Death Valley in June?
Is it safe to go through Death Valley in late June? We are planing our trip out west (from Tennessee) for next summer with the Grandkids so we will be traveling while school is out. Our plan has us g...
Forum Discussion
clarkster wrote:
The only way you can get from Yosemite, down the eastern side of the Sierras is Tioga pass. It is Hwy 120.
It is a steep downgrade with curves. You can do this easy. Lower gear is your friend.
This highway comes out near the eastern Sierra town of Lee Vining at Hwy 395.
Turn right, or south, on Hwy 395 for several miles and just after (south of) the June Lake junction turnoff, (Hwy 158) turn left, or east, on the now continuing Hwy 120.
This will take you to Tonopah NV. Then just follow Hwy 95 south all the way into Las Vegas.
Avoids the heat of Death Valley completely.
This is the way I would go. I would also plan shorter travel days in the desert so you are not on the road in the heat of the day. Leave early morning and get to your next stop by lunchtime. Get your trailer A/C running before you even unhitch. I would also get your transmission and cooling system serviced before you head out west. Get something like a Scangauge to monitor temps and don't rely on the Ford dumb gauges
