Southern California loop - August 2023

[Mark Sedenquist]

I think it will be closer to months before the roads will be open in Death Valley. The damage is significant and widespread.

Sorry that your trip plans have been altered to this extent.

Thanks for the update.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Bridgeport is a nice place to hang for a day or so.

I don't see any remaining issues on US-Hwy 395 -- so a stop over at Mammoth Lakes and Hot Creek would be a good alternative.

And then go south to points in Southern California.

Getting to Las Vegas is going to be tricky from US-395 without a lot of freeway driving.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

The lower road to Bristlecone was open last week -- that would be awesome if it is still open.

Mark

I just checked the road conditions on CA-168 from Big Pine to Lida - the road sustained damage and is closed. Which also means, of course, that the access road to the Ancient Bristlecone Forest is VERY closed.

[UKCraig]

Thank you, Mark. All very helpful, appreciated..we were planning to go to Bridgeport later today to pick up supplies and do the laundry so will have a good look around.

Currently the kids are quite settled here (as you wil see in the photos) and I think enjoying the enforced slowdown. Often the way in these situations, I find.

Looks like we will have to.come back this time next year to do the parts we missed this year!!

[Mark Sedenquist]

If you did want to head easterly (maybe with a stop in Las Vegas), I do have a scenic suggestion:

US-395 South to CA-120 just south of Mono Lake. Mono Lake is kind of cool too. But there are nice views of the Lake as you climb up the pass. Take CA-120 to Benton Hot Springs -- Benton is sort of an old hippie hangout and then pick up US-Hwy 6 to US-95 to Tonopah.

The mining museum at Tonopah is surprisingly good. And a bit more about Tonopah -- lots of photos of the Clown Motel.

The Mizpah is a old hotel that is supposedly haunted.

And then the drive through Wyatt Earp's Goldfield is fun.

The ghost town at Rhyolite is pretty cool.

And then down to Las Vegas.

Cute photos of your kids -- thanks for sharing.

Mark

[UKCraig]

Had a great day today looking round Bodie, then off to Twin Lakes to do the laundry and picked up the most amazing sandwich from a store on the lake there. After watching the world go by for an hour or so we went to pick up supplies in Bridgeport where I had an enormous win... not seen this stuff for 15 years!!

[glc]

Joshua Tree is now open, but most of the dirt roads and all of the campgrounds are still closed. The Mojave National Preserve is still closed. You should be able to get to Joshua Tree. US-395 is open, CA-127 is closed.

Take US-395 south to Kramer Junction, then CA-58 east to I-15 east to CA-247 south to CA-62 east to 29 Palms.

[Mark Sedenquist]

where I had an enormous win... not seen this stuff for 15 years!!

Alaskan Amber is a nice taste treat.

(I've added a photo contributor's account for you, if you want to post larger photos. Check your Private Messages for login info)

Mark

[UKCraig]

Kids unhappy as we passed the turn for Death Valley today! Little flood damage spotted en route

[UKCraig]

Though they are happier now they have arrived in Joshua Tree