Death Valley 3/6-3/10

[Wintyfresh 46]

After a long haul out to Butterfield to grab our trailer and up to Death Valley we spent Friday night celebrating SDAR member Daniel's birthday. Given the availability of $11 34-ounce Sculpins we had some short, easy rides planned for Saturday. On the way to Aguereberry Point we checked out an abandoned mining camp, then enjoyed the view.

Afterwards we headed over to the Charcoal Kilns and also saw our first signs of snow. Sadly Mahogany Flats was gated off.

We returned to Panamint Springs for a late lunch and rode over to hike Darwin Falls. After the hike a few of us explored the Argus Range.

Sunday was much more dirt. We headed up Saline Valley, stopping to check out the Boxcar cabin. Up Lippincott for some rocky fun (and a test of the bikes cooling systems) and out to the racetrack, then on to Teakettle Junction and back via Hunter Mountain. This was an incredible route and there was even snow on a few parts of the trail.

Monday we gave our poor, worn knobbies a rest and trucked over to Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, and on down to check out Badwater, Devil's Golf Course, Artist's Palette, Golden Canyon, Zabriskie Point and 20 Mule Team trail. I'll spare you the pictures since they aren't ride related with the exception of 20 Mule Team below which would make a welcome if easy dirt excursion from endless miles of pavement.

Yesterday's trek home took us through Spangler Hills OHV which was blanketed in yellow and purple flowers and the occasional Joshua Tree. We all had a great time and given the miles of unexplored dirt and countless sites we missed (Titus Canyon, Ballarat, and Cerro Gordo to name just a few) we'll definitely be back!