Death Valley February 16-18

[Khunajawdge]

I'm beginning to "think about" a 3 day ride to Death Valley for the President's day weekend (Hey, I'm still working and this is a 3 day weekend for me!).

This ride would begin on Friday, February 16th at the Denny's in Atascadero with a return on Sunday, February 18. I plan to depart Atascadero at 7:30 AM for the lunch stop in Ridgecrest. The route will take us over Highways 41, 58, 178. After lunch we'll continue on 178 through Trona, then over the Towne Pass into Death Valley at Stovepipe Wells. After crossing the Valley, the first night's stop will be in Beatty, Nevada at the Stage Coach Casino. A total day of approx 400 miles.

The second day is a ride south through the park to see the following sights; Rhyolite, Furnace Creek, Badwater, Painter's Drive, Jubilee Pass, Shoshone, with a second overnight at the Long Street Casino https://www.longstreetcasino.com/

(in Nevada) near Death Valley Junction. Probably 200 miles ride from Beatty.

Third day is a ride north through the Valley and out through Panamint Springs to Olancha then south on 395 to the Walker Pass and 178 to 58 for the return. See: https://www.coast-riders.org/ride_log.htm

Total trip should be about 1000 miles for us from the Central Coast. This ride will be cancelled if rain is eminent, however it only rains 3 inches (average?) in Death Valley per year. Have had great runs in past years at this time, just hope it's not too cold! :cold:

Anybody out there want to join me at the start or along the way? :cowboy:

 

[dcarver]

Hey KJ, I'm up for this ride. Sounds like a good, perhaps chilly, pre-tourist DV ride.

 

[BlueStreak-1]

Sounds like a great ride George... Don't know if I can make though... Lots of stuff going on right now... We'll see...

 

[skuehl]

I am interested. I am in So. Cal so I would be coming up the 395. If I can do it I would probably meet you at Inyokern 395/178. Keep me posted.

 

[rickcorwn]

I plan to be in DV a couple of weeks after you guys so I expect a complete trip report Especially if you see any snow in the passes. Have fun!!

 

[FJamR]

I'd love to join you guys also, if only for a day of your ride. I could join up in Ridgecrest or Trona.

I rode Death Valley for the first time last April and it was awesome!!! The road down into Trona is a blast and Dante's View overlooking, I think Badwater is spectacular! (see below)

 

[Khunajawdge]

DCarver, BlueStreak,Skuehl, FJamR,

Great, looks like a ride is forming up! More details later as they form up.

Anybody else interested?

 

[skyway]

Hey KJ, I'm up for this ride. Sounds like a good, perhaps chilly, pre-tourist DV ride.

Double dipping at DV eh? Who could resist this temptation? :dribble:

 

[dcarver]

Hey KJ, I'm up for this ride. Sounds like a good, perhaps chilly, pre-tourist DV ride.

Double dipping at DV eh? Who could resist this temptation? :dribble:

Evidently, not me! The significant diffrence being this DV ride will be one up.. The next will be, most likely, with pillion..

 

[Fairlaner]

Glad to see you gor home ok Don.

i got home about 7.

Richard

 

[Fairlaner]

happy Birthday dude.

Richard

 

[dcarver]

Reservations made.

2/16/07 StageCoach Hotel and Casino $46.95 double bed 1-800-424-4946. Non smoking. 48 hr cancellation.

2/17/07 Long Street Casino $95.25 double queen 1-775-372-1777. Forgot to ask about smoking. 24 hr cancellation.

Note - the Long Steet Casino appears to be booking fast. The 'cheap' parking lot side rooms are already sold out.

Anyone want to split the cost of these rooms? Non-smokers non-snoring types please.

 

[chickey191]

I'll be there a couple of weeks before -

but if the Longstreet is charging so much - just run back to the StageCoach - it ain't that far. Furnace Creek rooms may still be open - furnace creek Inn probably not (but WAY pricier).

Assuming the weather is good - make sure you ride Wild Rose Canyon Rd. when coming in from Trona. But check to see if it is open since the floods from a couple of years ago. There is always a washed out spot at the Trona side before you start climbing - but after that it is a great road.

Death Valley Daze is weekend after next and White Stag (white stagger this year) is that weekend.

WARNING WARNING - if you ride in from Trona - and you come up 395 and take the Trona cut-off you will be riding on a stretch of road that has awesome possibilities for recording your highest speed run on your FJR. Down hill for miles - you can see forever and zero LEO presence (just check for airplanes before you start downhill). I'd bet you could get a skate board up to 65 or so. downhill - typically wind at your back - low elevation - good road. and Gas available in Trona.

slow the hell down outside of Beatty unless you want a performance award.

 

[Khunajawdge]

Hey Don -

I am good with a reservation at the Stage Coach for 2/16/07, and am bringing a deck for a private card game.

However, Thanks to your headz-up, I missed out on the Long Street near Death Valley Junction.

Here's the skinny: The Long Street IS the ONLY food near Death Valley Junction! Death Valley Junction is a set-up for an early morning departure ride (2/18/07) to Dante's View and Zabriske Point (sunrise views) upon our departure toward the west. In my opinion this works better than staying in Beatty the second night!

I have stayed at the Amaragosa Opera House numerous times and am booking a room there on 2/17/07. This place is RUSTIC (because it is 80 years old) and don't expect room service! It has NO food, but....it is MC friendly, and you get to park your bike under an awning in case it rains. Long Street has gas and food 7 miles away. Any one riding this ride at this time, no matter where they stay (near Death Valley Junction) are invited to warm their feet by the fireplace in the lounge the evening of 2/17/07. I'm booking my room at this number; 760-852-4441. Call between 9:00AM and 5:00PM.

Thanks for the input on the downhill Chicky! I hit 95 "once" on my EX 250 on this approach to DV!

 

[Khunajawdge]

NEWS BREAK!

Just for your information. The rooms at the Amaragosa Opera House are GONE!

I have changed my reservation to 2 nights in Beatty at the Stage Coach for 2/16 and 2/17. They still have rooms on these dates and some are doubles @ $61.00/night. Better get this done soon if your are thinking on it! hno-smiley02:

Must be a Bunch of Tourists/Gambler's heading to Death Valley Junction this year?

 

[dcarver]

NEWS BREAK!
Just for your information. The rooms at the Amaragosa Opera House are GONE!

I have changed my reservation to 2 nights in Beatty at the Stage Coach for 2/16 and 2/17. They still have rooms on these dates and some are doubles @ $61.00/night. Better get this done soon if your are thinking on it! hno-smiley02:

Must be a Bunch of Tourists/Gambler's heading to Death Valley Junction this year?

I should change to the Stage Coach for the 2nd night too?

 

[dcarver]

Reservations made.2/16/07 StageCoach Hotel and Casino $46.95 double bed 1-800-424-4946. Non smoking. 48 hr cancellation.

2/17/07 Long Street Casino $95.25 double queen 1-775-372-1777. Forgot to ask about smoking. 24 hr cancellation.

Note - the Long Steet Casino appears to be booking fast. The 'cheap' parking lot side rooms are already sold out.

Anyone want to split the cost of these rooms? Non-smokers non-snoring types please.

Update - cancelled the Long Street. Now have both nites at the Stage Coach. Smoking room (blech). At least it's the same room, won't have to pack and go..

 

[skuehl]

I have made reservations also at the Stage Coach for both nights. Only Smoking left. Not happy about that, of well. What is the plan for meeting up. What time and where.

Trona, ridgecrest, inyokern? Noon? etc....

 

[Fairlaner]

you guys sound like the smoking Nazi's



Richard