily do another day hike here like yesterday, exploring more branches of the wash.
And I know that the next time I come here, the springs will quite possibly be dry, forcing me to leave sooner (unless I come with a motor vehicle or set up water caches beforehand).
And I know that the next time I come here, the springs will quite possibly be dry, forcing me to leave sooner (unless I come with a motor vehicle or set up water caches beforehand).
Around 13h, I ride down Indian Springs wash, away from my quiet campsite of the past two nights
I haven't seen anybody since arriving here. Heading downhill from about 2800 feet to about 2100 feet, I'm taking the bumpy road slowly. My bike rack is surely loaded beyond its recommended maximum carrying weight.
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h07
I haven't seen anybody since arriving here two afternoons ago. Heading downhill from about 2800 feet to about 2100 feet, I'm taking the bumpy road slowly. My bike rack is surely loaded beyond its recommended maximum carrying weight.
A mile or so down Indian Springs Road, I stop to look at some stone ruins in a hillside on the north side of the road
I also make a couple of phone calls on the way here because my cell phone works on this open stretch of road (it didn't work at my campsite).
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h14
I also make a couple of phone calls on the way here because my cell phone works on this open stretch of road (it didn't work at my campsite).
I'm also watching my footprints in the road surface from last night's hike in the dark to see if I can remember exactly where I was.
I'm also watching my footprints in the road surface from last night's hike in the dark to see if I can remember exactly where I was.
At the stone ruins off Indian Springs Road
I'm not sure what this is: a mine or a cabin of sorts?
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h17
I'm not sure what this is: a mine or a cabin of sorts?
Whatever this was, there's practically no mortar left at all between the stones
It doesn't really look big enough to have been a cabin, unless it was just one room.
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h18
It doesn't really look big enough to have been a cabin, unless it was just one room.
Near those crumbling rock walls is a hole in the hillside
This must have been a mine, or an attempt at starting one.
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h19
This must have been a mine, or an attempt at starting one.
I take a look into the hole that goes into the hillside
I don't walk in. I can feel warm air coming out from the cavern.
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h18
I don't walk in. I can feel warm air coming out from the cavern.
The 10-ton bike waits for me back on Indian Springs Road
I'm not seeing anywhere that old abandoned trailer that I found last night while hiking cross-country in the dark; it should be over in that direction somewhere.
Date: December 27, 2007, 13h21
I'm not seeing that old abandoned trailer that I stumbled across last night while hiking cross-country in the dark.
It should be over in that direction somewhere; perhaps it's concealed by one of the low mounds that rise up here and there.
It should be over in that direction somewhere; perhaps it's concealed by one of the low mounds that rise up here and there.
Back on the pavement of Kelbaker Road, I begin the slow, easy climb up toward Jackass Canyon Road
I'll crawl almost 7 miles up Kelbaker Road past the lava flows from about 2100 feet here to about 3200 feet. It's about 50 degrees F this afternoon and I'm overdressed for an uphill. I start sweating as soon as I begin pedalling.
Date: December 27, 2007, 14h16
I'll crawl almost 7 miles up Kelbaker Road past the lava flows from about 2100 feet here to about 3200 feet.
It's about 50 degrees F this afternoon and I'm overdressed for an uphill. I start sweating as soon as I begin pedalling.
It's about 50 degrees F this afternoon and I'm overdressed for an uphill. I start sweating as soon as I begin pedalling.
2.5 miles up Kelbaker Road, I make a brief stop at Black Tank Wash to remove my scarf and winter jacket
I'm putting on just my fleece sweater over my t-shirt. My winter coat and scarf were perfect while I was descending Indian Springs Road, but now I'm getting wet from all the sweat, which is not great in cold weather.
Date: December 27, 2007, 14h19
I'm putting on just my fleece sweater over my t-shirt. My winter coat and scarf were perfect while I was descending Indian Springs Road, but now I'm getting wet from all the sweat, which is not great in cold weather.
I camped here at Black Tank Wash during my Spring 2006 Mojave National Preserve trip, but at the time I thought it was part of adjacent Willow Wash.
I camped here at Black Tank Wash during my Spring 2006 Mojave National Preserve trip, but at the time I thought it was part of adjacent Willow Wash.
About 30 minutes later, and another 2.5 miles up the road, I stop at Rainy Day Mine Road to put on a windbreaker
It turns out that my fleece sweater alone isn't warm enough, so hopefully putting my windbreaker on over that will fix the problem.
Date: December 27, 2007, 14h42
It turns out that my fleece sweater alone isn't warm enough, so hopefully putting my windbreaker on over that will fix the problem.
Whenever possible, I prefer to stop at a pull-out of some kind rather than just on the shoulder of the road.
This preference has developed as result of past experience out here. Kind desert folks will often stop and ask if you need assistance if you look like you might be having a breakdown and are stranded on a shoulder. Of course, this is an excellent thing when one is actually in need of help.
Whenever possible, I prefer to stop at a pull-out of some kind rather than just on the shoulder of the road.
This preference has developed as result of past experience out here. Kind desert folks will often stop and ask if you need assistance if you look like you might be having a breakdown and are stranded on a shoulder. Of course, this is an excellent thing when one is actually in need of help.
I complete my seven-mile climb up Kelbaker Road and reach the junction of Aiken Mine Road and Jackass Canyon Road
Aiken Mine Road heads off to the left through the cinder-cone area. Jackass Canyon Road, my road today, leaves to the right and descends toward Devil's Playground.
Date: December 27, 2007, 15h23
Aiken Mine Road heads off to the left through the cinder-cone area. Jackass Canyon Road, my road today, leaves to the right and descends toward Devil's Playground.
The start of Jackass Canyon Road
I've passed this road on my previous trips out here, but I never got around to exploring down that way.
Date: December 27, 2007, 15h28
I've passed this road on my previous trips out here, but I never got around to exploring down that way.
Small ruts on the uppermost part of Jackass Canyon Road
The sandy road surface is occasionally a bit slippery, but provides a reasonable riding surface for the 10-ton bike for the most part.
Date: December 27, 2007, 15h45
The sandy road surface is occasionally a bit slippery, but provides a reasonable riding surface for the 10-ton bike for the most part.
Fire ring at a roadside campsite on Jackass Canyon Road about 1.75 miles in from Kelbaker Road
A scenic location for a short break. I need some calories (a Clif bar) and it's time to put my winter coat and scarf back on before starting the downhill into the canyon.
Date: December 27, 2007, 15h53
A scenic location for a short break. I need some calories (a Clif bar) and it's time to put my winter coat and scarf back on before starting the downhill into the canyon.
I didn't know that this informal campsite exists and haven't seen it mentioned in any of the material I've read. The views of the cinder cones and a scattering of Joshua trees behind me make for a nice campsite, but it's a bit chilly and exposed to the cold wind up here today at 3200 feet.
I didn't know that this informal campsite exists and haven't seen it mentioned in any of the material I've read. The views of the cinder cones and a scattering of Joshua trees behind me make for a nice campsite, but it's a bit chilly and exposed to the cold wind up here today at 3200 feet.
Heading down Jackass Canyon Road, it's not as nearly as steep as I was expecting, at least not yet
There's some residual pavement on the road from decades ago, so traction is mostly decent so far.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h14
There's some residual pavement on the road from decades ago, so traction is mostly decent so far.
Bigger sandy drainages cross Jackass Canyon Road on the way down
I'm looking back at one of the little sand traps that I just drove through. Just enough of these punctuate the road that I'm not able to build up much speed.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h22
I'm looking back at one of the little sand traps that I just drove through. Just enough of these punctuate the road that I'm not able to build up much speed.
Each sand crossing provides an entertaining technical exercise. Too fast and it's easy to fishtail, lose control of the rig, and then crash, but too slow means that the tires tend to slow down and get mired in the sand, causing the rider to come to an involuntary stop.
Each sand crossing provides an entertaining technical exercise. Too fast and it's easy to fishtail, lose control of the rig, and then crash, but too slow means that the tires tend to slow down and get mired in the sand, causing the rider to come to an involuntary stop.
The impending sunset illuminates the distant power lines
Most of Jackass Canyon Road is actually a power-line service road.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h28
Most of Jackass Canyon Road is actually a power-line service road.
This four-wheel drive sign is the first sign I've seen on Jackass Canyon Road
A 4WD sign is usually a harbinger of a rough road to come. On a mountain bike, I'm not terribly worried about a rough road, but a heavily sandy road can bring me to a halt.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h32
A 4WD sign is usually a harbinger of a rough road to come. On a mountain bike, I'm not terribly worried about a rough road, but a heavily sandy road can bring me to a halt.
Uh oh, a fork in the power-line road; I have to make a choice that I didn't realize I'd have to make
Power-line roads in the desert sometimes ignore the contours of the land and head straight up or down ridiculously steep slopes. I opt for the low road.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h35
Power-line roads in the desert sometimes ignore the contours of the land and head straight up or down ridiculously steep slopes.
I opt for the low road here in case the high road is one of those that would take me on a series of steep uphills climbs on the way "down" the canyon.
I opt for the low road here in case the high road is one of those that would take me on a series of steep uphills climbs on the way "down" the canyon.
Hmmm... it's extremely sandy on this part of Jackass Canyon Road
I guess I'm in a big drainage wash here, and desert washes are usually sandy. The sand is deep enough that I can't pedal the bike through it. I dismount and walk the bike a bit.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h46
I guess I'm in a big drainage wash here, and desert washes are usually sandy. The sand is deep enough that I can't pedal the bike through it.
I dismount and walk the bike a bit.
I dismount and walk the bike a bit.
Bla, I can't ride through this deep kitty litter, it's getting dark, and I'm not down at Devil's Playground yet
Sometimes a downhill is not a downhill. I can make out another connection to the "high road" ahead. Climbing up a steep hill or three might be more fun than dragging the bike through kitty litter.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h46
Sometimes a downhill is not a downhill. I can make out another connection to the "high road" ahead. Climbing up a steep hill or three might be more fun than dragging the bike through kitty litter.
I climb up the high road, but it dead-ends at a transmission tower
So much for the high road! I ride back down to the sandy wash. It's getting hard to see, so I turn on my headlight.
Date: December 27, 2007, 16h59
So much for the high road! I ride back down to the sandy wash. It's getting hard to see, so I turn on my headlight.
On the way back down, I look at a fork in the high road that leads steeply down into a narrow canyon. I consider following it, but wonder if maybe it too is a dead end that would require that I climb back up just to get back to the main wash.
On the way back down, I look at a fork in the high road that leads steeply down into a narrow canyon. I consider following it, but wonder if maybe it too is a dead end that would require that I climb back up just to get back to the main wash.
Back down in the Jackass Canyon Road wash, I resign myself to walking the bike through the kitty litter for a while
They say that patience is a virtue and I figure I should reach Devil's Playground in a mile or two.
Date: December 27, 2007, 17h03
They say that patience is a virtue and I figure I should reach Devil's Playground in a mile or two.
After a mile or so, the road rises out of the wash and I have just enough traction to resume riding
It's too dark to see details, but I can tell that I've exited the canyon and reached Devil's Playground. I see a side road that might be the road leading to Sands, but it dead-ends at another transmission tower.
Date: December 27, 2007, 17h16
It's too dark to see details, but I can tell that I've exited the canyon and reached Devil's Playground. I see a side road that might be the road that crosses Devil's Playground and leads to Sands, but it dead-ends at another transmission tower.
Returning to the main road, I decide to call it a day and set up camp by the power lines around 18h30
I've just hit thick sand on the road, and can't tell if it's just a patch or if it goes on for miles. If the full moon rises in a couple of hours and isn't obscured by clouds, I'll better see my surroundings; if not, I'll see more tomorrow.
Date: December 27, 2007, 20h42
I've just hit thick sand on the road, and can't tell if it's just a patch or if it goes on for miles. If the full moon rises in a couple of hours and isn't obscured by clouds, I'll better see my surroundings; if not, I'll see more tomorrow morning.
From here I can see some lights in the distance from Baker, or from Interstate 15, but it's as quiet and dark as can be at my campsite. I was expecting some humming sounds from the power lines and am glad that I'm not hearing anything like that.
A constant moderate wind is coming down the canyon that makes boiling water for my evening add-water-to-bag meal take forever. Tonight is Mountain House Beef Stew, one of my favourites. Like a can of Copenhagen, it satisfies as always.
Continue to Day 4: Mountain-bike ride across Devil's Playground to Sands, California and back to campsite.
From here I can see some lights in the distance from Baker, or from Interstate 15, but it's as quiet and dark as can be at my campsite. I was expecting some humming sounds from the power lines and am glad that I'm not hearing anything like that.
A constant moderate wind is coming down the canyon that makes boiling water for my evening add-water-to-bag meal take forever. Tonight is Mountain House Beef Stew, one of my favourites. Like a can of Copenhagen, it satisfies as always.
Continue to Day 4: Mountain-bike ride across Devil's Playground to Sands, California and back to campsite.