Eastern Mojave Desert Geo-hike with a tour of Mitchell Caverns

This will be a small group Geo-hike to the eastern Mojave Desert and mostly within the Mojave National Preserve: https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm.

The Mojave Desert Preserve has abundant ecological diversity and geological intrigue, offering visitors, especially those willing to hike the trails, a rare glimpse into one of North America's most dynamic desert ecosystems. See the photos and figures, from previous trips, that I've added to this page. The Preserve is enormous, nearly 1.6 million acres, and combines aspects of the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran deserts, a haven for wildlife, from elusive desert bighorn sheep and kit foxes to over 200 bird species that frequent its springs, dunes, and canyons. We should enounter desert wildflowers given it's still early in the spring. Geologic features include lava flows, limestone caverns, the Kelso Dunes, known to sing when disturbed, and old mines. This is a land of living adaptation and raw natural beauty.

I will be explaining the geology and natural science of the area along our hikes using maps and diagrams.

THERE IS WAITLIST AND THOSE THAT HIKE REGULARLY WITH GEO-HIKES WILL HAVE PRIORITY.

Trip is limited to four including me. I have made and paid for a campsite reservation at the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground (limit is four campers and 2 vehicles at campsite) and reserved and paid for four on a ranger-guided tour of the Mitchells Caverns (all cavern tours are with a ranger). More information on the Hole-in-the-Wall campground:
https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/camping.htm

I will be driving and I can take 3 more with me, if you are willing to share gas costs, and pack all of your gear in heavy bags or luggage so it can go in the bed of truck. I plan on leaving Ventura about 8:00 AM, 4/4 if you plan to ride with me and return to Ventura about 7-8:00 PM on Sunday 4/6. We might come up with pick-up points along the way if you don't live near Ventura but they have to be convenient and not require a lot of extra driving on my part. Keep in mind that the campsite only allows 2 vehicles; if you plan on driving please let me know.

You must be prepared for tent camping, bringing and preparing your meals (there are no stores nearby), and hikes up to 10 miles with a ~2.0-2.5 mile.hr pace. You need to be in good hiking shape. You'll need to bring car camping gear: food, water (there is potable water at the campground), cooking gear, tent, warm sleeping bag (this place can be cold at night, it's above 5,000 ft), warm clothing, folding chairs are nice, and whatever else you need to be comfortable.

You'll need to bring your hiking gear: day pack, water bottles, hat, sun-screen, etc. Hiking in the desert can be challenging as there are many things to maneuver around, like cacti and rock obstacles (best not to wear shorts).

I will bring some firewood for the evenings.

Our tentative hiking and touring itinerary:
Friday, April 4: set up camp and do the Ring Trail plus hikes close to camp (about 4 miles). If time allows in the late afternoon, a visit and a short hike near Mid-Hills Campground.
Saturday, April 5: Barber Peak Loop (5.7 miles and 764 ft elevation gain).
Saturday (optional), April 4: hike around Bonanza King mine (several miles).
Sunday, April 6: Pack-up camp, tour of Mitchell Caverns, Kelso Dunes (several miles total for the day). Drive home.

Please don't sign-on unless you are committed to making the trip, are willing to camp and hike with the group, are in good hiking condition, and can do the hikes.

Weather for the trip looks good.
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Essex+CA?canonicalCityId=4e9546bdd00b9588dd80830be592ca83272a6f1031a698f89d8a7db505c93f49

Cost is $125/person and includes geologic guidebook with maps, diagrams and photos, campsite fee, and cavern tour costs. This is a fund raiser for the https://geologicmapsfoundation.org/, a 501 3c, scientific public benefit organization, i.e. a nonprofit. Please pay by check to the Geologic Maps Foundation at the beginning of the trip.