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Death Valley Tour, April 14-18, 2012

rodr said:
Think you're more likely to come than not? If so I'll add you to the list. :)

By the way I'm having second thoughts about that South Pass to Saline Valley... here's what it looked like around the end of March last year. :laughing
Click to expand...
Couple of things along those lines ... the north pass has been graded, but no telling what the weather this year will do to that path. During Thanksgiving, the south portion had some challenging rock falls that may require some quick change-of-path plans; nothing that would keep your truck in that picture from going through, though.
 
Darn you school! I might steal your route for another day....either that or I might see what I can accomplish Fri-Sunday. hmm we'll see.
 
South Pass into Saline Valley: once rented an SUV and drove by Ubehebe Crater, Teakettle Junction, the Racetrack, over Hunter Mountain (snow and mud in April), down into Saline Valley. A couple of days later a big storm blew in, and we got to drive that sucker out via North Pass Road (the one Happy Hornet calls "Dagger Road," I believe) with snow all over the ground--I'd never in my life seen snow on cactus blossoms. We got a flat tire bout halfway out. Thank goodness for camping mats and full size spares!

Y'all have fun, now. :thumbup
 
undertheoaks said:
Dang Nabbit !! Im on vacation the following week. Well enjoy.:ride
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Damn, thought I gave enough time for everyone to plan ahead. :laughing

Razel said:
Couple of things along those lines ... the north pass has been graded, but no telling what the weather this year will do to that path. During Thanksgiving, the south portion had some challenging rock falls that may require some quick change-of-path plans; nothing that would keep your truck in that picture from going through, though.
Click to expand...

Not my truck... I'll be on my DL650. I wonder if there are tire chains for motorcycles? :)

jimboFosho said:
Darn you school! I might steal your route for another day....either that or I might see what I can accomplish Fri-Sunday. hmm we'll see.
Click to expand...

It's not DV, but you could camp with us at Carrizo and then go home Sunday....

Nemo Brinker said:
South Pass into Saline Valley: once rented an SUV and drove by Ubehebe Crater, Teakettle Junction, the Racetrack, over Hunter Mountain (snow and mud in April), down into Saline Valley. A couple of days later a big storm blew in, and we got to drive that sucker out via North Pass Road (the one Happy Hornet calls "Dagger Road," I believe) with snow all over the ground--I'd never in my life seen snow on cactus blossoms. We got a flat tire bout halfway out. Thank goodness for camping mats and full size spares!

Y'all have fun, now. :thumbup
Click to expand...

You're my inspiration NB! :party
 
What a fantastic ride!!!
Some insider scoop for you regarding saline Valley.

The Northern route into saline Valley was recently graded and widened a little bit. The southern route is as bad as I've ever seen and I go to Saline every year (for over a decade) I would go as far to say it is impassable for an unskilled rider.
Both routes are not for the faint of heart.
Make sure to bring spare tubes and tire kits. I call Saline Valley Rd. Dagger Rd.

The Springs are AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!! Bring water bring water bring water.
Not a good trip for a sport bike but if you are there can you ask the camp host if he found my Motorolla Droid2? :laughing
 
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Happy Hornet said:
What a fantastic ride!!!
Some insider scoop for you regarding saline Valley.

The Northern route into saline Valley was recently graded and widened a little bit. The southern route is as bad as I've ever seen and I go to Saline every year (for over a decade) I would go as far to say it is impassable for an unskilled rider.
Both routes are not for the faint of heart.
Make sure to bring spare tubes and tire kits. I call Saline Valley Rd. Dagger Rd.

The Springs are AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!! Bring water bring water bring water.
Not a good trip for a sport bike but if you are there can you ask the camp host if he found my Motorolla Droid2? :laughing
Click to expand...

Sounds like the South pass is rutted? If so, don't wanna do that... we can take the long way around though.

My weestrom takes tubeless tires.

Gwynne, you oughta come... :)

jimboFosho said:
That is looking like a definite possibility right now.
Click to expand...

:thumbup
 
rodr said:
Sounds like the South pass is rutted? If so, don't wanna do that... we can take the long way around though.

My weestrom takes tubeless tires.

Gwynne, you oughta come... :)



:thumbup
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I wish but sadly I don't have a suitable bike for this. :(

I would absolutely 100% NOT recommend Saline Valley on a non dual sport bike. The North Pass is bearable but Bat Road is very VERY sketchy. Deeper sand and you will be already fatigued from the 25 miles of washboard before the turn off to the Springs.

Saline is very worthwhile if anyone is bringing a truck maybe leave the street bikes in Big Pine and hitch a ride.
 
Happy Hornet said:
I wish but sadly I don't have a suitable bike for this. :(

I would absolutely 100% NOT recommend Saline Valley on a non dual sport bike. The North Pass is bearable but Bat Road is very VERY sketchy. Deeper sand and you will be already fatigued from the 25 miles of washboard before the turn off to the Springs.

Saline is very worthwhile if anyone is bringing a truck maybe leave the street bikes in Big Pine and hitch a ride.
Click to expand...

Good feedback, thanks. A bit of googling turns up some more information sources:

http://suddendisruption.blogspot.com/2010/11/saline-valley-springs-review.html
http://forum.salinepreservation.org/

It seems North pass was graded late last year, a major improvement. But if the 7-mile road to the Springs (Bat Rock Road, is it?) is not suitable for a street bike then I'll want to skip Saline and just do more exploring from Beatty as home base. Or maybe end with a night or two of camping elsewhere in the park. For me, I wanted this to be an all-motorcycle affair.

Anyone else care to comment?
 
I wouldn't recommend any of it for a street bike. The road is improved but still steep and rocky in places. We were there in November. Bat Rock Rd. is rutted with area of deep pummie dust.
 
Happy Hornet said:
I wouldn't recommend any of it for a street bike. The road is improved but still steep and rocky in places. We were there in November. Bat Rock Rd. is rutted with area of deep pummie dust.
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OK I've taken Saline out of the plan, we'll figure out some other campground instead, unless some miracle happens with the roads. I really appreciate that input. Wanna come yet? :laughing

EDIT: Alternatively, maybe a final day of camping somewhere around Bishop or Mammoth Lakes would be more fun? That also has the advantage of shortening the ride home.
 
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Time for a :bump

And time to settle on a motel and start making reservations! Anyone have experience with motels in Beatty? Main reason to stay there is they are cheap, around $50-60. I have stayed at the Atomic Inn there and it was OK but just a place to sleep. The Stagecoach seems to have more to do (pool, casino, restaurant). By contrast, Stovepipe Wells is $95-155 and Furnace Creek Ranch is $156 and up.

Comments? How much is too much for a room?
 
I was thinking about tagging along for the first day or two, then I realized its almost all slab down to SLO.

No thanks...
 
i would like to partake, not sure yet on how much time i can take off though.

but i do think that death valley takes an ample amount of time just to see one or two things. getting there quickly is also important. i guess it depends on what your priorities are.
 
I am stroking my beard and contemplating this. Planning a bunch this year though...I will need to think some more...
 
HIglesias said:
i would like to partake, not sure yet on how much time i can take off though.

but i do think that death valley takes an ample amount of time just to see one or two things. getting there quickly is also important. i guess it depends on what your priorities are.
Click to expand...

revnort said:
I am stroking my beard and contemplating this. Planning a bunch this year though...I will need to think some more...
Click to expand...

Y'all just let me know if/when you decide and I'll add you to the list. And yeah I'd recommend at least 2 full days in DV.

Nufc9 said:
So what's the head count as of now rod?
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See post #3 in this thread for that. I'll update it as things change.
 
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