Hwy 395 and Death Valley
we would like to travel 395 from reno to lone pine and death valley with a 39 foot 5th wheel in November. is there a problem with weather,snow or size of the rig???? thanks in advance.
Forum Discussion
- Lone Pine to Death Valley on CA190 is a beautiful drive but it is very steep and vary crooked. Be prepared and have good service brakes and an engine brake.
- We hit some freezing wheather and snow one year through there going to LA one thanksgiving.
- Try to be in Death Valley for the 49ers Celebration in November - lots going on. Also plan to take Scotty's Castle tour - do the house if it's your first time. There's also an underground one that wasn't as interesting.
There are lots of places to spend a night on your way down 395 - an awesome highway, although in November you might find some closed, especially forest campgrounds. The private ones should be open.
Allow some time - at least a full day or two - in Lone Pine and do some movie set drives. Get a map from the visitor center. It's a beautiful area. Fill with fuel and stock up on groceries before heading into Death Valley.
November weather will be perfect for DV. Keep an eye on weather up in Reno and at Mammoth Lakes area on 395. Have a great trip. - The alternative is to take Hwy 95 from the Reno area to Beaty and enter Death Valley from the east. If weather is bad on 395, this is likely to be a better choice.
Cheers, - Generally the road is well maintained and kept fairly clear even during a snow storm. If you do happen upon a storm you can just wait a couple days before you proceed. Once you hit Bishop the chance of snow drops significantly.
395 is generally an easy drive with longish 7% grade down into Bishop. As you turn off 395 the approach to Death Valley has grades approaching 10% and curves that can put you down below 35 mph. The road itself is fine... just allow extra time for descending cautiously.
Death Valley info from a local:
http://www.maturango.org/janetmuseumpages/deathvalley/DeathValley.html - Absolutely not a problem unless there is 10 degree F weather and blinding snowstorms over the several 7000 to 8000 foot passes you have to travel. But if the weather is good and it's clear sailing, it a beautiful drive.
So, the answer is.. you have to just wait and see, really.
