Death Valley (?!)

[ArisaemaDracontium]

I've been to Death Valley a couple times, but never really got "out there" more than a couple miles from the highway.  Since I'm pretty busy with my business during the warmer months of the year, I'm always looking for someplace well above freezing to ride in winter and early spring.

So, I've been researching off-pavement ride options in and around Death Valley and haven't found much.  Apparently riding bikes on rough roads in one of the hottest places on earth with limited water availability isn't that popular.  Understandable, because  from what I am seeing you would probably have to carry 2-3 days worth of water at times.  But oddly, I can't even find much about 4x4 driving on these backroads to help me figure out some route ideas.  My only real goal is to see The Racetrack, and to stay at lower elevations as much as possible to enjoy the warmth.

Anyone have any thoughts, experience, or resources that might help me?  I have found this map, but its kind-of hard to read this huge PDF on a screen, and I'm trying to figure out where I can order a paper copy.

[grannygear]

I have no good info for ya, but I have often though of getting a Fat Bike and doing the Panamint Range/Valley and Death Valley.  I know the Panamints somewhat well.  Water in many of the canyons.  I like your idea, though

[Buttermilk]

Death Valley is a great spot in the winter and hold lots of good cycling. The snow level is around 6-7k and the nights get cold (30's overnight) a bit warmed in the valley. Plan on traveling on both dirt and paved. All the dirt roads are just that, roads. Don't plan on any singletrack. Any passes over 6k will have snow but everything below will be in excellent riding condition. The best place for info is google earth and the death valley park website. There are some other sites out there...i think deathvalley.com is one. Google earth is the best...the use Topofusion to fine tune. Like you mentioned...water is the major issue. The only reliable water is at established facilities, springs and creeks are almost non existent

Another spot in Cali. for super winter riding is the Mojave nation Preserve. This guy does a lot of riding there and it might be worth while checking out (http://mojave2011.drycyclist.com/main.php). The Mojave will have much more options for sustained dirt adventures with water resupplies within a reasonable time. And the scenery is bitchen because it is the contact zone of three great deserts...the Sonoran, the Colorado, and the Mojave. Its an amazing unknown place.

Where will you be traveling from and when will you be riding? I play in DV every winter so will be glad to help if needed. Either place DV or Mojave will surely be an excellent adventure. Enjoy.

[ArisaemaDracontium]

Thanks for the info slhappy.  Our exact plans haven't settled yet.  I'm thinking we'd fly into Vegas and then take a shuttle/tour bus to DV and just bike it from there.  Right now I'm thinking Feb. 16-26th, but there is some wildfire training in Prescott AZ starting on March 10th that I might go to, in which case we'd move the trip to the end of Feb/beginning of March.

Plans are still really up in the air, I'm just trying to get some base info so I can make some good decisions.  I did find some videos online after I posed of 4x4 driving in the area so I have an idea what the road surfaces are like.

[ImAFred]

Mojave N.P., while all dirt roads, would be a unique(fun) trip for sure... Take a bus from Vegas to Baker, Ca then ride east through the preserve to Laughlin, Nv. and catch a bus back to Vegas. Hmmmm I might have to actually take my own advice and try this myself.

[DaveC]

I think cycling in Death Valley would be very fun in the winter.  Sticking to the rougher, rocky roads as much as possible would be best, as the smoother dirt roads have the most absurd washboard I've ever seen.

FWIW, I drove up the Lippincott road to the Racetrack ages ago in a standard 4x4 and didn't find it at all bad.  The NPS descriptors can safely be taken as hyperbolic.

[TroutGS]

First post here.

I ride adv moto bikes as well as mountain biking and have spent considerable time in DV, mostly out of Panamint Springs, also the adjacent area around Jawbone, Kern River, Bodfish, Lake Isabella. Look to some of the motorcycle websites like thumper talk and advrider for ideas, pictures and routes.