High Desert Ride

[LongRanger_imp]

Not far from downeck's post at Fort Irwin is the little town of Baker, CA, along I-15. It's home to the world's tallest thermometer. I've seen it read 116 degrees on several occasions. Baker is on the route to Death Valley from L.A.

Last time I was in Baker, I was chatting with a guy who owns the only towing service in town. He makes a killing towing folks in their RV's who overheat on the climb up Halloran Summit just east of town on their way to Las Vegas. This stretch of I-15 climbs 3,000' in 19 miles and the grade is very deceiving, but very real. Vehicle fires are not uncommon and you can see evidence of burned-out vehicles all the way up the grade.