CABDR-South: 2020 Riding Season Route Updates

We have received reports that the expert only route in section 7 is closed due to a full closure of the Inyo National Forest. There is a sign at the intersection of Waucoba Rd. and Death Valley Rd.

Conditions on the CABDR-South route, from Yuma through Death Valley should be considered with caution as temperatures can reach above 110 degrees at anytime.

An option, particularly if you have not ridden the “Expert” sections north of Lone Pine, would be to take this high elevation option from Lone Pine to the end of the route. You could then transition East to pick up the NVBDR at the beginning of Section 4 at Tonopah, NV. (85 miles from the end of the CABDR-South via Hwy 6). This would avoid the hot sections of both the CABDR-South and the NVBDR.

We have received several reports of a road closure on Section 7 of the CABDR-South, several miles west of the Tinnemaha Campground on Fuller Road where the route connects with McMurry Meadows road and the Inyo National Forest.  Calls to the Inyo National Forest have indicated they are unaware of the closure and we are working with the Government agencies for clarification.  In the meantime you have two options available.

1. Easiest: From Tinnemaha Campground, continue north on Tinnemaha Road and slightly east on Fish Springs Road and connect to Hwy 395 and Continue to Big Pine where you can pick the route back up.
2. More Difficult (but fun!). From Tinnemaha Campground continue north on Tinnemaha Road and make a sharp left turn on Birch Creek Road.  The road passes by several homes (Ride Respectfully!). There is an unmarked left turn (don’t go down the obvious wash) that puts you on Forest Service Road 33E320 (some maps/gps mark the road as 10S107) that connects back to McMurry Meadows Road where you will make a right turn to pick up the CABDR-South GPS tracks.  This option has one short section with large imbedded rocks where the two track road narrows.  Download the GPX file of the reroute HERE.

If you are curious what this section looks like there is a YouTube video up at: https://youtu.be/EWndhEwXt3I (time stamp 1:42 to 3:33) from an initial CABDR-South Scouting trip that includes this bypass that was not included in the CABDR-South final route.

It has been confirmed that Sahara Oasis, near the end of section 2 / beginning of section 3,  will be without fuel for approximately the next 2 weeks (as of 2/24). Currently, the closest alternate fuel stop is approximately 33 miles east on Interstate 40, in Needles, CA.  Please manage your fuel accordingly! If you intend to travel the route within the next month, it is recommended that you contact Sahra Oasis by phone before relying on them as a primary stop. Sahara Oasis 760-694-0181

Two abnormally cold winter storms moved through the CABDR-South just before Thanksgiving and again about New Years. These storms resulted in snow to very low elevations, however this snow has melted off in all but a few reported areas that are still of concern:

1. Section 5 Alternate, Hunter Mountain to Saline Valley Rd: Snow and ice remain and should be avoided for the next few weeks unless the weather turns unseasonably warm.
2. End of Section 5, Beginning of Section 6 Lippincott Pass to Saline Valley Road: Lippincott Pass and Lippincott Pass Road are reported to be passible, however, Saline Valley Road climbs back up in elevation to connect to Hunter mountain Road and the most recent reports indicate jeeps have compacted snow, that would normally melt off fairly quickly, and turned it to ice and a hazard for Adv riders. The concern here is that if you can not pass through this section, your shortest option is to climb back up Lippencott Pass road, which should be attempted by expert riders only. There may be an option by traveling north on Saline Valley Road to Warm Springs Road which becomes Steel Pass road and finally out to Eureka Dunes and Death Valley Road, however fuel could become an issue. Therefore, unless you are an expert rider, willing to tackle ice, your best option is Highway 190 through Panamint Springs to Cerro Gordo or directly to Lone Pine.
3. Section 6, White Mtn Talc Road to Cerro Gordo Rd. This is the technically way to the Cerro Gordo Mine and should be avoided until warmer weather prevails and a lack of additional precipitation. Those wishing to visit Cerro Gordo (and you should) will find Section 6 Alternate easier going and passible unless the area receives additional snowfall.
4. Section 7 Alternate: This beautiful section of the CABDR-South contains some of the highest elevations of the route, and although in the rain shadow of the Sierra’s with very little precipitation, is most likely not advisable for a few months unless a spell of warmer weather returns to the area.

Update: Riders report that there is no way to get through the section from the Racetrack to Cerro Gordo or the easy bypass. Saline Valley road is impassible due to ice. The snow has been packed down to sheet ice by four wheel drives.

Hunter Mountain Pass is completely snowed and iced in as well. The only way to get to Lonepine from Beatty is through Stove Pipe Springs and around via the road.

Previous update Dec. 17, 2019: We received a report from riders that due to heavy snow in the Sierra Mountains, as of Friday Dec 8th, the “expert only” higher routes were impassable with more snow predicted.

The standard route Section 8 had traces of snow before Benton but was not a problem.

As of Dec 13th, 2019 Section 6 “North to South” the climb to Cerro Gordo was fine, the descent however was compact snow and ice, from summit to the valley floor. 6″ to 8” of snow in places, with compacted ice.

Note, that once you go over the rim “North to South” of the pass you are committed. Turning around to go back up is not possible. At the bottom just above the wash, there was evidence of bikes trying to climb up “South to North” and turning around at the base.

Mid descent there is a 50 yard section of ice that melted and re-froze, making it difficult to walk on, and VERY DIFFICULT to try and hold up a loaded bike. Probably not as much a problem with assistance, but for Solo riders be prepared.

Previous Report: A cold storm swept through California with snow levels dropping to as low as 2500 feet in elevation and is currently effecting much of the route.   Snow depths in all but the higher elevations is thin and should melt off in the next few days.  Another storm is set to enter the region this week, but is predicted to be warmer with higher snow levels.  This storm should melt off existing snow, with the exception of the Hunter Mountain bypass of Lippincott pass, the backside of Cerro Gordo and most of section 7 Alternate’s higher elevations through Mazourka, Wyman and Silver Canyon.” These areas will most like see additional snowfall and increasing snow depths.

Daytime temps are moderate, but evening temps will get below freezing in many areas as storms roll through.  Check local weather forecasts prior to your trip and have fun!

BOISE, Idaho, August 8, 2019 –August 12, 2019 – The Boise National Forest is reminding visitors to be extra cautious this summer when storing their food to avoid attracting black bears.

Bears possess an extremely keen sense of smell, and can find food from great distances. Once a bear finds food near humans, it is likely to come back. The result is a dangerous situation for both the bear and for people. Bears that repeatedly come into conflict with campers have to be trapped and euthanized.

Campers can protect themselves and others from unwelcome nighttime visitors by storing their food properly. In developed campgrounds, campers should store all food in their vehicle, trailer or camper with windows tightly closed. Stoves, cooking utensils, personal items such as toothpaste, and pet or livestock feed should be protected in the same manner. Garbage should be disposed of in the trash containers in campgrounds and never left out unattended. If a trash container is full, please pack your garbage out.

In the backcountry, food and garbage should be kept out of bears’ reach by hanging it in a tree, at least 100 yards from the sleeping area. Food bags should ideally be 10 feet above ground and 4 feet out from tree trunks. Food can also be stored in an approved bear-proof container. Backcountry campers should attempt to reduce or eliminate food odors on themselves, their clothes and near their sleeping area. Do not store food in tents.

For the safety of the public (and the bears) we urge Forest users to be “Bear Aware” and use common sense when camping in bear country. For more information visit: https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/bears

Fire managers want to urge forest visitors to completely extinguish campfires before they pack up and leave the woods. With higher temperatures, fuel conditions are expected to dry out, increasing the risk of wildfire ignitions.