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- Friday, March 29, 2024

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 Skidoo
Yet another ride in one of my favorite places on Earth. This time it was the site of the mining town of Skidoo. This was a nice moderate ride. Like all the roads in Death Valley, navigating the gravel and washboard is tricky, but that's about the only challenge on this road. I think in all it climbs about 1000'. Once again the weather was perfect. (I don't know why I get so lucky when I'm up there.) It's about 15.5 miles round trip not including any wondering around the ruins.

The town is long gone. There is no classic ghost town. No Brady Bunch locked in the crumbling jail. There are hundreds of tunnels and shafts and the ruins of what was the only successful water powered mill in Death Valley's history. What is left where the town once stood is just metal debris. Cans. Corrigated sheets. Cable.

The view from the surrounding hills is impressive. I rode to the top of one small rise at the west end of town. From there I could see the snow capped Sierras standing above the various ranges between. Telescope Peak can be seen to the South. The hill also overlooked where the town stood. The faint lines of side roads can still be seen extending from the main rode.

A fun ride. This again was a recovery ride for a trail run. Saturday was the Death Valley Trail Marathon. The course runs from out near Beatty, NV through the Grapevine Mts via Titus Canyon. Things didn't go well leading up to the race so I didn't fininsh in near the time I'd hope for but I did finish this brutal course.


Downtown Skidoo.


Looking north at the Cottonwood Mts and the north end of D.V.


East, overlooking the town site.


West to the Sierra Nevada.


The Skidoo Mill. This weathered steel and wood was once an impressive five story building.


The Skidoo Glacier.
Posted by CFIT on 02/07/07


Responses: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Post Reply  

  •  Re: Skidoo
    Great pics...as usual..

    :)
    Posted by Crzyridr33 a 34 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a SantaBansheeCruzBlurr on 02/07/07

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  •  Re: Skidoo
    sounds like alot of fun, we should get all get together for a group outting on some weekend man,by then hopefully I will have a 29'er, yo man
    Posted by Diamondback a Cross-Country Rider riding a Hp Quad 8400 from Sunland on 02/07/07
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  •  Re: Skidoo
    CFIT...if good ol' Earnie decides to join you on one of these rides.....PLEASE let me know. I really, REALLY want to "ride" with him...
    Posted by Crzyridr33 a 34 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a SantaBansheeCruzBlurr on 02/07/07
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  •  Re: Skidoo
    Nice shots! I think you were just south of a mountain named Tucki Mountain - supposed to be a nice class 3 from Mosaic Canyon.

    Did Manza on Saturday, would have preferred DV on Sunday. Sorry about the race results...at least you finished, eh?
    Posted by Dr Wellington Yueh on 02/07/07

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  •  Re: Skidoo
    Oh yeah...

    congrats on finishing... :) nice job man..
    Posted by Crzyridr33 a 34 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a SantaBansheeCruzBlurr on 02/07/07

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  •  Re: Skidoo
    Great write up and pictures SAKster. The picture with the tastey, phat peaks in the background is inspiring. I always wonder about the last people who have left a town such as this one.
    Hey, the best thing about not doing well in your race is that you know deep down inside that next year you'll be throttling that course. A true racer finishes, no matter what, and you did. Good work.
    paz afuera
    Posted by Papisimo a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Gary Fisher 29er mofo from Flogsville on 02/07/07
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  •  Re: Skidoo
    thinking about the Fisher 29 or the Haro mary XC, Papachocks, which is better?
    Posted by Diamondback a Cross-Country Rider riding a Hp Quad 8400 from Sunland on 02/08/07
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  •  WHO WANTS TO GO TO SKIDOO?
    PLANNINGA TRIP TO SKIDOOO
    Posted by Diamondback a Cross-Country Rider riding a Hp Quad 8400 from Sunland on 02/13/07
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  •  Re: Skidoo
    Don't forget your swim trunks.
    Posted by Dr Wellington Yueh on 02/13/07
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