I also have photos up from 1999 -- just search for Death Valley on
www.endurohorse.com
Look in the ridecamp archives for ride stories on the ride, there are
probably a lot since this is such a popular ride. Some of what I wrote
about the ride this year was used earlier in the year in Endurance News.
Last I heard (and it may have changed) -- basecamp in Ballarat is going to
be moved to Indian Ranch (where the water stop is), so that'll probably
make the trail a little bit different on the first couple of days. It is a
good ride, a definite challenge. It IS rocky.
The last day is on December 31st, so there is a big party with a live band
at Panamint Springs. That 4th day of the ride, you get to ride thru Darwin
(here is their website: http://members.aol.com/dierdorff/darwin/dar-1.html
).