Advice please: ride from Cincinnati to Death Valley NP

[blackbuell]

Over my 52 years of riding, I've been to all of the states of the lower 48 and have visited nearly all of the National Parks. However, I have never ridden through Death Valley NP. I hear it is a unique and spectacular place; would like to check it out before I'm too old for Xcountry rides. I assume timing of the trip matters a lot: don't want to leave home while there is still risk of snow/cold, but don't want to wait until the furnace gets fired up at the destination. Though I'm not fond of interstate riding, I do want to get out west in a hurry, so I can spend more time out there; will likely slab it at least until I get to the Rocky Mountain states. Will probably take the Norge, which has 53K miles on the odo.

I would appreciate suggestions for timing, potential routes, and specific places to visit once I get out there. BTW, I plan to tent camp as much as possible.

Thanks in advance for your feedback,

Jon

[RoMoMoTo]

Jon, a few years ago I did a trip to Death Valley on my Eldo. Camping along the way from Southern Colorado, down to Albuquerque and then west. I left home in late March, woke up in my tent to fresh snow in the mountains of central New Mexico. Once down out of the mountains it was warm enough, and by the time I got to Death Valley it was 104 degrees and VERY windy.

[Kent in Upstate NY]

You want to go in the Spring. The wildflowers will be blooming and the weather will be reasonable.

[Chuck in Indiana]

That's the problem. When it's decent in Death Valley, it can be unridable in Cincinnati. The last trip I took through Death Valley was in February, and it was beautiful, indeed. Need I say Feb in the midwest sucks? I wouldn't even consider the rockies, I'd go as far south as fast as I could and stay there all the way across. If you wait until it's decent riding in the Midwest, it's going to be hot in the valley..

[rocker59]

Yeah.  The nice mountain riding in The Rockies will be too cold and snowy in Feb/Mar.  Even the area between The Mississippi and The Rockies can be dicey in late winter.

The two most direct interstate routes are I-70 which will run you through The Rockies in Colorado, or I-40 which will run you at high-ish elevations in New Mexico.

To hit Death Valley before the temps exceed 100F may require trailering most of the way.  St.George UT or Las Vegas NV. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

What Rocker sez. Put it on the trailer.. no shame in that.

[blackbuell]

Based on the comments, I'm beginning to think a better plan would be to fly to Las Vegas in late winter/early Spring, rent a bike and then ride to Death Valley. I would rather ride the whole way, if possible, though.

On the flip side, I've had lots of experience with hot deserts; used to do field research in New Mexico, southern AZ, and Big Bend NP in the summers; though I don't like to ride in extreme heat, I know how to deal with it. Got some thinking to do.....

Jon

[oldbike54]

The average high temp in Death Valley during the Summer is 110 F or more . Big Bend averages mid 90's . Fly , or trailer if you must travel from Ohio .

 Dusty

[Scud]

If you decide the fly-and-rent route, you would probably enjoy being on an adventure bike. There are a lot of dirt roads in the area.

I live within an easy day ride to the park, and am ashamed to admit that I have never made it there... must go soon.

[oldbike54]

And miss a wonderful trip across!!

I gotta say it ...you guys are getting to be old foggies (sp)..without a doubt!

K

 Not all of us are Desert Rats Mike  Was simply pointing out that temps in Death Valley are considerably hotter than Big Bend or Southern NM during the Summer months .

 Dusty

 

[Mooney78865]

Well, if you decide to run out there, I will be there camping at Furnace Creek in January 19-22, 2017 with a couple other buddies.  I'll be on the Stelvio...

[blackbuell]

The average high temp in Death Valley during the Summer is 110 F or more . Big Bend averages mid 90's . Fly , or trailer if you must travel from Ohio .

 Dusty

Nearly every day I worked in Big Bend the ambient temp exceeded 100 (as part of my research I frequently recorded temps); one week it got over 110 each afternoon. Temps were generally 10 degrees cooler at the Park Headquarters and 20 degrees cooler in the Chisos Mts., but my work was confined to the valley. It would have been nice to have worked in 90 degree temps.

Jon

[rocker59]

Based on the comments, I'm beginning to think a better plan would be to fly to Las Vegas in late winter/early Spring, rent a bike and then ride to Death Valley. I would rather ride the whole way, if possible, though.
 

It's 2,000 miles from Cincinnati to Las Vegas.  I guess it could be interesting running the interstate for two to four days each way, but if the main goal of this trip is Death Valley, trailering or flying might be a good plan. 

The biggest deal for me on this trip is that if it's warm enough to be enjoyable getting there, then Death Valley will be too hot.  If it's nice in Death Valley, it will be cold and wintery getting there from the midwest.  I don't really like 50+ degree temp swings, though I have seen that on rides that were within the borders of Colorado.  On that ride last year (2015 CC1000) it ranged from 35F to 95F.  I had pretty good gear, but when it was cold, I was cold.  When it was hot, I was hot. 

But then, I'm no kirby1923...

[rocker59]

I'm thinking September/October would be a better time to make the trip, if riding the whole way.

I'd also want to add time to the coming and going, so I didn't have to spend it all on the interstate.

There actually is a lot to see in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada on the way too and from Death Valley.

Late September to Early October might make for more tolerable temp extremes, and generally good weather, during the two to three weeks that this trip would take from Cincinnati to Death Valley, and back.  You could still ride in the mountains, with high temps in the 60s.  And, it would only be 90s in DV.

Death Valley monthly average temps.
https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/California/Places/death-valley-temperatures-by-month-average.php

Vail Colorado monthly average temps.
https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Colorado/Places/vail-temperatures-by-month-average.php

Santa Fe New Mexico montly average temps.
https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/New-Mexico/Places/santa-fe-temperatures-by-month-average.php

[blackbuell]

Thanks for the info Mike

Early October looks pretty good; so does early late April/early May. This trip might be possible after all!

Jon

[JJ]

What Rocker sez. Put it on the trailer.. no shame in that.

From Cincinnati, that would be my vote, for either Spring or Fall.    

On a BMW R1150RT, I once rode pass Death Valley in July and it was 114 degrees in the shade...my wife was NOT amused!  (LOL)...It was just silly hot!! 

[rboe]

A group of guys near there meet up at the end of October, beginning of November. I've made the last two gatherings. Halloween is certainly a bad time. Didn't get any sleep that night. The ride to and from (home is Phoenix) can vary. Mornings are cool, then it gets warm, pretty warm in the desert near Vegas. Death Valley was in the high 90's.

Mornings in Death Valley can be cold. When I left, going through Death Valley Junction it was getting close to the 30's. But by the time I hit Baker is was nice. So if you like an early start you'll freeze you patooty off unless you have electrics or more body mass than me :) for the first hour or two. Then by early afternoon it can be too warm.

We had a rally in Dayton Nevada (up the road a few more hours) the month before - Jim and I took my truck, trailered his bike as Nevada is just not that exciting to ride in and it's just too damn hot. Death Valley is about as far as I want to go now with the bike (in the desert, in the heat). We each have our own limits but I gotta say this pickup is spoiling the heck out of me. Props to you if you ride all the way, but I think the smart money is on trucking or trailering. Fly-n-ride is not a bad idea either. On the up side, if you ride; coming from the east, if you have the time, there is some pretty country you can hit then ride down to Death Valley, say from northern California. You can avoid much of the real hot weather in the desert. But the extremes are going to be tough to deal with.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'll take that is a compliment Mike!


Traveling by moto is inherently not as comfortable as by auto or as safe. I sometimes wonder why we do at all.




:-)

Oh, I get your point entirely. 

Jon said,

I hear it is a unique and spectacular place;

and it is, especially with some Winter rains. The desert in bloom is amazing. Unfortunately, it's just not feasible to ride from Cincinnati in the Winter. Sure, you can do it in summer, any experienced motorcyclist can handle the heat of Death Valley.. but it won't be as much of a unique and spectacular place  IMHO.

[ohiorider]

I was fortunate to be working for a company that frequently had trade shows on the West Coast.   Also, other trade shows in which we participated were also held on the West Coast.  Plan your  work ..... work your plan!  So this gave me the opportunity  to rent and ride a lovely BMW R1150R in 1995, and again in 1999.  Death Valley was our base camp in December, 1999, and it couldn't have been nicer.  That time of year, however, the sun dropped below the mountains around 5pm, and the daytime temps began to drop, so the ride day was from approx. 8am until 4pm. 

However, it was just silly fun running the roads in Death Valley,  from riding to Scotty's Castle to riding to the top of Dante's Peak.

Bob

[Tom]

A fly-n-ride from Vegas to Beatty.  Short ride down into the hole.  You can a cheap room there and base your rides out of there for a weekend.  Costs you less in time, hassle and money. 

[twowings]

Of course, there's always the chance of a freak winter blizzard, but they generally plow the interstates first so with the proper clothing (heated under garments for sure) and prep you have excellent odds of making of a successful trip...

Just avoid Oklahoma....don't go there...it's not safe...you'll die... 

[smsw]

I must be missing something.  Depending on how much time you have, and what kind of riding you want to do, were I in your shoes, I would:
*Head south on the interstates - Cincy, to Louisville, to Nashville, Memphis, Hot Springs, Ark.  This route will give you plenty to see if you are taking your time, and there are alternate routes along this path.  Relax in Hot Springs, and then south and west to Dallas (go around the city) and west on I 20, then I 10. You will be far enough south that there should be decent weather, and you can start drifting north to go thru Phoenix or Albuquerque - your choice.  There are enough Nat'l Parks out in this neck of the woods to rival the number of fleas on a camel - pick your route, and you should have decent weather.  I did just this route in early spring too many years ago to admit (in a car) and I must have left Cleveland in February or March.  The flowers in the desert were incredible.  I just pulled off the main road, drove off to a secluded place and slept by the side of the car - no tent, just a sleeping bag and ground cloth (tent stayed in the car).  Would I do that today?  Of course not, but I was young and invulnerable, and maybe a bit dumb. 

All this depends on time available for your trip, your budget, and what you want to see/how you want to ride (slab vs. state routes).  State routes are often pretty boring, but you will hit a lot more towns.  I would think 3 to 400 miles per day on state routes, and 500 to 600 per day on the interstate.  You are going to be in the saddle for quite a few days - I'm not suggesting you push it with 1000 mile days.  YMMV.

[blackbuell]

I am reconsidering this trip to the point of developing an itinerary. Will take the Norge. The departure date is tentatively April 18, but is flexible; will wait for a weather window to avoid getting caught in a snow storm in the southern Rockies. I do want to get out there in a hurry; will spend 4 days and three nights on the road, quite a bit on interstates, some on US highways. Will average just over 500 miles per day; no big deal on a Norge.

Planned overnight stops: Fort Scott, KS, Dalhart, TX, Holbrook, AZ, home base will be Shoshone, CA. Plan to stay in Shoshone for three days while riding in the NP.

On the return trip, I plan to wander; will go where my curiosity takes me and the weather allows; will likely take a week to return.

I have studied the weather history of all points along the way and of the destination; though there is some risk of nasty weather, I should be OK.

Now to get this new-to-me 2007 Norge all prepped to go.

If I bail on this trip (will make a final decision just before planned departure date), I will ride to CO, UT, and WY in late May instead.

Jon

[ohiorider]

Mid-December, 1999 - Jon, several years ago, our company held a trade show in Long Beach.  Once the show was over, A HD riding buddy and his wife rented a Harley in Glendale CA ..... i rented a R1100R Beemer in San Diego.  We'd pre-arranged the rentals.  We met up in Barstow CA that evening.  On my way from San Diego, I detoured up Palomar Mountain to the observatory.  I had it to myself.

Next day, it was off to Death Valley.  We stayed at the Stovepipe Inn, right in the middle of the valley.

In December, the days were cool, and the sun was behind the mountains by 5:30 - 6pm.

We were only there for 3 days, but the riding was fun.  From the Valley floor, 200 feet below sea level, up to Dante's Point, a mile higher.  We simply had fun ripping around the roads that wound through Death Valley.  And we played the tourist role by visiting Scotty's Castle.

We left Death Valley, rode to Kernville, stayed overnight, and parted company next day.  I returned the Beemer to California Rentals, caught Amtrak to LA, and cabbed to the airport.  Then home.

It was a rush, but worth it.

EDIT:  Didn't initially notice this thread was started in 2016, nor did I see that I'd responded in 2016.

[oldbike54]

 Heck Jon , swing by Cedar Vale .

 Dusty

[inditx]

 :1: on Cedar Vale!

[rider33]

I did a trip in April from Minnesota to Death Valley about 10 years ago.  The thing is this: going thru the mid latitudes you might be just fine but you also have a fair amount of variability that time of year which can lead to biblical rains in the plains and some serious snows thru the mountains.   In my case I just cut south in a day to I40 and then west on the southern route.  That improves your weather odds that time of year and reduces the chance you'll be holed up in a motel waiting for something to pass,  'just saying....

[Carlo DeSantis]

I've ridden to/through Death Valley a couple of times from my home in Chicagoland.

The first time, I left home in the second week of May and headed southwest.  I ran into a little snow at elevations (Million Dollar Highway in Colorado), but that was about it.  I recall the ride through DV Park very pleasant weather wise, and spectacular other wise.

The second time, I had been in NorCal and went through DV on the way home.  It was in August!  Spent the previous night in Independence on US 395, and headed for the park early in the morning.  Very different view from the first trip, as the sun was rising and the low light angle lit up the minerals along the road sides.  By the time we exited the park, it was getting pretty warm, but not too bad.  Hydrations is your friend.  Made it through Las Vegas and into Arizona before calling it a day fairly early in Kingman.

Based on my experience, I would shoot for late May and avoid high elevations along the way.  It is eminently rideable from Cincinnati, IMO.  Keep hydrated, start your riding day early, and be prepared to stop early if things get to be too much.

Safe travels, however you do it, and have fun.

Best,

Carlo

[ITSec]

Shoshone is certainly do-able as a base camp, but remember that it is a very long way from most of what is in the park. From Shoshone, you really have only three roads into the park, and one of them is not paved and would test a Stelvio - high-clearance 4WD or lighter dirt bike would be better for that one. It's about 70 miles in on the south park road, and about 90 going up the Amarosa Valley and in on the east (main) park road just to get to Furnace Creek.

Other than Badwater (lowest point) and the south road itself, the majority of park points of interest are in the area around Furnace Creek or are further north. If you can afford the higher costs, you will enjoy your time more if you can stay at Furnace Creek.

Keep me posted on your plans, and I'll come out from Las Vegas and join you, or escort you along the way.

[blackbuell]

ITSec,

Thanks for the info. Would Beatty, Nevada be a more reasonable homebase? I haven't looked into lodging there yet; will later today.

Jon