Vancouver, BC - Las Vegas (West Coast down, ID back up)

Oops. Yes, I meant to say Towne Pass which is on the main highway into Death Valley -- it is on CA State Highway 190. The Wildrose road is a beautiful drive -- mostly paved -- lots of washouts over the years -- but it can't be driven at anything approaching highway speeds -- and given the time parameters I would recommend that first-timers stay on the state highway and explore Death Valley in that way.

Towne Pass is still gorgeous -- it is used to test air conditioning systems on new cars each summer!

Good catch SW Dave!

Mark

What about going in from Ridgecrest on the Trona Road to Panamint Valley Road to 190?

George, that is the route I've suggested in post #22.

CA-58 to CA-14 (past Red Rock Canyon State Park) to CA-178 to Ridgecrest to Trona through the Panamint Valley to CA-190.

There are lots of alternative smaller roads -- for instance leaving CA-14 at the Randsburg Red Rock Road and stopping by Randsburg for a few mintues. (See here for ideas at Randsburg) and then either follow US-395 into Ridgecrest to refuel OR take the Trona cut-off to CA-178 past Ridgecrest.

The Trona Pinnacles are worth seeing -- especially if you liked the movies filmed there, (Planet of the Apes) but it takes about 2 hours to make the trip.

The area is dotted with historic old ghost towns and mines. Here's a short article about the nearby Ruth Mine.

Mark

Wow, this all sounds so fascinating. My friend is on board so I was thinking of kind of combining a few suggestions?

I'll take the 178 from Bakersfield and go through Isabella Lake area then cut north on the 14 and follow it into 395 (because I shouldn't take the 178 through Ridgecrest, is that right?). Then head east on 190 near Coso Range all the way through Pahrump then 160 into Vegas?

You CAN take 178 through Ridgecrest, which becomes Trona Road. Take that to Panamint Valley Road to 190. This takes you around the east side of China Lake, 395 takes you around the west side. Either way is good, Trona is less traveled. It's probably slower because you would have to go through downtown Ridgecrest. If you are looking for food, fuel, or lodging that would actually be a good thing.

As said above, you can take 178 which is a nice drive with a remote feel once you get through Trona. What you must do is take a left fork onto Panamint Valley road and not keep right on Trona Wildrose Road as that is where you will find the unmade rough road through Wildrose canyon area.

Here is a detailed map of Death valley to help you picture it.

You guys are awesome!

Don't be too worried about that "left fork" It's really hard to even see the road to Wild Rose Canyon on the Panamint Valley Road. It is sign posted when you are north-bound -- but it's very clear which road is the "correct road" the better pavement goes northwest.

And to clarify -- when you reach CA-190, the Panamint Springs Cafe and Motel will be to the left (west) of the junction about 1/4 mile. If you have TIME to stop and thirst -- it's well worth a quick stop. Great historic photos and characters hang out there. Then you will get back on CA-190 going east (past the Panamint Valley Road) and on to Towne Pass and Death Valley.

If you don't have time to spare -- you would simply turn RIGHT (east) when you reach CA-190 when you are northbound on Panamint Valley Road.

One more thing to watch.... The US Navy jets routinely use this valley to fly below the radar and you can often see them -- so keep your eyes peeled. Speed limit is a sane 55 on this road -- due to surface conditions -- but some of us old roadtrippers have been known to open it up a bit here -- Just remember most cars were never designed to catch air on the bumps....

I'm definitely taking your advice on the café; I'm a chef so I'm all about the delicious food and beverage stops if we get to. That's cool about the jets, I hope we see some!

I wouldn't characterize the food as being especially delicious -- but the Redwood Burl bar is quite beautiful -- Far from any naturally occuring Redwood tree forest!

Mark