Day 2: 34.3 bicycle miles from Tecopa Hot Springs to Greenwater Valley (upper Gold Valley Rd). Last 18 miles, dirt/gravel road
Another pleasant day in the 80s, with little traffic once I get past Shoshone and head up Highway 178. I leave pavement to ride up Greenwater Valley Rd and Gold Valley Road, I am passed only once by a car on those last 18 miles.
A breakdown slows me down and ultimately prevents me from making it all the way to Willow Spring in Gold Valley.
Starting at 1400 feet elevation at Tecopa Hot Springs, it's mostly flat through Shoshone on Highway 127. Six miles of pavement on Highway 178 take me up to about 2000 feet. Then I ride 10 miles up Greenwater Valley Road's gravel surface to about 3000 feet. The final eight miles climb up Gold Valley Road's dirt to about 4700 feet.
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Date: April 19, 2007, 10h00
Size: 48 items
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Outside the men's "cool pool" at Tecopa Hot Springs campground
I soak in both the hot pool and the cool pool this morning before heading out for Death Valley National Park.
Date: April 19, 2007, 08h30
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Inside the men's "cool pool" at Tecopa Hot Springs campground.
I'm the only one heading for the "cool pool" right now (or else I wouldn't be taking this photo).
Date: April 19, 2007, 08h30
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The stop sign in Tecopa Hot Springs village, looking back toward Baker
The hot tubs and campground office are to the left, the campground to the right.
Date: April 19, 2007, 09h00
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Tecopa Hot Springs campground is not very busy right now
As the summer heat begins to set in during late April, Tecopa Hot Springs campground starts to empty out.
Date: April 19, 2007, 09h00
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Shade in the desert
I'm enjoying a bit of morning shade at my camp site from the (non-native) athel tree near the main road.
Date: April 19, 2007, 09h00
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Leaving Tecopa Hot Springs toward Death Valley
Tecopa Hot Springs Road dips down and passes through Grimshaw Dry Lake, which still has a bit of water in it.
Date: April 19, 2007, 10h37
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There's still some water in this end of Grimshaw Dry Lake
It's always odd to see occasional water in an area as dry as the Mojave Desert.
Date: April 19, 2007, 10h38
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Just past Grimshaw Dry Lake, Tecopa Hot Springs Road heads straight toward the mountains
Just before the mountains ahead, Tecopa Hot Springs Road ends at Highway 127 and one must turn right or left.
Date: April 19, 2007, 10h42
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The end of Tecopa Hot Springs Road at Highway 127
I turn right to head toward Death Valley.
Date: April 19, 2007, 10h46
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A car passes me as I head up Highway 127
The sign ahead reads "Entering Public Lands." It's a good quiz because there's nothing that mentions which public lands one is entering.
Date: April 19, 2007, 10h50
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I pass Furnace Creek Wash Road, which would be a shortcut to where I'm going today, except...
... it's a dirt road and it doesn't pass through Shoshone, where I need to stop for a big restaurant meal and fill up on water
Date: April 19, 2007, 22h48
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I enjoy passing through the badlands between Tecopa Hot Springs and Shoshone.
The lack of plants growing here adds to the surreal feeling of the landscape.
Date: April 19, 2007, 11h02
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More of the badlands between Tecopa Hot Springs and Shoshone
The soil here is so hostile that plants are only growing in the drainage along the road.
Date: April 19, 2007, 11h04
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The badlands let up as Highway 127 enters the village of Shoshone with its restaurant, post office and general store
Note the "DV" (Death Valley) tattooed into the hillside to left of the road.
Date: April 19, 2007, 11h10
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Lunch at the Crowbar Café in Shoshone
A big pitcher of real, unsweetened, iced tea helps combat the heat and boost energy with its caffeine content!
Date: April 19, 2007, 11h53
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