Western Parks Road Trip

[Southwest Dave]

It's good to see that you have been doing your homework and have a great list of possible places to visit, but don't expect to get around to them all. It's far more important to have time to savour the spot you are in, then it is to be watching the clock and worrying about getting to the next place on your list. Some places you may stay longer than expected and others not so long so it's good to have options. Would it not be easier to see all the attractions around Page and then go to the South rim and Monument valley?

I have to agree that driving to Ridgecrest on arrival isn't a good idea. You may think your body clock is adjusted but after an International flight you will be weary. Even though the adrenalin may keep you going for a while eventually you will crash and then it could affect you for a few days after, not to mention your mates. It's usually best to get your rental and crash at a nearby motel and then hit the road running early the next morning.

[Pujsek]

Would it not be easier to see all the attractions around Page and then go to the South rim and Monument valley?

Of course. This is the plan. I forgot to change it :)

I have to agree that driving to Ridgecrest on arrival isn't a good idea...

I agree it isn't the best thing to do but we need to enter Death Valley as soon as possible on the second day of our trip because we don't want to camp there because of the temperatures. Do you think it's better for us to stay near the airport and just start the day in the middle of the night (around 4 am)?

[Southwest Dave]

What time does your flight actually arrive ? I can't help but think you might be better off cutting back a little, perhaps the Mojave and Joshua Tree at the end of your trip, to give you a little more time. Perhaps even visit them at the start of your trip

I would also consider visiting Lassen Volcanic NP between Crater Lake and Yosemite over heading to June Lake.

[Pujsek]

That's another problem. Flight is scheduled to arrive at 4 pm. We can't cut back at the start of our trip because we have to be in Las Vegas on the 26th as we are meeting with some friends who live in the states and that is the only opportunity for us to meet (they are flying back to the east coast on the 26th). But we can take it easy on that day and get some rest.

Thanks for the Lassen suggestion. It seems really beautiful.

[glc]

If your flight arrives at 4pm, you would be in the height of rush hour trying to get out of LA. Pick up your car, get a hotel room near the airport, go to bed early, and hit the road before dawn to get out of the city before rush hour. Best way to DV is I-405 to I-5 to CA-14. The 405 is famous for its terrible traffic so I'd say that 4am would be a good target time to get going.

You can either stay on CA-14 to US-395 to CA-190 to get into DV, or go into Ridgecrest on CA-178 and take the Trona-Wildrose Road in, which will take you to CA-190 at Panamint Springs.

[Southwest Dave]

I'd agree with the above. It takes time to clear customs and to get to the rental desk and do the paper work for your car. Then you should take into consideration you could have flight delays. After travelling, picking up the car and booking into your hotel and having something to eat, it should see you tired and ready for bed around 8pm, so you could get a good nights sleep and still be on the road early.

[Pujsek]

First let me wish you a happy new year and many safe miles.

We decided to listen to you and will book a room somewhere in Los Angeles area. We will also need to find a supermarket and buy tents, coolers, water, food... and I think this will take another two hours. How long do you think it will take us to get from LA to DV (Mesquite sand dunes) if we start at 4 am? I think we should be able to get there in about 5 hours.

Can you give me some advice on scenic routes and possible quick stops between Yellowstone and Crater Lake?

[glc]

Rather than trying to stock up in LA, I'd get out of town first. There is a 24 hour Walmart Supercenter in Palmdale right off CA-14 near the Antelope Valley Mall, you should be able to buy everything you need there. It shouldn't take you 2 hours to do that, you might be able to make the trip in 5 or so hours including the shopping stop.

[DonnaR57]

We decided to listen to you and will book a room somewhere in Los Angeles area. We will also need to find a supermarket and buy tents, coolers, water, food... and I think this will take another two hours.

To find all of those items without a lot of running around, your best bet is to go to the nearest Walmart. When you check in at a hotel, ask at the desk about the location of the nearest Walmart. If one isn't close by, then ask about the nearest Big 5 Sporting Goods and the nearest grocery store. Big 5 will have the tent, sleeping bags (if you need) and coolers, grocery store will have the coolers and food.

How long do you think it will take us to get from LA to DV (Mesquite sand dunes) if we start at 4 am? I think we should be able to get there in about 5 hours.

It's roughly 300 miles from LAX to Death Valley, via CA-14, 58, and US 395. Count on 6 hours, and that would include only a pit stop and a fast-food breakfast. Leaving at 4 am sounds like a winning plan to me (it's something my husband and I do when we have to traverse the LA area).


Donna

[Pujsek]

Rather than trying to stock up in LA, I'd get out of town first. There is a 24 hour Walmart Supercenter in Palmdale right off CA-14 near the Antelope Valley Mall, you should be able to buy everything you need there. It shouldn't take you 2 hours to do that, you might be able to make the trip in 5 or so hours including the shopping stop.

Is there any particular reason for stocking up outside of LA? I must say that 24h Walmart sounds appealing.

It's roughly 300 miles from LAX to Death Valley, via CA-14, 58, and US 395. Count on 6 hours, and that would include only a pit stop and a fast-food breakfast. Leaving at 4 am sounds like a winning plan to me (it's something my husband and I do when we have to traverse the LA area).

Google is saying 250 miles if we take Trona Wildrose Rd and 270 miles if we take US395. Which route would you recommend? Not for speed though.