In December of 2019 Paul was itching to drive BAT somewhere and with Christmas preparations approaching we agreed that Paul should make a solo trip somewhere and get out of Maggie’s hair.
Paul continues the narrative….The Death Valley National Park has become one of my favorite venues for trips in my Land Rovers so it seemed only natural to take BAT there too to get some trail time on him. My first stop on the way to Death Valley was Alabama Hills near Lone Pine. This is a place that I always wanted to check out and a see why people talk about this place. Many Western movies were shot in these hills. While I only stayed one night I did enjoy a great walk the next morning exploring the rocks near my disbursed camp location.
Next it was north to the Eureka sand dunes which I had climbed several years ago with Land Rover friends but this time a solo climb was in order. If you have ever climbed a dune you will know that it is not easy. For every three steps forward the dune moves you two steps backwards so progress is slow and quite tiring. The view however is still spectacular.
After a night at Eureka Dunes, I made my way back through the North Pass and onwards towards the springs in Saline Valley. Firstly however I had to traverse the snow in the pass. The road always shows closed, for legal reasons I believe, so the county is not obligated to come and rescue you. Having bypassed the sign I headed off into a winter wonderland.
BAT performed well in the snow and although I proceeded cautiously, never once did I feel him slip a wheel or hesitate in anyway.
Those of you who have traveled along this road will know this art work. The desert seems to inspire some to produce these unusual ornaments. I have to say that I like this one.
Having visited the famous springs many times, I finally check off hiking this nearby cinder dome with its famous ‘Peace’ sign.’ The springs is also famous for being on the training route for many low flying military planes who delight at buzzing the desert denizens soaking in the pools. You never hear the planes coming but you will certainly hear them once they are past you! I have even witnesses jets climbing vertically immediately after having ‘buzzed’ an unsuspecting suspect.
Time for a quick lunch stop at the salt tram terminus.
Over night camp spot in the ‘Triangle’ among the Joshua trees. BAT likes to hide while enjoying a view of the snow capped mountains behind.
The next day BAT poses for the obligatory shot by the official park sign. Then it’s onto a place I have always wanted to visit but never did.
The famous Charcoal Kilns
After spending there night, I set off the next morning to explore Aguereberry point. Again another spot that is quite famous but that I had never visited. Death Valley is so large that despite many trips there is still so much to explore.
The view from the top was fantastic.
A trip through The Devil’s Golf Course and onto West Side road to spend another night before exploring Hungry Bills. Again another spot on my list that I have never made the time to explore before now. This time however was going to be different. Having driven up the canyon for several miles I parked BAT and transferred to my UBCO bike.
“Now where did I leave BAT?” It’s amazing that something as big a BAT can disappear in the vastness of Death Valley.
With BAT found and the UBCO loaded back on the rack, it was off down the alluvial fan and onto West Side road heading south. The trail is long and the evening was drawing in so I stopped for one more night’s camp just to the side of the trail. I am sometimes asked if I get lonely on solo trips and while it’s great having company, solo trips are fun too just in a different way.
The next morning it was off south in search of Interstate 15 and the way home. However there was one more detour in store before the trails end.
Yes there is water in the desert, you just have to know where to find it.
Endless Trail Expeditions 