Ridgecrest CA to Death Valley

Glad I could help. It is a long way around.

Thanks Reasly, I learn something everyday. You saved me a lot of miles. Thanks again. Larry

178 ends at the turn off to the Pinnacles before it reaches Trona. CalTrans reports no issues because there are none on 178. Once you get past Trona, it is the Panamint Valley Rd, an Inyo County road, and it is closed at the turn off to Ballarat. 178 does not connect with 190.

178 was one of those highways that was never completed. It was supposed head east below Searles dry lake and come into Death Valley from the South. The eastern portion was built but orphaned. It heads out of the park thru Shoshone and onto Pahrump, NV. But the two parts were never connected and likely never will be.

According the California Highway Department, the route 178 from Ridgecrest thru to 190 is open. I have called them and searched their computer site there are no restrictions. If I am wrong I guess I will be backtracking. Will be going that way 1/14/14. If anyone knows any different information, would sure like to hear about it. Thanks Larry

Thanks, we'll probably do the latter, and the longer mileage. I'm a wimpy passenger...admitted!

Wavesprite wrote:
Can someone help me out? If we are coming from say Bakersfield, what is the best way to get to Furnace Creek? We're leaving in 3 weeks.....towing a trailer.

Thanks!

Only a couple of choices right now. Over the Tehachapi's on 58 and north on 14 to 190 then east to Death Vally (246 miles) or on out 58 to to 15 heading east (toward Las Vegas), then up 127 to Death Valley (307 miles).

190 over the Argus Range can be a little intimidating if you don't like crooked roads. I pull my 33' 5th wheel over that road at least once each year without issue.

Check the Death Valley Morning Report frequently. It will give daily road conditions. If the Panamint Valley Road is open, it's the shortest and easiest road into the park.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=439529

Can someone help me out? If we are coming from say Bakersfield, what is the best way to get to Furnace Creek? We're leaving in 3 weeks.....towing a trailer.

Thanks!

I am not surprised that the road was damaged -- the pavement was in bad shape. Lots of cracks and potholes. The blacktop seemed pretty thin. Easy for a flash flood to wash it away, probably during a summer thunderstorm.

When you drive that road, be sure to look off to the east -- there are several isolated ranches tucked up into the canyons under the mountain range -- at least from a distance, these outfits look exactly like Old West movie sets. It is hard to imagine that there is enough grass to keep the cattle alive.

They have been working on the road. It was washed out in several places. In one section the is a 6' drop off. They have a lot of equipment and and people working on it, but as noted they are not a high dollar county. They have to completely rebuild the road bed. It's all from a major gully washer last summer. We were able to use the road by permit from the county for an event in mid November, so I was able to see the damage. It is possible to get around the major washout by using Nadeau rd to Slate Range rd. Nadeau is sort of paved, but Slate Range is sand washboard. However the Panamint Valley Rd is closed and you can be cited for using it. The road is blocked with a 5' berm at the turn off to Ballarat. It is blocked at 190 with barricades.

As to when it will open is anybodies guess. The county says spring of 14. Perhaps it will open sooner. Check the daily report link and they will post the opening of the road.

I know that area pretty well. What rainfall and when? This is one dry place. Mono and Inyo countieshave NO money and any time there is a washout, they just close the road instead of getting right to work fixing it.
When did the precip come?
Some of us are planning on going into The Panamints and Death Valley in February, so is this a long term closure? Anyone know?
jefe