Hiking with Donald Clark

If you absorb all the info on this website you still won't really be hiking with me but you'll be a lot better off.

You always have to be well prepared for the backcountry, make sure you bring all the things I have listed below.

LAMP
You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.

FIRE STARTER
There are new fire making gadgets coming out all the time, I'm still using a plastic lighter, hasn't failed me yet. I do carry a small magnesium block just in case.

SLEEPING PAD
You need to isolate your body from the cold ground.

MOSQUITO PROTECTION
It's a good idea to bring some bug protection, mosquito candles are the best but mosquito coils are lighter.

TOOL
Going into the wilderness without a decent multi purpose tool is not a good idea, unless of course you're dragging a whole toolbox with you.

BACKPACKING STOVE
Don't get a propane stove whatever you do. If you smell the top of a campstove propane tank you will smell propane leaking out guaranteed, we have never come across a propane tank that doesn't smell. That smell is a poisonous and explosive gas leaking out slowly, and you're gonna put that in your backpack??? Of course not!Alcohol stoves are easy to use and the fuel is quite safe and not stored under pressure like propane. Normal alcohol stoves are very hard to find, stores only seem to carry ridiculous high tech contraptions with all kinds of knobs and nozzles, absolutely ridiculous! You can make one yourself pretty easily with some cans. A big disadvantage of alcohol stoves is that they need a lot of alcohol to run, if you get stuck you will run out of fuel rather fast.Wood stoves seem to be making a comeback after a century of fossil fuel dominance. Wood stoves have the great advantage of never running out of fuel. The Trailstove is my personal favorite, it weighs a little bit below a pound which is more than a lot of fossil fuel stoves but since you don't bring any fuel, the pack weight actually comes out lower than fossil fuel stoves. It cooks a bit slower than a propane stove but that's a quite acceptable compromise when you consider all the advantages.

1. FIND BRANCHES. Cut down two thickly vegetative branches 2-3 ft long (60-90 cm) from a fir or similar tree.

2. TIE STRING. Tie a string about 2 ft long (60 cm) around the base of the branch at a branching near the cut off end, in the branch.

3. TIE STRING AGAIN. Tie string again around the base but on the opposite side of the branching. This ensures that the string is fixed in any direction.

4. ATTACH TO SHOE. Tie string to the front of your shoe. Make sure it goes through the front shoe lace threading holes. Make sure all ends and sides of the branch are pointing up away from the ground.

5. ANGLE. Your shoe should be able to flip up to an angle of around 30 degrees. This is very important, the snowshoes must pivot around your toes and drag in the back. If the snow shoes don't pivot the front ends will go into the snow and you can't move forwards.

6. WALK. If you have done everything right you will be able to walk on the snow with your emergency snowshoes.

Mojave National Preserve

Rose-colored sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and mile-high mountains are all part of the scene at Mojave National Preserve. Located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, this new park was established in 1994 through the California Desert Protection Act. The Preserve encompasses 1.6 million acres of mountains, jumble rocks, desert washes, and dry lakes; outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the opportunity for solitude here not easily found at other southern California parks.

Plant and animal life varies by elevation. Desert tortoises burrow in creosote bush flats, while the black and yellow Scott’s oriole nests in Joshua trees higher up the slopes. Mule deer and bighorn sheep roam among pinyon pine and juniper in the Preserve’s many mountain ranges.

Mojave Desert experiences change with the seasons. Infrequent winter snows sparkle on the mountains. With enough moisture, spring wildflowers carpet the desert with vivid colors. Summers are hot; hikers and campers explore the higher elevations such as Mid-Hills and the New York Mountains. The cooler temperatures of fall mark hunting season. A network of dirt roads offer year round opportunities to explore by 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Write to
Superintendent, Mojave National Preserve
222 E. Main St., Suite 202
Barstow, CA 92311

Phone
Headquarters - (760)255-8800
Information-Baker - (760)733-4040
Information & Group Camp Reservations-Needles - (760)326-6322
Information-Hole-in-the-Wall - (760) 928-2572

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The Preserve is always open. The Baker Desert Information Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Needles Desert Information Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays. Hole-in-the-Wall Ranger Station is generally open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Getting There
PLANE - The nearest airports are in Ontario, CA (140 miles from the western boundary of the Preserve) and Las Vegas, NV (60 miles from the eastern boundary of the Preserve).

CAR - The Preserve is easily reached via I-15 or I-40 east of Barstow, CA, and west of Needles, CA and Las Vegas, NV. There are six freeway exits that provide visitor access.

Weather & Climate
The weather is generally most comfortable in the spring and fall. Temperatures vary greatly by elevation. At low elevations, daytime highs are in the 70s in March; lows are in the 40s. Highs over 100 typically begin in May and can last into October. In the mountains, daytime highs are in the 70s in May; lows are in the 50s. Winters can bring freezing temperatures and occasional snows, with daytime highs in the 50s and 60s.

Annual precipitation ranges from 3.5 inches at lower elevations to nearly 10 inches in the mountains. Most rain falls between November and April; summer thunderstorms may bring sudden, heavy rainfall. The driest months are May and June.

Winds are a prominent feature of Mojave Desert weather. Strong winds occur in fall, late winter, and early spring months.

Accessibility
All of the Preserve’s information centers and ranger stations are accessible to all visitors.

Getting Around
Road conditions vary from paved, two-lane highways to rugged 4-wheel drive roads; see map for major routes. Maps showing all dirt roads are available at park information centers.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
CAMPGROUND FEE

Hole-in-the-Wall and Mid Hills Campgrounds are $12 per site per night ($6 for Golden Age or Golden Access Passport Holders). Black Canyon Equestrian & Group site fees are $25 per night per site. Call 760-326-6322 for group camp reservations.

Permits
RECREATION PERMIT
$50 for One Time
A Recreation Permit is required for all organized events, including school groups, hiking clubs, jeep tour groups and scouting groups, or for any group of more than 15 individuals or 7 vehicles. Proof of insurance may be required. For more information call (760) 255-8863, or email MOJA_Superintendent@nps.gov.

Special Use Permits
SPECIAL EVENTS/FILMING
$200 for One Time
A Special Use Permit is required for large, organized events and commercial activities such as filming that require extensive stipulations, completion of an environmental assessment, and/or require on-site monitoring. Proof of insurance and posting of a bond may also be required. For more information, call (760) 255-8863, or email MOJA_Superintendent@nps.gov.

CAMPING

Black Canyon Equestrian & Group Campground
Open All Year
Located directly across the road from Hole-in-the-Wall Ranger Station and Campground. Facilities include pit toilets, water, and a picnic shelter with tables. Reservations are $25 per night; call 760 326-6322.

Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
Open All Year
Surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls, the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is at 4,400 feet elevation. The 35 campsites are large enough for motorhomes and trailers. Two walk-in tent sites are also available. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, trashcans, and drinkable water. There are no utility hookups but there is a dump station. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $12 per site per night. Fees for Golden Age/Access Passport holders are $6 per site per night.
For More Information on this campground please call 760-733-4040,760-326-6322

Mid Hills Campground
Open All Year
Nestled in pinyon pine and juniper trees at 5,600 feet, Mid Hills Campground is much cooler than the desert floor below. The road to the campground is not paved and is not recommended for motorhomes or trailers. There are 26 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Pit toilets, trashcans, and drinkable water are provided. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $12 per site per night fee. Fees for Golden Age/Access Passport holders are $6 per site per night.
For More Information on this campground please call 760-733-4040,760-326-6322

FACILITIES

BAKER DESERT INFORMATION CENTER
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone - 760-733-4040
Location - 72157 Baker Blvd./ PO Box 241 Baker, CA 92309
Exhibits - limited
Available Facilities - bookstore

NEEDLES DESERT INFORMATION CENTER
Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone - (760) 326-6322
Location - 707 W. Broadway, Needles, CA 92363
Closures - Mondays
Exhibits - limited
Available Facilities - bookstore

Ranger Stations
HOLE-IN-THE-WALL RANGER STATION
weekends as staffing permits 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Phone - (760) 928-2572
Location - 20 miles north of I-40 on Essex and Black Canyon Roads.
Special Programs - Friday evening Ranger talks and Saturday morning guided hikes, spring only.
Exhibits - basic orientation
Available Facilities - bookstore, picnic area

LAMP	You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.
FIRE STARTER	There are new fire making gadgets coming out all the time, I'm still using a plastic lighter, hasn't failed me yet. I do carry a small magnesium block just in case.
SLEEPING PAD	You need to isolate your body from the cold ground.
MOSQUITO PROTECTION	It's a good idea to bring some bug protection, mosquito candles are the best but mosquito coils are lighter.
TOOL	Going into the wilderness without a decent multi purpose tool is not a good idea, unless of course you're dragging a whole toolbox with you.
BACKPACKING STOVE	Don't get a propane stove whatever you do. If you smell the top of a campstove propane tank you will smell propane leaking out guaranteed, we have never come across a propane tank that doesn't smell. That smell is a poisonous and explosive gas leaking out slowly, and you're gonna put that in your backpack??? Of course not!Alcohol stoves are easy to use and the fuel is quite safe and not stored under pressure like propane. Normal alcohol stoves are very hard to find, stores only seem to carry ridiculous high tech contraptions with all kinds of knobs and nozzles, absolutely ridiculous! You can make one yourself pretty easily with some cans. A big disadvantage of alcohol stoves is that they need a lot of alcohol to run, if you get stuck you will run out of fuel rather fast.Wood stoves seem to be making a comeback after a century of fossil fuel dominance. Wood stoves have the great advantage of never running out of fuel. The Trailstove is my personal favorite, it weighs a little bit below a pound which is more than a lot of fossil fuel stoves but since you don't bring any fuel, the pack weight actually comes out lower than fossil fuel stoves. It cooks a bit slower than a propane stove but that's a quite acceptable compromise when you consider all the advantages.