flagmom

This is my second question regarding travel to Death Valley this June. As mentioned in the previous thread, we will be on a four weeks trip from Louisiana to California in May/June. Going west on I-10 and heading back home on I-40. Want to take a detour to Death Valley in our minivan. We have family who will be traveling along with us in a motor home. I have read posts on here about the inadvisability of taking a motorhome from Long Pine, CA through the west entrance of the park, heading east on Hwy. 190, due to the elevation of the pass. So, if our RVing family wants to also visit Death Valley, they would have to go in via a different route. What is your advice regarding traveling to Scotty's Castle via motorhome on June 11? Would you make this trip?

Supercilious

Death Valley gets pretty toasty in June. Maybe 15 degrees warmer than Vegas. It really depends on the condition of the motor home whether it will have problems negotiating Towne Pass without overheating. My vehicle (20 yr old SUV) would have difficulty in the summer.

Why are you going to be in Lone Pine? If you are coming from Yosemite, you could drive around on US 95 and enter Death Valley at Scotty's Junction.

flagmom

Supercilious, Thanks for your reply. After we leave Yosemite, we are headed over to the Monterey Peninsula and a drive down the Pacific Coast highway to San Luis Obispo. It is from there that we will head back east for home. Considered making the loop in reverse, but were hesitant to count on Tioga Pass being open in early June. So we will be approaching Death Valley from the south/southwest. Welcome any suggestions for specific routes.

Supercilious

Oh, I see. Well, I wouldn't do it but many people do. Many rental RV companies prohibit customers taking their vehicles into DV from June 15 - Sep 15. But, you are going June 11. Probably not much difference in the heat factor. Anyway, like I said above, it probably depends on the condition of the RV as to whether or not to attempt it.

janisj

I love Death Valley . . . In Feb or March.

But I'd rather get a sharp stick in the eye than visit DV in June . . . especially in a motorhome or Van

RVvagabond

The hill from Panamint Springs (camp ground there and nice bar/tiny restaurant) east to DV is steep. I pulled my 32 ft 5th wheel with a Dodge 250 Cummins engine. Had to stay in 3rd gear, but otherwise no problem. If you have a Toad, unhook it.

There is no other seasonable route.

Been almost everywhere in DV. While it is hot, it is arid; therefore not all that bad.
Have to visit Scotty's Castle - lush and green

Just go

Vaga

utahtea

I replied to your other post. If you decided to go, then the motorhome would probably better going from Baker, CA north on Hwy 127 and at Death Valley Jct. take Hwy 190 to Furnace Creek. There grades are much easier than going in from Lone Pine. We just returned from 8 days in Death Valley and that's the route we took and we were coming from the S.F. Bay area.

Utahtea

flagmom

Thanks again to all for the sage advice. The family has decided to bypass motorhome travel to Death Valley and Las Vegas for this trip.

Ackislander

The best thing I have heard all day.

bear900

Just a heads up- driving Big Sur in a motorhome is doable but will be very slow. Roads are narrow with hair-pin turns. Keep an eye on traffic behind and pull over. Will not be much fun for the driver and perhaps for those scared to death inside.

Sounds like the family in the mh is experienced though if driving through other mountains such as Yosemite.