Need advise on first Time Road Trip [May 21 - May 27, 2008]

glad you enjoyed it despite the weather.!
kernville to porterville via johnsondale and the generals highway are brilliant drives and ones that i will never forget. luckily it was'nt to busy at the time as we were in a 30ft motorhome at the time :)

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Originally Posted by abhijitz

Drive on 168 was awesome

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I love that road too -- serious speed can be acquired in certain spots.

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2. From 168 took the Death Valley Road into Death Valley. It should have never have been attempted in a basic car. It took me 4 hours to cross the stretch. I felt that the axle was about to pop out anytime. But it was real thrill.

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I hope you didn't think we recommended that route! I wouldn't attempt it in May in anything less than a high clearance truck -- sure glad you made it OK.

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3. To my dismay, Sherman Pass Road was closed. But, i still went up until Kearne Campground and the drive was great. Wish the Pass would have been opened. Locals say another 2 weeks.

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Thanks for the field report -- it is amazing -- the high sierra routes opened two weeks ago and the southern sierra is still closed. Weird.

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4. Thus, i took 178 into Lake Isabella and it was another great view. Went up to Johnsondale, but missed Mcnally's as they were not opening until 4 PM and i reached there at 2 PM. Came down to Porterville via 190. One of the best winding roads i have evern been (though it was raining a lot)

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. I would have loved a new field report about McNally's --thanks for making the effort!.

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Worth mention about the forum which has tons of information, and it helped me plan the complete trip easily.

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Thanks for the kudos and we hope to see you back here soon.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

I love that road too -- serious speed can be acquired in certain spots.

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I intended to do the entire 168 per that link. I did visit your link earlier and took all notes from it. Fact, that it was raining hard on 168 and the fogs were too low, i though i will not enjoy much of the vista points mentioned, so lets take a detour down into Death Valley

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

I hope you didn't think we recommended that route! I wouldn't attempt it in May in anything less than a high clearance truck -- sure glad you made it OK.

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Well no, you guys didnt recommend this trip but i just took it as a detour. I even had the list of backroads into Death Valley to be attempted only in a high rise vehicle, but i kind of ignored it :-) I was thinking, how bad it could be ? bad than Mountain Roads at India ? Sure, i can pass through with a car. Was over optimistic, but neverthless it would have been far more enjoyable in a high rise vehicle [Next time for sure]. Funny thing is - I was so drained out, when i finally reached the paved road to Scotty's castle (on the left) i got out of the car, and bowed towards it on the ground in a gesture that I thank him for taking me out safely. Another car passing on that road stopped, and the lady asked me if i was fine. I said, i just made it on Death Valley Road in this car and am so happy. She was all over with rolling eyes towards me :-)

Am all set for my next roadtrip at summer. will bother again with lots of questions.