Mojave National Preserve 2005

Mojave National Preserve -- Looks like a great camping and hiking trip coming up - car camping and hiking with the SoCalHikers. WingDing (Kathy) organized it -- thanks!

2009-02-21T19:05:51Z

Frank Farmer
Mojave National Preserve -- Looks like a great camping and hiking trip coming up - car camping and hiking with the SoCalHikers. WingDing (Kathy) organized it -- thanks!

Our trip map. We camped near the Kelso Dunes, to the north. We hiked in the Granite Mountains, to the south.

2009-06-05T03:15:32Z

Frank Farmer
Our trip map. We camped near the Kelso Dunes, to the north. We hiked in the Granite Mountains, to the south.

Morning sun and shadow. I arrived first, right at sunset on Friday nite, after driving 525 miles from Sacramento. Scott and his son Lucas arrived next,then Joe, and later Sooz and John.

2009-06-05T03:14:27Z

Frank Farmer
Morning sun and shadow. I arrived first, right at sunset on Friday nite, after driving 525 miles from Sacramento. Scott and his son Lucas arrived next,then Joe, and later Sooz and John.

Kelso Dunes Panorama - The first of many - a true photo magnet!

2009-06-05T01:33:23Z

Frank Farmer
Kelso Dunes Panorama - The first of many - a true photo magnet!

Frosty cars -- Scott's Ford, my Toyota. The Granite Mountains are in the background.

2009-06-05T03:16:00Z

Frank Farmer
Frosty cars -- Scott's Ford, my Toyota. The Granite Mountains are in the background.

Breakfast chit chat -- Sooz, John, Scott

2009-06-05T03:16:46Z

Frank Farmer
Breakfast chit chat -- Sooz, John, Scott

Saturday Morning Group Photo -- From left: Scott, Lucas, Sooz, John, Joe, Frank (me). Scott and Lucas went to Cima Dome and climbed Teutonia Peak. The rest of us headed for the Granite Mount ...

2009-06-05T03:19:43Z

Frank Farmer
Saturday Morning Group Photo -- From left: Scott, Lucas, Sooz, John, Joe, Frank (me). Scott and Lucas went to Cima Dome and climbed Teutonia Peak. The rest of us headed for the Granite Mount ...

Granite Mountains Panorama -- Also the first of many - another photo magnet

2009-02-21T19:04:32Z

Frank Farmer
Granite Mountains Panorama -- Also the first of many - another photo magnet

Granite Peak Trailhead -- Joe, Sooz, John, Frank, and Joe's fabulous truck. We parked by Kathy's truck. She started hiking about 30-40 minutes before we arrived.

2009-02-21T19:07:16Z

Frank Farmer
Granite Peak Trailhead -- Joe, Sooz, John, Frank, and Joe's fabulous truck. We parked by Kathy's truck. She started hiking about 30-40 minutes before we arrived.

Cactus

2009-06-05T03:23:54Z

Frank Farmer
Cactus

Joe taking a photo near water tank and corral. He took a great set of photos from this trip - Check out his Webshots site (mtflyer2002)

2009-06-05T03:35:54Z

Frank Farmer
Joe taking a photo near water tank and corral. He took a great set of photos from this trip - Check out his Webshots site (mtflyer2002)

Entering dry, braided streambed -- We were following Kathy's footprints. ... Kinda like the old Journey to the Center of the Earth cartoon show, where everyone was following Arne Saknussen's ...

2009-06-05T02:42:13Z

Frank Farmer
Entering dry, braided streambed -- We were following Kathy's footprints. ... Kinda like the old Journey to the Center of the Earth cartoon show, where everyone was following Arne Saknussen's ...

Sooz, John, Joe

2009-06-05T02:31:55Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz, John, Joe

Alluvial deposits

2009-06-05T03:23:17Z

Frank Farmer
Alluvial deposits

Approaching an impressive cut bank along the streambed

2009-06-05T03:36:36Z

Frank Farmer
Approaching an impressive cut bank along the streambed

Closeup of cut bank

2009-06-05T03:19:50Z

Frank Farmer
Closeup of cut bank

Flowing stream, disappearing into the sand

2009-06-05T03:23:14Z

Frank Farmer
Flowing stream, disappearing into the sand

Closeup of streamflow end

2009-06-05T03:45:47Z

Frank Farmer
Closeup of streamflow end

A bit of ice!

2009-06-05T01:42:54Z

Frank Farmer
A bit of ice!

A short distance upstream, the flow was quite impressive!

2009-06-05T03:22:33Z

Frank Farmer
A short distance upstream, the flow was quite impressive!

Looking downstream -- seems like it would go on for miles, but it ends just a hundred feet or so downstream.

2009-06-05T03:33:48Z

Frank Farmer
Looking downstream -- seems like it would go on for miles, but it ends just a hundred feet or so downstream.

Colorful rocks in the alluvial debris.

2009-06-05T03:42:48Z

Frank Farmer
Colorful rocks in the alluvial debris.

A large hunk of granite, sticking out of the sandy deposits. Looks like the bow of an old WW I battleship.

2009-06-05T03:21:15Z

Frank Farmer
A large hunk of granite, sticking out of the sandy deposits. Looks like the bow of an old WW I battleship.

John and Joe leading the way -- We decided to leave the streambed and follow the old mining road, which leads to Silver Peak.

2009-06-05T03:25:53Z

Frank Farmer
John and Joe leading the way -- We decided to leave the streambed and follow the old mining road, which leads to Silver Peak.

John standing by a huge boulder. A glacial deposit, perhaps?

2009-02-21T19:05:20Z

Frank Farmer
John standing by a huge boulder. A glacial deposit, perhaps?

Looking back toward the tralhead -- The cars were parked by the left toe of the hill in the right foreground.

2009-06-05T03:22:38Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back toward the tralhead -- The cars were parked by the left toe of the hill in the right foreground.

Panorama of the open valley and trailhead. The Providence Mountains are in the back.

2009-06-05T03:19:46Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama of the open valley and trailhead. The Providence Mountains are in the back.

Joe climbs out of the streambed

2009-06-05T03:34:18Z

Frank Farmer
Joe climbs out of the streambed

Cactus

2009-06-05T03:22:34Z

Frank Farmer
Cactus

Sooz looking back the way we came.

2009-06-05T03:25:20Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz looking back the way we came.

We turned west and followed a side stream channel for a while, then started climbing up the ridge. It was easy going at first.

2009-06-05T03:32:04Z

Frank Farmer
We turned west and followed a side stream channel for a while, then started climbing up the ridge. It was easy going at first.

Taking a breather, enjoying the view

2009-06-05T03:09:02Z

Frank Farmer
Taking a breather, enjoying the view

Whoever does the landscaping here is doing a great job!

2009-06-05T03:36:24Z

Frank Farmer
Whoever does the landscaping here is doing a great job!

Cactus

2009-06-05T03:30:33Z

Frank Farmer
Cactus

Juniper Tree

2009-06-05T03:07:10Z

Frank Farmer
Juniper Tree

Contouring around and up the canyon

2009-06-05T03:33:28Z

Frank Farmer
Contouring around and up the canyon

Canyon view -- we've come pretty far already, but we have a lot more to go, and a lot more climbing!

2009-06-05T03:15:41Z

Frank Farmer
Canyon view -- we've come pretty far already, but we have a lot more to go, and a lot more climbing!

Ice

2009-06-05T03:43:02Z

Frank Farmer
Ice

Ice and flowing stream

2009-06-05T03:21:48Z

Frank Farmer
Ice and flowing stream

Interesting toothy crystals -- These look like something you'd find at Disneyland!

2009-06-05T03:20:06Z

Frank Farmer
Interesting toothy crystals -- These look like something you'd find at Disneyland!

Finally made it to the saddle -- Our first view out to the north, and Kelso Dunes!

2009-06-05T03:04:47Z

Frank Farmer
Finally made it to the saddle -- Our first view out to the north, and Kelso Dunes!

Our first clear view toward the Granite Peak summit. We made voice contact with Kathy a couple of times. She reported that her camera had been lost.

2009-06-05T03:22:05Z

Frank Farmer
Our first clear view toward the Granite Peak summit. We made voice contact with Kathy a couple of times. She reported that her camera had been lost.

Sun disappearing behind Granite Peak Summit. Soon it will start colling off big time.

2009-06-05T03:23:31Z

Frank Farmer
Sun disappearing behind Granite Peak Summit. Soon it will start colling off big time.

John and Sooz, along the ridge

2009-06-05T03:33:08Z

Frank Farmer
John and Sooz, along the ridge

Joe checking out the view looking back -- He kindly lent me one of his hiking poles, which was a big help!

2009-06-05T03:21:01Z

Frank Farmer
Joe checking out the view looking back -- He kindly lent me one of his hiking poles, which was a big help!

Looking back toward the trailhead and the Providence Mountains. Our cars were near the left end of the smaller ridge in the middle of the basin.

2009-06-05T03:31:05Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back toward the trailhead and the Providence Mountains. Our cars were near the left end of the smaller ridge in the middle of the basin.

Making our way through large boulders, below Granite Peak. I was hinting about stopping and letting the group bag the summit, while I waited. Joe provided low-key encouragement, to just take ...

2009-06-05T03:16:29Z

Frank Farmer
Making our way through large boulders, below Granite Peak. I was hinting about stopping and letting the group bag the summit, while I waited. Joe provided low-key encouragement, to just take ...

All of sudden, there was Kathy! We all got a second wind. Everyone wanted to get up there and see Kathy.

2009-06-05T03:10:09Z

Frank Farmer
All of sudden, there was Kathy! We all got a second wind. Everyone wanted to get up there and see Kathy.

Kathy and Joe watching from on top. I worked my way to the right and found a nice easy route to the top. There was a fair amount of class 3 exposure in here, which was unavoidable but manage ...

2009-02-21T19:06:54Z

Frank Farmer
Kathy and Joe watching from on top. I worked my way to the right and found a nice easy route to the top. There was a fair amount of class 3 exposure in here, which was unavoidable but manage ...

Joe takes a picture of the big view to the east, toward the trailhead.

2009-02-21T19:07:27Z

Frank Farmer
Joe takes a picture of the big view to the east, toward the trailhead.

Eastern Panorama -- Silver Peak (foreground), trailhead, and the Providence Mountains

2009-06-05T03:46:23Z

Frank Farmer
Eastern Panorama -- Silver Peak (foreground), trailhead, and the Providence Mountains

Southern Panorama -- I-40 is out there somewhere

2009-06-05T03:39:19Z

Frank Farmer
Southern Panorama -- I-40 is out there somewhere

Western Panorama

2009-06-05T03:23:06Z

Frank Farmer
Western Panorama

Sooz signs in on the summit register

2009-06-05T03:07:31Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz signs in on the summit register

John having a snack on the summit

2009-06-05T03:19:18Z

Frank Farmer
John having a snack on the summit

Kathy, taking it all in

2009-06-05T03:07:35Z

Frank Farmer
Kathy, taking it all in

Group photo on Granite Peak Summit. From left: Kathy, John, Sooz, Joe, Frank

2009-06-05T03:24:02Z

Frank Farmer
Group photo on Granite Peak Summit. From left: Kathy, John, Sooz, Joe, Frank

USGS Benchmark on Granite Peak

2009-06-05T03:27:17Z

Frank Farmer
USGS Benchmark on Granite Peak

Summit register box on Granite Peak. Looks like this peak is popular with military folks -- makes sense, as there are several bases nearby.

2009-06-05T03:23:59Z

Frank Farmer
Summit register box on Granite Peak. Looks like this peak is popular with military folks -- makes sense, as there are several bases nearby.

Heading back down, by a more direct route. Human-like facial features appear on some rock outcroppiings

2009-06-05T03:37:34Z

Frank Farmer
Heading back down, by a more direct route. Human-like facial features appear on some rock outcroppiings

Another look toward the trailhead. It's pretty far away ... but here we go!

2009-06-05T03:44:09Z

Frank Farmer
Another look toward the trailhead. It's pretty far away ... but here we go!

Balancing rock

2009-06-05T01:39:20Z

Frank Farmer
Balancing rock

As we dropped back into the shady areas, we saw more ice.

2009-06-05T03:31:02Z

Frank Farmer
As we dropped back into the shady areas, we saw more ice.

Interesting patterns of ice, rock, and vegetation. You can't buy art like this!

2009-06-05T03:21:21Z

Frank Farmer
Interesting patterns of ice, rock, and vegetation. You can't buy art like this!

Flowing sheet of ice on the rocks.

2009-06-05T03:16:31Z

Frank Farmer
Flowing sheet of ice on the rocks.

Kathy's camera! Stolen by a thorn bush, along the creekbed in the canyon bottom. Someone saw one of Kathy's footprints. Joe decided to follow her path, which was different than our ascent ro ...

2009-06-05T03:39:29Z

Frank Farmer
Kathy's camera! Stolen by a thorn bush, along the creekbed in the canyon bottom. Someone saw one of Kathy's footprints. Joe decided to follow her path, which was different than our ascent ro ...

Morning panorama of the Kelso Dunes. It is Sunday Morning. On Saturday night, we enjoyed a couple of bottles of wine and champagne, and some homemade chili that my wife made for us.

2009-06-05T03:21:51Z

Frank Farmer
Morning panorama of the Kelso Dunes. It is Sunday Morning. On Saturday night, we enjoyed a couple of bottles of wine and champagne, and some homemade chili that my wife made for us.

Morning panorama of the Granite Mountains.

2009-06-05T03:19:10Z

Frank Farmer
Morning panorama of the Granite Mountains.

Kelso Dunes panorama

2009-06-05T00:50:13Z

Frank Farmer
Kelso Dunes panorama

Breakfast chit-chat -- Scott and Lucas have left. Redondo Scott and Trailbunny (Susan) have joined us, along with Infinitetrails (Ray). Redondo Scott and Ray are planning to ascend Silver Pe ...

2009-06-05T03:09:32Z

Frank Farmer
Breakfast chit-chat -- Scott and Lucas have left. Redondo Scott and Trailbunny (Susan) have joined us, along with Infinitetrails (Ray). Redondo Scott and Ray are planning to ascend Silver Pe ...

Sooz, Scott, John, Susan (TB) -- TB has a broken ankle, and will be sticking around camp today.

2009-02-21T19:08:29Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz, Scott, John, Susan (TB) -- TB has a broken ankle, and will be sticking around camp today.

Time for a dune hike! Some kinda tumbleweed

2009-06-05T03:15:57Z

Frank Farmer
Time for a dune hike! Some kinda tumbleweed

Animal tracks. A coyote, or someone's dog perhaps?

2009-06-05T03:23:43Z

Frank Farmer
Animal tracks. A coyote, or someone's dog perhaps?

Joe and John, leading the way to the tallest dune

2009-06-05T03:21:16Z

Frank Farmer
Joe and John, leading the way to the tallest dune

Providence Mountains

2009-06-05T03:16:48Z

Frank Farmer
Providence Mountains

You DO NOT want to mess with this plant!

2009-06-05T03:36:31Z

Frank Farmer
You DO NOT want to mess with this plant!

Animal tracks

2009-06-05T03:35:55Z

Frank Farmer
Animal tracks

Rippled sand, grass

2009-06-05T03:31:23Z

Frank Farmer
Rippled sand, grass

Rippled sand -- I took this for anyone who wants a sandy background for their computer desktop background

2009-06-05T03:32:05Z

Frank Farmer
Rippled sand -- I took this for anyone who wants a sandy background for their computer desktop background

More rippled sand. It doesn't take long to cover up footprints!

2009-06-05T01:03:33Z

Frank Farmer
More rippled sand. It doesn't take long to cover up footprints!

Granite Mountains Panorama

2009-06-05T03:34:30Z

Frank Farmer
Granite Mountains Panorama

More rippled sand and grass

2009-06-05T03:30:41Z

Frank Farmer
More rippled sand and grass

Following John and Joe

2009-06-05T03:11:48Z

Frank Farmer
Following John and Joe

Interesting patterns

2009-02-21T19:07:42Z

Frank Farmer
Interesting patterns

Providence Mountains looming in the background

2009-06-05T01:52:42Z

Frank Farmer
Providence Mountains looming in the background

Old sled tracks

2009-06-05T03:16:25Z

Frank Farmer
Old sled tracks

Sand dunes, with the Granite Mountains in the background

2009-06-05T03:54:47Z

Frank Farmer
Sand dunes, with the Granite Mountains in the background

What made these circular patterns? My daughter commented that this looks like a face!

2009-06-05T03:19:40Z

Frank Farmer
What made these circular patterns? My daughter commented that this looks like a face!

Dune Panorama -- The circles in the previous photo are made by blades of grass, swirling in the wind.

2009-06-05T03:02:38Z

Frank Farmer
Dune Panorama -- The circles in the previous photo are made by blades of grass, swirling in the wind.

Dark, heavy particles mixed into the lighter grains of sand

2009-06-05T03:42:00Z

Frank Farmer
Dark, heavy particles mixed into the lighter grains of sand

Kathy, John, and Joe -- Enjoying the view

2009-06-05T03:09:00Z

Frank Farmer
Kathy, John, and Joe -- Enjoying the view

Sooz takes a breather

2009-06-05T03:14:35Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz takes a breather

Dune bowl panorama

2009-06-05T00:49:49Z

Frank Farmer
Dune bowl panorama

John and Kathy, ascending the summit ridge

2009-06-05T03:34:36Z

Frank Farmer
John and Kathy, ascending the summit ridge

Rippled patterns on the sandy ridge

2009-06-05T03:12:52Z

Frank Farmer
Rippled patterns on the sandy ridge

Old Dad Mountain -- Looking north from the Kelso Dunes

2009-06-05T03:07:55Z

Frank Farmer
Old Dad Mountain -- Looking north from the Kelso Dunes

Rippled contour patterns

2009-02-21T19:07:23Z

Frank Farmer
Rippled contour patterns

Sooz climbs up the dune

2009-06-05T03:23:09Z

Frank Farmer
Sooz climbs up the dune

Sandy vista. Patches of grass are trying to gain a foothold on the dune.

2009-06-05T03:19:19Z

Frank Farmer
Sandy vista. Patches of grass are trying to gain a foothold on the dune.

This sandy ridge sees a lot of foot traffic

2009-06-05T01:08:52Z

Frank Farmer
This sandy ridge sees a lot of foot traffic