Day 10: Nipton to Keystone Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, via Ivanpah Road
I leave pavement and civilization again today.
I ride from Nipton at 3000 feet, crossing the low point of Ivanpah Valley at about 2650 feet, then I climb Ivanpah Road to the mouth of Keystone Canyon at about 5300 feet.
My rear rack breaks around mile 20 on Ivanpah Road. Now what? 28.2 bicycle miles today.
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Date: May 02, 2008, 10h00
Size: 47 items
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Before packing up, I inspect some crusty splatters on the back of my tent that I forgot about
Scratch-and-sniffing leads me to conclude that an animal urinated on my tent. Acrid stuff! I think this happened while I was at Butcher Knife Canyon a couple of days ago. I clean it off.
Date: May 02, 2008, 10h55
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OK, everything out of the tent, time to pack up and leave Nipton!
I'm always amazed at how much stuff I manage to carry with me in those saddlebags when I see it all spread out and unpacked.
Date: May 02, 2008, 10h55
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A semi-final visit to the Nipton quonset-hut shower building before heading out
The red wooden box to the right is the hot tub that I didn't get around to soaking in during this visit.
Date: May 02, 2008, 11h07
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One of the final things to do before leaving Nipton is to replenish my water supply to full capacity at the outdoor sink
There's a good possibility that I will find water at Keystone Spring in the New York Mountains tomorrow, but it's not a sure bet.
Date: May 02, 2008, 11h18
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Away again I go on the open road, leaving Nipton behind me
I always like visiting Nipton, but I am always glad to return to my travels after a rest there.
Date: May 02, 2008, 12h03
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I head west across the Ivanpah Valley on Nipton Road
Seven miles away from Nipton, I'll turn left on Ivanpah Road, just before the road starts to climb the big hill ahead.
Date: May 02, 2008, 12h22
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I've made my left turn on Ivanpah Road, which heads south for three miles
It's highway bicycling for the most part in this area of Mojave National Preserve (Ivanpah Valley), but there are a few dirt roads in the open flats that could be explored.
Date: May 02, 2008, 12h37
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Three miles down Ivanpah Road, I reach "the big curve"
From here, Ivanpah Road heads southeast, straight toward the New York Mountains.
Date: May 02, 2008, 12h53
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I'll continue straight past the junction here of Morning Star Mine Road
Most of the traffic here on Ivanpah Road will turn right just ahead to climb the long, slow hill of Morning Star Mine Road, which I had fun descending two days ago.
Date: May 02, 2008, 12h55
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Heading across the valley on Ivanpah Road, the road is big, empty and quiet
I enjoy a couple of short breaks on the way up the gentle slope to stand motionless and take in the silence.
Date: May 02, 2008, 13h12
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A number of datura plants grow on the shoulder of Ivanpah Road
I haven't found a space in my garden for one of these yet.
Date: May 02, 2008, 13h25
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I stop near the top of the Ivanpah Road hill just before the train tracks to enjoy the views behind me
The top of the hill here sits at about 3500 feet, some 850 feet above the junction of Morning Star Mine Road on the valley floor. The 6.3-mile ride up the hill isn't steep by any means, but it tends to sweaty due to the heat of the valley.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h04
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I approach the train tracks that cross Ivanpah Road
This is the same freight-train line that passes by Kelso Depot and which I parallelled on the climb up Kelso-Cima Road several days ago.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h04
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The signs behind me warned that the road would turn sharply to the left after crossing the tracks
My destination today, Keystone Canyon, is on the other side of the New York Mountains ahead. Getting there will require more climbing and then riding through a low pass.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h05
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A single abandoned house is all that remains here at the former settlement of Ivanpah
I'll make a quick stop here to take a look at the old house, which I didn't do when passing by during previous Mojave National Preserve trips.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h07
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I've read that this house was once used as a general store and is now owned by the National Parks Service
The chimney and old air-conditioner are substantial. Notices are pasted on the boarded-up window openings of the house.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h11
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This building...
... is under the protection of the United States Government.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h10
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A closer look reveals that the front door has been pried open
Apparently, the building isn't under too much surveillance, despite the posted notices. I take a peek inside and it appears that squatters have been living here.
Date: May 02, 2008, 14h09
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