Looking For Advice On Death Valley
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
I stayed at Stovepipe Wells and was not super impressed. The roof on the building my room was booked for got blown off, so they put me in a different room, then charged me the rate for the more expensive room. Thought that was more than a little un-cool. I ate my meals at Furnace Creek, which I liked a lot more. Stovepipe is just a wide spot in the road with very limited facilities. Furnace Creek is an actual resort, with a lot of amenities. In hind sight, I would have paid the extra money and stayed at Furnace Creek, especially if you plan on staying 2 or more nights. Easy access to the better food is worth it.
I went in April and was glad for my cold weather layers. I expect January will be downright cold.
Death Valley has to be one of my favorite trips on the bike. It is an amazing place, way more than I expected it would be. Once you get away from the obvious tourist traps, the place is downright empty. I loved the solitude. I entered the park from Baker, CA and once I got past Shoshone and hung a left on the 178 on my way to Bad Water Basin, I didn't see another human soul until I got to the Bad Water tourist destination. It was a great ride.
One regret is that I was not able to get to the racetrack: I had no interest in taking my Harley on the dirt road there. I plan on going back with the Jeep. My other regret is that I did not allow any time for hiking. While there is much to see from the back of the bike, to really see the park, you need to get off the pavement. When I go next time, I plan on camping 1 or 2 nights.
I went in April and was glad for my cold weather layers. I expect January will be downright cold.
Death Valley has to be one of my favorite trips on the bike. It is an amazing place, way more than I expected it would be. Once you get away from the obvious tourist traps, the place is downright empty. I loved the solitude. I entered the park from Baker, CA and once I got past Shoshone and hung a left on the 178 on my way to Bad Water Basin, I didn't see another human soul until I got to the Bad Water tourist destination. It was a great ride.
One regret is that I was not able to get to the racetrack: I had no interest in taking my Harley on the dirt road there. I plan on going back with the Jeep. My other regret is that I did not allow any time for hiking. While there is much to see from the back of the bike, to really see the park, you need to get off the pavement. When I go next time, I plan on camping 1 or 2 nights.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 417
Likes: 3
From: CT
If this is your first visit to Death Valley, you can see plenty on a Harley staying on roads.
But if you really want to see more, 4X4 is needed.
There is a jeep rental place in the park and a must if you want to see the best parts of Death Valley.
Racetrack and goler wash are great day trips. .
You'll want to go back!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
