2. Motorcycles
  3. 2008

2008 -- May -- Black Rock Desert

This May I took a three day solo ride across the Oregon and Nevada desert on my KLR. The route was originally to be four to five days, but was cut short on day three due to severe weather. Due to very detailed planning, the ride was flawless. I simply followed my pre-plotted waypoint and never once got lost. The scenery was incredible as you can see below.

Mark.
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  • An overview of the intended route. I had to abandoned the route at the base of the Steens.

    An overview of the intended route. I had to abandoned the route at the base of the Steens.

  • Sunday morning just outside of Bend.

    Sunday morning just outside of Bend.

  • 30 miles outside Bend I turned off the pavement.

    30 miles outside Bend I turned off the pavement.

  • About 15 miles off the pavement. So far, the GPS waypoints are dead on.

    About 15 miles off the pavement. So far, the GPS waypoints are dead on.

  • Problems. I already have a blown fork seal. I ignored it and had no problems. Its a KLR!

    Problems. I already have a blown fork seal. I ignored it and had no problems. Its a KLR!

  • The high desert of central Oregon. Lots of trees. By this time, its over ninety degrees.

    The high desert of central Oregon. Lots of trees. By this time, its over ninety degrees.

  • A nice tree --- juniper?.

    A nice tree --- juniper?.

  • Me.

    Me.

  • Me again.

    Me again.

  • More high country. After this I would be dropping down into the sage brush and talc dust...

    More high country. After this I would be dropping down into the sage brush and talc dust...

  • Site of my first fall. The bike didnt, I did. Its hard getting off a tall KLR with so much crap loaded on it.

    Site of my first fall. The bike didnt, I did. Its hard getting off a tall KLR with so much crap loaded on it.

  • Trees. Yep.

    Trees. Yep.

  • Ok. Down into the low lands. Hot, hot, hot. The stupid cows seem to like the middle of the road. The adults slowly move, though the calves are dangerous. They tend to run into you instead of away. Go slow and hit the horn a lot.

    Ok. Down into the low lands. Hot, hot, hot. The stupid cows seem to like the middle of the road. The adults slowly move, though the calves are dangerous. They tend to run into you instead of away. Go slow and hit the horn a lot.

  • The antelope on the other hand run away, then turn and try to out run you. I know they can go at least forty mph.

    The antelope on the other hand run away, then turn and try to out run you. I know they can go at least forty mph.

  • Cows.

    Cows.

  • Miles and miles of miles and miles.

    Miles and miles of miles and miles.

  • The Albert rim in the distance.

    The Albert rim in the distance.

  • The bike's perspective.

    The bike's perspective.

  • OK. 100 miles of desert and I hit highway 395. Five miles of pavement ahead!

    OK. 100 miles of desert and I hit highway 395. Five miles of pavement ahead!

  • And...off road again. Plush is the next gas.

    And...off road again. Plush is the next gas.

  • The road to Hart Mountain.

    The road to Hart Mountain.

  • Same.

    Same.

  • The only person I saw in two days was on the road between 395 and Hart lake.

    The only person I saw in two days was on the road between 395 and Hart lake.

  • Untitled photo
  • Downtown Plush. Thermometer says 97 degrees.

    Downtown Plush. Thermometer says 97 degrees.

  • The Plush suburbs.

    The Plush suburbs.

  • Untitled photo
  • Hart Mountain.

    Hart Mountain.

  • Hart Mountain and Hart lake.

    Hart Mountain and Hart lake.

  • Untitled photo
  • An old crew quarters below Hart Mountain.

    An old crew quarters below Hart Mountain.

  • A small lake on the side of Hart Mountain.

    A small lake on the side of Hart Mountain.

  • Hart lake looking north from the mountain.

    Hart lake looking north from the mountain.

  • Lake county in the distance.

    Lake county in the distance.

  • Day one stop: Hart Mountain Hot Springs.

    Day one stop: Hart Mountain Hot Springs.

  • A dip at the end of a long hot day.

    A dip at the end of a long hot day.

  • I camped in an Aspen grove just outside the hot springs on Sunday night.

    I camped in an Aspen grove just outside the hot springs on Sunday night.

  • Untitled photo
  • Checking the next day's route.

    Checking the next day's route.

  • Monday morning and cool at 5500 feet.

    Monday morning and cool at 5500 feet.

  • Whats wrong with this picture? No actual elevation noted.

    Whats wrong with this picture? No actual elevation noted.

  • But still, dont mess with the marker. But, you can shoot the sign I guess.

    But still, dont mess with the marker. But, you can shoot the sign I guess.

  • My first turn around. I tried to take the south entrance out of the Hart Mountain area. I got 20 miles down the mountain and ran into this mud pit. No way around, so I turned back.

    My first turn around. I tried to take the south entrance out of the Hart Mountain area. I got 20 miles down the mountain and ran into this mud pit. No way around, so I turned back.

  • Snow in the desert at the high altitudes.

    Snow in the desert at the high altitudes.

  • Part of the aborted southern route out of the Hart refuge.

    Part of the aborted southern route out of the Hart refuge.

  • Hart lake as I head south toward Adel.

    Hart lake as I head south toward Adel.

  • Hart lake.

    Hart lake.

  • Untitled photo
  • An old dry lake on the route south to Adel. Now grown over with grass.

    An old dry lake on the route south to Adel. Now grown over with grass.

  • Downtown Adel.

    Downtown Adel.

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