Death Valley, driving in

[David A. Scott]

There are way too many beautiful places to see in Death Valley to not go
based solely on road and driving conditions. Tour busses operate on much of
the same roadways as are available to you. Plan your routes and investigate
them before you drive them [everyone is doing this already everywhere they
go right?]. Are there places you can't, shouldn't, wouldn't want to take a
forty foot RV; you bet but that's true of lots of places. There is one
place I thinks it's called Artists Drive, it's beautiful, but it has some
narrow tight spots that felt close in a pick-up and had ice on them, so no
RV's there thank you.

Route 190 is wide open nice pavement all the way. If you go from Las Vegas
and over the hump from Pahrump and aren't in a well powered vehicle you
might be going kind of slow, but hell are you in a hurry?

If you are traveling the country to see the sights in the USA Death Valley
is a must see. Go in the Winter or Spring for best driving conditions and
if you are fortunate enough to get there after one of the almost non
existent rainfalls you are in for one of nature's truly wondrous sights.

Oh yeah there are places where there are road signs that say do not drive
off the roadway. Heed these signs the ground in places looks solid but is
no more then a thin crust covering sand that once you are into the axles
you'll not get out of on your own.

Make sure you have lots of water if you go in the summer [Don't go in the
summer, people will think you are a crazy European] you'll need 8-10 liters
a day per person to drink.

Nice RV campground and hookups in Furnace Creek. Depending on how fast you
travel around it suggest you allow 2.5 days to see the National Park.

Make sure you go see Scotty's Castle.

David A. Scott
57ChevyPkUp
Central Coast, California

Message: 19
Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2006 05:08:36 -0000
From: "Marv & Jean"
Subject: Re: Death Valley

Pen & Jim:

I went through Death Valley last year in a 2004 M380. I won't say
the roads are express ways, by any stretch of the imagination. The
roads are narrow, somewhat winding, and in places are steep and
winding. I am not saying that you shouldn't go but I have been and
won't be driving a motor home through there again.

Marv
2004 M380
Ocean Shores, WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jimocon" wrote:
>
> Hello all. Gosh, we sure do enjoy reading the forum - what a
wealth
> of knowledge on a gazillion topics.
>
> We're in the Tucson area and want to visit Death Valley. We have
> heard about roads with long hills and campgrounds with small
> spaces. Please, will someone share their experiences and advise us
> on routes and campgrounds that will accommodate a 35' PT with a 6V
> engine? We don't want to drive in at 22 mph and find all spaces
too
> small.
>
> On a slightly different topic, we've spent the last 3 months in the
> Tucson area - what a place for hiking and sightseeing. We've been
> so busy we need to leave just to have time to rest up and read a
> book. We're happy to share our experience with anyone thinking
> about spending time here.
>
> Thanks ahead of time for all your help.
>
> Sad to leave but too pooped out to stay much longer.
> Pen & Jim
> '83 PT35
> Benson AZ