My older brother and I are riding through Gallup, NM to Reno, NV on our way to Oregon, and was wondering if a side trip through Death Valley would be worth it in late July? Get off highway 95 and go 160 - Pahrump - 372 - 178 - 127 - 190 - 374, then back to highway 95. It would be damn HOT, and I don't know if that route has any points of interest.

How long out of our way would this take? 3 or 4 hours?

 

I would avoid Death Valley in late July. The temps in the shade can easily be 115+ and when riding the bike, there is no shade. There just seems to be too many potential problems both to yourself and the bike at those temps. I do a ride to Death Valley each October when the weather is more reasonable but even in October I have hit some days when the temps was 104 in the shade. 104 is about the uppermost limit of temps through which I will ride my bike.

 

I would avoid anywhere that started w/Death

 

The side trip would be well worth it ! DEVA is a beautiful NP with lots to see, its one of those parks that should be visited over a 3 day trip. Having said that Spring and Fall are better months but yes you can ride thru there in July, try to plan your trip threw the park either very early in the AM or later in the evening ! Think sunrise or sunset cruise. That depends how you plan your trip. If you do go through the hotter part of the day drink plenty of fluids, stay covered to contain your sweat ! and yes it will be 110+ ! Do your research and check out the parks website !

 

Death Valley is a beautiful area any time of the year, but during the summer months, you will be looking at 110-120 degrees during the day. At night, it may be 20-30 degrees cooler. One of the things you will also need to take into consideration is that the surrounding areas in Arizona and Nevada will only be about 10-15 degrees cooler than Death Valley. If you don't mind the heat and you have plenty of water, it is a great ride. I would suggest you ride one up as the passenger will be catching the heat off the engine along with the heat of the day and may suffer heat stroke. I live in Pahrump and am used to the heat but avoid Death Valley once the temps get above 100. I prefer to visit Death Valley between November and May, especially when the wild flowers are in bloom in the spring. And, as stated in a previous post, plan ahead and ride safe.

 

Death Valley is great. There's a right time, and a wrong time.