Day 3: Day hike into Kelso Dunes Wilderness to the south end of Broadwell Mesa
Perfect hiking weather today: bright sunshine, a bit chilly, but not cold. I don't encounter any other humans today, but I will see a few bobcats, an owl, a jackrabbit, and lots of volcanic rock.
Today's route was prepared just last night, to replace my originally planned hike further south in the Bristol Mountains. However, I didn't make it far enough into the mountains yesterday to do that hike today.
I'll drink about four litres of water, eat three energy bars and some almonds, and collect three stray balloons. 18.6 hiking miles plus approximately 1100 feet of elevation gain.
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Date: November 23, 2010, 06h18
Size: 88 items
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Here in the Bristol Mountains foothills, I'm awake early enough to see the gorgeous light of sunrise, a rarity for me
The temperature went down into the mid 30s on my first night of this trip camping outside, but I slept really well and feel refreshed. The soft sand under my tent here makes for a nice sleeping surface.
Date: November 23, 2010, 06h18
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I heat up water for my instant Starbucks coffee, eat granola, dried fruits and nuts, and prepare my backpack for today's hike
I'm not a morning person, but I want to get started early so I can hike as far as possible toward Broadwell Mesa with minimal hiking after dark on the return trip.
Date: November 23, 2010, 07h11
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The distant flat of Broadwell Dry Lake and the Cady Mountains beyond get a lot of my attention as I peck at my breakfast
I'm planning on camping out over in that area as my next stop on this trip.
Date: November 23, 2010, 07h13
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Shortly after I begin hiking northward across the Bristol Mountains alluvial fan, I cross a former road and its newer ant hills
These old tire tracks are now inside the Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area and thus off-limits to mechanized vehicles, including my bicycle (not that I mind).
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h40
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Very few plants in this area of the desert flower at this time of year, but here are a few minimal flowers
I'm guessing that these are early "Paper bag bush" flowers (Salazaria mexicana), but not sure.
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h44
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I cross the first of several drainages from the Bristol Mountains; this small tree seems to like living here in the flood zone
This must be a "Smoke tree" (Psorothamnus spinosus).
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h45
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This low area on the west side of the Bristol Mountains collects blowing sand
The ripples on the sandy surface signify the strong winds that sometimes blow here (and which I fortunately didn't experience last night).
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h47
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I'm surprised when I find myself briefly hiking across a flat, prairie-like expanse in the Kelso Dunes Wilderness
While hiking across an alluvial fan, I expect to cross many deep dips caused by drainage from the mountains, but not flat areas like this.
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h49
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Zooming in, I can make out the tidbit of civilization that is Ludlow, California along old Route 66 and I-40
The snow-capped mountains in the distant background remind me that this is the beginning of winter in the desert. It was close to freezing last night here in the lower, warmer parts of the desert.
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h51
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I dip down into another drainage wash while walking across the alluvial fan of the Bristol Mountains
In places, the walls of the wash are steep, but I find an easy way to cross here.
Date: November 23, 2010, 08h54
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Oh, another lost balloon in a wilderness area...
You're sure to eventually find a stray balloon when traversing a wilderness area!
Date: November 23, 2010, 09h06
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Out here "in the middle of nowhere" in the Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area is a rock cairn with something attached to it
Time for a stop here and a closer look...
Date: November 23, 2010, 09h29
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The cairn here serves to identify a survey marker, "$250 fine for removal," it says
Dated 1911, U.S. General Land Office Survey.
Date: November 23, 2010, 09h30
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I encounter a field of small lava rocks as I walk toward the Bristol Mountains
I think the wash I am hiking toward is by the low dark hill straight ahead. I have it marked on my GPS and keep on walking.
Date: November 23, 2010, 09h35
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Already, I've encountered a second stray balloon that reached its death in a wilderness area
"Have a Berry Cool birthday," the balloon proclaims. Trash can be so cute sometimes. Give it 50 years and this will be an antique.
Date: November 23, 2010, 09h42
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