Driving to Death Valley from Central California

Hello,

I’m planning my first visit to Death Valley. The plan is to spend 3-days car camping in February.
I’m in Central California in a town about 90 miles west of Yosemite.
Since Tioga Pass is closed, we’ll have to drive to Bakersfield.
Assuming no storms and no chain requirements, what would be an “interesting” route to take?
Looking at a map (Google maps) of the area I see the following routes from Bakersfield:


178 to 190. Would give me the opportunity to check out Trona.

178 to 395 then catch 190 in Olancha. I’m familiar with part of this route as this is how I get to Bishop in the winter.

58 to 14. Then I can take either 395 or 178 to 190.

So, those of you familiar with these highways which route would be a nice fun drive?
I know what I’m asking is highly subjective but I want to know your opinions since I’m not familiar with the area.
And yes, I already ordered a guide book. I just don’t have it yet.

Thanks.

178 to 395 then catch 190 in Olancha. I’m familiar with part of this route as this is how I get to Bishop in the winter.

Be sure to eat lunch in Olancha. The restaurant is almost adjacent to the junction of 395 and 190. Thisis a beautiful route over two mountains through the Panamint Valley and drops down into DV at Stovepipe Wells Dunes. There is good camping at Stovepipe Wells Village.

The road in from Trona is the least likely to be plowed.

death valley

You might also want to continue into Lone Pine and check out the Alabama Hills.
Tim

I don't think there's going to be much between your options time-wise. A lot is going to depend on whether you want to get to DV quickly or whether you view the journey as a photo opportunity in itself.

If you have a lot of time for the journey I'd be tempted by spending a dawn and/or dusk in the Alabama Hills, and taking a look around Keeler which is a quirky kind of place, not to mention getting a good reflection of the snowy Sierras in the remnants of Owens Lake. I've driven the 178 past Lake Isabella in April, when it was pleasant and quite interesting photographically- can't speak for February though. In my view the Trona pinnacles are only of interest in early or late light. They are several miles off the main road and the last couple of miles you'll want to do slowly. You won't see a thing unless you ivest some time off the main road. I also quite like Randsberg/Red Mountain just south of Ridgecrest- in a sort of beat-up, abandoned mines kind of way.

But all of this is only of any use if you have time to see them. If your thoughts are to get to DV in a day then frankly it doesn't matter which way you go since you won't be seeing anything at its best - I mean there's little point driving off the main road to Trona unless you're going to get a decent photograph, and the same goes for the Alabama Hills. You could easily waste a couple of hours on the 178 photographing the river and lake from the roadside.

If I wanted to be fast I'd drive the 58/14 then cut across via Garlock and Searles to miss Ridgecrest (always a good thing to do IMO) . If I had a couple of days I'd go via 178/395 to the Alabama Hills and Keeler.

Walker pass which is between Bakersfield and the rest of where you're going doesn't close often, so you should be OK there.
When you get down to 14, make a detour right and drive south a few miles and pick up Randsburg road to the left. There is some good desert scenery through there, believe it or not.
Plus a town site that makes Randsburg look like NYC.

When you get to 395 you have a few choices, but mostly they'd take you through Ridgecrest, which might not be so bad IMHO, being a former resident. There are some good, paved back roads that will bypass Ridgecrest, if you want.
Or, from Ridgecrest, you can take the road through Trona (don't stop, aside from the pinnacles) and into the back parts of Death Valley. Though if you need some borax for alt processes, you could probably find some around Trona.

There are several place

Keeler, Owens Valley and Manzanar

As mentioned previously, Keeler and the Owens Valley are a great route to the park. When I visited several years ago (when I lived near Sacramento), I think I photographed more in those two places than in the park itself.
Another good stop that's somewhat nearby is Manzanar Internment Camp. Japanese Americans were held there during WWII. Ansel Adams photographed the camp while it was in use for his book "Born Free and Equal". It's being preserved these days and makes for a fascinating stop.
Death Valley is a wonderful destination but the surroundings are just as worthy of a visit.
That's a great trip to make. As I watch the snow pile up outside this evening, Death Valley is sounding pretty damn good.

I did this trip the second week of January when it was storming in the Sierra. I went from Sacto down to Bakersfield up 178 over to 395 and into Death Valley after a stop in Lone Pine. The Valley drive to Bakersfield sucked, 178 was ok a twisty little road, then 395 is a good drive. It's really the only way to go right now, heading any more south would just lengthen your drive.

DV is a great place to shoot.

all depends on what you are driving.

If you have 4WD, and if you are competent at real 4WD (not just blacktop and gravel/dirt roads)....and if the weather has been dry (and either Ubehebe or Hunter Mountain road is open, check first!).

Saline Valley road to Ubehebe Rd through the backcountry to Racetrack Playa. This area is phenomenal. The usual freeway driving (washboard dirt road) via Teakettle and Ubehebe Crater onto pavement in the north end of DV).

Don't try this without checking road conditions. Don't try this in rain/snow.



Also, Cerro Gordo above Keeler....check locally before heading up. Extremely steep, poor road but phenomenal views of the Sierra (especially with snow caps)

It seems we'll drive to DV next week. Unfortunately, due to school work we can only stay in DV for only two full days not three days as originally planned. That means we'll try to get to DV as soon as possible, so no side trips this time... I finally got my map of SoCal so I'll look at the roads you suggested. I'll write a report when I get back. Oh, as to what I drive. I have a Subaru Outback, so I limit myself to snow, mud and gravel roads. I don't know if the car has enough clearance for real 4WD roads and I don't think DV is the place to test the 4WD worthiness of my car
By the way, I wasn't expecting all these replies. Thank you all for your advice!
Later.