RobJohnson

We are planning a trip in August 2015. Planning on a couple of days in LA, then drive to Death Valley, taking one day and a one night stop over. Then looking at driving to the Grand Canyon taking maybe two days. Then to Vegas for a wedding.
Any ideas on possible itinerary and stop offs etc.

Stargatesg30

Hi,

You have tagged this as a Trip Report rather than a forum question. Maybe best to change it and then you should get some replies. Hope this helps.

nytraveler

There is another thread here - a recent one - about people planning to drive through DV during July - and most people are advising against it - for a variety of reasons - including safety. At that time of year it is just too hot to get out of an AC car - so what you can see is limited to anything out your window on one larger road.

Going off road - or getting out of the car - can easily be fatal - literally. Someone has already died there this summer - apparently becoming confused about where he was.

spirobulldog

July and August is not the time to go to Grand Canyon, Vegas, and Death Valley.
I would head up HWY 1 and do the coast or do Sequoia National Park.

janisj

OK - so you must go to LV because of the wedding, but don't go to DV. Fly to Vegas for the wedding and then get out of Dodge . . . I'd head to the CA coast. August is the absolute worst month of the whole year in Death Valley.

PalenQ

August is the absolute worst month of the whole year in Death Valley.>

I'll testify to that - one August I dared drive thru dread Death Valley - the hottest place in the U.S. on an average I believe because it is also the lowest point - being way under sea level - and it was sweltering - my VW Van's AC could not cope - we ended up with wet towels draped around our heads it was that hot.

But Las Vegas can be hot as Hell or DV too but at least there the action is mainly inside - could be in the Arctic or DV - who cares?

We camped in DV - and coyotes were howling in the near distance - a trip from Hell that felt like Hell.

utahtea

I agree that Death Valley is NOT the place to go in August.

The Grand Canyon is at a much higher elevation and while the temperatures will be warm, it can be very do-able. Last time we went to the Grand Canyon South Rim was in August and it was very comfortable.

Utahtea

elizzie4000

I was in Death Valley in late April and it was already in the 90's. You couldn't PAY ME to go in August !!!

Seriously! As already mentioned, it's really not safe to get out of the car. You could have car trouble and breakdown in the heat. Every year we hear about a tourist dying. We've already had one. Last year someone from Europe died.

If you insist on doing this I would have 2 or 3 Gallons of bottled water in the car in case of a breakdown. Make sure that every person has 2 or 3 bottles of water - buy a case of it. Everyone needs a hat and sunscreen.

mlgb

Hi RobJohnson, for Death Valley advice I really recommend that you post on tripadvisor.com in their Death Valley forum. The expert there (Frisco Roadrunner) really knows his stuff and ncan give you better advice.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...alifornia.html

Coming up from Los Angeles, my usual plan is stay the night in Ridgecrest or Panamint Springs. Then get up as early as possible to drive thru the park in the early morning. If you want to stay in DV I'd try to get there just before sunset. Then same plan the next day.

Take Badwater Road thru the park and exit at Shoshone, from there to Tecopa and then Tecopa Road to 160.

Be sure to bring a paper map and lots of water, as mentioned above. Check the National Park Service website for alerts and weather updates. They do actually get flash floods in summer.

And you won't be alone

Jean

115 in Death Valley tomorrow. 110 or more every day through the end of July...

(I hear the sound of bacon in a frying pan...)

WhereAreWe

That forecast sounds a lot like Phoenix and Las Vegas. I wonder if those cities are devoid of life in August.

mlgb

Really, have you seen the weather map today!

Glad I live by the coast where it will "only" be 90.

Looks like today is to be the hottest day.

janisj

>>I wonder if those cities are devoid of life in August.

WhereAreWe

I mostly agree with you there janisj.

My issue is with posters who make it sound like you will die if you step out of your car in Death Valley when the temps there are similar to some large cities. Those type of dramatic pronouncements drive me nuts and really serve no purpose.

mlgb

This is straight from the NPS website

"Is it safe to visit Death Valley in the summer?
Yes, but you must be prepared and use common sense. With an air conditioned vehicle you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Stay on paved roads in summer, and if your car breaks down, stay with it until help arrives.
Always bring plenty of water in your car in case of emergency and drink at least 2 to 4 liters per day, more if you are active in the heat. Summer hiking is not recommended except in the early morning hours and in the mountains."

Jean

I would feel more comfortable driving through DV in summer in my own car that I know is well maintained. In a rented car? No ~ way. (Insert a familiar, very emphatic gerund at the ~.)

mlgb

Well hopefully they are using some major rental company and not one of those cut rate ones ~.~.~.

I had a flat one year on the Badwater Road, traveling by myself! It's easy to do as there is not a smooth transition on the shoulders and you get distracted by the scenery

Several good Samaritans pulled over and we managed to get my spare on in less than 30 minutes (thankfully they were big guys).

So in addition to the water, I would be sure any rental comes with a properly inflated spare and the necessary jack and tools.

elizzie4000

>

People that live in those cities do not spend time out of doors as much as possible. And EVERY place has Air Conditioning. I have friends in Phoenix. Trust me. They go from A/C house to A/C car to A/c work to A/C stores to A/C restaurants and back to A/C car & house. They do not get out and walk around and try to hike or sightsee. If their car breaks down they have cell service and help within minutes. Not so in parts of Death Valley. When I was there in April there were long stretches where we didn't have cell service and didn't even pass another car for an hour.

Every place in Las Vegas is Air Conditioned.