CA 190???

Thanks for all the opinions. Others in our group are preferring to do 95 from Nevada.

My sons went to Kern Valley High in Lake Isabella. I have been to many football games in Trona. Their sand football field was known as "The Pit." It was a rough field to play on.

These roads are fine. Some slow curves and some extended 7% to 9% grades. Does that seem bad? Allow extra time for going slow and you will be fine.

KCFDCapt wrote:
The route we always take is Hwy 178 through Ridgecrest and Trona. It meets up with Hwy 190 3 miles east of Panamint Springs. If you are coming from the north, it is a little out of the way, but well worth it.

Trona is a kick in the pants. We were just there last weekend.

Points of interest in Trona:

* Trails Drive-In: The food is great and the people are very dear.
* Trona High School: If you can visit while school is out, check out their all-dirt football field. Everyone in that conference hates playing away games in Trona.
* Gas: I forget the name of the station, but gas up at the generic station (not the name brand, can't remember if it's Chevron or Shell). The plain wrap station must have some sort of tribal ties, because their price is way lower than the competition and they must not be paying any fuel taxes.

On the way into Trona, keep your eyes out for the Fish Rocks. Pull over and get some pictures if you have a few minutes.

And if you have another 30 minutes to burn, turn off at Trona Pinnacles and take the dirt road to visit the Pinnacles. You'll recognize them from movies, commercials, and TV. They're pretty interesting. They're the same "Tufa" formations you see at Mono Lake, but they aren't underwater. Also, visiting the Pinnacles gives your nose a chance to acclimate before you get into Trona. The smell is something else. Our kids love to say, "Did you just Trona?"

If you feel like watching something quirky, check out Just Add Water on Amazon or Netflix. It's a very strange rom-com set in Trona, if you can believe that.

We often camp in the area and Trona is a fun destination to ride to and get some lunch.

The route we always take is Hwy 178 through Ridgecrest and Trona. It meets up with Hwy 190 3 miles east of Panamint Springs. If you are coming from the north, it is a little out of the way, but well worth it.

The portion between Hwy 395 and Furnace Creek was a white knuckle drive for me. Won't do it again ever never ever and I was in a car. Saying that, I don't like heights and peering down into oblivion just isn't my idea of a great drive. But love Death Valley so always plan my trips in on the east side any preferably Hwy 247.

You need to get a Mountain Directory and see the description of that route.
If you don't have a good engine brake I suggest you do not take that route.

https://www.mountaindirectory.com/

190 east bound is very steep and windy between Father Crowley Vista Point and Panamint Springs. Be aware and use low gears before you need to slow down. You will have a string of traffic behind you when you come to the bottom. Then it repeats over Town Pass down to Stovepipe Wells. Take your time and enjoy the views.

I did it many time with my 36' fifth wheel being pulled by an F350 dually. We now travel in a DP.

Probably hot but a great drive with some climbing. If coming from Lancaster, consider the Redrock-Randsberg Road then the Trona Road into DV. Saves driving almost into Lone Pine to pickup CA190. Olancha to Lone Pine is 23 miles for gas and then back for five miles to the 190 turn off. Gas up in Trona. Prices aren’t too bad.