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kvdv_imp · 03-09-2017, 07:16 AM

Hey there fellow CB1100 friends! I had a wild notion to tour Death Valley on my DLX this year. I'll be leaving from Seattle about May 11, staying in DV a couple of nights, leaving myself about 10 days or so to get back home. I need some advice from you Cali folks out there...is it worth it trying to follow the Sierras back north via Sequoia NP, King's Canyon, etc, or will it be too early (aka too cold and snowy) for most of that route? It looks like roads and visitors centers are quite high in altitude, and maybe it won't have warmed enough by mid May...I mean, I have heated gear and all, but no snow tires for the bike Smile

I heard y'all have gotten record snowfall this year...
As an alternate, I could head straight to the coast from DV and follow the PCH all the way back to Washington. Might involve a lot less shivering... Any thoughts / alternatives / opinions are most welcome.

LongRanger_imp · 03-09-2017, 07:47 AM

The roads across the Sierra should be free of snow, but they may not be dry in all places, and not all high passes may be open by then (Tioga, others). However, the major passes are maintained year 'round and should be fine. DV will be nice and hot, and the wildflowers should be incredible this year. If you're considering a ride down the central California coast, I believe Hwy. 1 near Big Sur is closed indefinitely due to bridge repairs, but you may want to confirm.

kvdv_imp · 03-09-2017, 08:45 AM

(03-09-2017, 07:47 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: The roads across the Sierra should be free of snow, but they may not be dry in all places, and not all high passes may be open by then (Tioga, others). However, the major passes are maintained year 'round and should be fine. DV will be nice and hot, and the wildflowers should be incredible this year. If you're considering a ride down the central California coast, I believe Hwy. 1 near Big Sur is closed indefinitely due to bridge repairs, but you may want to confirm.

Super helpful - - thanks Long Ranger!

flynrider · 03-09-2017, 10:12 AM

Early May can be hit or miss in the higher elevations in the Sierras. It might be 75 degrees or it could snow (I've experienced both). If I were you, I'd plan the mountain route and keep the coastal route in my back pocket if the weather dictates.

Randy B · 03-09-2017, 04:22 PM

You'll have to plan your route ahead of time to be sure. There are a TON of roads washed out due to land slides right now, and a few with repair times close to 6 months or more due to them still formulating the plan(s) to repair them.
Look up hwy 35 and see what you find. That one is a doosy.

kvdv_imp · 03-10-2017, 07:41 AM

Good stuff, you guys! Thanks so much. Randy...thanks for the tip on Hwy 35...that looks amazing!! If I don't get a chance to hit it this time, I will someday, for sure. I just picked up some Butler maps for So and No Cal too and I'll start studying those for alternates, but it's great to get real live local knowledge Thanks

Randy B · 03-10-2017, 08:28 AM

(03-10-2017, 07:41 AM)kvdv_imp Wrote: Good stuff, you guys! Thanks so much. Randy...thanks for the tip on Hwy 35...that looks amazing!! If I don't get a chance to hit it this time, I will someday, for sure. I just picked up some Butler maps for So and No Cal too and I'll start studying those for alternates, but it's great to get real live local knowledge

This is what I was talking about...

The road is closed indefinitely with a tentative repair time of AT LEAST 6 months.

the Ferret · 03-10-2017, 08:46 AM

Holy Smokes... Evil Knievel could not jump that hole (successfully lol)

Randy B · 03-10-2017, 11:04 AM

(03-10-2017, 08:46 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Holy Smokes... Evil Knievel could not jump that hole (successfully lol)

Yeah, it's pretty bad. They are contemplating a few fixes including a bridge, rerouting the roadway, or building up the earth to restore it where it is.
I tend to think that last one is out of the question and that they will most likely go with a bridge of some sort. The ground just doesn't seem stable enough to do anything else with it at that location.

Elipten_imp · 03-10-2017, 12:08 PM

As a geologist I am here to tell you nothing on the planet surface is stable. Some areas are just less dynamic. That is a highly dynamic area.

What ever the fix is will be for a limited time. But length of time spans is relative. I think in many millions of years.

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