(updated Feb 16)
A Late Update for President’s Day Weekend:
You have probably noticed that it is raining. More rain is expected this week for the Death Valley area as well, though so far not the torrents of the previous weeks. I heard that the wildflowers are coming into full bloom in the southern end of the park. The helpful lady at the campground kiosk says that once again some of the sites at Furnace Creek are closed but that camping could be made available at the adjacent Sunset Area. There is a chance also that Texas Spring campground will be reopened. Please show up willing to be flexible and patient. Also be aware that you need to monitor the conditions of any mountains passes you plan to traverse, especially if the weather cools significantly. See http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/mtnhwys.htm for current information on mountain highways. The roads are wet, sometimes laden with sand and gravel or strewn with debris. Please exercise appropriate caution. Use the link posted at the top of the page to access the daily report for road and weather conditions within the park. Have a great ride. - Leni

Brian Curry gives us this timely description:
"Heads up for those heading to DV on President's Day weekend. DV will be different from how many remember it. It is flat green most everywhere. The Death Valley Daze folks found this out. We even had about a half an inch of rain overnight, so that folks got wet. And the walk-in camping area was closed, (it has since reopened) and it filled up considerably from the rain. The south end of the valley, the ground was covered with green and yellow
flowers. Not the usual red and brown of toasted soils. It was quite spectacular. Expect more greenery by the time the Nor Cal folks get there.

The roads have a LOT of mud and dust on them from the water washing across them. So, use some caution in that area. We had one guy crash on the road. Wildrose Canyon was closed when we were there. Many of the roads to attractions are closed due to being washed out. And the graders are so busy trying to keep the paved roads open, they can't grade the dirt roads. The Badwater salt pan is underwater.

The NPS flower expert thinks this might be the best flower season in 50 years. I would tend to agree. You just don't expect to see green grass growing everywhere in Death Valley."

Ride safely and enjoy your visit- Leni
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The February meeting and campout will be held at the Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley. The meeting will take place on Saturday, February 19th , at four p.m.

Spaces at the campground have been reserved for Thursday through Sunday and camping is first come first served, at shared sites. Gas and a few groceries are available nearby.

There will be no official road tour, given the distance and varying departure times. If you would like someone to ride with, email me at lenij@comcast.net . If you let me know when and from where you plan to leave, I will hook you up with any other interested parties so you can work out the particulars. The Airheads have reserved sites as for the weekend also, but CCBR will not be there as a club this year.

Watch this space for further details and for area information.

Please contact me with any questions:lenij@comcast.net