We awoke to clear blue skies and stillness, beautiful light on the mountains. We packed up our site, and got on the road south to Lone Pine where we stopped at Totem Cafe for breakfast. It was a very ‘Wild West’ themed town! From there we headed left along the Owens Lake bed , headed left into Panamint mountains and into Death Valley. We were surprised to see lots of scattered Joshua trees growing on the way up: we thought they were only in the Joshua tree NP area! The mountain pass gave us great views of the dry dessert wasteland we were entering.
First views of the valley
We stopped at a view point, and opted to ride the dirt road to the very end. We quickly realised the dessert side roads were rough with lots of sharp rocks… A bumpy ride but some nice views.
We then carried on down, passed Panamint Settlement, with its small cluster of green shrubs And up the next mountain pass, over the other side to Emigrant Campground, one I found in our Death Valley guides as being free with water, toilets and tables. We set up our tent in a small but deserted area, sure it was rocky and not a single strip of shade, but we had read the paid ones were no different!
Emigrant camp ground
At least it was tent only and small here. We then looked at options for an afternoon ride. We decided on checking out Rhyolite Ghost town, then the one way dirt road through Titus canyon. It was about 42miles to the GhostTown; nothing is close around here! It was fairly small and run down, but they had a neat ‘open air’ museum with a few cool sculptures.
Glass house near Beatty NV
Last few standing building at Rhyolite ghost town
Artist impression of the last supper
Then time to hit the dirt road. At the start of the 30mile road we deflated our tires, then got going. It started off easy and flat for a long stretch until the mountains started. It then got twisty, rougher and steeper.
Blasting through Titus Canyon
Sunset sky while re-inflating our tires
Really beautiful spot winding through red and brown rugged stone hills. We stopped to have some lunch (leftovers) in a shady patch. We carried on as the mountains got steeper, startled a pair of Big Horn Sheep just before the canyon got really good; for the last 1.5miles the canyon became steep walls on either side of the road. We had to stop often to take pictures, it was really dramatic. As we emerged out the other side the sun was already setting. We pegged to Stovepipe Wells, where we had an average dinner at the only restaurant. I guess we have to be grateful to get any food around here, pickings are slim! We rode back to camp in the dark, where it had completely filled up since we were gone.
A nice mild temperature evening amoungst the rocks
–Zoe
Paramount views all over and the blue sky on top of it ! Amazing and grand !
I bet riding between those high rocks must give a special sensation.
The soft temperatures are making it more enjoyable too I presume.
Getting close to Las Vegas … Is there still a place you haven’t seen round there ?
Awesome sundown you got there !
Waiting for the next story and beautiful pictures.
xx Mum
God, this looks creepy country, no greenery, no water, closed-in canyon.
But the campsite looks good, a bit rocky but flat and with a table and chairs and all that!
The cameras captured the atmosphere very well and the place carries its name to perfection.
In the photo of Zoë at the Last Supper I noticed a few cars, so you were not completely alone there.
Ouf!
Baci da papa