Death Valley, Entering from the 178/190 south entrance.

It's time for Death Valley again...

Death Valley entering from the south entrance I love the Death Valley ride twice a year fall and spring so Let's get away from all the traffic in the inland empire and enjoy Death Valley again!

This desolate place has the reputation for being the lowest, hottest, driest and most unforgiving place in the northern hemisphere. It's a reputation that has been repeatedly earned, especially in the summertime. However, there are times, when this place can be enchanting for the prepared. Spring is a great time to visit Death Valley. The temperatures are cooler, and the landscape looks extraterrestrial. The plant variety includes Gravel ghost, phacelia, rock daisy, pin cushion, and brown-eyed evening primrose. Life finds a way even if the rainfall is less than 2" per year.

In spite of the high temperatures and limited rainfall, Death Valley exhibits surprising biodiversity. Wildflowers, fed by melted snow, cover the desert floor each spring. Animal life includes bighorn sheep, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, and wild burros. Death Valley has over 600 springs and ponds. Salt Creek, which is a mile-long shallow creek has pupfish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDlji7FO2OY

When borax was discovered, it took two horses and eighteen mules to pull their load over a distance of 165 miles to Mojave which took them ten days. Eventually, a railway was built. In 1881 Harmony Borax Works (near Furnace Creek), which is now partly restored and open to visitors, came into operation. Others soon followed. Although Death Valley has been a "National Monument" since 1933, borax can still be mined within its boundaries, but only underground.

Details:
This is an overnight ride. The Free Riders will meetup at Bakers Drive Thru @9:30am located at 1310 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. We will leave there at 10:00 am. Arrive early if you wish to indulge in breakfast there. We will travel north 215N, 15N, 395N, Right on Trona Rd. Turn Right on CA-178E/Trona Rd. Turn left onto Panamint Valley Rd. Turn right on CA-190E towards Furnaace Creek Lunch at Stovepipe Wells. After lunch we will head E on 190 to Scotty's Castle Road N to the Ubehebe Crater...if Scotty's Castle if open we can visit it too, then onto Beatty and stay at the Exchange Club Motel (newly remodeled) the address for the motel is 119 West Main Street Beatty NV 89003 Phone number is (775) 553-2333 and they do offer triple A or military discounts....there are other hotels in the area too if you want to stay in a different location.

Gas and convenience products are available in the park at Furnace Creek Ranch, Stovepipe Wells Village, and Panamint Springs Resort, we will stop as needed for Gas and bathroom breaks about every 100 miles.

After Breakfast on Saturday, we will depart Beatty and head into Death Valley from the north side. The interesting places that we will visit are Death Valley Junction, Dantes View, the Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Bad water, Artist drive, Zabriskie Point, and Ubehebe Crater. Later in the day, as we exit the park on the west side, we will seek refuge at the Dow Villa located at 310 S Main, Lone Pine, CA 93545 phone number is 760 876 5521. winter rates are reasonable in both Beatty and Lone Pine.

We usually make a run to visit the Alabama Hills and the Mount Whitney portal before heading home if the road is open.

Friendly advice:
Bring extra water, pack some snacks and check those tires, bring warm cloths it usually gets cold before we reach Lone Pine. Make sure your rubber is good. God favors the prepared. Murphy does not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU8NNFwyoHg

Okay Free Riders. Bring your camera, bring your gear, and bring a friend. If you signed up for adventure, this trip will not disappoint!!