Day 5: 31.7 mostly uphill paved miles from Furnace Creek Campground to Monarch Canyon up in the Funeral Mountains
After the slow, scenic ride up to about 3700 feet near Daylight Pass, I descend a few hundred feet into Monarch Canyon on dirt roads.
Today I'm experiencing intermittent pain in my right knee that I've never had before. Perhaps it's caused by yesterday's hike (I don't usually do much walking).
I'm carrying two gallons of extra water in case the spring in Monarch Canyon turns out to be dry, which is making the uphill ride more demanding.
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Date: April 22, 2007, 11h00
Size: 30 items
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I pack my Furnace Creek camp site into the saddlebags of the 10-ton bike
I started the warm morning a little while ago with a ride over to the general store and café to eat breakfast and buy a few supplies.
Date: April 22, 2007, 11h00
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The 10-ton bike is ready to leave Furnace Creek
I've filled my extra two-gallon water bag just in case the spring up in Monarch Canyon turns out to be dry.
Date: April 22, 2007, 11h30
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Leaving Furnace Creek campground and heading north on Highway 190
I'll start my climb out of Death Valley about 10 miles up the highway, on the Beatty Cutoff.
Date: April 22, 2007, 12h00
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I'm here at the beginning of the Beatty Cutoff
It's a beautiful day, probably in the high 80s.
Date: April 22, 2007, 12h45
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A couple of motorcycles speed by
... on Highway 190 near the Beatty Cutoff.
Date: April 22, 2007, 12h45
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Starting up the Beatty Cutoff, the gradual slope of the road makes it look flat
But my pedalling legs are quite aware that I'm going uphill now.
Date: April 22, 2007, 13h00
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A few dips in the road create very brief downhills on the way up Beatty Cutoff
I take a couple of short breaks because my right knee is giving me a little pain.
Date: April 22, 2007, 13h45
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A sharp turn in the Beatty Cutoff road on the way up
Monarch Canyon, today's destination, is somewhere up in the Funeral Mountains that lie straight ahead, a bit further to the left.
Date: April 22, 2007, 14h30
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Looking back down to Death Valley from around 1000 feet elevation, near Keane Wonder Mine
I've just reassured myself that I am indeed slowly rising out of Death Valley.
Date: April 22, 2007, 14h45
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I'm getting a few raindrops from the clouds passing over the mountains ahead
A few murky clouds have been moving around the valley all morning.
Date: April 22, 2007, 15h15
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The rain clouds are moving around quickly
The view of the mountains ahead keeps changing as the clouds roll by.
Date: April 22, 2007, 15h15
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I look back down behind me again to Death Valley
The raindrops have ceased!
Date: April 22, 2007, 15h30
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Getting closer to Hell's Gate (where Beatty Cutoff ends at Daylight Pass Road)
From my maps I figure that Hell's Gate is straight ahead in front of those mountains.
Date: April 22, 2007, 15h45
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Hurray, I've made it to Hell's Gate at 2000 ft and look back down into Death Valley
I'm full of joy now that my first big goal of the day has been reached.
Date: April 22, 2007, 16h00
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I walk up Daylight Pass Road a bit to get a view of the Hell's Gate entrance to Death Valley National Park
A left turn on Beatty Cutoff behind the rock heads down into Death Valley on the road I just came up.
Date: April 22, 2007, 16h00
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