Community Forums

AKJohn · 01-01-2015, 11:16 PM

We just spent four days (early December) in Death Valley. If you have never been there I strongly recommend it. Lots to see, good hiking, very quiet, beautiful scenery. We came in from Pahrump, NV on Bell Vista Road through Amargosa and then Hwy 190 to Furnace Creek. We stayed at the NPS Furnace Creek campground. When we left we took Hwy 190 to Panamint Valley, then went south on Panamint Valley Road (Hwy 178) through Trona and Ridgecrest where we connected up with Hwy 395. It was a great drive. Panamint Valley was beautiful. The road has been closed for some time due to flood damage. It opened recently and is in good shape. There is a two mile section that is not paved. I drove the unpaved section at 35 or 40 mph with no problem. The rest of the road is old pavement in good condition. On some of the road I felt the expansion cracks across the pavement but certainly not as bad as some of I-5 or Hwy 101 that I have been driving on since. I've attached two photos. The first is looking south on the Panamint Valley Road. The second is looking east from the road toward the Panamint Mountains. There was so little traffic I just stopped in the road and took these photos. There were no other vehicles in sight in either direction. What a great drive. When I was back on the freeway I sure missed it.

vsheetz · 01-01-2015, 11:44 PM

Most excellent. Has been a few years since being in the area. Thanks for sharing.

fbuckwalter · 01-22-2015, 07:14 AM

I spent a couple of weeks working in the Panamint Valley years ago. A good stop is Ballarat if you have the time. You have to drive across a dry lake but I think you could make it in a MH, I made it in a car.

Highway 4x4 · 01-22-2015, 03:38 PM

I used to explore that area a lot. Anybody else see Mansons buss back at his ranch? I should have taken a ton of pictures of it. There were abandoned mines still full of stuff, even old dynamite. Never had a problem, great memories.

JeffAZ · 01-23-2015, 03:35 PM

Thanks John, Death Valley is on my list to do, I've driven by it a couple times, but had no time to go exploring. Are there any (LEGAL) OHV areas there?

rmbarr · 01-26-2015, 09:01 PM

Just returned from a weeks stay in DV. Arrived via Hwy 395 from the West down the HILL into Panamint. I would suggest the Panamint Valley Road as an entry route for those not experienced or equipped for a long narrow crooked 9% down grade. Although a beautiful drive. Also be ready for practice mid-day FA-18 very low over-flights by our countries Best, especially in Panamint Valley. We had a great stay at all 3 RV resorts, and would recommend a trip to all.

fbuckwalter · 01-29-2015, 11:55 AM

I can attest to the low F 18 flights. One scared the hell out of me when I was working there. It sounded like it was going to land on my head but of course it was gone before I heard it. I was used to jet noise in the AF and 105's taking off with after burners. Anyway great place to visit.