Tour of Mitchell Caverns and Geology/Hiking Trip Mojave National Preserve

This will be a small group Geo-hike event with a reserved tour of the Mitchell Caverns and a Geology/hiking trip to the eastern Mojave Desert, mostly within the Mojave National Preserve: https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm

Please do not sign-on unless you are committed to making the trip

Highlights:
10/3, Hike the Rings Loop Trail at Hole-in-the-Wall and discuss the geology/flora. https://californiathroughmylens.com/rings-trail/
If time allows a drive and short hike with geology/flora along the Wild Horse Canyon Road and Mid-Hills.

10/4, Hike and geology of the Bonanza King Mine in the AM. https://mojavedesert.net/desert-fever/providence.html
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/UnitRefs/BonanzaKingRefs_12404.html
Afternoon tour of the Mitchell Caverns followed by a short hike and geology/flora of the Providence Mountains, https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=615

10/5, Kelso Dunes hike and geology in the AM, https://www.nps.gov/moja/kelso-dunes.htm
visit to the Kelso Train Station,
and visit to the Cima Volcanic Field (aka Cinder Cone Lava Beds) and Lava Tubes, https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/lava-tube.htm

I will be explaining the geology and natural science of the area along our hikes using maps and diagrams. A guidebook will be provided.
This is a Fund Raiser for the Geologic Maps Foundation, a 501.3.C nonprofit. Tickets are $195/person. Includes guided cavern tour, guided geology field trip, campsite cost, and a geology guidebook (.pdf copy). Please pay by check, made out to the Geologic Maps Foundation at the beginning of the trip.

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

Trip will be a small group (10 or less). I have reserved and paid for two tent campsites (#20, #21) at the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. There is only one vehicle allowed at each campsite but there is overflow parking. We will pre-arrange car-pooling as much as possible. More information on the Hole-in-the-Wall campground:
https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/camping.htm

I have also reserved and paid for eight folks going on a ranger-guided tour of the Mitchells Caverns on 10/4 @ 1:30 PM (all cavern tours must be with a ranger). We can add two more people if needed. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=615

I will be driving, and I can take three folks with me, if you are willing to share gas costs, and pack all your gear in heavy bags or luggage so it can go in the bed of truck. I plan to leave Ventura about 8:00 AM on 10/3 and return to Ventura about 8:00 PM 10/5.

You must be prepared for tent camping, bringing and preparing your meals (there are no stores nearby), and hikes up to 5 miles with a ~2.0-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. Early October can still be warm during the day and 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 evening campfire. If you have firewood please bring it too.

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

For the most part, there is no cell coverage within the Mojave National Preserve.