Day 4: 27.4 mostly level bicycle miles from Furnace Creek Campground to West Side Road, with a stop for a hike in Golden Canyon
I'm going to spend a second night here at Furnace Creek Campground, so I leave my tent set up and go for a day ride down Badwater Road after a hearty corned-beef-hash-and-eggs breakfast at the café in the village.
Because my camera died yesterday, I'm glad to see disposable cameras for sale at the Furnace Creek store. I buy some, ride away, and make a random stop at popular Golden Canyon.
I lock my bike to a sign post, hike a couple of miles to Golden Cathedral, then return to the bike. This is my first day in 90-degree heat, so I take it slow and practice drinking more water than usual.
I ride out to the salt flats near Devil's Golf Course off West Side Road, then return early to my camp site and relax. It would have been interesting to ride further down West Side Road, but my water was running out.
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Date: April 21, 2007, 13h00
Size: 19 items
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On my way out of the Furnace Creek tourist area toward Badwater Road
I leave my camp site intact at the campground and I pass one of those ominous "next services many miles away" signs.
Date: April 21, 2007, 12h00
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Near the "next services" sign is another which indicates the road to the Timbisha Shoshone homeland area
The Timbisha Shoshone is the Native American tribe who historically inhabited this area.
Date: April 21, 2007, 12h00
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I've risen out of Death Valley just enough to have a view of the Badwater Basin ahead
I'm still a few feet below sea level.
Date: April 21, 2007, 12h00
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A little further sits the sign for Badwater Road
I've risen almost up to sea level now.
Date: April 21, 2007, 12h00
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Riding down the road toward Badwater
I'm not exactly sure where I'll stop, but I don't plan on going all the way to Badwater on my "day off."
Date: April 21, 2007, 12h00
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I stop at the parking lot for the Golden Canyon trail
It looks busy, but I'll check it out anyway; I've heard it's scenic in there. Since there's no bike rack to be found, I lock my bike to the sign.
Date: April 21, 2007, 12h45
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Starting my hike up Golden Canyon
I should have brought a hat with me, but I was planning on riding around with my helmet on, not going for a walk.
Date: April 21, 2007, 13h00
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Golden Canyon does turn out to be very scenic
I climb up one of the ridges to get a different view of the canyon and tourists in it.
Date: April 21, 2007, 13h00
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Climbing these weird hills of earth is fun
... so I go higher.
Date: April 21, 2007, 13h15
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Hikers walking down below in Golden Canyon
This landscape is so surreal with its lack of vegetation and the different colours of the earth in the area.
Date: April 21, 2007, 13h30
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I climb back down to the trail in Golden Canyon
I keep walking. It's really hot in this canyon!
Date: April 21, 2007, 13h30
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I arrive at a sign
I can continue straight ahead or turn right up a trail that climbs up to the Zabriskie Point look-off above.
Date: April 21, 2007, 13h45
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The trail looks like it will end soon
I can see why that wall of rock is called Red Cathedral.
Date: April 21, 2007, 14h00
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The trail passes through some narrows
I think this is still part of the trail, not entirely sure, but it doesn't really matter.
Date: April 21, 2007, 14h15
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Next to Red Cathedral
I climb the hill for the dramatic, constrained views. Another visitor is doing the same.
Date: April 21, 2007, 14h15
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