Honoring Presidents In The Eastern Sierra

We pushed the bikes up the hill and out to the road, as we had done the day before. Nobody wants to hear a pair of barking Huskys at 7 in the morning, especially when on a relaxing holiday in one of the most peaceful places on the planet. More on this later. We headed east and rounded the northern tip of the White Mountains, giving us a great view of the highest mountain in Nevada...Boundary Peak, and Montgomery Peak which is in California...



Our destination on this day was...surprise!...another hot springs...



It was cold and windy and barren out there but the water was perfectly hot...



After a tasty lunch of 3-day old cold pizza we headed west into the White Mountains just to see how far we could go...





Not very far, as it turns out...



Look, Ma! No sidestand!



Knobbies would have made short work of that snow. My front was willing but my bald rear K73 was going no further...



We backtracked out, making a few side trips here and there just to see what was out there...



This camp will be splendid in warmer temps...









After goofing around in some old mining areas we made tracks for the valley floor, coming upon this lovely home...





Beautiful views out these tiny little windows...



An hour or so later we were back at camp, basking in the luxurious sunshine...


Spent the rest of the day soaking, drinking, eating and stargazing. Magnificent place for stargazing!

The next morning we soaked, loaded up, soaked again, and reluctantly said good-bye to one of my most favorite campsites ever. It wasn't a sad parting, however, because I knew we'd be back in a few weeks. Someone I know would be turning 50 and this was as good a place as any to celebrate the occasion arty

I stopped by the office on the way out to talk to Jimmy about arrangements, and to thank him for having such a wonderful place for us. He thanked us for walking the bikes out, said it was much appreciated. He (much like us) likes the place for the peace and quiet and solitude it affords, and he doesn't want to hear a bunch of noise in his home across the road. RV's are welcome but his take on generators ...and I quote verbatim...was "Turn `em on, do what you gotta do, then turn the damned things off, fer crissakes." We didn't run ours once the entire time we were there. I only mention this in case some of you are thinking about heading out there with your own bikes...and how could you not?? Be respectful, be quiet, and be cool to Jimmy, as he would have no problem whatsoever throwing anyone out on their ass should they make a nuisance of themselves. I like Jimmy

As always, thanks for coming along. Birthday ride report coming soon!




WoodsChick

Thanks for taking us along again,

Seems like this Benton Springs place is a good spot for home base for day trips to some great riding.

Cabrito said:

Thanks for taking us along again,

Seems like this Benton Springs place is a good spot for home base for day trips to some great riding.

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You got it right, Cabrito! It's a little too far from Death Valley for any serious exploring there, but for the other stuff it was great. We plan on going back again for sure, hopefully before it gets too hot to be enjoyable. We found some really good stuff not too far from the springs on the last trip out there. The CTUC (California Trail Users Coalition) maps were really helpful as they cover the whole area, not just BLM or USFS land. Great place for a plated and versatile bike




WoodsChick

Oh man... that looks so sweet.. love the old rental home.. the hot springs.. the rides..

and even the snow.. brrrrrr... your living well!!
Hey to the hubby and look forward to the future bday trip report.!!

budman said:

Oh man... that looks so sweet.. love the old rental home.. the hot springs.. the rides..

and even the snow.. brrrrrr... your living well!!
Hey to the hubby and look forward to the future bday trip report.!!

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Thanks, budman! Life, indeed, is pretty good from where I sit
Ya know, there's lots of opportunity for the streety crowd out there, too. Ever take 120 east of 395 towards the Nevada state line? It's a giggly fun roller coaster on a bike with a decent-sized motor




WoodsChick

Zomg--the White Mountains--the petroglyphs--the hot springs--the old graveyard--
YEAH!

Thanks for the hot tip on Benton Crossing--I think that place would be great as a base for a weeklong exploration-and-birthday type celebration.

Hey, another awesome ride report. You two are the best at finding hot springs for sure. Is there a "big book of Hot Springs" out there somewhere? If not...you should write one...seriously.

Nice.

Nemo Brinker said:

Zomg--the White Mountains--the petroglyphs--the hot springs--the old graveyard--
YEAH!

Thanks for the hot tip on Benton Crossing--I think that place would be great as a base for a weeklong exploration-and-birthday type celebration.

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That's what this trip was all about, Heidi. I ended up spending my 50th birthday there! Still gotta get to that report...and quick, too! I'm on my way home right now from 2 weeks of Utah awesomeness

SRAD600 said:

Hey, another awesome ride report. You two are the best at finding hot springs for sure. Is there a "big book of Hot Springs" out there somewhere? If not...you should write one...seriously.

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Thanks, Eldrick! I'm telling you, springs (hot and cold) are shown on the Benchmark maps and we've got the ways and means to get out there and check them out! I'd love to get paid to do the research, though

flying_hun said:

Nice.

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Thanks, big guy!



WoodsChick

Oh wow - I need to be doing this stuff... I am only street riding these days.

Your pictures are amazing!

protokultur said:

Oh wow - I need to be doing this stuff... I am only street riding these days.

Your pictures are amazing!

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Thank you! Yes, you do need to be doing this! Most of the world's roads are unpaved. The world gets huge once you're able to venture off the tarmac.



WoodsChick