[bikerjosh]

So only two days back from my Death Valley and White Mountains trip and I'm chomping at the bit to get out again.

I'd like to get a 2-3 (or more?) TWs together to do the whole length of the Mojave Road trail.

Maybe one long day or two with camping thinking of Jan or Feb.

Sound good to anyone?

Josh

 

[lizrdbrth]

It gets pretty nasty here that time of year.



Just sayin'.

 

[bikerjosh]

Nasty in what way snow, rain, yeti's? I figured the temp wouldn't be too hot. LOL I'm more worried about the west end of the trail being too wet or the dry lake that is.

Josh

 

[elime]

January '68, some college buddies and I spent our semester break in the Panamint Mountains (just west of DV) 10 or 20 miles out of Trona and it was windy and cold but we still had fun.

 

[lizrdbrth]

Nasty in what way snow, rain, yeti's? I figured the temp wouldn't be too hot. LOL I'm more worried about the west end of the trail being too wet or the dry lake that is.

Josh

Yetis are cool. They keep the wolverines from eatin yer jerky.



West end is pretty much impassable. I think nowadays Soda lake goes off limits during these months, making for a bit of a different experience as you totally bypass it and Afton Canyon. You may wanna check with Casebier or DesertUSA.



The rest is windy, cold, and cold. East end is 5,000 ft., give or take, snow possible, sub-freezing temps pretty much a given. Plan for all extremes.



Kinda depends on what you wanna do and whether or not it's your first trip, how much you want to see, and how cold you wanna be. lol. Lots of people like to ride the road end-to-end in a day. Hauling butt and riding it like a race you could stay warm from exertion.



Personally I'm kind of a geek, and into the history and scenery of The Road, so two days at low speed would be my minimum.



That said, it could also be sunny and 85 on a fluke. But I know you're coming 400 miles for the trip, just thought I'd give you a heads up.

 

[bikerjosh]

Thanks for the heads up, I have Casebeir's book. Yeah my main concern was soda lake and it's cement like mud. I look at the weather, maybe I'll call in sick and try and do an early December trip.

Josh

Yetis are cool. They keep the wolverines from eatin yer jerky.



West end is pretty much impassable. I think nowadays Soda lake goes off limits during these months, making for a bit of a different experience as you totally bypass it and Afton Canyon. You may wanna check with Casebier or DesertUSA.



The rest is windy, cold, and cold. East end is 5,000 ft., give or take, snow possible, sub-freezing temps pretty much a given. Plan for all extremes.



Kinda depends on what you wanna do and whether or not it's your first trip, how much you want to see, and how cold you wanna be. lol. Lots of people like to ride the road end-to-end in a day. Hauling butt and riding it like a race you could stay warm from exertion.



Personally I'm kind of a geek, and into the history and scenery of The Road, so two days at low speed would be my minimum.



That said, it could also be sunny and 85 on a fluke. But I know you're coming 400 miles for the trip, just thought I'd give you a heads up.

 

[805gregg]

If you want to go to Death Valley you might want to join the ADVriders, they have an annual Death Valley Days rally, this year it's Jan 27-30. Go to Advriders and then to regional forums in the Ca forum.

 

[bikerjosh]

If you want to go to Death Valley you might want to join the ADVriders, they have an annual Death Valley Days rally, this year it's Jan 27-30. Go to Advriders and then to regional forums in the Ca forum.

Yep, part of that website. Just got back from DV, and headed there in Feb with another group.

thanks Looking for new places (to me) to experience.

Josh

 

[lizrdbrth]

I'm actually warming up to this idea (pun intended).



I'd intended to do the road a couple of weeks ago but stuff happened, and I may not get the chance to do it until your timeframe.



Slight logistics problem regarding getting you back to your truck, though. Neither Barstow, its environs or the trailhead are safe places to leave a decent vehicle, and I'm not acquainted with anyone nearby. Avi Casino on the other end would be fine for that, but in either case we still gotta allow an extra half day to either ride the road both directions or take old 66 back to our starting point.