La - Lv - Sf

Hiya,

We have been planning our route from Vegas and decided to go through Death Valley and then onto Visalia for an overnight, before making tracks for Yosemite the next morning. Rather than go up the 99 from Bakersfield to Visalia, i just wondered if anyone knew if we could do the more complicated route below:

From Lake Isabella on the 178, head north on the Mountain Rd 99 / Kern River Hwy until Jasondale. Then the Mountain Rd 50, CR-107 / Western Divide Hwy / 190 to Springville. Then J37 / Yokohl Valley Dr onto the 198 to Visalia.

Looking at the google maps it looks slightly more senic? but wasnt sure if these roads will be open in December (It doesnt say they are closed) or if we will have enough time to make it to Visalia from Vegas in one day, as these roads look much smaller?

Cheers
Stevo

The roads you are talking about would make for a very scenic trip through the Sequoia National Monument. I believe the roads are open, although I'm not 100 percent sure of that, but you would absolutely need to bring, and be prepared to use chains. This trip would take you into the mountains, and snow would very much be a possibility.

Going beyond that, I don't see that as a particularly feasable trip to do in one day. Even with good conditions, I'd estimate that it would take at least an extra 3-4 hours compared to taking CA-58 and CA-99. You'd already be looking at a long day trying to see some of death valley and make it to Visalia via the expressways. Trying to add even more into this day would make it virtually impossible to stop at anything along the way.

Hi.
We done this drive during good weather [albeit in a 30ft R.V.] and it is a very scenic road but also very twisty and slow going. Michael is right, it is open year round but subject to closures, you would need to carry chains and you just haven't got the time to do it I'm afraid.
I know where you are coming from, I love the scenic route as well but in the States the distances are much greater and driving at 30 m.p.h over mountains saps the time compared to the Interstates, great if you have the extra time.

I doubt you will want to rush Death valley once you are there and it will take you longer than you imagine, but if you felt you were making good time you could still pass through Lake Isabella and drive down the [178] through Kern canyon. You could also take the road to Trona and Ridgecrest [just before pannamint in Death valley] and past a ghost town, [poss Ballarat?] and then across, but be prepared for a long day.