125 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Counties Visited:
Riverside County and Imperial County
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Cities/Towns Visited:
Mecca, Bombay Beach, Niland, Calipatria, and Salton City
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Climbs:
None
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 46 (Niland) and 102 (Salton City)
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Description:
The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California, located in the Colorado Desert below sea level. This ride starts at the northern end of the lake and leads around it in clockwise direction. The entire route is exceptionally flat.
On the eastern shore, the ride follows Highway 111 from Mecca to Calipatria (the lowest city in the United States). The route passes Bombay Beach and Niland, with a detour to Salvation Mountain and Slab City.
At the southern end of the lake, the ride leads through a large agricultural area, following County Highway S30 and Bannister Road.
On the western shore, the route continues on Highway 86 and passes Salton City. Finally a short section on Highway 195 leads back to Mecca.
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Pictures:
[Highway 111 (Eastern Shore)]
[Bombay Beach]
[Slab City]
[Salvation Mountain]
[Salvation Mountain]
[National Folk Art Site]
[Slab City]
[Highway 86 (Western Shore)]
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Personal Notes:
Sandra and I went to Palm Springs for the weekend, together with our friend Sergio J.
I had watched the movies Bombay Beach and Into the Wild and was interested in the locations of these films, which were definitely a highlight of the ride.
Salton Sea Circumnavigation - Current Weather:
