Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008
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Bikepacking in Henry Coe State Park 2008 Day 4: Hike from Paradise Lake up Rooster Comb Trail and Orestimba Creek Road to Robison Creek and back
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Bikepacking in Henry Coe State Park 2008

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Noon sunshine at Pacheco Camp with my tent hiding under the big oak tree on the left

Noon sunshine at Pacheco Camp with my tent hiding under the big oak tree on the left

Date: September 01, 2008, 12h11

Day 4: Hike from Paradise Lake up Rooster Comb Trail and Orestimba Creek Road to Robison Creek and back

A very hot afternoon, over 100 degrees. My original plan is to hike up Robison Mountain, but by the time I realize that I've missed the trail, I'm getting low on water and tired from the heat. So I skip the extra hill hike. 14.3 hiking miles.

Date: September 03, 2008, 10h07
Size: 44 items
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Drinking hot morning coffee in the hot morning tent

Drinking hot morning coffee in the hot morning tent

I woke up chilly around dawn, but now that the sun is shining on the tent, it's hot in here and I'm sweating. I tried relaxing with my coffee outside, but there are too many flies right now.

Date: September 03, 2008, 10h07
No backcountry trip is complete without a photo or two of a morning cat hole

No backcountry trip is complete without a photo or two of a morning cat hole

The earth here is so dry and hard that it's difficult to dig a good hole.

Date: September 02, 2008, 10h23
Morning in the hot sun at Paradise Lake, Henry Coe State Park

Morning in the hot sun at Paradise Lake, Henry Coe State Park

I'm leaving now on today's hike and it already feels almost as hot as yesterday afternoon.

Date: September 03, 2008, 10h39
My first stop is the dam at Paradise Lake to pump some water

My first stop is the dam at Paradise Lake to pump some water

There's a lot of algae in places, but it's easy to avoid. I filter six litres of water for the day. The water tastes a bit musty, but it's cool, so very refreshing.

Date: September 03, 2008, 10h51
I walk up the short steep road from Paradise Lake

I walk up the short steep road from Paradise Lake

There's just enough loose gravel on this road to make it slippery, when combined with the steep grade. It probably has better traction earlier in the year when it's not so dry.

Date: September 03, 2008, 10h53
I walk a mile down Red Creek Road through the vinegar weed to Orestimba Creek Road, backtracking yesterday's route

I walk a mile down Red Creek Road through the vinegar weed to Orestimba Creek Road, backtracking yesterday's route

The thousands of pale-purple flowers here on these plants are apparently very attractive to the hundreds of bees buzzing around here.

Date: September 03, 2008, 11h03
At Orestimba Creek Road, I begin the hike toward the Rooster Comb, the grey, rocky mass on top of the distant hill to the right

At Orestimba Creek Road, I begin the hike toward the Rooster Comb, the grey, rocky mass on top of the distant hill to the right

This is new territory for me; I haven't been on Orestimba Creek Road any closer to the Rooster Comb than this. The walk up the creek gravel is as hot as expected.

Date: September 03, 2008, 11h16
After 0.6 mile, I reach the Rooster Comb Trail and I've already drank 1.5 litres of water

After 0.6 mile, I reach the Rooster Comb Trail and I've already drank 1.5 litres of water

On a bicycle, Orestimba Creek Road dead-ends here. The Rooster Comb Trail is inside a Wilderness boundary (no mechanized travel allowed), and travelling straight ahead on Orestimba Creek Road would trespass on private property outside the Park.

Date: September 03, 2008, 11h32
Rooster Comb Trail rises slowly up grasslands with occasional oaks

Rooster Comb Trail rises slowly up grasslands with occasional oaks

The heat of the day is kicking in and all the dry, yellow grass smells like it's being gently roasted by the sun. Because it is.

Date: September 03, 2008, 11h38
A little further, Rooster Comb Trail passes below the Rooster Comb itself (the rocky ridge)

A little further, Rooster Comb Trail passes below the Rooster Comb itself (the rocky ridge)

This trail doesn't climb all the way up to the Rooster Comb Summit, but there's a spur further on that does.

Date: September 03, 2008, 11h50
View from Rooster Comb Trail of the privately owned ranch down below and the Orestimba Creek Road passing through it

View from Rooster Comb Trail of the privately owned ranch down below and the Orestimba Creek Road passing through it

From what I can tell, the primary purpose of Rooster Comb Trail is to connect two Park-owned segments of Orestimba Creek Road that are separated from each other by the private property below.

Date: September 03, 2008, 11h59
Rooster Comb Trail rides a ledge through a bit of chamise and a few oaks

Rooster Comb Trail rides a ledge through a bit of chamise and a few oaks

I wasn't expecting such nice vistas along this trail since it's only about 250 feet above Orestimba Creek.

Date: September 03, 2008, 12h00
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  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
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  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping and Day Hikes 2008 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2007 (one week, Xmas-New Year's)
  • Henry Coe State Park Mountain-Bike Camping 2007 (eight nights)
  • Death Valley Bicycle Camping 2007 (two weeks)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bicycle Camping 2006 (four nights)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2006 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2000 (11 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 1999 (one week)
Contact henrycoe2008 at priss dot org