RACE
TRACK
to
(Above) Coming down the "stair steps" is a challenging experience slightly northeast of the Eureka Sand Dunes. (Above right) Map shows the desolation
of Saline Valley.
SalinB VaIIBy trail ridB
• •
orin
•
•
ral S In
into Eureka Valley to vie~ the largest
single sand dune in California, has
always intrigued me. The area crossed
is part of a 400 square mile piece of
desert closed by the BLM. This trail,
a vehicle corridor just a few feet wide,
is far removed from supplies. It usually keeps most bike riders from an
attempt.
The second trail, although short, is
rocky and rough and is the only road
from Saline Valley to the "Racetrack"
couple of friends and let's have a go at
in Death Valley. This byway, called
it.
.'
.
the "bypass," was used on the first
. One traIl, due to the area It crosses,
IS shunned by almost everybody.
annual Death Valley-Saline Valley
Having been in Saline Valley several
trip (Cycle News, Dec. 6, 1978). Sevtimes, the thought of starting at a
eral riders on that excursion said they
skinny-dipping hot spring, riding
would never repeat this section. It's
..1 PlilfAqfRll~~U1If¥ilQnD~Cj~\a
I
~ •WlHiiVi Pw llm lCl ,r~.iJ.~¥lI~'
By Donald E. L. Betsworth
Photos by Donald W. Betsworth
Let's ride two trails that are seldom used.
Both start in Saline Valley, one of the most
desolate pieces of desert real estate around.
How remote? They're not shown on about
90% of the area maps issued.
They end in other valleys visited
f
h
d
on 1y b.y a ew ~arty ~sert
enthUSIasts.. Sound Interestmg?
q,1::.
It does to me. Do an ISDE checkout
~~U~Q' ~.
m
ay a~».~~ei.
QSQr
tough both going up and coming
down and it takes its toll on scooter
parts. Some get left behind. Lots of
Loctite, duct tape and wire are in
order for this trip.
We again used Darwin as our main
base. Tim, one of my favorite friends
who has lived in Darwin for almost
30 years, still puts up with us using
his front yard as a parking lot. Leaving our vehicles and trailers, we loaded
up our modern version of a wagon
train and made ready to "heasl'em up
and move'em out." A friend with a
four-wheel-drive mini pickup had
agreed to transport an the supplies
for the riders to our advance base at
Pal":l Spri~g~.
. O' '. • • ....
~I .T~e.lpg!sJd.C;:!"£
