Power Kite Forum

Ivanpah vs Alvord

revpaul - 11-4-2013 at 10:34 AM

relatively these two places are close enough to same distance for me.
never actually been(stepped foot on) to any other dry lake other than Ivanpah.
i've been to Ivanpah and never seemed to wish for more room.
but being that alvord is quite a bit larger i wonder why 'alvord' is not mentioned/popular as Ivanpah.
is it just the amenities/local'e of Ivanpah that make it the more popular place?
i do realize Ivanpah is "big enough" and motorized vehicles are banned (= less ruts to spoil fun).
is that why Ivanpah is "the" place.
for me both places are close enough to same distance and i wonder why i shouldn't go to alvord.

stetson05 - 11-4-2013 at 11:24 AM

What I heard on the Beach at Sunset recently was go to Alvord. Smoother, less abrasive surface. Larger area to ride. I think it would get more attention if it was closer to a large airport or city.

sunset-Jim - 11-4-2013 at 12:22 PM

It is very remote. There is a tiny town 15 mi or so away, other than that... several hrs from anything. As far as the surface, it is an awesome surface to ride on. The powder is of a different consistency of that on Ivanpah. I know that landsailers have gone there for many years. I give it 2 thumbs up for sure.

Bladerunner - 11-4-2013 at 05:25 PM

I have not been there personally but have seen it's effect on people who have been there. They all seem to love it.

From what I understand it is not a place you want to go and be out alone ? The remoteness is magical but ????

There is a movement to gather there in October this year. You may want to join in?

revpaul - 11-4-2013 at 09:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bladerunner
I have not been there personally but have seen it's effect on people who have been there. They all seem to love it.

From what I understand it is not a place you want to go and be out alone ? The remoteness is magical but ????

There is a movement to gather there in October this year. You may want to join in?

interesting...!!!

bigkid - 11-4-2013 at 10:22 PM

If you are into the club/party aspect of the sport, Alvord is not the place to be. 2 hours to Burns and 1/2 hour to Fields, most everything need is in Burns and Fields is good for the burgers and milkshakes and not much more.
Have everything you need when you get there, if in an RV, you will be dry camping. Like anywhere else, take with you all your waste with when you leave.
Tents, trailer, motorhome, or the front seat of your car, for a day or week, you wont be disappointed with the area. But like any place in the world.....if the wind is not blowing, it sucks.
I like to make it a long weekend or more, hate to come and go.

arkay - 12-4-2013 at 01:41 AM

And there's bandits that will steal you stuff and hold you up at knife point. So, you know, it's got that going for it...

Bladerunner - 12-4-2013 at 06:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
And there's bandits that will steal you stuff and hold you up at knife point. So, you know, it's got that going for it...



Can you expand on that ? Is there a history of this ?

Markite has been robbed of his gear in Vegas on route to Ivanpah so ... ?

Safety in numbers. All the more reason to have a get together in October.

DAKITEZ - 12-4-2013 at 07:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
And there's bandits that will steal you stuff and hold you up at knife point. So, you know, it's got that going for it...


bummer I hope this is a inside joke or something and not true. But I feel pretty good about bringing a gun to a knife fight.

bigkid - 12-4-2013 at 07:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DAKITEZ
Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
And there's bandits that will steal you stuff and hold you up at knife point. So, you know, it's got that going for it...


bummer I hope this is a inside joke or something and not true. But I feel pretty good about bringing a gun to a knife fight.

Californians, you gota love em, everybody like fruits and nuts, right?

Got to give Bill a thumbs up on that one, made my day.:lol: :lol: I think someone ate the Frito Bandito so your chips are safe.....

tooooo funny.

revpaul - 12-4-2013 at 08:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
And there's bandits that will steal you stuff and hold you up at knife point. So, you know, it's got that going for it...


okay?! what is the punch line for this statement?

on another note....
I'll google Fields but in the mean time aside from burgers and shakes are/is there hotel(s) in Fields?
it'll likely be cheaper (gasoline)to drive down light(no trailer) and stay in hotel.
15 minute drive to/fro Alvord is easy/peasey (that is if there is a camp set up to keep the 'stuff' out on the lake of course).
***edit*** Google map...Fields General Store and Motel... 19 hours 1 min drive-1798 km...interesting

MDK - 16-4-2013 at 08:07 PM

Alvord is great but try and go with a group for obvious reasons.

lol! if I remember correctly there was an incident like the above mentioned "robbery by knifepoint" near the hot springs in the 70's. you are at no more risk there than any other secluded area.
Come out with us in October. or if Alvord is to secluded for you then Ivanpah would be best, Ivanpah is a great place to buggy and they have all the conveniences.

revpaul - 17-4-2013 at 08:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MDK
Alvord is great but try and go with a group for obvious reasons.

lol! if I remember correctly there was an incident like the above mentioned "robbery by knifepoint" near the hot springs in the 70's. you are at no more risk there than any other secluded area.
Come out with us in October. or if Alvord is to secluded for you then Ivanpah would be best, Ivanpah is a great place to buggy and they have all the conveniences.

i went to Ivanpah(for the first time) in march (during NALSA event) to receive and sail my new SiroccoX. after being on a surface like that with that much room i am resolved to do at least two road trips a year. Ivanpah(of course), Alvord, and El mirage are on my radar.
i am already working towards a road trip to Alvord in October.
i am trying to find yet another (higher performance ) landsailer.
while i was at Ivanpah i saw a few class V landsailers heading so high upwind it was amazing.
my boats are good for here (and anywhere else too) but for the two major road trips i hope to make now i want a (any one of these) Fed5/Seagull/Airtrack to really run my legs off.
Paul

bison - 17-4-2013 at 01:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
And there's bandits that will steal you stuff and hold you up at knife point. So, you know, it's got that going for it...


So... riding Shotgun takes on a whole new meaning...

bison - 17-4-2013 at 01:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sunset-Jim
The powder is of a different consistency of that on Ivanpah.


I think the lakebed/playa is Gypsum. Really doesn't matter. The big plus is that surface doesn't eat tires like Ivanpah. You can run a whole week and your tires are barely worn.

question

revpaul - 17-4-2013 at 01:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MDK
Alvord is great but try and go with a group for obvious reasons.

lol! if I remember correctly there was an incident like the above mentioned "robbery by knifepoint" near the hot springs in the 70's. you are at no more risk there than any other secluded area.
Come out with us in October. or if Alvord is to secluded for you then Ivanpah would be best, Ivanpah is a great place to buggy and they have all the conveniences.


the "hot springs"???
i've been to hot springs that are completely open(literally out in the open with no walls no enclosures) to all and where one could bathe or whatever. i've been to hot springs that have been enclosed.
...i was at a hot springs on an island where the locals had carved two tiers into the solid rock. the water continually flowed from the top tier to the lower tier and so on. both tiers are continually refreshed. hence... the lower tier was for bathing and once you're all cleaned you move into the top tier for relaxation.
So... what is the situation of the hot springs at Alvord?
Paul