197 miles with 9,000 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Counties Visited:
Inyo County and Esmeralda County (Nevada)
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Cities/Towns Visited:
Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Climbs:
Mile 53 (cat. 2), 126 (cat. 4), and 167 (cat. 3)
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Stops:
Mile 24 (Stovepipe Wells), 68 (Scotty's Castle), 94 (Highway 95), 120 (Scotty's Castle), 167 (Beatty Turnoff), and 175 (Hell's Gate)
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Description:
The Death Valley Fall Double Century is an epic ride through one of the world's greatest outdoor sports arenas. The fall event covers the northern part of Death Valley National Park, while the spring event covers the southern areas.
The ride starts at Furnace Creek Ranch, located below sea level. On the way north to Stovepipe Wells, the Devil's Cornfield and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are passed. After returning for a few miles, the route continues north, slightly ascending towards Grapevine Ranger Station. Then it starts climbing up Grapevine Canyon, passing Scotty's Castle. At the top, the road crosses the Nevada state line and enters Bonnie Claire Flat. The turnaround point is Scotty's Junction at Highway 95.
On the way back, the route visits Ubehebe Crater, before gradually descending all the way back to the Beatty turnoff. The last climb goes up Mud Canyon to Hell's Gate. From Hell's Gate, the route descends via the Beatty cutoff and leads back south to Furnace Creek.
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Pictures:
[Furnace Creek Ranch]
[Sand Dunes]
[Scotty's Castle]
[Ubehebe Crater]
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Personal Notes:
While Death Valley is extremely hot during summer (134 degrees were recorded in the air and 201 on the ground), the temperature in spring and fall is usually pleasant. Humidity is extremely low though (rainfall averages less than two inches per year), so proper hydration is important.
Death Valley is home to dangerous animals including rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders. We did not see any of these, but on several occasions we saw big tarantulas crossing the road.
Death Valley Fall Double Century - Current Weather:
See also California Triple Crown.