Day 12: 16-mile round-trip ride from Tecopa Hot Springs to China Ranch date farm and bakery, plus a few miles of hiking
A pleasant, hot day, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees again. The short descent into the Amargosa River canyon is dramatic. Once at China Ranch, I eat some of their delicious date loaf and explore a couple of their hiking trails on a full tummy.
I go for a short hike down along the Amargosa River, where there's nobody around. The solitude and scenery are beautiful. I turn back earlier than I would like due to the heat of the day.
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Date: April 29, 2007, 12h00
Size: 23 items
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Late morning at my Tecopa Hot Springs camp site by the mesquite bush
I've already had coffee, a light breakfast of sorts, and a long relaxing soak in the hot pool, complete with interesting chats with other guys enjoying the pool.
Date: April 29, 2007, 10h30
Views: 52
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An old car and trailer near my camp site at Tecopa Hot Springs Campground
The 10-ton bike's tent sits in front of the mesquite bush in the background.
Date: April 29, 2007, 10h45
Views: 60
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An old bus converted to camper at Tecopa Hot Springs Campground
One of the few remaining campers at the campground tells me that a couple in their 80s lives in the bus and has plans to get married soon.
Date: April 29, 2007, 10h45
Views: 70
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During my ride to China Ranch date farm, I stop at the public water tank behind Tecopa School to refill my my water bottles
A faded sign warns that "water is not filtered," but it tastes fine.
Date: April 29, 2007, 11h45
Views: 76
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I ride up the Old Spanish Trail Highway's gentle hill, which leads out of Tecopa toward the Kingston Range
A sign to China Ranch directs me onto Furnace Creek Wash Road.
Date: April 29, 2007, 12h00
Views: 80
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I've read about the steep downhill on the China Ranch Road here, but I haven't seen it yet
I guess I'll see it in a moment.
Date: April 29, 2007, 12h30
Views: 81
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I head downhill into the canyon toward the China Ranch date farm
Wow, this is interesting.
Date: April 29, 2007, 12h45
Views: 85
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Further into the canyon on China Ranch Road
The canyon walls have gotten higher. Dramatic!
Date: April 29, 2007, 12h45
Views: 75
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The China Ranch bakery and store at the end of China Ranch Road
They grow many varieties of dates and I sample some of them.
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h00
Views: 63
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The temperature exceeds 100 degrees F under the ramada outside the China Ranch store
I sit here and eat half of the date-nut loaf that I just bought.
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h00
Views: 52
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I walk down the short creek trail behind the China Ranch bakery and store
The small stream gives off a lot of humidity through evaporation and seems to attract lots of insects.
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h15
Views: 55
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A cabin along China Ranch Road near the store
Apparently, this is being restored or rebuilt.
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h30
Views: 64
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Standing in front of their extensive date-palm orchard
Since this orchard is well-watered, it feels hot and sticky here due to the moisture evaporation.
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h30
Views: 60
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I begin a long walk down the Amargosa River
I enter the gate to the BLM-managed wilderness area called "Amargosa River ACEC" (Area of Critical Environmental Concern).
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h45
Views: 73
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An old truck near the Amargosa River
It looks like it's getting buried by the deposits of annual flood waters.
Date: April 29, 2007, 13h45
Views: 70
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