Nipton to "Black Palisades" and back hike, Mojave National Preserve (Day 10)
The thermometer hits 90 degrees today. Nipton is just a few feet from the northern boundary of Mojave National Preserve, but most of today's short hike is actually within the Preserve's borders.
"Black Palisades," as I call it, is a dark outcrop about three miles up the fan from Nipton toward the Mid Hills. I noticed it while riding down the nearby power-line road during last year's Mojave National Preserve trip. Presumably volcanic in origin, it stands out in relation to the nearby hills due to its dark colour.
6.5 hiking miles from Nipton to Black Palisades and back during 3.75 hours, with 700 feet of elevation gain (and loss). I carry six litres of water with me and drink two.
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Date: June 01, 2009, 10h09
Size: 42 items
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Last night's light rain never became heavy; now I enjoy the shade of the eucalyptus trees during the warm morning at Nipton
After the big meal and beer last night, I fell asleep easily around 22h45 and even the trains passing by during the night barely woke me up. Around 3h, however, I woke up to the sound and feel of light rain.
Date: June 01, 2009, 10h09
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After breakfast, I take a shower and explore the rustic garden in front of the bed-and-breakfast
What a luxury it is to take a morning shower after more than a week of tent camping! The steering wheel on a post is a memorial for a guy named Ken Trongo: "let's see where this road goes."
Date: June 01, 2009, 12h24
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In the middle of the Nipton garden is an area built of coloured rocks
Trains still pass on the tracks just behind the garden, like they've done for the past 100 years, but they don't stop here any more.
Date: June 01, 2009, 12h25
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I stop in at the Nipton store to pay for another night of camping before walking past the tent cabins to start today's hike
At the Nipton store, I drink an Arizona iced tea for an additional sugar-and-caffeine boost, then I'm on my way.
Date: June 01, 2009, 12h52
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One last thing: I stop at the outdoor sink at Nipton to refill my water bottles before heading out
I bring six litres of water with me today, but will only drink about two of those.
Date: June 01, 2009, 12h58
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Today I'm hiking over to "Black Palisades" (it has no official name): that dark rocky mound in the distance
It's already 90 degrees, so an easy hike is a perfect way to take a "day off," while still exploring the area a little. I noticed Black Palisades while riding down the nearby powerline road during last year's Mojave National Preserve trip.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h00
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Just southeast of Nipton lies this bunker-like concrete foundation
I don't know what this was, but it looks like there may have been a structure built on top of it.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h04
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A concrete stairwell and heavy steel door lead into the basement
Whatever this was, a lot of time and effort was spent on building it. In the distance is the pass near Crescent Spring on Highway 164, just inside the Nevada State line.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h04
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Further beyond, I stumble across what appears to be part of an old automobile dashboard
I don't see an old abandoned car nearby, however.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h06
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A substantial can dump on the outskirts of Nipton
I spend a few minutes walking around the piles of hundreds, if not thousands, of rusty tin cans, looking to see if there's anything I can identify here.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h16
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Here's an old rusty lid from a tobacco tin, perhaps Copenhagen snuff
The inscription reads "United States Tobacco." Seeing a Copenhagen lid always makes me happy.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h13
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At the junction of two old roads, I take the one that heads off to my left, toward the Mid Hills
This road will eventually cross the power-line road in the distance. It is on my maps, but I didn't notice passing it when I rode down the power-line road during last year's Mojave National Preserve trip. Black Palisades is visible at the far left.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h26
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The old road out of Nipton is marginal at best and is a bit washed out in places, but it makes a great trail
This road is not in a Wilderness area, and while it doesn't seem to get much automobile use, tracks indicate that some dirt bikers enjoy this route occasionally.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h33
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I leave the primitive road and start walking cross-country toward Black Palisades
I pass my first barrel cactus of the day; these don't grow in lower valley elevations such as Nipton.
Date: June 01, 2009, 13h51
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I reach the power lines about a half mile before Black Palisades
The spires of the Castle Peaks in the northern Mid Hills poke up in the background. I haven't made it to Castle Peaks on any of my Mojave National Preserve trips yet.
Date: June 01, 2009, 14h02
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I cross the power-line road and stare at its thread leading up the hill into the distance, toward Cima
I took a similar photo of these Mojave power lines during last year's Mojave National Preserve trip.
Date: June 01, 2009, 14h08
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Here it is, Black Palisades, about a quarter mile in front of me
I'm about 400 feet above Nipton here. This isn't very high up, but it is 90 degrees this afternoon and there's no shade to be had anywhere, so hiking needs to be done at a leisurely pace.
Date: June 01, 2009, 14h16
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I stumble across a faint trace of an old road that passes by the west edge of Black Palisades
I wonder when this road was last used by a motor vehicle. Black Palisades itself is just to my left.
Date: June 01, 2009, 14h17
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