Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Spring 2009
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Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2009 Macedonia Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, from Mid Hills campground (Day 7)
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Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2009

1. Baker,... ... 4. Mid Hills... 5. Wild Horse ... 6. Howe Spring... 7. Macedonia... 8. Live Oak... 9. Mojave... 10. Nipton to... ... 17. Mojave...

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I turn left into the old driveway leading down to Thomas Place, that abandoned building ahead

I turn left into the old driveway leading down to Thomas Place, that abandoned building ahead

Date: May 30, 2009, 13h26

Macedonia Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, from Mid Hills campground (Day 7)

I've wanted to visit Macedonia Canyon since my first Mojave National Preserve trip almost 10 years go, but just never managed to fit it in.

I almost go on a hike to Live Oak Spring today instead, but I keep delaying my departure due to light rain, so I'll save Live Oak Spring, a longer hike, for tomorrow.

14.9 bicycle miles with 1650 feet of elevation gain and loss, plus 3.8 hiking miles with 640 feet of elevation gain and loss. I take six litres of water and drink about three.

Date: May 29, 2009, 12h42
Size: 48 items
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A noise outside my tent proves to be a lizard scurrying about

A noise outside my tent proves to be a lizard scurrying about

I wake up late this morning, around 9h, which is possible due to many dark clouds hiding the sun. A few rain sprinkles make me wonder what to wear on today's bike-hike and whether I should go anywhere at all.

Date: May 29, 2009, 12h42
I keep delaying my departure to Macedonia Canyon due to the light rain that falls from time to time

I keep delaying my departure to Macedonia Canyon due to the light rain that falls from time to time

It hasn't rained enough for anything to get wet, so I finally decide to leave around 13h15. It's a pleasant 77 degrees and doesn't get much warmer due to the clouds hiding the sun.

Date: May 29, 2009, 13h22
The fun ride down Wild Horse Canyon Road looks different today with the ominous clouds hovering above the Mid Hills

The fun ride down Wild Horse Canyon Road looks different today with the ominous clouds hovering above the Mid Hills

Otherwise, today's ride down Wild Horse Canyon Road starts out the same as my ride down to Wild Horse Mesa a couple of days ago.

Date: May 29, 2009, 13h58
After a few miles, I turn at Macedonia Canyon Road and pass through the flimsy barbed-wire gate

After a few miles, I turn at Macedonia Canyon Road and pass through the flimsy barbed-wire gate

Finally, I'll explore Macedonia Canyon today; I've been considering riding down this road for years, but didn't fit it into any of my previous Mojave National Preserve trips. I rode down the first quarter-mile during my 2006 trip here just to check it out

Date: May 29, 2009, 14h07
I begin the gradual descent down Macedonia Canyon Road, Mojave National Preserve

I begin the gradual descent down Macedonia Canyon Road, Mojave National Preserve

I'll drop down about 750 feet over about 2.5 miles. Of course, the road is rather sandy, since it runs down a wash, and my fat tires hiss while they ski downwards. I slip and fall off the bike while riding through a sand trap.

Date: May 29, 2009, 14h14
I pull over along Macedonia Canyon Road to examine what's left of an old foundation

I pull over along Macedonia Canyon Road to examine what's left of an old foundation

The structure was not very large. Given the amount of work that went into constructing this foundation, a good guess is that there may have been a cabin here at one time.

Date: May 29, 2009, 14h21
Down at about 4125 feet, I turn up an old road that leads into the Macedonia Canyon valley

Down at about 4125 feet, I turn up an old road that leads into the Macedonia Canyon valley

An old weathered sign here indicates the main Macedonia Canyon Road. If you look closely, you'll see a small building at the bottom of the hills in the distance.

Date: May 29, 2009, 14h37
I ride up the track into Macedonia Canyon valley, but the hard-packed surface doesn't last, so I park the bike and start hiking

I ride up the track into Macedonia Canyon valley, but the hard-packed surface doesn't last, so I park the bike and start hiking

I stash my bike behind some bushes, reset the GPS to help me find it again, and start walking up the hill with my backpack.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h06
Up on a hill in the Macedonia Canyon valley, I stop to check my maps and GPS

Up on a hill in the Macedonia Canyon valley, I stop to check my maps and GPS

I'm walking here with no predetermined destination, just exploring, and it's time to decide where I'm headed! I'm hungry and eat a blueberry Clif bar before going further.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h13
I decide to head over to the remnants of the Columbia Mine, those small orangish mounds in the distance

I decide to head over to the remnants of the Columbia Mine, those small orangish mounds in the distance

In the background is Columbia Mountain, behind which is the valley where I hiked a few days ago to Chicken Water Spring. It's hard to pick a hiking route here because of the small hills everywhere.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h23
Approaching the Columbia Mine area, I pass a few abandoned metal tanks

Approaching the Columbia Mine area, I pass a few abandoned metal tanks

Many old, rusty cans lay around here also.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h35
I reach the orange tailings pile at Columbia Mine and see a "danger" sign

I reach the orange tailings pile at Columbia Mine and see a "danger" sign

Old mine holes like this one scattered across the expansive Mojave National Preserve are slowly being marked by appropriate "danger" signs. I hope that doesn't mean we'll eventually have a paved road leading here.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h42
I don't know how deep this mine hole is at Columbia Mine, Macedonia Canyon, Mojave National Preserve

I don't know how deep this mine hole is at Columbia Mine, Macedonia Canyon, Mojave National Preserve

I'm not going to get any closer to try to find out...

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h42
A final glance at the orange tailings pile near Columbia Mine, Macedonia Canyon

A final glance at the orange tailings pile near Columbia Mine, Macedonia Canyon

Further up the hillside to my right are larger mine ruins, probably the main part of the Columbia Mine. With more time, I'd walk up that way, but what I really want to see right now is the building further down the valley.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h44
White buckwheat flowers in Macedonia Canyon valley

White buckwheat flowers in Macedonia Canyon valley

I walk over a couple of low hills and then down toward the cabin in Macedonia Canyon. The dark clouds linger, but they haven't produced any rain since I left my campsite at Mid Hills campground.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h51
According to my maps and GPS, an old road exists in the gulley just below

According to my maps and GPS, an old road exists in the gulley just below

It doesn't look like an old road from here, but I walk down the wash anyway since it's probably the best route to the Macedonia Canyon cabin.

Date: May 29, 2009, 15h54
And voilĂ , there it is, the Macedonia Canyon cabin

And voilĂ , there it is, the Macedonia Canyon cabin

Or whatever it is... maybe it's not a cabin at all, and just a storage shed. I'll climb up the hill and find out.

Date: May 29, 2009, 16h07
Atop the little hill, I get a better look at the Macedonia Canyon cabin

Atop the little hill, I get a better look at the Macedonia Canyon cabin

More oil drums scattered around here, as well as a torpedo-like object that looks like an old-style hot-water tank.

Date: May 29, 2009, 16h10
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Other bicycle camping trips on drycyclist.com:
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  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2012 (15 days)
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  • 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 2008 (14 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 mojave2009 at drycyclist dot com