Day 14 - Death Valley CA

Miles today: 377

Miles total: 4886

Left Blythe at 6:30 and headed west on I-10 (my only option) to the Cottonwood entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.  Got gas at a combination Chevron/General Patton museum.

Joshua Tree was a nice ride with almost no traffic.  The only downside was that coming up from the south is probably not the best way to see the park; I exited out the north entrance at Twentynine Palms but there is more to see if you continue going northwest. Still a worthwhile ride.

A prime Joshua tree

Cactus forest

From Joshua Tree I zigzagged up to Death Valley. Rode Amboy Road, passing a chloride plant, and briefly went east on the old Route 66 (National Trails Highway) before turning north on Kelbaker Rd.  Kelbaker turned out to be an outstanding road, rode it for about 60 miles through the Mojave to Baker.

Paid $5/gal for gas in Baker.  It’s a sellers market out here.

From Baker rode north on CA-127 and entered Death Valley on CA-178.  This is the hardcore way to see Death Valley, riding up the middle instead of cutting across it on CA-190.  Riding through the desert is one thing but Death Valley is like being on another planet.  Nothing but rocks, sand and heat.

Made it to the lowest point in North America