Death Valley 3/9 - 3/11

[rhhall]

Full photo journal at: http://rhhall.smugmug.com/gallery/2570765/1/

Dawn of March 9, 2007 was a cold and dreary morning. I've packed the bike and go to meet some friends at the office, where we'll begin our caravan to Death Valley. Temperatures in the low 40's keep my Gerbings on, along with the other heated amenities of the K-GT.



Our outbound route takes us through some very rough parts of western Nevada, including the bomb storage town of Hawthorne.



The roads are mostly straight, with unbelievably long sightlines, little traffic, and few places for a car-sized object to hide. What would you do with the throttle on your bike?



Rural Nevada economy is dominated by mining and ranching. We pass several operating ranches. I wonder how many heads are raised here each year?



We continue through Tonopah and Beatty, to visit our first point of interest: the ghost town of Rhyolite.



With a dawn ride to Dante's View planned, we head into Furnace Creek and set-up camp. The next morning we head up to Dante's View, over a mile above the valley floor.



Zabriskie's Point is also spectacular in the morning:



Later that day, we head to Badwater Basin, lowest point in the valley:



Followed by a trip through the canyons of Artist's Palette.




Temperatures are well into the 90's as I return to camp for lunch. After resting, I head up towards Scotty's Castle and volcanic Uhebe Crater.




The next day I head back home, via Highway 395. I'm packed and depart the campground by 9:15am.



Returning the road goes over several passes at 8,000 feet, snow still hugging the shoulders of the road. It's a completely spectacular ride along the eastern edge of the High Sierras, but I'm cold as I have left my Gerbings and my liner in the hardcase.



About 1:00pm, I stop in Bridgeport for a burger at one of my favorite places: Rhino's Bar and Grille:



With gorgeous white-capped mountains backdropped by a perfect blue sky, my camera decides that it's out of battery, so I am forced to enjoy the views knowing I won't be able to share them.

[strontium]

Great pictures. I am planning to have a ride down there in late May for a long weekend.

I like to spend a night in the Dow Villa at Lone Pine then do a dawn blast through the Valley before it gets too hot. I maxed out my Triumph Daytona through there one year chasing after my buddy on his CBR1100XX. Even thought its hot it is still one of my top riding destinations.

I have never been there earlier than May. Did you not worry about being caught in a snowstorm on the 395?

[rhhall]

Originally Posted by strontium

...

I have never been there earlier than May. Did you not worry about being caught in a snowstorm on the 395?

I was with a group of six other families that took their cars. If the weather wasn't going to allow me to ride, I was going to ride with one of them. Thankfully, the weather cooperated!

[demenshea]

Great pictures and a great ride!! Gary and I did that ride about 2 years ago and did get caught in a snowstorm around Walker Lake area. It was after that I bought my gerbing, (nothing like a rude awakening!) Glad you only encountered fabulous looking weather, though i am sure it was a bit chilly in the early morning!

The area around Rhyolite is sooooo desolate and barren but welcomes an open throttle. I love the desert and the hidden life it supports. Were the wildflowers in bloom???

Looks like a wonderful ride, Rich. Thanks!!

[rhhall]

Alas, no wildflowers. You're not kidding aobut the roads welcoming an open throttle. Sheesh, you can literally see anyone approaching for miles.

[FishWitch]

Fantastic pics! A group of us went about this time last year and had a blast, but BRRRRRR.

[Owner of Harriet]

Hi Syd

how could you ever forget that we went in Feb. -- and it had to be in the high 30's LOL

I'm headed back again on March 31

[Beemer bum]

Mappy, mappy?????

[rhhall]

Originally Posted by Beemer bum

Mappy, mappy?????

Sorry I didn't get back to your PM, got busy and forgot. Here are the routes we took:

Outbound:


Return:

[Owner of Harriet]

just got back from our ride to DV --- left Lone Pine on Sunday and into the valley -- great weather - -but like always not enough time to see everything -- will plan another trip later in the year --

weren't very many people there on Sunday either