Alone in the Mojave Desert; Death Valley & Mojave National Preserve

[Bronco3738]

As always a great report and fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[dave6253]

I love having an outlet to share my photos of my little rides with so many other motorcyclists from places far and near. It's great to hear so many of you are enjoying it. So thank you to everyone that has responded here in the thread and by PM. Many of the responses help me realize just how furtunate I am to get to ride these areas.

Originally Posted by Rookie_Rider

I love your photos!
and the ride report!

Now I wan't to know how you manage to take the photos when you're riding the bike!

What camera do you use? I don't think I want to use my huge Canon 1Ds while riding, as I'm sure it would cause an accident :)

I've never used the DSLR while riding, only the point-n-shoot. Here's an article I wrote on the subject of Shootin' on the Move in another thread; http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...7&postcount=95

[gagnaou]

Thanks for sharing your ride! Beautiful pictures and amazing landscape!!!

[dave6253]

We hang a left at the highway and head for fuel at Panamint Springs. The KTM doesn't understand RECESSION!





Right





Left




As planned, Willi and I part ways at the fuel station. He was planning to head up Goler Canyon and Mengal Pass, alone. I briefly considered following along. The temptation was strong, but I need to get some miles in today if I don't want tomorrow to be a marathon. In retrospect, I should've stayed for more fun...



I head off alone across Panamint Valley wishing I had all the time in the World.





Right





Left





Mesquite Flat Dunes





I spotted a nice patch of wildflowers alongside the road. If you remember when I went Alone in the Arizona Desert at this time last year it was greener and the flowers were in full bloom. On this trip the desert looked much more like a desert. I think DV will have lots of wildflowers this year, but I was probably 2 weeks too early.


...Smell the Flowers











She grows impatient as I crawl around in the weeds.




























This Year: March 13th, 2011





Last Year: April 3rd, 2010

[No False Enthusiasm]

At least half of your photos are worthy of the opening rotation.

Thanks for the ride.

[mtncrawler]

Fantastic RR

Bringing back so many memories from my trip there last year. I'm feeling homesick.

Keep up the great writing and photos...

[Laser145]

I lived in Tucson for 5 years and seeing these photos makes me regret not riding more of it.

Keep it up!

[dave6253]

.............



These Brakes Feel Wooden
















KBB's




No wonder they thought there could be gold in these hills.











..........



Up





What's Everyone Lookin' At?









From Telescope Peak to Badwater Basin, 11,331 Feet (3368 Meters) of Elevation Change Visible Here















Heading towards Shoshone on Greenwater Valley Road AKA Furnace Creek Wash Road.

[PinkPillion]

Truly enjoying your report and striking photos. Thanks for taking us along.

[gasandasphalt]

WOW, What a neat R/R... Enjoyed every photo and word......Very well done. Thanks

[dave6253]

As I leave Death Valley behind





I start dreaming of a nice warm campground on the banks of the Colorado River near Laughlin.





I should make it by dark if I hustle.
Shoshone provided fuel, snacks, fluids, and friendly conversation with a clerk and an old rider of a 1974 Harley, who routinely rides 100 miles to here just to buy lottery tickets.

I pull out my map book to plan my exit strategy. I found a road with many names that should take me over the Kingston Range to I-15. I knew nothing about this route other than the line and names on the map. Furnace Creek Wash RD, Furnace Creek RD, Smith-Talc RD, Talc RD, Excelsior Mine Rd... Whatever it's called these days?


After a short ride through the wonderful resort town of Tecopa Hot Springs I'm off to see a new road.




The clouds chased me all afternoon. I thought it may rain.





What? More wildflowers? I just had to stop. There was even an overcast sky, which works well for flowers.




Wildflowers attract bees





Spiders





Bugs





and big surly riders.





That's not how to hurry...





Is this better?

[dave6253]

I didn't see anyone else out here at all. It's beautiful country. Why?




The road had turned to asphalt and I was hauling ass. I spotted two lonely barricades on the left side of the road ahead. Thinking they marked a bad pothole or something on the other side of the road I didn't begin braking until it was almost too late.

Son of a...!










Thankfully someone smarter than me had already created a detour.




I was so excited to get back on the road I was again caught speeding by a section of perfectly camoflaged sand. It was deep sand that had washed across the road. My Nemisis! I panicked and did nearly everything wrong. I hit the sand at 50+ mph and the KTM bucked like a bronco and spit me out on the other side. Whew! That was too close. Slow down stupid!


I hadn't really planned to camp again at 4000 feet, but these mountains with no one else around changed my mind. I began scanning the roadside for a suitable spot to settle in for the night. Suddenly, I happened upon the Horse Thief Campground. Free campsites, beautiful view, tables, firepit (though I had no fuel), and a clean pit toilet. Score! Oh, and there wasn't anyone else in sight.





I cooked dinner, took a water bottle bath, and watched the sun go down.














Day 4 Stats

[dave6253]

Originally Posted by moon92

Hey,DAVE~ well done!
Fantastic photos! amazing sight! beautiful color!
I like your RR, thanks for bring so many magic moment!!!


moOn""

I've been following your report also. I would love to tour China someday.

[Sparky216]

Awesome RR....I'm so ready for summer!..Thanks!

[larryboy]

It's been awhile since I've been thru the Kingston Range, nice area.

Lovin' the flower pics!!