Hi, im riding my pedal cycle next june from Vegas to Death Valley (furnace creek) then return to Vegas, will i be correct in saying my best to places to stop on route will be Pahrump and Beatty, then to use Titus canyon, into Death valley,
will Titus canyon be ok riding a pedal cycle, also a route i can use for the return to Vegas. i have been to NV and CA before so i know it gets mighty hot, any help, thanks.
PS, I will be on vacation from England.

There are 4 entries into Death valley from the east side of the park (Nevada side).

The most direct way would be thru Pahrump, then thru Death Valley Junction. If you go thru Beatty, you wouldn't have to go thru Pahrump, as it would add miles to your trip. The most direct route is about 200 miles one way from Las Vegas, the other routes will take you up to 350 miles or more one way, if you chose one of them........so your looking at 500 miles minimum, to 800 miles in searing heat with ZERO shade and few places for refuge should you need it.

In June beware the heat, temps will be in the 100 to 115 range (Farenheit). The roads into Death Valley all slope down into the valley, so all your return trips will be up hill to the tune of about 3000 feet in elevation change.

I would think this thru completely before doing this bicycling undertaking, because you will probably need/require gallons of water, which will be quite the logistical hurdle with the added weight and how to carry it......this isn't a trip you do with three or four water bottles, this is a trip for serious gallons of water if you are physically peddaling, and the dry air will sap the water right out of you.

Hi, thanks for your prompt replys. Yes i have cycled in June/July 2 times from Santa Monica, Route 66, to Needles, Then up to Los Vegas, plus many long distance rides of upto 1000 miles in Spain, France,Holland and offcourse the UK, I know this will be a challenge, but whats the point in doing it if it,s going to be easy. My challenge is to get from Vegas to Furnace Creek and return to Vegas the shortest route, if it means useing the same route both ways, so be it. I was planning on doing on average about 65 miles a day, i will NOT have any backup.
I am 65 years young and rode cycles for many years training on the road and in the gym 5 days weeks, though i know i got to get used to the searing heat. Any advice please, thankyou in advance. Josef Keel, Newcastle,England.

The shortest route form Las Vegas to Furnace Creek is:

Blue Diamond Road (Nevada highway 160) up over Mountain Springs Summit, then down into Pahrump (this is about 60 miles). When in Pahrump go north on highway 160 and turn left on Bell Vista Road/Avenue. This road will take you to Death Valley Junction.

After Pahrump, there will be little in the way of civilization (Death Valley Junction might have a little store).

Once you get to DVJ you will come to California highway 127, you want to go right about 1000 feet, then turn left onto California highway 190, which is the road to Furnace Creek.

If I was you I'd stock up on supplies in Pahrump (food & water), because I wouldn't rely on Death Valley junction offering anything or even being open for business.

It's about 60 miles from Pahrum to Furnace Creek...the entire route from about Interstate 15/Blue Diamond Road to Furnace Creek is about 110 miles.

There is a new Hotel Casino right at I-15 & Blue Diamond Road called SILVERTON, which might be a good location to base your start from.

Beware traffic also, especially between LV & Pahrump........it's an 4 lane each way urban street in the LV area, then it goes down to 2 lanes over the mountain pass (with passing lanes), the it's a 4 lane highway for the majority of the rest of the way into Pahrump.

I just drove this route a few weeks ago, but we turned off and only went to Dante's View, and not all the way down into Furnace Creek.

The trip can be broken into the two segements of about 60 miles each, with Pahrump being the mid-point.

I hope you know what you are doing. If you get overheated and in trouble down in Titus Canyon you could be dead before help arrives. It is easy to underestimate the amount of water you are losing when you sweat. Have you done any recent practice runs yet to get yourself conditioned for this ride? You might want to ride around the area in a car and map out the spots where you have cell service. The Amargosa Hotel at Death Valley Junction has bottled water and potato chips, but that is about it. Gawd! Imagine being lost in Death Valley with no water and just a bag of salty potato chips.

Ask that woman who's son died out there last month, when she got a flat tire and lost.

If he goes the shortest route, he won't be near Titus Canyon.........and I doubt i'd venture off-road on a bike.

Death Valley NP is about the same size as the state of Delaware, and there are not many roads, and some are not heavily travelled.

The bugger will be the ride up and out of Death Valley, as that road has a pretty decent grade to it and it climbs 3000 feet or more and is 20 miles of length at least.

HI, thanks for all your helpful replys, yes i have been to Vegas/Death Valley 3 times so i know about the very hot weather.
My route from Vegas most likely be NV 160 HIGHWAY, starting proper from Silverton (thanks for that idea) as it is only a short distance from the airport, and it is on my route, then to Pahrump , then down to Furnace Creek . After a couple days relax, it is the return journey to Vegas, is there another route i can take which can reduce the climb out of the valley, even if it is a longer distance, looking at maps i have, i think not.
My fitness and endurance is my priority, i have 8 months to work on that, water yes how to carry enough of the stuff but i am working on various ideas.
Apart from Pahrump and Death Valley junction on this route,what if any are there places ie, truck stops,service areas, i can get fuel (water) and food.
Thankyou for any further advice which any one thinks will be of some help to me.
Josef keel, Newcastle, England.

Silverton should have a website you can use for reservations..they just did an expansion, and the place is quite nice. They also have a PRO BASS SHOP attached to the casino, and you can probably get many supplies from that store, again check their website.........it's quite an extensive outdoors store with almost anything anyone could want.

Any other route up out of Death Valley will take you miles off the most direct route, and probably will not be the best option and all roads will have the elevation change.......no countering that.

there are only 4 locations where you can get water or any service/help......1) LAS VEGAS, 2) Pahrump 3) Death valley junction, and this one is iffy at best, and I wouldn't rely or count on this being open, 4) Furnace Creek.

Leaving from the Sliverton, you will have about 8 to 10 miles of city to traverse before going up the grade of Mountain Springs Summit (about a 3000-3500 ft climb)......Mt. Springs has a little bar down on the right side of the road, but not much else........then it's down hill and into Pahrump (25 or so miles from the summit)...........after Pahrump don't count or rely on anything until you get to Furnace Creek, so that 60 or so miles will be the scarcest for any water/supplies...............once you leave Pahrump, just figure you are on your own until Furnace Creek.

Hi, thanks again for your great advice, i have noted all your points, the climbs are concerned, i don,t mind them at all,after all, what goes up, often comes down.
This is a brilliant sight, very good reading for help and tips.
Josef keel, Newcastle, England.