Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking 2008
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Mojave National Preserve Mountain-bike Camping (Bikepacking) and Hike 2008 Day 9: Day ride from Nipton to Nevada State line and power-line road, Mojave National Preserve
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Mojave National Preserve Mountain-bike Camping (Bikepacking) and Hike 2008

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A few more bone pieces

A few more bone pieces

Date: April 25, 2008, 12h57

Day 9: Day ride from Nipton to Nevada State line and power-line road, Mojave National Preserve

I'm still affected by last night's beer. I've slept in late thanks to a cool breeze, but still have a bit of a headache anyway.

I'll spend another night here at Nipton and just go for an afternoon ride through a nearby area that I haven't visited yet: the power-line road from Nevada State line to Nipton-Brant Road. 12 bicycle miles.

Date: May 01, 2008, 10h00
Size: 39 items
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For a change, my first concern of the morning is not boiling water for coffee or digging a cat hole

For a change, my first concern of the morning is not boiling water for coffee or digging a cat hole

Instead, I walk over to the general store, pay for another night of tent camping and get some coffee and packaged junk food. A big orange van has just arrived at the campground to receive a group of dirt bikers that will be living here for a day or two.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h08
I haven't chosen a destination yet for today's ride, so I go for a walk to look at some of Nipton's buildings

I haven't chosen a destination yet for today's ride, so I go for a walk to look at some of Nipton's buildings

This antique tin-clad shed sits on a raised partial foundation.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h10
This old roadside building at Nipton looks like it may have been a store at one time

This old roadside building at Nipton looks like it may have been a store at one time

The wooden-plank sidewalk adds an old-west effect.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h13
This trailer-like building looks to be a former residence

This trailer-like building looks to be a former residence

The modern electrical mast suggests that this building may have been recently inhabited.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h16
The old Nipton school house is a building worth saving

The old Nipton school house is a building worth saving

The construction appears to be concrete or stucco.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h17
Just across the road from the Nipton General Store along the train tracks is a rock and gravel display yard

Just across the road from the Nipton General Store along the train tracks is a rock and gravel display yard

The materials being promoted originate from the Lucky Dutchman Mine near Las Vegas.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h21
The Hotel Nipton bed-and-breakfast cactus garden is always worth a walk-through

The Hotel Nipton bed-and-breakfast cactus garden is always worth a walk-through

However, after a week of desert camping and enjoying the random, natural environment, I find I don't have a really strong need to see these plants that I like arranged in aesthetically pleasing patterns.

Date: May 01, 2008, 11h27
While in my tent choosing my afternoon ride, the dirt-bike tour group members arrive at Nipton in a cloud of noise

While in my tent choosing my afternoon ride, the dirt-bike tour group members arrive at Nipton in a cloud of noise

It looks like a lot of fun, but I'm seeking quiet and hope to avoid them while out on my afternoon ride. So I listen while the tour guide explains the route of the next leg of their trip, which will include the old Mojave Road.

Date: May 01, 2008, 12h58
OK, I've finally chosen a ride route for today on the power-line road above Nipton, starting at the Nevada border

OK, I've finally chosen a ride route for today on the power-line road above Nipton, starting at the Nevada border

I fill my Camelbak and a water bottle at the outdoor sink at the Nipton campground, and away we go.

Date: May 01, 2008, 13h46
I start the  climb up the hill away from Nipton toward the Nevada border

I start the climb up the hill away from Nipton toward the Nevada border

It's so easy riding up a hill without the weight of all my gear, even with a hangover!

Date: May 01, 2008, 13h59
Three miles up the hill of Nipton Road, I reach the "Welcome to Nevada" sign that makes a perfect tourist photo

Three miles up the hill of Nipton Road, I reach the "Welcome to Nevada" sign that makes a perfect tourist photo

Hopefully, the all the bullet holes in the Nevada welcome sign are not a message from the Nevada Commission on Tourism. I'll probably only be in Nevada for half an hour or so.

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h15
The views back down to Nipton and across Ivanpah Valley from the Nevada State line are superb

The views back down to Nipton and across Ivanpah Valley from the Nevada State line are superb

I lurk here for a few minutes to enjoy the views from about 600 feet above Nipton.

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h16
I ride another half mile beyond the Nevada State line and then turn south on this dirt road with a cattleguard

I ride another half mile beyond the Nevada State line and then turn south on this dirt road with a cattleguard

I'll stay on this road, just for half a mile, until I reach the power-line road at the base of the hills ahead. The New York Mountains sit in the background.

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h29
I see that I'm approaching a mining area with red soil that is not on my map and may still be active

I see that I'm approaching a mining area with red soil that is not on my map and may still be active

I turn right here on the lesser road to reach the power-line road a quarter-mile away.

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h38
Here I am at the top of the gravelly power-line road, and I'll descend this road about four miles to the train tracks

Here I am at the top of the gravelly power-line road, and I'll descend this road about four miles to the train tracks

If you strain your eyes, you might be able to see that this road continues straight ahead for dozens of miles and over the next hill (which is actually part of Cima Dome).

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h41
Nipton is still visible a few miles away down below

Nipton is still visible a few miles away down below

I'm just high enough up that there are a few small yuccas and barrel cacti growing here, neither of which grow down the hill at Nipton.

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h42
Loose rock is the dominant surface on the upper portion of the power-line road

Loose rock is the dominant surface on the upper portion of the power-line road

It makes for slow riding, even in the downhill direction!

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h46
I pass one of those little "Entering Mojave National Preserve" signs that are used on less-travelled routes

I pass one of those little "Entering Mojave National Preserve" signs that are used on less-travelled routes

This also means that I'm reentering California after my brief visit to Nevada.

Date: May 01, 2008, 14h50
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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 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