Start before dawn at Badwater Basin to feel the morning light sweep across the salt flats — ride out onto the flats for photos and a short walk to the lowest point in North America, then head north on Badwater Road with stops at the Devil's Golf Course lookout and the Badwater salt pan for quick maintenance checks and water resupply. The cool morning air makes it ideal for dialing suspension and tire pressures for the day's mixed pavement and graded dirt, and a detour to Artist's Drive/Palette Canyon offers a slow, scenic stretch to warm tires and cameras.
After lunch at Furnace Creek (or a packed picnic near Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes), tackle nearby gravel connectors toward Natural Bridge and the short, technical washroad loops into the Panamint foothills for exploratory singletrack options and layered views of Telescope Peak. Pause at Zabriskie Point for sweeping, late-afternoon light on the badlands, then ride the quiet length of Highway 190 back toward Furnace Creek, taking care through occasional soft sand and wildlife crossings.
Arrive at Furnace Creek in time to cool off, refuel, and check into your lodging or campsite; enjoy a sunset cocktail or cold drink on the shaded patio while swapping notes on lines and scenic highlights from the day's gravel sections. Finish with a relaxed walk among the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes under early evening skies, followed by dinner at The Inn at Furnace Creek or a campfire meal while planning tires and fuel for tomorrow's Panamint Valley loops.
Roll out from Furnace Creek at first light and ride the graded dirt spine toward Panamint Valley, stopping at the crossroad near Towne Pass to check lines and soak in the wide desert basin views framed by the Panamint Range. Explore a couple of short gravel loops that thread old mining spurs and dry washes, pausing at the historic Panamint City access points and a favored overlook for photos of Telescope Peak before topping off water and fuel at Lone Pine if needed.
After a packed lunch in the lee of a windbreak, continue south toward Saline Valley Road and tackle the long, remote approach into Saline Valley — pick your lines through alkali flats and washboard gravel while keeping an eye out for geothermal vents and the classic Saline Valley hot springs access (respecting private soaking areas). If conditions allow, detour onto the steeper washroad up into the eastern Panamints for sweeping vistas back over Death Valley and a short recon of singletrack options for lighter bikes.
Return to Furnace Creek or camp beneath the valley stars near the Panamint foothills, trading stories of technical washes and gravel rhythm over a sunset beer or camp stove dinner; watch the light fade across the salt flats and mountain silhouettes. Use the evening to inspect tires and chains, refill spare fuel and water, and plan tomorrow’s dirt connectors toward Lone Pine with fresh notes on route choices and any preferred technical sections to revisit.
Leave Furnace Creek at first light and ride the graded dirt connectors northward, breaking camp and letting the desert heat lag behind as you climb toward Warm Springs or Towne Pass approaches; stop for a quick photo and tire-pressure check at the Panamint Range foothills before descending toward Walker Pass alignments. Enjoy a short detour onto an old mining spur or washroad for dramatic views back across Death Valley and a glassy-morning perspective of Telescope Peak as you head for the Lone Pine basin.
After a picnic near the Mesquite Flat outlook or a packed lunch en route, drop into the Owens Valley corridor via Ghost Town Road or other gravel spurs, threading mountain shadow canyons and sagebrush flats while watching the Sierra crest rise ahead. Roll into Lone Pine with time to explore the Alabama Hills talus and movie-country arches on lighter singletrack or graded dirt — a perfect afternoon to scout scenic photo lines and short technical sections for tomorrow’s riding.
Settle into Lone Pine in the early evening, refuel at a local diner and check chains and spare fuel after the day’s washboard stretches, then stroll among the iconic Mobius Arch and the Alabama Hills boulder fields to catch sunset on Mount Whitney’s eastern face. Share route notes over dinner, re-pack gear for higher-altitude gravel tomorrow, and enjoy a clear high-desert night beneath stars that mark the transition from Death Valley’s basin to Sierra high country.
Head out from Lone Pine at first light to spool through the Alabama Hills, parking briefly at the Mobius Arch and Movie Road pullouts for sunrise photos of Mount Whitney. Shift into dirt mode on the graded gravel spurs that snake through the talus fields, using the cooler morning hours to scout short singletrack options and rocky lines around Corral Canyon before topping off fluids in town.
After a picnic lunch in the shade of the hills, ride the gravel approach up toward Convict Lake, choosing between the scenic paved turnup for a relaxed lakeside stop or the rougher dirt connector that climbs toward New Army Pass for more technical, rocky fun. Spend time walking the Convict Lake shoreline, swapping notes on yesterday’s washes, and—if the group wants—recon a short offroad climb for panoramic views of the Eastern Sierra and the Owens Valley below.
Settle into camp or the Convict Lake Lodge as evening cools, rinse off dust, and enjoy dinner with a view of the lake and jagged peaks reflecting last light. Use the quiet hours to check suspension settings and tire wear for the Sierra foothill crossing tomorrow, then relax under high-desert stars while planning the early departure toward Bishop and the Tonopah route.
Leave Lone Pine at first light and thread back through the Alabama Hills for one last view of Mount Whitney before climbing onto the gravel uplands toward Diaz Lake and the Owens Valley floor; use the cool morning to tackle rocky spurs and a short reconnaissance of the New Army Pass approaches if the group wants one more technical taste of Sierra talus. Stop in Bishop mid-morning to refuel, stretch at Laws Railroad Museum if time allows, and top off water and snacks at a local café before turning east toward the high desert.
After lunch in Bishop, ride the rolling gravel and dirt connectors eastward, following sagebrush-lined county roads and abandoned mining spurs that gradually transition into the flat, wide basins heading for the Tonopah corridor; pick scenic sidetracks to inspect old cabins or dry creek crossings and keep an eye out for pronghorn and raptors. As the afternoon wanes, begin threading the longer Nevada approach roads—long washboard stretches and graded two-tracks—testing suspension settings and conserving fuel for the remoter miles to come.
Find a sheltered campsite beneath wide western skies or book a small-town motel as you push into eastern Nevada approaches, enjoying a simple camp stove dinner or local diner meal while swapping notes on washboard rhythms and preferred lines from today’s connectors. Use the cool evening to inspect tires and chains, refill jerry cans and water, and lay out the next day’s Great Basin backroad options toward Ely while watching the Milky Way climb over distant ranges.
Break camp at first light and head east across sage-and-sagebrush basins, picking up long graded two-tracks that thread between the Monitor and Toquima ranges; stop at a historic mine shack or a lone windmill for photos and to top off water while listening to the wide-open silence of the Basin. Dial back tire pressures for the washboard stretches and enjoy a relaxed coffee break at a scenic pullout near the Pancake Mountains before pushing on toward the Harrison Pass corridors.
After a packed lunch under a juniper or alongside a dry playa, tackle a series of remote gravel connectors toward Ely, choosing between higher ridgeline spurs for sweeping views or lower valley runs that pass old stage stops and collapsed cabins—keep an eye out for pronghorn and sage grouse. Make a fuel-and-supply stop in Ely if needed, or park briefly at the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park for a short walk and a glimpse into the region’s mining history before the next stretch of backroad miles.
As the sun drops, pick a sheltered campsite beneath a wide Nevada sky or roll into Ely for a motel and a hearty dinner at a local billiards room or diner, swapping notes on washboard lines and favorite spurs from the day. Use the cooler evening hours to grease chains, inspect tires and fuel cans, and plan tomorrow’s push toward the Utah/Colorado approaches while watching desert stars and distant range silhouettes darken.
Leave Ely after a hearty diner breakfast and fuel stop, rolling east on gravel ribs that climb toward the Schell Creek and Egan Range foothills; pause at the Ward Charcoal Ovens or a scenic saddle for photos and a quick chain check while the morning light softens the sagebrush basin. Pick your preferred two-track—either a ridgeline spur for wide Great Basin panoramas or a lower valley connector that threads historic mining sites—using the cooler hours to cover miles and scout water sources before the midday heat.
After a packed lunch beside a juniper or near an alpine spring if you climb higher, traverse the corridor toward the Utah border via graded county roads and forested dirt approaches, stopping at the small railroad towns or old stage stops for supplies and conversation; if time allows, drop onto the higher ridgelines around the Snake Range for sweeping views back over eastern Nevada. Keep an eye out for mule deer and raptors as the terrain begins to tighten and the route transitions into pinyon-juniper and higher sage—this afternoon sets the tone for tomorrow’s move into western Colorado.
As the sun sinks, find a sheltered campsite beneath pinyon pines or roll into a small border town for a motel and a warming meal while swapping notes on washboard rhythm and favored spurs from the day. Use the cool evening to grease your chain, top off jerry cans and water, and study maps for the best forest-road approaches into western Colorado—tomorrow’s high-country gravel awaits beyond the Utah-Colorado divide.
Break camp before first light and climb onto the high county lanes, following forest service roads that thread pinyon-juniper into aspens as you gain elevation toward the Uncompahgre and West Elk foothills; stop at a scenic saddle above the North Fork valley for coffee, a brief tire check, and sweeping views back toward the Great Basin. Roll past groves and meadow openings into the Gunnison basin, taking a short diversion to inspect the historic powder towns like Tin Cup or Crested Butte access spurs for photos and a taste of Colorado mining-country character.
After a picnic beside a mountain creek, continue on graded county roads and forest two-tracks that crisscross ridgelines toward the Crested Butte/Gunnison corridor, choosing higher spurs for panoramic vistas or lower valley runs that pass wildflower meadows and aspen groves; refuel and resupply in Gunnison or Crested Butte if needed. If time allows, drop into the Taylor Park or Kebler Pass approaches for fun gravel miles and a short hike to a viewpoint overlooking the Elk Mountains before threading south toward the Salida approaches.
As evening cools, find a campsite beneath quaking aspens or roll into a small town like Gunnison or Salida for a hot meal and laundry, swapping notes about rocky shelf lines and tonal shifts in engine tune at altitude. Use the relaxed hours to lube the chain, check tire pressures after washboard and rocky sections, and study tomorrow’s Continental Divide crossings as stars gather over the high country.
Leave the Gunnison/Salida corridor at first light and climb onto gravel ribs that cross the Collegiate Peaks, following forest service roads over a Continental Divide crossing near Cottonwood Pass or Hancock Pass; stop for coffee and photos of the snow-polished summits and the Arkansas River headwaters before a quick tire and brake check at the pass. The cool morning hours are ideal for sweeping ridgeline miles toward Buena Vista, dropping into aspen-shaded meadows and spotting mountain goats on talus slopes as the valley below widens.
After a riverside picnic in Buena Vista, thread a series of county roads and two-tracks along the Mosquito Range, taking the higher spurs for panoramic views back across the Sawatch Range and choosing rocky shelf lines for technical practice; detour to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs or a short hike at Chalk Creek if the group wants a soak or stretch. Continue eastward on gravel connectors that step down from alpine basins into the Arkansas Valley, keeping an eye out for changing weather and refueling in Salida or Woodland Park approaches as you transition toward the Front Range foothills.
Roll into the Woodland Park vicinity as evening cools and park near Pikes Peak Highway approaches for a sunset viewpoint over the Front Range; enjoy dinner in a small mountain town or a campfire meal beneath ponderosa pines while swapping notes on high-altitude lines and Continental Divide crossings. Use the relaxed night to lube chains, check suspension settings for tomorrow’s climb to Pikes Peak, and lay out fuel and gear for the final summit push.
Leave Woodland Park at first light and warm up the bikes on the dirt-and-gravel approach roads toward the Pikes Peak corridor, following forest service spurs that rise through ponderosa and aspen groves toward the Pikes Peak Highway entrance. Stop at the Manitou Park or Mueller State Park pullouts for a final chain check and coffee while taking in the Front Range sweep and the first clear views of the Pikes Peak summit looming above; this is your last chance to enjoy high-country two-track before the summit push.
Choose your line for the ascent—opt for the scenic paved Pikes Peak Highway to the summit for sweeping views and easy photo stops at A-Frame, 10,000-foot, and the summit parking area, or tackle the rougher Barr Trail approaches and forest-service ridgelines for a mixed-surface finale that rewards with solitude and technical riding. Pause for a picnic near the summit cairns or at one of the alpine overlooks, breathe the thin air, and soak up panoramic views of Colorado Springs, the Arkansas Valley, and the Continental Divide as the group trades highlights from the trip.
Descend toward Colorado Springs in the cool late afternoon, rolling into town for a celebratory meal—try a hearty local brewery or steakhouse downtown—or park near Garden of the Gods for sunset photos of red sandstone silhouettes against the Front Range. Use the evening to service your bikes (chain lube, tire inspection, refuel jerry cans) and share stories from ten days of gravel, washes, and high-country spurs while planning post-ride logistics or an extra night in town to recover and savor the finale.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Badwater Basin | Free (park entry included with Death Valley National Park fee) |
| Devil's Golf Course lookout | Free |
| Artist's Drive / Palette Canyon | Free (one-way scenic drive; pass recommended) |
| Furnace Creek (lunch / resupply) | USD 15-40 per person (cafés/Inn dining) or Free if packed lunch |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes | Free |
| Natural Bridge (gravel connectors) | Free |
| Panamint foothills / Telescope Peak viewpoints | Free |
| Zabriskie Point | Free |
| The Inn at Furnace Creek (dinner / lodging) | USD 150-400 per night (dinner USD 20-60 pp) |
| Campground near Panamint foothills / Furnace Creek campsites | USD 10-30 per night (NPS or private campgrounds) |
| Panamint Valley gravel loops / Panamint City access | Free (access roads; vehicle fuel and maintenance costs apply) |
| Lone Pine (resupply / fuel) | Fuel USD 60-120 depending on vehicle; snacks/meal USD 10-25 pp |
| Saline Valley Road approach / Saline Valley hot springs (view only) | Free to view; hot springs private/permit access sometimes USD 0-20 or suggested donation |
| Towne Pass / Warm Springs approach | Free |
| Alabama Hills (Mobius Arch / Movie Road) | Free |
| Convict Lake (shoreline walk / lodge) | Free to walk; Convict Lake Lodge rooms USD 120-250 per night; meals USD 10-30 pp |
| New Army Pass / rough dirt connector (recon) | Free |
| Bishop (fuel / dining / brief sightseeing) | Fuel USD 40-100; meals USD 10-25 pp |
| Diaz Lake / Owens Valley corridor | Free |
| Tonopah approach / eastern Nevada dirt stretches | Free to access; fuel and potential motel USD 50-120 |
| Ely (fuel / supplies / motel) | Fuel USD 50-120; motel USD 60-120 per night; meals USD 10-25 pp |
| Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park | USD 6-7 per vehicle (park fee) or NV state park fee |
| Schell Creek / Egan Range saddle stops | Free |
| Tin Cup / historic powder towns (Colorado spurs) | Free |
| Gunnison / Crested Butte (resupply / lodging) | Meals USD 12-35 pp; motel USD 80-180 per night; fuel USD 40-100 |
| Taylor Park / Kebler Pass detour | Free (some forest road/permit fees possible USD 0-10) |
| Salida / Buena Vista (riverside picnic / resupply) | Meals USD 10-30 pp; fuel USD 30-80 |
| Mount Princeton Hot Springs / Chalk Creek soak | USD 10-30 per person (hot springs entry varies) |
| Woodland Park area (Pikes Peak approaches) | Free to explore; lodging USD 80-160 per night |
| Pikes Peak Highway (paved summit drive option) | USD 15-30 per vehicle for access (rates vary by season); summit visitor fees may apply |
| Barr Trail / forest-service ridgelines (rough summit approaches) | Free to access (parking or shuttle fees possible) |
| Colorado Springs restaurants / celebratory meal | USD 20-60 per person |
| Estimated Total (per person) | USD 1,800 - 6,500 (per vehicle/party depending on choices) - Low-end estimate (~USD 1,800): camping most nights (~USD 10-30/night), self-catered meals and packed lunches, fuel for mixed gravel route (~USD 400-800 depending on vehicle and mileage), occasional motel stays (2-3 nights low-cost USD 60-100), minimal paid attractions. - Mid-range (~USD 3,200-4,500): mix of camp and mid-range motels (5-6 nights motels USD 80-180), some dinners out, several paid park/attraction fees, higher fuel/maintenance budget (~USD 800-1,200), some guided/paid soak entries. - High-end (~USD 4,500-6,500+): most nights in hotels/inns (Inn at Furnace Creek, Convict Lake Lodge, Colorado hotels), dinners at higher-end restaurants, contingency for vehicle repairs or towing, higher fuel use, permit/parking fees, guided singletrack or support services. Notes: Costs quoted in USD. Fuel estimate highly variable by vehicle MPG and total off-highway miles (this itinerary covers many remote graded roads—plan for 1,500-3,500+ miles total depending on specific routing). Add vehicle maintenance/repair contingency USD 200-1,000 and emergency medevac/travel insurance if desired. |