Day 3: Six-mile day hike from campsite to Bolder Spring, then over ridges to old mine site off Globe Mine Rd
I won't see any people today again. I have just enough water to stay at my campsite another day, so I'll hike over to probably-dry Bolder Spring, about two miles away, just to explore, and to see if any extra water exists over there.
I'll leave camp around 11h and get back around 16h30. My daypack includes the usual items, including my Camelbak and two 1.5-litre bottles of water, which turns out to be adequate, but not optimal. I'll eat two Clif bars and a couple of handfuls of dried apricots during the day.
Because it's not so windy this morning, it's fairly noisy around the tent while I make coffee due to humming insect life, none of which seems much interested in me--fortunately.
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Date: April 25, 2008, 10h00
Size: 68 items
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I walk over to the second mine site, closer to Globe Mine Road
The old road leading up to the mine is still quite visible.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h23
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Two large timbers span the opening of a shaft at the second mine site
This is another of those big holes that I don't think I'll get too close to.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h25
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I'm finished browsing mine remnants, so it's time to begin the hike back to my campsite
I rise up to the top of the low hill behind the mine and start walking down to the fan. I can see lower Globe Mine Road from here heading down the fan to its beginning at Kelso-Cima Road.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h34
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I come across a number of old cans as I hike over the little hill and leave the mine area
This flat can reminds me of a cat-food can, or some similar meat or fish product.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h38
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I drop down onto the fan and head south toward Kelso Dunes
My campsite is about 1.5 miles away, beyond the first low hill protruding onto the fan and to the left. I try my cell phone here and it works, so I call in and change my outgoing message to let callers know where I am.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h39
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The hike across the fan back to camp is fast and easy compared to the ups and downs of today's hike into the hills
I'm almost out of water now, and the little that remains in my Camelbak is very warm. Maybe some of my water back at camp will be a little cooler than this, but I'm not counting on it. The heat of the day, probably high 80s, is getting to me a little.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h46
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On the way across the fan, I cross the old road to Bolder Spring again
I stop for a moment to look up the road in the direction that I hiked several hours ago. My map indicates that there's a corral somewhere around here, but I haven't run across it.
Date: April 25, 2008, 15h51
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Continuing my hike across the fan, I walk past a couple of hills and arrive in the "valley" where I'm camped
I'm again passing through that area which has lots of low grass, but fewer creosote bushes than usual.
Date: April 25, 2008, 16h15
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Close-up of one of the small grasses that populate this area
These grasses are distinguished by their horizontal, needle-like parts. They aren't as thorny as they look, but some of them have gotten stuck in my socks.
Date: April 25, 2008, 16h13
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I get back to camp around 17h and happily find that my bicycle is still here waiting for me to use it tomorrow
I didn't drink quite enough water today and feel a bit headachy. I take a short rest at the tent, then go for a walk up to the Good Hope Mine at end of the road to shoot a few photos to replace some overexposed ones from yesterday.
Date: April 25, 2008, 17h15
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On the way back to camp from the Good Hope Mine, I notice a cactus that has green flowers
Relatively few plants have noticeable green flowers, so this one stands out for me.
Date: April 25, 2008, 18h42
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Time for another picture-perfect desert sunset near Globe Mine Road
My third and final night up here off the middle fork of Globe Canyon Road. I'm running a little low on water, so I'm being careful about how much I use this evening.
Date: April 25, 2008, 19h09
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Bolder Spring hike route viewed in Google Earth
Date: July 21, 2008, 22h23
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Mojave National Preserve map, Day 3: Globe Mine Road campsite to Bolder Spring day hike
Continue to Day 4: Globe Mine Road to North Coyote Springs, Mojave National Preserve .
Date: July 23, 2008, 20h55
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