Death Valley late September

[russelln]

We are doing a trip from Northern California heading to southern Utah. I was planning on going through Death Valley on 190 staying at Panamint Springs and out to Pahrump.
Any thoughts on temperatures in late September?
We are in a Class C with a small Tracker toad.
Thanks

[russelln]

Great advise. Thank you all!

[time2roll]

Several 9+ percent grades so plan to go slow and use some of the lower gears.
Service can take an extended period if something happens so have water and food and stay with the vehicle if it quits.
See some of the sights or at least the visitor center... don't just drive through.

[older_fossil]

We have driven a 27 ft class C towing a Jeep Wrangler over Towne's Pass between the Panamint Valley and Death Valley many times (but usually in the winter 1/2 of the year). It is a slow climb and long descent. I'd often have to get down to 1st gear on the Panamint Valley side. Be sure to use your gears and engine braking to keep your speed down on the long descent into DV. Temperature is likely to be anything from warm to very hot in late September and nighttime doesn't cool down that much that time of year. Late summer thunderstorms can cause heavy rain, so keep a check on weather. If you eat at the Panamint Springs Restaurant and Noah Bricker is waiting tables, say "hi" from us (though we haven't seen him in several years).

[russelln]

Thank you everyone for the advise.
I guess if we overnite in Panamint Springs and set off in the morning it will hopefully be cooler. If it gets too hot we could unhook and drive the Tracker seperately.
We are in no rush. Winding roads don't bother us, we have a few of those in New Zealand.

[ppine]

September can still be really hot. This summer has been bad. I am ready for fall so Death Valley has little appeal until winter. I would enjoy that trip a lot more at the end of Oct or in Nov. Smaller crowds also. The roads are challenging in the heat. Watch your engine and trans temp gauges. Stop and cool your brakes. Use lower gears.

[RFCN2]

We stayed in Panaimint Springs RV park for 4 nights in Jan about 5 years ago. We drove our car /towed into the park. We went up the grade in our car several times and I thought at the time that this would not be a fun road to go over in a motorhome. In Jan the temps were quite nice. End of this month, not so much.

On the other hand Oct is likely the best month to go to Zion and the parks in S Utah. Very nice hiking weather.

[dkreuzen]

CA190 from US395 to Death Valley is quite steep and very windy. I would not recommend it unless you are very comfortable with that type of road. A diesel with an engine brake is very helpful. It will be hot but that shouldn't be a problem. Run the generator and house AC and leave dash AC off when climbing.

[Lwiddis]

Russell, those who don't respect DV die in DV. Panamint Springs is a good choice but try November for an enjoyable trip.

[2oldman]

You can see weather history on most any website.

[Desert_Captain]

We were returning to Tucson from northern California a couple years ago in late September and had the same idea.... good luck. :S The forecast called for highs in the upper 80's but by the time we reached Panamint Springs {mid morning}, it was 104 and 107 at Furnace Creek.

Saw 230 degrees of trans fluid and 224 of coolant on the climb out of Panamint in our 24' Class C {2012 V-10 towing my motorcycle - bike and trailer were less than 1,000#}. Both cooled back down after the top of the grade and we were able to maintain 45 mph but it was NOT much fun.
:E

Chances are good that you will encounter triple digit temps and the climb out of Panamint Springs is monstrous. Once you get over that grade the rest of the ride and subsequent grades are no problem and Pahrump is usually a lot of fun, we like the Lakeside Casino RV Park {formerly Horrible Herb's}, though expect temps in the 90's.

:C

[nevadanick]

Panamint temps are cooler than the valley. I would do it.

[rv2go]

It most likely will be 100+ Sept. Temp..