Death Valley

[J. Cadena]

Can someone recommend a nice two day route from San Bernardino, Ca. and around Death Valley. I want to take my VFR there for two days in January for the first time but it looks like a very isolated place and I don't want to get lost.
Also, where is a good place to stay overnight, a motel or camping ground?

Thanks in advance to all of you.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

So far nobody has risen to take the bait, sooo , I'll bite.
With Fontana CA as your starting point you are virtually in the "suburbs " of death valley, and to say that DV is "remote" kind of missrepresents reality. There are all kinds of roads leading there which are a cinch for you on a VFR , no danger of ever getting lost- just follow the tour buses, and read the road signs.
For a nice 2 day tour, counterclockwise from Fontana pick a couple of days where the weather forecast for the deserts is mild and sunny,then you could either speed north on I-15 to Baker, or take the more scenic and fun route east via I-10 to Palm Springs then turn off onto state hi-way Cal 62 through Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, and there turn north-east-north on the county highway to Amboy and onward through the Mojave to Kelso and Baker.This long route 215 miles to Baker is all fun ,good paved road and should get you to Baker for lunch at The Mad Greek . Gas up here, and regularly so you won't exced your tank's range.With your VFR you should have no problems, gas available regularly
Then from Baker go north on Cal 127 and after an hour or less turn west after Shoshone onto Cal 178 which will drop you down unto DV for a ride along many points of interest . Gas, food , camping available at Furnace Creek and a lso at Stovepipe wells. Pick either campground for the night .
Second day from Stovepipe Wells stay on Cal190 west upand over teh Panamint Mts. into Panamint Valley ,then south on Cal 178 through Trona and onward to Randsbug/Johannesbug/Red Mountain , a trio of old mining towns with some neat junk and small roads to explore. After that just rip south on US395 to San Bernardino.
Total mileage for the two days will be about 600 mi., could be more if you do a lot of sidetrips .All these roads- been there
Now a question- why so timid about what is basically a simple weekend ride? I always kind of had the impression that in California most kids would jump into this kind of ride about two weeks after getting their bike license.This is about adventure travel , go for it.

[John Ferris]

Depending on the dates you are going it could be hard to find lodging or camping in Death Valley.
It is a very popular place in the winter. check the link below.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/

Many motorcycle clubs have Death Valley rides in January or February.
Most of the time they will be on Holiday weekends like MLK Day January 13-15,
Presidents Day February 17-19.

You may want to look at lodging in Beatty, NV. if DV is full.

[J. Cadena]

Thanks for your answer Bakker and Ferris.I supposed it is a short and easy ride but I have no experience on riding out of the city. My longest ride is Fontana to Monterey for the GP weekend so I'm still scare of long rides specially in isolated places. I dream of riding to Alaska and Tierra del Fuego so I'll have to start with this.
Thanks again guys...

[Paul Narramore]

As has been said, it isn't at all daunting. I was in Death Valley in August - 118f in Badwater, the deepest place in North America, 250ft below sea level. Stayed the night at Stovepipe Wells - 104f at midnight. My second visit there. Quite a place.