Oregon to Death Valley – Hwy 190 Advice?

[PKI]

TS - that's the site we have been checking. Thanks for the positive spin. Pat

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by PKI

TS - that's the site we have been checking. Thanks for the positive spin. Pat

You're welcome! The other positive spin is with all the rain, the spring wildflowers could be good this year

[Photobum]

Boon docking in the Alabama Hills is also GREAT!

[LiLNomad]

I just did a trip to Lone pine, Bodie, Mammoth lakes,etc last month was there Sept 26th bodie is washboard most of the way!. If you stay in Lone Pine Boulder Rv right off 395 full hookups, clean etc.
LilNomad

[Bob4x4]

Originally Posted by Photobum

Boon docking in the Alabama Hills is also GREAT!

And if pure boon docking is not your thing Tuttle creek campground has water and toilets with many scenic spots and the creek makes that bubling brook sound to lul you off to sleep

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Bob4x4

And if pure boon docking is not your thing Tuttle creek campground has water and toilets with many scenic spots and the creek makes that bubling brook sound to lul you off to sleep

Love Tuttle. The $5/night fee is pretty steep though There is a dump station too which is nice to have.

[Climber]

We woke up to several inches of wet snow covering truck & trailer outside of Reno. Weren't sure we'd even get to Bridgeport with the flashing "snow, ice & chains" signs on 395.

But the temps rose and 395 cleared ahead of us, Conway Summit @ 8,000 ft was bare dry, and we pulled into Lone Pine @ dusk and 50 degree weather.

Two other Airstream in our camp @ Boulder Creek. Hope to meet them tomorrow.

Thanks TinShack again for the links!

Looking forward to several sunny days hiking trails & sightseeing , then on to Furnace Creek.

Cheers, Climber & Ms Climber, happy to be Streamin!




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[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Climber

Looking forward to several sunny days hiking trails & sightseeing , then on to Furnace Creek.

Cheers, Climber & Ms Climber, happy to be Streamin!

Well, if you feel energetic and decide to get a permit to climb Mt. Whitney, please be aware the wind chill at the summit is expected to reach -22 degrees tomorrow! Did you decide on a route into Death Valley?

[Climber]

TS, we're thinking of driving up to Whitney Portal for a day hike on the trail. Have good cold weather gear, but not in "climbing" mode per se, LOL.

We'll probably take 190 to DV on Friday. Lots of roads washed out from flash floods, but 190 looks good. Badwater, Zabriskie and other points are open, though Scotty's Castle is still apparently closed. Day-by-day roads are opening so fingers crossed!


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[Climber]

PS I have to say our new F-150 Ecoboost does an admirable job descending steep mountain grades towing our 27' FC. Put her in Tow/Haul mode and the engine braking is very comfortable as long as you keep the speed reasonable.


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[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Climber

TS, we're thinking of driving up to Whitney Portal for a day hike on the trail.

Good choice, you might want to check about getting a permit for that trail at the ranger station right in town before you head up. I know they require them at some point on the trail, but i'm not sure where that point is.The Alabama Hills are up that way too, just out of town. If you have time check out the campgrounds at Tuttle Creek and Lone Pine Campground for future camping possibilities. The views are awesome from both those campgrounds.

Enjoy!

[Drathaar]

Climber, I'm glad to hear the roads were clear for you! Have fun!

Safe journeys!

[Eagle & Bear]

A note of caution; 190 has several stretches that have fairly tight curves but a 25' should not pose any problems. The grade into DV is very steep. Make sure your brakes are good all around. On the DV side, the road to Shoshone is not much better.

We tow our AS with a Ford E350. Even with a 5.4L engine we lose all momentum and wind up in 1st gear when driving to the Owens Valley or to Beaty from DV.

[Climber]

Thanks Drathaar and Eagle & Bear. Having watched TinShack's time lapse video of 190 I think we know how much to respect that road.

Lone Pine is so cool! Got lost in the other-worldly Alabama Hills after finding the "Gunga Din" film location (with truck only, fortunately) but followed dirt roads south (no road signs) almost to the Manzanar Internment camp and found 395.

Great boondocking sites in the Alabama Hills! We'll have to come back.

Thanks all for your tips and advice,

Climber & Ms Climber


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[Len n Jeanne]

It looks like the Park Service is posting regular updates on their road conditions following that major flood. On their main page at Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) just click on "park alerts." They also direct people to their Facebook page.

[Climber]

Len n Jeanne, thanks, we checked that info earlier today.

Now camped in sunny Furnace Creek where we expect to hear of new road openings tomorrow. Scotty's Castle still closed unfortunately till next year.

Hwy 190 from Lone Pine to Stovepipe Wells was definitely interesting😄. No drama, just very attention-getting. Stopped a couple times to cool the brakes. Pretty sure the westbound drive is as challenging if not more so.

Thanks to everyone for your sage route advice!

Cheers,

Climber & Ms Climber




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[TinShack]

Glad you made it with out any drama!