After the right fork, Gold Valley Road winds across the plateau, then drops down into Gold Valley

I stare longingly at this scene on top of the mountains, really wanting to follow this dead-end road to its end five miles further, down in Gold Valley.

I know that Willow Spring probably has water for me to drink. But what if it doesn't?

I have plenty of water with me to make it through today and part of tomorrow. If I had made it to the spring last night and found it dry, it wouldn't have been a problem. I would just come back over the hill today, which I would eventually need to do anyway.

But what if yesterday's bike problem recurs while I'm down there?

I'm brooding too much about this, which means that the only sensible thing to do is resign myself to the most prudent choice. I'll ride toward Furnace Creek Campground today, in the tourist area of Death Valley. I'll save Gold Valley for a future trip...

I walk back down to my tent.