22 replies to this topic

[pvstoy]

I'm impressed that you drove up and down Silver Canyon.  Most people would avoid this.  Drove this a few times in a two wheel drive car.  There were deaths while I lived down there that people lost power and rolled down the hill.  It is at 13.7% grade. But a nice short cut.

 

I see a post about a bike race up and down, they do advise you have new brake pads on your bicycle.  https://fatbikemammo...ride-bishop-ca/

 

Did you stop and look at the RR museum at Laws?

 

Enjoying your report!

[craig333]

It was knuckle biter for me going downhill. Steep enough at times I couldn't see the road in the big truck. Uphill looks easier unless you overheat.

[CougarCouple]

Thanks Occidental
Nice trip report. Have y'all been over to the Great Basin National Park. There is a nice campground up top and also the Bristlecone pine.
There are also the Leahman caves. Which spot at Benton did you stay at?

Russ

[Occidental]

Thanks all for the comments!

 

 

I'm impressed that you drove up and down Silver Canyon.  Most people would avoid this.  Drove this a few times in a two wheel drive car.  There were deaths while I lived down there that people lost power and rolled down the hill.  It is at 13.7% grade. But a nice short cut.

 

I see a post about a bike race up and down, they do advise you have new brake pads on your bicycle.  https://fatbikemammo...ride-bishop-ca/

 

Did you stop and look at the RR museum at Laws?

 

Enjoying your report!

 

Well.... I didn't realize how steep Silver Canyon would be until we got started on it.  I studied it on the map and recognized the switchbacks in the 2nd half of the climb so I didn't go into it clueless or anything, but I really wanted to make the shortcut, so maybe I just told myself in the back of my mind "It'll be fine!".  It was actually in great condition and we just putted up in in 4 low without any issue at all, it was an enjoyable drive with great views actually.

 

Thanks Occidental
Nice trip report. Have y'all been over to the Great Basin National Park. There is a nice campground up top and also the Bristlecone pine.
There are also the Leahman caves. Which spot at Benton did you stay at?

Russ

 

I have been over to Great Basin National Park, but most of my time there was as a kid before it was a national park (I grew up a couple hours north of there).  I'd sure like to make it back, especially to hike Wheeler Peak.

 

We stayed in spot #1 at Benton.  It was a great spot with a good view of the sunset, which we watched both nights from the tub.  It doesn't get much better than that!  We ended up stopping there on our way back home we enjoyed it so much.

[Occidental]

Update #3 on our trip is now up. Our next destination was Joshua Tree National Park.  There were lots of interesting things to see there, but it was pretty busy, so overall it wasn't my favorite stop on our trip, but well worth the visit.  You can find that post here:

https://www.occident...shua-tree-2018/

[CougarCouple]

Thanks Occ.
I really like the cacti’s out here, got get over there on a no holiday time.
Thanks for sharing.
Russ.
GBNP will probably be different, went on the Fourth of July, had to camp lower elevation. Was still beautiful, did a day trip up to wheeler. Thanks for site #

[Occidental]

The next installment of the trip is up.  This covers our journey across the Mojave trail, which I really enjoyed.  It was one of those trips where you end it thinking you need to go back to see more details the second time around.

https://www.occident...ave-trail-2018/

 

One more post will finish up the trip.  We went through Death Valley on the homeward bound leg, including a quiet Thanksgiving and a trip over Mengel Pass.  Hope to finish that over the weekend.

[pvstoy]

Thanks for the stories of Joshua Tree National Park,  It is a place that is close to population and can be loved too much.  It has been many years since been there.  5 years in early 70's lived in Twenty Nine Palms and as a family would often day trips and camp in the park.  All most never really a problem with crowds.

 

I read your next section on the Mojave Trail.  Thanks for sharing this adventure.  https://www.occident...ave-trail-2018/

[Occidental]

All, I finished up our trip in part 5, our trip through a portion of Death Valley National Park provided a fine ending to a great trip.

https://www.occident...th-valley-2018/

 

Thanks for following along!

[CougarCouple]

Merry Christmas to you and your wife, thanks for sharing

Russ