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Climber · 10-26-2015, 10:55 PM

TinShack, many thanks for that link. A "1000 year event" - terrible and awesome and beautiful at the same time, Nature in all her furious unpredictability. Wonder how the deluge will change the landscape in the years to come.

We've been keeping track of conditions thanks to your previous heads up. Looks like we can get to our campsite and nearby areas, but Badwater and many back country roads look iffy. If much of the Park is closed we might head down to Joshua Tree after a few days in Furnace Creek.

Thanks again for timely update and video!

Cheers,

Climber

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Climber · 10-26-2015, 11:02 PM

Thanks, Nick, we will definitely make time for Bodie!

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Drathaar · 10-26-2015, 11:13 PM

Climber, we take our Airstream to DV every year. Our preferred (and I believe the safest/easiest) route from Northern Oregon is down I-5 to Mt. Shasta, then to Reno via Susanville. We catch US 95 at Fernly, then head south. You can go into DV from Beatty, but the descent is long and somewhat steep. It's fine, but you'll be on the brakes a lot. We like to go on to Death Valley Junction, then into the park from there.

Weather is always a concern, so watch the reports and plan accordingly.

Although I've seen many motorhomes and trailers come in from Lone Pine, I would not personally take that route. We have gone through Bakersfield and looped around to the south through the Mojave Preserve then up to DV Junction.

BTW, I-5 from Sacramento to Bakersfield will beat you to death. The pavement is in terrible shape, and every over/underpass is a jolt.

Send me your cell if you want to talk.

Len n Jeanne · 10-26-2015, 11:39 PM

Thanks for the advance warning about the flooding, TinShack. The damage to Scotty's Castle and pupfish habitat is heart-breaking. We're planning on camping in and around Death Valley this year in February-March. I checked the NPS website and got directed to their Facebook page. With an El Nino event expected this winter, they warned about more potential flooding this winter but also that the wildflower season should be really good, with so much moisture.

We camped at Furnace Creek early this year and also in 2013. One thing that really struck us was how far distant the gas stations are, and how expensive gas is in California-- even more so in the national park!

Fortunately our routes into DV from the northeast are pretty gentle compared to the west side--excepting Las Vegas rush hour traffic.

Drathaar · 10-26-2015, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

<snip>

Fortunately our routes into DV from the northeast are pretty gentle compared to the west side--excepting Las Vegas rush hour traffic.

Try taking Clark County 215 to avoid the heavy traffic in Las Vegas. It's also called the Bruce Woodbury beltway. A bit confusing from 95, but it drops you onto I-15 on the east side of LV. None of the white knuckle stuff through town.

Climber · 10-27-2015, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the great tips, Drathaar. We'll take the Shasta-Susanville-Reno route but probably stick to 395 down from there because we really want to visit the Film History Museum in Lone Pine. The hills around there were the film locations for a ton of Westerns. From there the Mojave Preserve route looks good, maybe dip down to drive old Rt 66 to Needles as a side trip.

Thanks for the heads up on I-5. We're considering hwy 99 Bakersfield-Sacto.

We're planning a late-Nov return over the Siskiyous but if snow flies it might be up the Coast. Either way, life is great in an Airstream!

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Len n Jeanne · 10-27-2015, 11:23 PM

Appreciate the route advice!

Drathaar · 10-27-2015, 11:28 PM

The only downside to 395 would be the passes if the weather is iffy. At Lone Pine, there is a nice RV Park at the south end of town. The McDonalds in town has the greatest view of any fast food in the world...

Here's a shot from their parking lot. Mt. Whitney is in the clouds somewhere.

The Alabama Hills are great!!!

Climber · 10-28-2015, 04:47 PM

Well, #%^, it looks like snow in the passes next week twixt Reno and Lone Pine.

Maybe time to consider hwy 95?

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TinShack · 10-28-2015, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climber

Well, #%^, it looks like snow in the passes next week twixt Reno and Lone Pine.

Maybe time to consider hwy 95?

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If you don't have specific plans to be somewhere, you can stick with your original plan, keep a close eye on the weather a day or two before your trip, and if necessary, use one of your backup alternate routes. Being flexible in winter travel is a necessity

Unless the temperatures plummet, snow this time of year usually melts quickly (said the Donner Party, lol)

Drathaar · 10-28-2015, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climber

Well, #%^, it looks like snow in the passes next week twixt Reno and Lone Pine.

Maybe time to consider hwy 95?

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Yup, those 8,000 passes can be a bit tricky. Leave the trailer at DV for a night or two and get a room in Lone Pine to explore the area. Sunset CG is only $6 a night with a geezer pass.

pmclemore · 11-02-2015, 02:23 PM

RE Bodie, don't take your trailer - it is a rough, corrugated road and will beat your rig up. But Bodie is a bucket list kind of place.

Pat.

BTW - we took our 31' over from Lone Pine; it was a bit of work but beautiful. Just take it easy and mind your brakes.

Pat

Climber · 11-02-2015, 09:23 PM

Thanks, Pat, good advice. We're camped in Reno waiting for the snow to melt on the passes. Hope to get to Lone Pine Wednesday if all goes well.

Cheers, Climber

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Climber · 11-02-2015, 09:29 PM

TinShack we're taking your advice and waiting for a melt, no Donner Party for us!

Drathaar, thanks, too. We're heading the other way but good tips. 😄

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Drathaar · 11-03-2015, 07:55 AM

Listening to the weather this morning. They're predicting 19" of snow in the Sierra. I'm not sure where, but sounds challenging!

TinShack · 11-03-2015, 09:10 AM

Climber, If you use Facebook, request to join the the US 395/Owens Valley group (it's a closed group). They are pretty good about admitting people quickly.https://www.facebook.com/groups/142920365590/
Here is an excerpt from a members post from this morning.

"The sun is out this morning in Mammoth, but it's cold at 27°. There are still chain restrictions up along 395 from portions of Bridgeport down to Mammoth, but if you can wait a couple more hours for the sun to warm up the pavement and restrictions to be lifted you should be fine...just drive a little slower and watch any shady spots along the highway for ice. BR

[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]
CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM THE JCT OF SR 203 TO 7 MI
SOUTH OF LEE VINING (MONO CO)

CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM 8 MI NORTH OF LEE VINING TO
11 MI SOUTH OF BRIDGEPORT (MONO CO)"

Also here is a link to the CA-DOT road information page. Road Conditions

And a link to the National Wether Service is always helpful too!National Weather Service - Western Region Headquarters

Overall, Wednesday-onward is looking really good.

nickclifford · 11-03-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

RE Bodie, don't take your trailer - it is a rough, corrugated road and will beat your rig up. But Bodie is a bucket list kind of place.

Pat.

BTW - we took our 31' over from Lone Pine; it was a bit of work but beautiful. Just take it easy and mind your brakes.

Pat

I went to Bodie about 3 yrs ago and the road was almost entirely paved. I believe the plan was to pave the entire way. Kind of a shame in some ways as takes away from the feeling of remoteness! Not sure I'd take a large trailer out there though, parking could be tricky ?

Martin R · 11-03-2015, 12:04 PM

We were in Bodie a couple of months ago and only the first three miles of so were surfaced: the remaining 7 miles to reach Bodie were fairly heavily washboarded gravel/dirt. I was glad to have left the trailer in Lee Vining.

PKI · 11-03-2015, 12:47 PM

Anyone got a report on the condition of Death Valley roads. A quick view of the road status on the DV web page gives the impression that there are few, if any passable roads. We had a plan to visit this spring, but have just about written the idea off.

TinShack · 11-03-2015, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKI

Anyone got a report on the condition of Death Valley roads. A quick view of the road status on the DV web page gives the impression that there are few, if any passable roads. We had a plan to visit this spring, but have just about written the idea off.

This is the most up to date info and is updated daily. http://www.nps.gov/deva/upload/Morning-Report.pdf

They are making a lot of progress on opening things up and I would think by spring should be back to normal, barring another flood like the 1000 year one they just had.