Worst Roads to Photogenic Locations
May 28, 2013 10:09:35 #
The discussion of traveling to Bodie, CA and the road conditions prompts this discussion. For my money the worst roads I have traveled to make photographic art are:
1. The 20+ miles of washboard road to the racetrack in Death Valley.
2. The horrendous road to Eureka Dunes, also Death Valley, when approaching from the southern part of Death Valley. The road from Bishop, CA leaves only a relatively short section of gravel/sand/dirt road with most traveled.
Others experiences here and elsewhere?
1. The 20+ miles of washboard road to the racetrack in Death Valley.
2. The horrendous road to Eureka Dunes, also Death Valley, when approaching from the southern part of Death Valley. The road from Bishop, CA leaves only a relatively short section of gravel/sand/dirt road with most traveled.
Others experiences here and elsewhere?
May 28, 2013 10:13:23 #
When I was driving from Pennsylvania to California. I loved loved LOVED driving through the Colorado Rockies. However, the Salt Flats in Utah..... :roll: It was boring. After one picture.. you have enough...
May 28, 2013 10:53:37 #
BobHartung wrote:
The discussion of traveling to Bodie, CA and the r... (show quote)
If we were constructing a list of the top ten, these two would definitely be included! A good friend once decided to try dealing with the racetrack road's outrageous washboard by speeding up to find the "perfect speed" for minimizing the bumpiness. He snapped a shock absorber instead.
Other nominees:
Depending on the time of year, the 27 miles of washboard going into Chaco Canyon can be a real kidney rattler.
The Cottonwood Rd that bisects Escalante Staircase north to south isn't too bad, unless there has been recent rain. When wet it becomes a surface of ultra slick slime. Were you to stop to check your map your car might very well slide sideways off the crown of the road into the ditch on the shoulder.
The road into the Wave in Utah can be a problem at times; a combination of washboard and washed out rutting. The last time I drove in I had to stop and move rocks into ruts to get my high clearance SUV up and down some of the eroded out sections.
But hey, who says photography shouldn't be an adventure from time to time!
May 28, 2013 10:57:32 #
FredB
Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.
Shoot, you westerner's think you have bad roads. Try the Cross Bronx Expressway above Manhattan. There's a pothole there that swallowed up an RV last summer and the people in it STILL haven't been found...and I-64 around Norfolk, VA. has more pothole than pavement. I was driving it once in a rainstorm on a Friday afternoon, and came upon a stalled, broken down trash truck. Still in a traffic lane. The driver just simply got out and walked away from it.
May 28, 2013 11:11:41 #
Frank1
Loc: Shorewood, MN
Mosquito Pass enroute to Leadville Colorado for a round of golf at the worlds highest elevation golf course, history has it people used to picnic to watch covered wagons tumble down into the valley below....
May 28, 2013 12:50:18 #
Another vote for Colorado. Roughly 100 miles from Leadville is Shelf Road from Canon City to Cripple Creek, a really rough one-lane road following Cripple Creek through the mountains. Rumor has it local entertainment used to be watching covered wagons sliding off the road and down the mountain. And it still hasn't improved much.
EDIT: Maybe Colorado folks are just fascinated by disaster. :)
EDIT: Maybe Colorado folks are just fascinated by disaster. :)
May 28, 2013 13:00:46 #
And if outside the US counts, driving from southern France thru the Pyrennees mountains to Pamplona, Spain, for the running of the bulls. Rain was so heavy water was running through my car and on down the mountains. Eventually the gendarmes stopped all traffic and I never got there. :(
May 29, 2013 04:49:24 #
May 29, 2013 06:46:02 #
Just about anywhere in Williston N.D. these days :) , although I wasn't there for photographic opportunities I'll admit.
May 29, 2013 07:48:33 #
May 29, 2013 08:26:11 #
May 29, 2013 08:34:39 #
You bring back fond memories of many trips to Bishop for Rock Creek Pack Station horseback rides. I agree on Kingsbury Grade NV. A big tractor trailer pushed me off the road at one corner into the sand and then a big guy in a pickup helped by picking up that rental car.
We went to see the petroglyphs outside Bishop and the heavy snow and rains caused large washouts. We sunk that rental car in soft sand. Another couple came along and they got stuck. We called a tow truck for both of us.
We went to see the petroglyphs outside Bishop and the heavy snow and rains caused large washouts. We sunk that rental car in soft sand. Another couple came along and they got stuck. We called a tow truck for both of us.
May 29, 2013 10:14:28 #
The old Denali road from Cantwell to Paxson. 120 miles of washboard but one of the most scenic places I have ever been on. BTW. When you rent a car in Anchorage you have to sign not to go there.
May 29, 2013 10:36:53 #
OddJobber wrote:
Another vote for Colorado. Roughly 100 miles from Leadville is Shelf Road from Canon City to Cripple Creek, a really rough one-lane road following Cripple Creek through the mountains. Rumor has it local entertainment used to be watching covered wagons sliding off the road and down the mountain. And it still hasn't improved much.
EDIT: Maybe Colorado folks are just fascinated by disaster. :)
EDIT: Maybe Colorado folks are just fascinated by disaster. :)
I believe that road was built on an old narrow gauge railroad and they left the ties in. Some of the sharpest corners are on bridges,
May 29, 2013 10:42:53 #
Depending on the time of year, the 27 miles of washboard g
oing into Chaco Canyon can be a real kidney rattler.
Drove the 20 some miles in from the South once after the rain. Slick rocks or BIG mud holes. Took the washboard road out. Drove half of it in the ditch.
oing into Chaco Canyon can be a real kidney rattler.
Drove the 20 some miles in from the South once after the rain. Slick rocks or BIG mud holes. Took the washboard road out. Drove half of it in the ditch.
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