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

[Southwest Dave]

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 :)

[Mark Sedenquist]

Drive on 168 was awesome

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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

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

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

Mark

[abhijitz]

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

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

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.

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.