Clark Mountain Range day hike (north side) from Pachalka Spring, Mojave National Preserve (Day 14)
If I were really ambitious today, I'd attempt hiking to the summit of Clark Mountain, but I'm curious about a canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range that I noticed on my maps. 8.7 hiking miles with 2970 feet of elevation gain (from 4870 feet, down to 4450 feet, then up to 6350 feet, and back).
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Date: June 05, 2009, 12h11
Size: 43 items
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A cool morning at Pachalka Spring, Mojave National Preserve, with Clark Mountain Range in the background
It was chilly enough last night (in the 40s) that I woke up a few times and even had to zip up the hood on my sleeping bag to stay warm. I'm surprised when I step outside my tent and need to put on long pants due to the chill.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h11
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Digging a cat hole in this area is difficult because the earth is almost as tough as cement
Also, it's best to wear gloves while supporting oneself to help prevent picking up a stray cholla cactus spine or two.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h14
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Before starting today's hike, I walk over to Pachalka Spring to filter some water
This will be the first spring water that I've filtered during this trip. I've been spoiled by the easier water fill-ups at Kelso Depot, Mid Hills campground and Nipton up until now.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h27
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I walk through the grass that covers the meagre stream below Pachalka Spring on my way to the water source
There's just a bit of water under the grass, but not enough that my feet sink through and get wet. This is probably a bonafide stream during the wetter winter months.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h33
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I again pass that Asian-like flowering tree at Pachalka Spring with the penstemon-like flowers
There are also a few native willow trees by Pachalka Spring.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h34
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Close-up of the penstemon-like flowers on the big flowering tree at Pachalka Spring
I've never seen this kind of tree before, so I wonder if perhaps it was planted by former area residents rather than being a native plant.
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h01
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I walk out on the log that leads through the yerba mansa flowers to the fresh water at Pachalka Spring
I'm wearing my long pants because it's a bit chilly right now and they're protecting my socks from collecting a lot of burrs and grass particles.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h35
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I filter a couple of gallons of water amidst the yerba mansa flowers at Pachalka Spring (see the water gushing out of the pipe?)
While pumping water, a hummingbird flits by twice to check me out. Hummingbirds can be rather protective about their chosen flowers, but I'm not so sure that a hummer can insert its long beak into these yerba mansa flowers.
Date: June 05, 2009, 12h45
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My 10-litre MSR black water bag is nice and full and fat now
I now have plenty of water for the rest of the day and probably most of tomorrow too. No yellowjacket wasps were buzzing around this spring like they often do: sweet!
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h00
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On the way back to my tent from Pachalka Spring, I look at the elderberry trees downstream and their creamy-white blossoms
I had no idea that elderberry trees grew anywhere in the Mojave Desert. I planted one in my backyard in San José, where it's a local native plant, so I recognize them easily.
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h03
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I get my backpack together and begin hiking down the north side of Pachalka Spring Road, which I haven't seen yet
Strong winds have picked up again, so I'm a bit worried about the tent, but there's nothing I can do about it, so I start out on today's hike. The first mile is all downhill, with about 400 feet of elevation loss, with the Kingston Range in the distance.
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h27
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Pachalka Spring Road drops into this wash, beyond which I see two tailings piles
The main "drivable" road heads off to the left down the wash to eventually meet Excelsior Mine Road. I'll exit the area via that route tomorrow, but today I'll hike to the right up the back side of the Clark Mountain Range.
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h47
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The old road is drivable for a short distance further, then ends at two campsites
Official Wilderness markers mark the end of the road here, beyond which mechanized transport by bicycle or motor vehicle is prohibited.
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h49
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My hiking route today follows an old mining road that rises up over the pass ahead to the north side of the Clark Mountain Range
This highly eroded road (walk straight ahead) is almost invisible at first and rises up to about 5070 feet.
Date: June 05, 2009, 13h52
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What's left of the old road is slowly starting to slide down the hill and return to nature
Just ahead is a small rock retaining wall designed to keep the road from washing away where it crosses a drainage area.
Date: June 05, 2009, 14h12
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Standing in the middle of the old road just beyond the pass at 5050 feet, the next segment of the road reveals itself
The road is mostly flat, and even slightly downhill, for the next half mile while it hugs the slope on its way to a canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range.
Date: June 05, 2009, 14h18
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Several rock retaining walls were built along this part of the road to prevent wash-outs
It's amazing that these rocks are still mostly in place some 75-100 years later.
Date: June 05, 2009, 14h23
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I continue walking along the faded road after it drops into an unnamed canyon on the north side of the Clark Mountain Range
Sudden, deeper solitude. Of course, I already have solitude back at my Pachalka Spring campsite and haven't seen anyone since leaving pavement back near Valley Wells two days ago, but the perception is accentuated here in this close canyon.
Date: June 05, 2009, 14h30
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