Day 7: Ride from Monarch Canyon to Emigrant Campground, 30 bicycling miles down and up, crossing Death Valley along the way
I return to pavement and civilization today.
After a brief uphill on the gravel road out of Monarch Canyon to around 3700 feet, it's downhill on paved Daylight Pass Road back into Death Valley, passing Hell's Gate along the way.
I ride across the hot valley on Highway 190 to Stovepipe Wells at 100 feet below sea level, and continue on up to the Emigrant Campground at 2000 feet.
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Date: April 24, 2007, 09h30
Size: 19 items
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One last glance at the camp site before dismantling it and leaving Monarch Canyon
I consider staying another day and doing another hike in the area because I like it so much up here, and there's even drinking water available for me.
Date: April 24, 2007, 09h30
Views: 91
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On the road out of beautiful Monarch Canyon
On the way out, I pass a couple in a large pick-up truck coming down the road, the first people I've seen in two days.
Date: April 24, 2007, 11h45
Views: 59
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I've made it up over the hump on Chloride Cliff Road on the way out of Monarch Canyon
Life will be fun and easy for a while. I begin the ride down from here at around 3700 feet elevation to Death Valley, which is a bit below sea level.
Date: April 24, 2007, 12h00
Views: 64
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Back on pavement
Starting back down Daylight Pass Road through the Funeral Mountains toward Death Valley below.
Date: April 24, 2007, 12h15
Views: 46
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Further down Daylight Pass Road, heading toward Death Valley
Somewhere around Hell's Gate around 2000 feet elevation.
Date: April 24, 2007, 12h45
Views: 62
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Daylight Pass Road approaches the Death Valley Buttes on its way down to the valley floor
I'm noticing that it's significantly warmer here than it was up in the mountains this morning.
Date: April 24, 2007, 13h00
Views: 71
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Getting closer to the bottom of Death Valley
I'm probably about 1000 feet above the valley at this point.
Date: April 24, 2007, 14h00
Views: 68
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Daylight Pass Road passes through some low hills as it approaches the valley floor
I hate it when these seemingly endless, amazing downhill rides actually do come to an end!
Date: April 24, 2007, 14h15
Views: 63
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After the descent down Daylight Pass Road, I cross Death Valley on Highway 190
Highway 190 dips down below sea level as it crosses Death Valley on its way to Stovepipe Wells on the other side.
Date: April 24, 2007, 14h30
Views: 78
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Along 190 crossing the floor of Death Valley
This area is called "Devil's Corn Field."
Date: April 24, 2007, 14h45
Views: 60
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Arriving at the town of Stovepipe Wells at 100 feet below sea level
Stovepipe Wells consists of an old motel complex, a general store, an RV campground, and a ranger station.
Date: April 24, 2007, 16h00
Views: 46
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The ten-ton bike takes a rest at the Stovepipe Wells general store
I get cold drinks and potato chips at the store, and take a $4, much-needed shower at the motel across the road.
Date: April 24, 2007, 16h30
Views: 73
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A plaque on the side of the Stovepipe Wells general store
It commemorates the original "Bungalette City" that was built here.
Date: April 24, 2007, 16h30
Views: 66
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I leave the heat of Stovepipe Wells and head up Highway 190 toward Emigrant Campground
The warning sign reminds me to turn off air-conditioning for the next 20 miles in order to avoid overheating.
Date: April 24, 2007, 16h30
Views: 96
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Heading up Highway 190 toward Emigrant Campground from Stovepipe Wells
I figure that Emigrant camp must be somewhere over there on the fan, since it's just ten miles away.
Date: April 24, 2007, 16h45
Views: 70
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