We just went on a great trip to Alvord!
Here's the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIwPmhKO2u4

Stunning looking location!

That is a great looking place indeed. So similar to Ivanpah except the mountains appear to be closer and larger. The playa, that looks just the same. I suspect it would be super cool to buggy there; truly middle of nowhere stuff. I absolutely love Ivanpah but this would be cooler once you got yourself there I bet.

Depending on where you are coming from it looks as if you take I-80 to Winnemucca and then head North for a good spell. I suspect the road dwindles to next to nothing by the time you finally pull up on the playa.

I checked out the distance for me from SLC. Something like 7-8 hours drive. Just about exactly the same as my drive to Ivanpah. Could happen!

Nice video too. Nice picture within picture footage.

Dude where have you been??? Great vid.

My goodness. This was in my backyard and I never new it! Alvord here I come! Right after SOBB! Haha!

Sign me up for an expedition after SOBB!
Right in our backyard.

Wind-dog I hope you like Beer, wind, and dust. Cuz my magic ball says there all in your near future! Or...wait...was that booze, women, and drugs? MEH! Either way, Let's go buggyin! Oregon is such a wonderful place! I've been all over the world. Between the military and sailing. I have never found anywhere I'd rather be more than the Oregon Coast!

Caleb,

Very nice video. I really enjoyed watching that. I wonder who got more excited as you pulled onto that wide opened space...you, or the dogs..

Awesome spot and a great video!

great spot ! snow cap mountains in back too much ! incredible.

Nice...can't imagine riding in the desert
You guys just snatch up all the dogs you can find on the way?

nice video ....it a breathtaking and awesome place to ride .

thank for sharing ..

how are the conditions? Is it gusty? Is the cracked ground rough? If a landboarder crashed from a decent height, would they want to die?

Quote: Originally posted by ikemiester

how are the conditions? Is it gusty? Is the cracked ground rough? If a landboarder crashed from a decent height, would they want to die?

Surface looked very, very similar to Ivanpah. If like Ivanpay, the playa's cracked mud is likely rock hard and sort of like 40wt sandpaper. Really destructive to rip stop, dermis, fragile stuff like that. When I kite skate on the Ivanpah playa I am armored from head to toe. Going down in that stuff at speed can wreck your whole day.

I've had to send one or two kites out for repairs after both of my Ivanpah trips. My Peak2s are pretty light weight and seem prone to damage on that surface. And I'm not talking about crashing them or rolling them on the ground in some sort of mad death roll; I'm talking about flying along in my buggy at 30-40 mph and touching the tip of the kite on the ground. Those sort of short interval touch downs at speed put some serious wear on the kites in my experience. Maybe it's just a peak thing.

Body parts? Best pray they are covered and padded when you yard sale. :o

I don't know about all that. But I do know that the place is surrounded by natural hot springs. I think I'm going to have to take a road trip! I certainly don't want to destroy my gear. But...worst case scenario is the gear stays in the truck the clothes come off and I soak in a hot tub.

Looks like it was a great day.

We've gone to Alvord a dozen or so times and never had probems with the surface chewing up kites. I do have friends who have had holes worn in thier kites particularly those that had plastic stiffeners in the leading edge.

It's a wonderful place to buggy or landsail with beautiful scenery. Just be prepared, the closest services are 20 miles away, Fields, and those are minimal. The closest real town, Burns, is 120 miles away. Bring your own water, food and camping gear.

There is a group going to Alvord in October.

Thanks for the comments guys.
Yes, the ground is hard compact clay. Fortunately I didn't have any OBE (out-of buggy experiences).
The wind comes and goes, but ramps up and down slowly and steadily.
If you want to go, be prepared to camp in pretty exposed area, or stay down in Fields (20min drive south). We brought our trailer. They have water/sewer/electricty.

Its on my bucket list. Love those mountains.

Quote: Originally posted by Morrie Williams

We've gone to Alvord a dozen or so times and never had probems with the surface chewing up kites. I do have friends who have had holes worn in thier kites particularly those that had plastic stiffeners in the leading edge. It's a wonderful place to buggy or landsail with beautiful scenery. Just be prepared, the closest services are 20 miles away, Fields, and those are minimal. The closest real town, Burns, is 120 miles away. Bring your own water, food and camping gear. There is a group going to Alvord in October.

Morrie - it was great meeting you at IBX. The Peak2s do have the plastic stiffeners in the leading edge. Great for giving the leading edge some structure with the single skin design. Yes, the places where I have had wear issues is exactly where those stiffeners are. I don't have much experience with dual skins on the playa. Flew my 6m Access once and it came through unscathed. It as you say, the stiffeners don't let the Peaks give when you rub them on the ground going fast. As I get better I do it less and less. Thanks.

Looked like an awesome trip and nice edit.

It didn't look like you have a backrest? I have a pl xr and have added a backrest with side support straps. I wouldn't consider riding without it now. I highly recommend some form of flexible backrest modification if you don't have one. However you do get a better ab workout without one.