Day 5: Round-trip hike (5.25 miles) to an old mine site in the Bighorn Basin hills, Granite Mountains, Mojave National Preserve
I won't see any people today. It's not a long hike, but it's dramatic due to the steep terrain, with no relatively flat land except for the the half mile closest to my campsite.
Total elevation gain (and loss) of 1425 feet as I follow the switchbacks of a steep, grown-in road up a hill, into the secluded gorge of Devil's Playground Wash, then up a mountainside in the Bighorn Basin area of the Granite Mountains.
From my campsite at North Coyote Springs at 3150 feet, the hike climbs to the first summit at 3600 feet, drops quickly to the bottom of Devil's Playground Wash at 3275 feet, then climbs to the second summit above the upper mine at 3875 feet.
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Date: April 27, 2008, 13h00
Size: 49 items
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I sit down for a break on a boulder just beyond the upper Bighorn Basin mine and take in the visuals at about 3875 feet
I feel like I could sit here for hours and just stare out into the silent openness around me. But what I'd really like to do is continue exploring this area beyond road's end here.
Date: April 27, 2008, 15h48
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While sitting here, I ponder the view to my right further up Devil's Playground Wash in Bighorn Basin
A spring on my map (possibly dry right now) a couple of miles up the wash in the left fork would make a good target for further hiking through these appealing hills if I had more time today.
Date: April 27, 2008, 15h48
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Alas, all good things must come to an end, so I begin my hike back toward camp at the end of my short break
I do prefer to get back to my tent before sunset, even though I'm carrying a flashlight in my backpack in case I should need it. I'll drop down to the bottom of the wash, and then over to the other side of the next set of hills.
Date: April 27, 2008, 15h49
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The return hike down into Devil's Playground Wash allows me to walk toward some great views that were behind me on the way up
In general, I prefer loop hikes instead of routes that require turning back and retracing my steps at the end. However, this hike is an exception due to the excellent views all around.
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h06
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On the steeper, more eroded parts of the road, it's a bit slippery going downhill and almost like hiking cross-country
Of course, there's always the occasional cholla cactus to avoid as well!
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h23
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I'm not getting tired of the flowers, rocks and cacti as I walk back down to Devil's Playground Wash
The downhill hike is going faster than I expected, but return hikes are always like that.
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h28
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I arrive back down at Devil's Playground Wash in what feels like no time at all
Actually, close to an hour has elapsed since I started hiking briskly down from the upper Bighorn Basin mine, but it hardly seems like it.
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h43
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Climbing out of Devil's Playground Wash, I'm starting to feel the heat of the day with the sun shining on my back
It has been a fairly warm day in the mid-80s again, but breezes up here in the exposed areas have kept me from overheating in the hot sun.
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h48
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The climb up the old road over the tailings pile is steep
The vertical line of shrubs grows in the middle of the former road. Extinct tire tracks line the shrubs on each side.
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h50
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After crossing the summit again at Hill 1114, I take a short break in the first shade of the day before hiking down to my tent
Gee, it only took me 15 minutes to climb that steep hill (375 feet)? While relaxing here, a hummingbird comes over to me and hovers for a while, checking me out from various different angles, apparently attracted to the blue of my backpack.
Date: April 27, 2008, 16h59
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Back at my tent well before sunset, I rest and eat a little, then take a few photos before the sun fades away
Well, I drank all of the 3.5 litres of water that I carried with me on today's hike. Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops almost instantly and it's clear that I'll want to wear clothes inside my sleeping bag.
Date: April 27, 2008, 19h13
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Bighorn Basin Mine hike as viewed in Google Earth
Date: July 21, 2008, 21h21
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Mojave National Preserve map, Day 5: Bighorn Basin Mine day hike from Coyote Springs
Continue to Day 6: Coyote Springs to Butcher Knife Canyon via Kelso Depot and Death Valley Mine Road, Mojave National Preserve.
Date: July 23, 2008, 20h01
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