Bicycle camping in and around Death Valley National Park 2007
Login
Bicycle camping (bikepacking) in and around Death Valley National Park 2007 Day 1: 55.5 paved highway bicycling miles from Baker to Tecopa Hot Springs, California, mostly on Highway 127
Advanced Search
View Slideshow

Bicycle camping (bikepacking) in and around Death Valley National Park 2007

1. Map of... 2. Day 0: 1.3 ... 3. Day 1: 55.5... 4. Day 2: 34.3... 5. Day 3: 47.5... 6. Day 4: 27.4... 7. Day 5: 31.7... ... 16. Day 13: 55 ...

Random Image

I'm getting a few raindrops from the clouds passing over the mountains ahead

I'm getting a few raindrops from the clouds passing over the mountains ahead

Date: April 22, 2007, 15h15

Day 1: 55.5 paved highway bicycling miles from Baker to Tecopa Hot Springs, California, mostly on Highway 127

I ride from Baker to Tecopa Hot Springs on Highway 127, then along the Old Spanish Trail Highway via the town of Tecopa.

The ride begins at about 925 feet elevation in Baker, drops to about 450 feet along Highway 127 near Dumont Dunes, rises to about 2100 feet at Ibex Pass, then drops back down to 1400 feet in the Tecopa Basin.

Date: April 18, 2007, 09h00
Size: 57 items
nextlast
Up bright and early, I go for a walk up the road to the Bun Boy restaurant for breakfast.

Up bright and early, I go for a walk up the road to the Bun Boy restaurant for breakfast.

I cross the "Baker Bridge" over the wash along the way.

Date: April 18, 2007, 07h27
Close-up of the plywood sidewalk on the Baker Bridge

Close-up of the plywood sidewalk on the Baker Bridge

This undersized sidewalk is really getting worn out!

Date: April 18, 2007, 07h28
Trees with pink blossoms in the wash under the bridge

Trees with pink blossoms in the wash under the bridge

There's even a little bit of water down there in the wash.

Date: April 18, 2007, 08h33
Baker Market, the town's only mom-and-pop store, carries a small vegetable selection and even propane bottles

Baker Market, the town's only mom-and-pop store, carries a small vegetable selection and even propane bottles

There are franchise-style convenience stores attached to the numerous gas stations here in Baker, but Baker Market is different.

Date: April 18, 2007, 07h31
Baker's "world's tallest thermometer" registers a comfortable 61 degrees Fahrenheit this morning

Baker's "world's tallest thermometer" registers a comfortable 61 degrees Fahrenheit this morning

I don't expect to see such cool temperatures often during the next two weeks while I'm out here.

Date: April 18, 2007, 08h06
Baker's lone four-way intersection has a four-way stop, which is great when you want to cross the road.

Baker's lone four-way intersection has a four-way stop, which is great when you want to cross the road.

Walking back to my room at the Royal Hawaiian Motel to pack up and start my trip for real.

Date: April 18, 2007, 08h10
The el-cheapo Royal Hawaiian Motel is overpriced for what it is, but the tackiness of the place has its own special character

The el-cheapo Royal Hawaiian Motel is overpriced for what it is, but the tackiness of the place has its own special character

The Royal Hawaiian Motel is the cheapest motel in Baker, but be ready for special features like clogged sinks and missing light bulbs.

Date: April 18, 2007, 08h21
A flock of birds congregates in the Royal Hawaiian's parking lot

A flock of birds congregates in the Royal Hawaiian's parking lot

Last year when I was here, birds were swimming in the motel swimming pool in the morning.

Date: April 18, 2007, 08h22
Back at the motel from breakfast, the bike is packed up and ready to leave Baker

Back at the motel from breakfast, the bike is packed up and ready to leave Baker

Finally, off on my way!

Date: April 18, 2007, 10h04
On the way out of Baker on Highway 127

On the way out of Baker on Highway 127

On the outskirts of Baker is one of those "next services" signs, 57 miles in this case.

Date: April 18, 2007, 10h11
Highway 127 isn't all that busy, but it does have a lot of big rigs driving it

Highway 127 isn't all that busy, but it does have a lot of big rigs driving it

The first big rig of the day passes me while I am stopped to take photos of the "next services" sign.

Date: April 18, 2007, 10h12
Out on the open road outside of Baker on Highway 127

Out on the open road outside of Baker on Highway 127

Feeling free and light!

Date: April 18, 2007, 10h35
Highway 127 is rather empty once out of Baker

Highway 127 is rather empty once out of Baker

... for quite a few miles.

Date: April 18, 2007, 10h42
Oh look, an oncoming car on Highway 127!

Oh look, an oncoming car on Highway 127!

The rush and commotion of freeway travellers passing through Baker has been left behind.

Date: April 18, 2007, 10h52
I stop for a quick break across from the road that crosses Silver Dry Lake (very dry right now)

I stop for a quick break across from the road that crosses Silver Dry Lake (very dry right now)

I don't really need a break yet, but I want to check to see if my cell phone still works.

Date: April 18, 2007, 11h01
nextlast
Page: 1 2 3 4
Other bicycle camping trips on drycyclist.com:
  • Mojave National Preserve Lanfair Valley Loop Bicycle Camping, Fall 2012 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2012 (15 days)
  • Cady Mountains, Sleeping Beauty and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bicycle Camping, Fall 2011 (8 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve and Area Hiking and Bikepacking, Spring 2011 (15 days)
  • Route 66 and Kelso Dunes Wilderness Bikepacking, Fall 2010 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2010 (14 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping and Hiking, Fall 2009 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bikepacking and Hiking, Spring 2009 (16 days)
  • Henry Coe State Park Bikepacking 2008 (eight days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping and Day Hiking 2008 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Mountain-Bike Camping Xmas 2007 (one week)
  • Henry Coe State Park Mountain-Bike Camping 2007 (eight nights)
  • Henry Coe State Park Mountain-Bike Camping 2006 (four nights)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2006 (two weeks)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 2000 (11 days)
  • Mojave National Preserve Bicycle Camping 1999 (one week)
Contact deathvalley2007 at priss dot org