kazmir
Santa Cruz, CA
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We are considering an early April trip to Death Valley going in on 178 and staying at Stovepipe Wells. Then heading north to Scotty's Castle and taking Death Valley Rd out to 168 to catch 395 north to Mammoth Lakes. Is this route doable in a 24 ft Winnie? with 2 kids?
Any advise on road conditions and elevations would help us out in our route planning. Microsoft Streets and Trips is the program we use...
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Doug and Cassi Glass
Clifton Forge, VA
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I'd go to Scotty's on the way in then go to Stovepipe Wells. Head west from there on 190 to Lone Pine and then north on 395. A long decent into Panamint Valley then a long climb out but then relatively straight and level into Lone Pine. Much shorter than going up to 168.
Make sure you have plenty of fuel in DVNP if you've never been there. Fill up when you hit 1/2 a tank as stations are a LONG way apart. Use gen set and roof a/c when traveling the park especially on hills or you'll run the chance of overheating.
Stay off any of the dirt roads in the park except Titus Canyon and 20 Mule Team. They can be death on tires. I don't think the RV will fit in Titus Canyon. It get pretty narrow.
168 is a secondary state highway in good condition. Hilly and crooked but all are in that area and all are doable in a 24' Winnie.
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c.traveler2
Moreno Valley,Ca.
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kazmir, The route out to 168 is doable if it is dry for your MH, but the safest way would be to take 190 out of DV to Hwy 396. Just keep you speed down for it is a steep grade going out. Fill up your tank before getting to DV, its expensive inside the park and there are only two place inside the park where you can get fuel: Stovepipe Well-gasoline only and Furnace Creek-gas and diesel. How much time do you plan on for DV?
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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You do realize that Death Valley Road is a dirt/gravel road from near Ubehebe Crater, through the Last Chance Range, and past the far northwest boundries of the Park, don't you? There's no way *I'd* do it in any type of RV, especially with a couple of kids. Of course, YMMV.
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kazmir
Santa Cruz, CA
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Thanks for the replies.
I am aware that the road is gravel after the junction at Grapevine.
We are coming in on 178 from the south west to Stovepipe Wells and camping there. We are planning on staying 2 or 3 nights and driving to different areas during the day.
I think we will head back out on 178 to 190 then to 395 up to Mammoth Lakes.
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Doug and Cassi Glass
Clifton Forge, VA
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Smart choice. As I said, all the unpaved roads are death on tires in DVNP. Miller's Tow out of Lone Pine average fee is over $600 plus parts.
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