Bicycle camping in and around Death Valley National Park 2007
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Bicycle camping (bikepacking) in and around Death Valley National Park 2007 Day 2: 34.3 bicycle miles from Tecopa Hot Springs to Greenwater Valley (upper Gold Valley Rd). Last 18 miles, dirt/gravel road
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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 ...

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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.

Date: April 18, 2007, 08h10

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.

Date: April 19, 2007, 10h00
Size: 48 items
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Outside the men's "cool pool" at Tecopa Hot Springs campground

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
Inside the men's "cool pool" at Tecopa Hot Springs campground.

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
The stop sign in Tecopa Hot Springs village, looking back toward Baker

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
Tecopa Hot Springs campground is not very busy right now

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
Shade in the desert

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
Leaving Tecopa Hot Springs toward Death Valley

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
There's still some water in this end of Grimshaw Dry Lake

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
Just past Grimshaw Dry Lake, Tecopa Hot Springs Road heads straight toward the mountains

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
The end of Tecopa Hot Springs Road at Highway 127

The end of Tecopa Hot Springs Road at Highway 127

I turn right to head toward Death Valley.

Date: April 19, 2007, 10h46
A car passes me as I head up Highway 127

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
I pass Furnace Creek Wash Road, which would be a shortcut to where I'm going today, except...

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
I enjoy passing through the badlands between Tecopa Hot Springs and Shoshone.

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
More of the badlands between Tecopa Hot Springs and Shoshone

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
The badlands let up as Highway 127 enters the village of Shoshone with its restaurant, post office and general store

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
Lunch at the Crowbar Café in Shoshone

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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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