Reached Mammoth Lakes, California

The day after our previous post we entered Death Valley National Park. Starting early in the morning, when it was still relatively cool, we climbed Salsbury Pass (1010 m) to the park boundary, followed by a long downhill, a hop over Jubilee Pass (390 m) and a further downhill to the Badwater Valley. There we were confronted with a stormy headwind, which made our progress slow and exhausting. We passed by the lowest point of the USA, Badwater basin (-86 m) and camped in Furnace Creek. We continued through the park to Stovepipe Wells, passing by the Mesquite Sand Dunes. Climbing out of the park over the two high and steep passes turned out to be too strenuous and after staying a night in Stovepipe`s motel, we accepted a ride to Lone Pine, where the temperature was more comfortable for cycling. We headed north on the US395, via Bishop to Mammoth Lakes with a beautiful scenery of the Sierra mountains on our left.

Entering Death Valley National Park

Badwater Basin (Death Valley NP)

Escaping the heat in Stovepipe Wells (Death Valley NP)

Owen Valley, California

Owen Valley, California

Reached Shoshone, California

After a long flight we arrive in Las Vegas at night. After assembling our bicycles we cycle to a nearby hotel. The next morning we cycle along the famous Las Vegas strip. We then head towards Pahrump. From Las Vegas we have a big climb to the top of the Spring Mountain Pass of 5500 feet. Just after this pass we pick a place in the middle of the desert to pitch our tent in the wild. We notice a small rattle snake just passing near our campsite. Next morning we depart early and cycle through Pahrump to Shoshone. We now left Nevada and are now in California. We now have cycled 152 km in these two days.

The Strip in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas welcome sign

Into the Nevada desert