Class A vs Death Valley

We came into Death Valley by way of Hwy 58 out of Edwards AFB to I-15 East to Hwy 127 N out of Baker into the Valley then Hwy 190 to Stovepipe Wells. Beautiful smooth 2 lane road all the way through rolling/flat desert. No drop offs. Stovepipe Wells has only 14 full hookups (50amp) so make your reservations early and "smell the roses"!! Catch a sunrise AND a sunset. Hwy 127 on the map has the little green dots (scenic) all the way. If you come through Boron be sure to go to the Borax display park. VERY interesting!! Remember the old Ronald Regan TV show that was sponsored by 20 Mule Team Borax? This explains the mining and what it is used for today. Not just laundry. Don't miss. Worth the time!

pigfarmer wrote:
We stayed a week in Death Valley this past October and it was wonderful. We've 'done' all of the National Parks and we've both said if we were to go back to just one, it would be Death Valley. In the week we were there we were able to hit all of the points of interest. It is actually a beautiful place and very interesting. I don't remember any bad roads and I don't remember any drop offs. There were a few narrow roads and twisty but we drove the Jeep Liberty and not the motorhome. It was left in the campground. I would think early May would be about the same temperatures as October. The hottest day when we were there was 110° but if you will pardon me, it was a dry heat. It DID NOT feel that hot. Don't miss seeing Death Valley. A lot of people miss it because of the negative things they've heard about it. You be the judge. You WILL be glad you did it. We were in a 40'DP

Highway 190 that runs from 395 into the Valley has some very shear drop offs with no shoulder. But it's a good road.

We stayed a week in Death Valley this past October and it was wonderful. We've 'done' all of the National Parks and we've both said if we were to go back to just one, it would be Death Valley. In the week we were there we were able to hit all of the points of interest. It is actually a beautiful place and very interesting. I don't remember any bad roads and I don't remember any drop offs. There were a few narrow roads and twisty but we drove the Jeep Liberty and not the motorhome. It was left in the campground. I would think early May would be about the same temperatures as October. The hottest day when we were there was 110° but if you will pardon me, it was a dry heat. It DID NOT feel that hot. Don't miss seeing Death Valley. A lot of people miss it because of the negative things they've heard about it. You be the judge. You WILL be glad you did it. We were in a 40'DP

Thanks to all for your response. If we give it a try it will be in early May.
Thanks

dkreuzen wrote:
CA190 between Death Valley and US395 has a good surface but it is very steep and twisty. Much of it is 6-9% grades. If you are not used to desert and mountain driving, this is not a good route to learn on. I have done that route in the summer with no problems but I live in that kind of heat. Take a more direct route to Sequoia and leave Death Valley for a winter trip so you can stay awhile and explore it.

Actually that is a good point. I just drove that road last week but it was in my pickup. I have done it before in the motorhome. But I do recall as I was driving it and looking at the shear drops offs with no shoulder, I was thinking about the people on this forum that complain about driving on Highway 1 in California. That 190 going down into Death Valley was a worse road than Highway 1. But it's still a doable road in an RV. Motorhomes on it all the time.

CA190 between Death Valley and US395 has a good surface but it is very steep and twisty. Much of it is 6-9% grades. If you are not used to desert and mountain driving, this is not a good route to learn on. I have done that route in the summer with no problems but I live in that kind of heat. Take a more direct route to Sequoia and leave Death Valley for a winter trip so you can stay awhile and explore it.

Oh, I forgot to mention, if you spend any time in Death Valley, you have to drive out to see Scotty's Castle.

MM.

Executive wrote:
Make sure your coach is fueled up before you head out across Death Valley...Dennis

It's not that far across and there are two gas stations inside the park, but this is a good idea anyway as gas prices inside the park are at $5 a gallon.

Make sure your coach is fueled up before you head out across Death Valley...Dennis

mdprince wrote:
any temp over 125 - I need shade or a 3rd air conditioner !!!

Wasn't more than a little warm when we were there in 09 and not much heat anywhere we went, but can't say that for this summer and it's been plenty hot most everywhere we go.