Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking 2008
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Mojave National Preserve Mountain-bike Camping (Bikepacking) and Hike 2008 Day 13: Day hike up to Teutonia Peak then looping around the west side of Cima Dome via Deer Spring, Mojave National Preserve
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Mojave National Preserve Mountain-bike Camping (Bikepacking) and Hike 2008

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The last little bit of road up to the campsite is a bit washed out

The last little bit of road up to the campsite is a bit washed out

Date: April 26, 2008, 18h12

Day 13: Day hike up to Teutonia Peak then looping around the west side of Cima Dome via Deer Spring, Mojave National Preserve

Too bad my camera is broken and I don't have photos of most of this excellent hike! 12 miles round trip from my campsite on the east side of Cima Road near Sunrise Rock.

I start the day not knowing exactly where I'll go, since this stop on the trip wasn't planned. I liked it when I stopped here during my 2006 trip, so now's my chance to explore some more.

Most photos here are actually from my trip to this area in 2006.

Date: May 05, 2008, 10h00
Size: 15 items
I have the whole day to spend up here on Cima Dome, so I'll do a hike up to Teutonia Peak and beyond

I have the whole day to spend up here on Cima Dome, so I'll do a hike up to Teutonia Peak and beyond

I really lucked out that the Cima Store was open yesterday afternoon when I passed by. I wouldn't be at this great location if it had been closed.

Date: April 25, 2006, 18h04
It's so windy up here on Cima Dome this morning that it takes quite a while to boil water for coffee

It's so windy up here on Cima Dome this morning that it takes quite a while to boil water for coffee

After moving my burner around a few times to try to shelter it somewhat from the swirling wind (ha, good luck!), I eventually manage to make a second cup of dark coffee, and then an instant backpacker meal.

Date: April 25, 2006, 18h12
View of Teutonia Peak from the area of my campsite near Sunrise Rock

View of Teutonia Peak from the area of my campsite near Sunrise Rock

I take the morning easy and study my maps. I decide to start with the obvious 4-mile round-trip hike up to Teutonia Peak on the official trail and then follow that with a counter-clockwise loop around the west side of Cima Dome via Deer Spring.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h57
After a lazy morning, I start hiking the half mile up the dirt road that leads from my campsite to Cima Road

After a lazy morning, I start hiking the half mile up the dirt road that leads from my campsite to Cima Road

It's 13h15 already! Kessler Peak is that mountain straight ahead, and it would also make an interesting day hike.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h44
The road curves and aims toward Teutonia Peak as it heads back to the paved Cima Road

The road curves and aims toward Teutonia Peak as it heads back to the paved Cima Road

This area does get occasional traffic, as evidenced by the fresh tire tracks here. However, I didn't see anyone else camping in the area last night, nor have I seen signs of anyone yet today.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h44
Just before reaching Cima Road, I pass a point of interest: the "covered cross"

Just before reaching Cima Road, I pass a point of interest: the "covered cross"

When I saw this during my first visit to Cima Dome in 2006, I thought it was an old sign whose message had been weathered away. It turns out to be a cross on the hill that is being covered to conceal the fact that it's a cross.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h40
The dirt road ends and I walk across Cima Road to reach the Teutonia Peak Trail, looking back to Kessler Peak

The dirt road ends and I walk across Cima Road to reach the Teutonia Peak Trail, looking back to Kessler Peak

The mass of exposed granite on the other side of the road is always interesting to look at.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h17
The two-mile trail to Teutonia Peak is one of just two official, maintained trails in the expansive Mojave National Preserve

The two-mile trail to Teutonia Peak is one of just two official, maintained trails in the expansive Mojave National Preserve

Of course, hundreds of miles of old roads, some of which are no longer open to motor vehicles, serve quite nicely as Mojave National Preserve's de facto trail system.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h17
Interpretive panel ("Desert Woodland") at the start of the Teutonia Peak Trail

Interpretive panel ("Desert Woodland") at the start of the Teutonia Peak Trail

The hike up to Teutonia Peak is an enjoyable walk mostly through joshua trees, and I reach the top at 14h15, an hour after leaving camp. After I come down, I head north on an old (now closed) road that ends at the Valley View Ranch corrals.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h34
View of Teutonia Peak from the Valley View Ranch area

View of Teutonia Peak from the Valley View Ranch area

This view was taken two years ago in 2006 from Cima Road near the Valley View Ranch. I'm in the adjacent joshua tree forest right now, and not out on Cima Road, but the view of Teutonia Peak is similar.

Date: April 26, 2006, 10h35
The 3-mile hike up the dead-end road to Deer Spring climbs slowly, then I hike over the summit of Cima Dome through joshua trees

The 3-mile hike up the dead-end road to Deer Spring climbs slowly, then I hike over the summit of Cima Dome through joshua trees

After I reach Deer Spring and its stagnant water, I follow an old closed road over the summit of Cima Dome at almost 5800 feet that's not on my maps and which turns out to be the highlight of the day.

Date: April 26, 2006, 10h35
I walk across Cima Road with images of the loop hike around Cima Dome still fresh in my mind

I walk across Cima Road with images of the loop hike around Cima Dome still fresh in my mind

When I started today's hike on the Teutonia Peak Trail, I passed a couple that was just finishing the hike and returning to their car. Besides them, I've not seen any other humans today.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h14
I walk the last 1/2 mile down the dirt road to my Cima Dome campsite for one last night in Mojave National Preserve

I walk the last 1/2 mile down the dirt road to my Cima Dome campsite for one last night in Mojave National Preserve

I watch another beautiful sunset, and feel somewhat sad that this will be my last sleep-out in Mojave National Preserve before heading back to the world of employment and mortgages in San José.

Date: April 25, 2006, 15h42
Cima Dome / Teutonia Peak hike route as viewed in Google Earth

Cima Dome / Teutonia Peak hike route as viewed in Google Earth

Date: July 21, 2008, 22h00
Mojave National Preserve map: Day 13: Cima Dome day hike including Teutonia Peak and Deer Spring

Mojave National Preserve map: Day 13: Cima Dome day hike including Teutonia Peak and Deer Spring

Continue to day 14: Cima Dome to Baker via Kelso Depot and Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve .

Date: July 23, 2008, 20h29
Page: 1
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 Xmas 2007 Mountain-Bike Camping (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 2000 (11 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 1999 (one week)
Contact mojave2008 at priss dot org