Death Valley Tour, April 14-18, 2012

[TT120]

Wish I could go with you guys. That place is dual sport heaven.

Here's a pic to get you in the mood.

 

[Jap hunter]

This sounds like its going to be fun ....... anyone coming from co. Co. County

 

[rodr]

Hey, y'all please post up or PM me when you book a room. I wanna know how we're doing on available space. Don't hesitate to book (and remember to say you're with the Bay Area Riders Forum); I understand the cancellation policy is quite liberal.

This sounds like its going to be fun ....... anyone coming from co. Co. County

Should I add you to the attendee list?

 

[wheel_muse]

Return Sunday from Carrizo Plain

Here's what I'm thinkin'...coming from CoCoCounty:

I leave Friday (my day off) to hike & camp @ Pinnacles Nat'l Monument.
Sat am I wait by the side of the road at the appointed/place time for the group.
I join you for the ride to Carrizo, explore, camp, moondance...
I return via Nacimiento-Ferguson and Hwy 1 on Sunday. Sunday's a long haul: 325 miles, 8hrs ride time.
Anyone want to join me on the return? Or even depart Fri am??

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[The Smokester]

We have a hotel and a group rate!

It's the Death Valley Inn, 775-553-9400. Mention the Bay Area Riders Forum to get the rate, it's $59.96 per night including tax for a double. It's good for April 15-18, 8 rooms are available, and it's OK to book fewer nights...

Done. Got a single confirmed for $55 + tax.

 

[boney]

I can't go so that makes me officially out even though I was never officially in.

Have fun!

 

[psychocandy]

Totally forgot about this thread. Looks like an awesome trip. Unfortunately, I'm going to DV at the end of this month (in a car).

Looks like you guys are taking Hwy 178 (Walker Pass) over the Sierras? Anyway, I'm going in a car, so no big deal, but I've never driven it before. What's the road like? Last time I went to DV, it was in the middle of autumn, and I took a detour towards Joshua Tree and took the Hwy 48 over the Tehachapi. With good weather, I know it'd be a loooong drive, but is it absurd to think we could get to DV via I5 and then over Walker Pass in a day of driving from Oakland?

Also, I see there is some talk of going up Saline Valley. I've been wanting to head up there for some time. For people who've done that, what do you think of either going up Saline Valley and out to the Racetrack (or the opposite way on the way back) in a Subaru Outback? Is that asking for trouble? My friend's parents (who go out there quite frequently), was telling me we had to go out there when I last made a trip out to DV. He saw the car we were renting (2WD (fake) Jeep Liberty), and seemed to have no qualms about us driving up Saline Valley Road. Although I've heard other people say it's serious business. I don't know what to believe.

Anyway, I know I'm sorta threadjacking, but any advice would be well appreciated!

 

[ThumperX]

The North Route into Saline Valley should be fine in you Subaru, just mind your speed as the road is full of "dagger" rocks and speeds in excess of 25mph have a tendency to drive them into your sidewalls The Southern entrance can be done but my 2011 experience says give it a miss unless you are really ready for some knuckle biting.
BRING A SPARE!!!

 

[luckett]

For people who've done that, what do you think of either going up Saline Valley and out to the Racetrack (or the opposite way on the way back) in a Subaru Outback? Is that asking for trouble? My friend's parents (who go out there quite frequently), was telling me we had to go out there when I last made a trip out to DV. He saw the car we were renting (2WD (fake) Jeep Liberty), and seemed to have no qualms about us driving up Saline Valley Road. Although I've heard other people say it's serious business. I don't know what to believe.

The roads can vary significantly from year to year and sometimes they get graded. South Pass is reported to be in rough condition due to washes.

It's too early to know what the snow conditions will be on the passes at month end, but they have been clear recently.

http://www.nps.gov/deva/upload/Morning-Report.pdf
Saline Valley (North) ....... 4x4 high-clearance and all terrain tires required. Patches of snow and potential ice.
Saline Valley (South) ....... Signed CLOSED by Inyo County


There are two way to the racetrack from the south. You'll never make it up Lippincott. Hunter Mtn. can have snow drifts and big mud holes.

 

[Titus58]

DV Room Booked Three nights, Sun-Wed.

FYI - my plan is to explore DV on Mon and Tues, and then head out early Wed AM for the fastest route home, would love to have company if anyone else is thinking something similar.

Ideally route home would be up 395 and over either Sonora or Tioga pass (~440mi), else if passes/weather not accommodating then backtracking thru Bakersfield and then up I-5 at 488miles and 9hrs...ugh ... open to other suggestions. Third option is leave mid-day Tuesday and split up the ride.


T

 

[rodr]

Done. Got a single confirmed for $55 + tax.

DV Room Booked Three nights, Sun-Wed.

FYI - my plan is to explore DV on Mon and Tues, and then head out early Wed AM for the fastest route home, would love to have company if anyone else is thinking something similar.

Ideally route home would be up 395 and over either Sonora or Tioga pass (~440mi), else if passes/weather not accommodating then backtracking thru Bakersfield and then up I-5 at 488miles and 9hrs...ugh ... open to other suggestions. Third option is leave mid-day Tuesday and split up the ride.

I was thinking leaving Wednesday and split up the ride, but just depends on how I feel at the time.

 

[psychocandy]

yeah. i emailed Gwynne (thanks for the detailed advice!) and saw some youtube vids of Lippincott. that is NOT an option. :lol i'll probably hit the Racetrack one day taking the usual tourist route from Scotty's Castle Road to Ubehebe to Teakettle Junction to the Racetrack and call it a day. i would love to visit Saline Valley sometime, but probably not this trip.

The roads can vary significantly from year to year and sometimes they get graded. South Pass is reported to be in rough condition due to washes.

It's too early to know what the snow conditions will be on the passes at month end, but they have been clear recently.

http://www.nps.gov/deva/upload/Morning-Report.pdf
Saline Valley (North) ....... 4x4 high-clearance and all terrain tires required. Patches of snow and potential ice.
Saline Valley (South) ....... Signed CLOSED by Inyo County


There are two way to the racetrack from the south. You'll never make it up Lippincott. Hunter Mtn. can have snow drifts and big mud holes.

 

[Griffindor]

I'm checking my route back for the Day Trip....Rod , I'm now at 75% going. looks like I'm riding solo going back, that's cool.
Also checking how far I can ride with you all. I 'll let you know.
Where is our meet up place for us here from Solano Co.? What is the KSU time?

 

[Banjoboy]

I'm checking my route back for the Day Trip....Rod , I'm now at 75% going. looks like I'm riding solo going back, that's cool.
Also checking how far I can ride with you all. I 'll let you know.
Where is our meet up place for us here from Solano Co.? What is the KSU time?

I may just do a day thing too not sure yet? 3 days would be the max, but that'll put me in DV with the only way home ta slab. (Doupt them Sierra passes will be "bikeable" for this trip?)
I rode down 25 to Coalinga 'n back on one of them BARF rallies last year. It does suck going through the bay area traffic hell twice in one day.

 

[Griffindor]

I really haven't been to the bay area traffic, but I'll take your word for it. I don't think I would like that either. I don't mind slabbin' it to get home sooner than late darkness. Which I think is what's going to happen for me if I ride further than I would really want to on this ride.
I'm still checking my options here.

I may just do a day thing too not sure yet? 3 days would be the max, but that'll put me in DV with the only way home ta slab. (Doupt them Sierra passes will be "bikeable" for this trip?)
I rode down 25 to Coalinga 'n back on one of them BARF rallies last year. It does suck going through the bay area traffic hell twice in one day.

 

[Star Man]

My thoughts: I like the route on Saturday to the Carrizo Plain. I like the idea of camping there Sat. nite. Sunday, I'd rather ride further east and come into DV from the south and work my way north and camp in the park Sunday nite (if I'm going to hump my camping gear all the way down there then I want to use it). Monday is a decision day. Either do a little more exploring of DV and head home for a late arrival or stay and camp one more day or just head home first thing Monday morning and get home at a reasonable hour.

Lots of options on this trip. Weather, dirt road conditions, temps at night, fun factors, get-home-itis, work, etc., will all play rolls in what I actually end up doing.

ps: I could be talked into a room at the Burro Inn in Beatty if someone wants to double up one night. Riding partners and camping buddies are all welcomed.

 

[rodr]

My thoughts: I like the route on Saturday to the Carrizo Plain. I like the idea of camping there Sat. nite. Sunday, I'd rather ride further east and come into DV from the south and work my way north and camp in the park Sunday nite (if I'm going to hump my camping gear all the way down there then I want to use it).

Understood. I wanted a "base" near DV with wi-fi, hot showers and restaurants nearby, and then was gonna do a second night of camping on the way back.

Monday is a decision day. Either do a little more exploring of DV and head home for a late arrival or stay and camp one more day or just head home first thing Monday morning and get home at a reasonable hour.

Lots of options on this trip. Weather, dirt road conditions, temps at night, fun factors, get-home-itis, work, etc., will all play rolls in what I actually end up doing.

Yep, options galore! Everyone gets to do what they want.

ps: I could be talked into a room at the Burro Inn in Beatty if someone wants to double up one night. Riding partners and camping buddies are all welcomed.

I'm willing to share my room. And I think Tim was looking for a tent-mate at Carrizo.

 

[The Smokester]

I may just do a day thing too not sure yet? 3 days would be the max, but that'll put me in DV with the only way home ta slab. (Doupt them Sierra passes will be "bikeable" for this trip?)
I rode down 25 to Coalinga 'n back on one of them BARF rallies last year. It does suck going through the bay area traffic hell twice in one day.

If the northern passes aren't open we are all f'd so man up with the rest of us.

Just got a new pair of pr3's. Broke 'em in with rain, snow and hail on Mines Road today. Where was everybody? Missed y'all at The Junction today. Business was good. Someone came in and paid for $300 of beer. I was the only biker around.

 

[RedwoodRoadDoc]

The twisties on Highway 190 east of Panamit springs is amazing esp during sunset even if we were driving ..have fun ..

 

[NUFC99]

Hmm, seems I've missed a lot on this thread. So it looks like the trip is now sat-wed?. With most people slabbing it back on Wednesday. I'm with Greg on not lumping all the camping gear down for one night, but I'm still thinking that through, I may just spend Saturday night in a hotel also or strap the one man tent, sleeping bags and mats to the bike just to be social an all.I'm thinking I'll head out with you guys Wednesday but I'm not gona slab it all in one day, that don't sound like fun to me plus I have the time, so I may aswell take my time and enjoy my ride home. Hey Will/Griff, why don't you camp Saturday night with us and head home Sunday morning?