Author Topic: Grand Canyon & Death Valley  (Read 7858 times)

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Offline Fanwaar

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Grand Canyon & Death Valley
« on: July 15, 2009, 04:49:09 pm »
I will be rolling out of Ushuaia in November and spending the next 18 spinning my way up to Prudhoe Bay. I have recently been planning my route through the USA and was wondering whether anyone could give me some opinions or advice on plotting a course from the Eastern edge of the grand Canyon over to Las Vegas, up through Death Valley and into Yosemite?

I know there are cycling restrictions in Grand Canyon National Park that make a direct route difficult.
Also, does anyone have any thoughts on the availability of water along this section of route (Death Valley being an obvious concern).

My complete US route will be taking me from Tecate, up to the Grand Canyon, across through Las Vegas, Death Valley, up through Yosemite, over to San Francisco and then up the Pacific coast all the way to Canada. This will involve sections of the Southern Tier, Grand Canyon Connector, Sierra Cascades and Pacific Coast Adventure Cycling routes.


Offline scott.laughlin

Re: Grand Canyon & Death Valley
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2009, 09:44:18 am »
Take water.  There's not much surface water in the areas you've mentioned.  What you take with you may be all you have.  I've seen many of the desert travelers use the a couple water bladder inserts for extra storage.  When they are empty they don't take much room to store.  Depending on the time of year you travel in these area, you may need as much two gallons per day.

 


I will be rolling out of Ushuaia in November and spending the next 18 spinning my way up to Prudhoe Bay. I have recently been planning my route through the USA and was wondering whether anyone could give me some opinions or advice on plotting a course from the Eastern edge of the grand Canyon over to Las Vegas, up through Death Valley and into Yosemite?

I know there are cycling restrictions in Grand Canyon National Park that make a direct route difficult.
Also, does anyone have any thoughts on the availability of water along this section of route (Death Valley being an obvious concern).

My complete US route will be taking me from Tecate, up to the Grand Canyon, across through Las Vegas, Death Valley, up through Yosemite, over to San Francisco and then up the Pacific coast all the way to Canada. This will involve sections of the Southern Tier, Grand Canyon Connector, Sierra Cascades and Pacific Coast Adventure Cycling routes.



Offline MrBent

Re: Grand Canyon & Death Valley
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2009, 11:55:20 am »
Of course, a lot depends on the time of year.  I can't recommend you go through Death Valley in the summer.  It frequently tops 120 deg. F.--in the shade.  I've frequently ridden through DV in the winter and love it.  Rarely down to freezing, days typically in the low 60's--nice.  The greatest distance between water sources is no longer than 72 miles, that's riding from Shoshone in the south and over Salsberry Pass, which is a highly recommended route, btw.  Unless you get caught in some sort of storm--very unlikely--you'll only find water at the main areas marked on any road map--Shoshone, Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs.  Other than that, suck on rocks.

Have a great adventure, but try for as late in the year as possible--Nov. through March.

Scott

Offline aggie

Re: Grand Canyon & Death Valley
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2009, 01:06:59 pm »
There are a couple of options to getting to Las Vegas from the ACA Grand Canyon Connector.  At Ash Fork, AZ go west on I40 until you get to exit 139 - Crookton Rd.  Follow Crookton Rd which becomes Route 66.  Take this all the way into Kingman, AZ.  Route 66 connects with Hwy 93.  Take 93 north.  This will take you over the Hoover Dam into Boulder, NV, Henderson NV and Las Vegas.  (You could also take I40 all the way into Kingman.)  I haven't been on Hwy 66 so can't say what is on that road but Hwy 93 is a divided hwy almost until you get to the Hoover Dam.  There is a least one place, Dolan Springs - slightly off the hwy, where you can get water. 

You could also follow the Grand Canyon Connector to La Verkin, UT.  Then take Hwy 9 through Hurricane until you get to Hwy 212.  Take 212 into the Washington/St. George, UT area.  Then you two options.  You could take I15 south of St George, through the Virgin River Gorge, all the way to Vegas or you could take the road through Santa Clara, UT (route 18 and 8).  This turns into old hwy 91 and dumps you onto I15 at Littlefield, AZ.  Then follow I15 into Las Vegas. 

Once you are in Las Vegas you want to get to hwy 160 (which is also called Windmill in the cities south of Vegas).  It also the road to Pahrump, NV.  Then take hwy 372 (becomes 178 in CA) to Shoshone, CA.  Follow 178 into Death Valley.  The road takes you past Badwater which is the lowest point in North America.  You will then run into hwy 190.  Follow this north then west to hwy 136 to Lone Pine, CA and hwy 395.  You can then take this North to hwy 120 in Lee Vining.  120 will take you over the Sierra Mtns into Yosemite.  Be aware that the mountain road/passes are closed in the winter time as they are not plowed/maintained.  If you arrive in the winter you will have to head south on the 395 until you get to hwy 58 (not sure if hwy 178 is open in the winter) and go through Bakersfield.  You can then head north to get to Yosemite.  After Yosemite you have a couple of other options to get over to the coast so you can follow Hwy 1.

In Death Valley a map may indicate that you can take Racetrack Valley Rd and Death Valley Rd to leave the park.  I DO NOT recommend this road.  It is a poorly maintained dirt road that will see you pushing your bike through 6 inches or more of sand.  It can be a little dicey with a four wheel drive vehicle.  There is absolutely no water stops or shade.  You might see 1 or 2 vehicles if you are lucky. 

As was said earlier carry plenty of water.  There are some spots where water stops are few and far between.