California Adventure Rally
(Directions)
Venue : Ballarat, CA
Location : the incredibly scenic Panamint, Valley
Ballarat shows up on many Auto club type maps. So take the directions below and plot your course on a map before you leave home.
From Southern California and the greater LA area take any major freeway to I-5 and continue north to Highway 14. Take Hiway 14 in the direction of Mojave. When you get to Mojave; continue on Hiway 14 in the direction of "Ridgecrest"... From this point there are two ways to get to the rally, The direct route, and the scenic route.
The direct route-- continue on highway 14 approx. 43 miles to the Hiway 178 cutoff in the direction of Ridegecrest, follow through Inyokern & Ridegecrest to the signal light at the China lake Naval weapons station entrance.
- Turn Rt. on Ridgecrest Blvd and follow through town to the continuation of Hiway 178 direction "Trona" Trona is about 28 miles from Ridgecrest. * note Trona is the last available gas.. fill your tank. Continue north on Hiway 178 about 38 miles to the road into Ballarat. Turn right onto the graded dirt Hardpack road into Ballarat.
- to Ballarat involves a little back country riding on minimally marked paved roads through the heart of the Mojave Desert. Beautiful country!
- About twenty miles north of Mojave is a paved road that is sometimes marked Randsburg -Redrock road. That is if someone has not torn down the sign.
- Veer right onto the Randsburg road, and proceed approx 11 miles. There will be a "Y" in the road, veer to the left and follow several more miles through a series of "roller coasters in the road" (lots of fun) and proceed to the stop sign.
- This intersection is Highway 395 turn left. Ride about 4.5 miles and turn RT. Onto "Searles Station/Trona rd.
- Searles station rd. dead ends on "Trona rd" turn left.
- This road dead ends on highway 178 turn right, the town of Trona is about 15 minutes away.
**The Last 20 miles.... After you leave Trona, you will be riding along the floor of the Searles valley, and about 15 miles out you will begin climbing the "Slate Range"... there is a phenomenal overlook at the top of the slate range... with a turnout just past the crest. Be prepared to stop and enjoy the view. Ballarat is nestled at the base of the Panamint Mountains. You will see a "Dry Lake" slightly N.E. of the overlook. If you look closely you will see a straight road going across the dry lake... that’s the road to Ballarat... As you get back on your bike for the last few miles... go slow... enjoy the view, and the drama of this remote valley... once you hit the Panamint valley floor, you only have about 5 miles to go the turnoff to Ballarat. There will be 3 state monuments marking the turnoff with bronze plaques explaining the significance of "happenings in the area"
Turn right onto "Ballarat road" and follow it across the "Dry Lake" and you will arrive at what used to be the thriving metropolis of Ballarat. The Rally will be locate at the north west corner of the "town".. it will be pretty obvious. There will be a registration area... please check in there!
Happy trails & ride safe !
