So we are taking an epic trip this year from San Francisco, CA to the Grand Canyon with my wife, two girls and my in laws.
We are driving through Yosemite (140-120-395) into Death Valley (136-190) to Hoover Dam and on to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
My concerns specifically while researching this route are two fold:
1. In mid November do we need to worry about major snow and if so tire chains?
2. Is there a tunnel our 13ft tall bus can't fit under in Yosemite?
Thanks guys. You've been a huge help to me lately
Make sure to take the damn tour. Oh, and chewing gum wont work on water leaks in the tunnels. Also share a picture out the little door on the face of the dam.😏
And be sure to come to Sedona give us a call we are 15 miles west of Sedona.
Tioga Pass often closes in November: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/seasonal.htm Yes, take chains.
Townes Pass over the Panamint Range heading to Death Valley is STEEP. Some parts of it are over 10% (one short section is almost 18%!): https://pjammcycling.com/climb/236.Towne%20Pass%20West Do not underestimate this pass.
John
Great resturant in Furnace Creek Inn, now called the Oasis, pretty grounds too, don't think you can park bus in back parking lot, but you can boondock across from Furnace Creek Ranch, which also has a restaurant, short distance away. The hwy from US395 thru Panamint to Furnace Creek is very steep, as John mentioned. Road goes from top of valley, Panamint, to bottom of valley, right back up to top of the other side.
Lots of RV parks in Pahrump, casino restaurants too. They are widening the highway between Pahrump and LV, closing it down at times as they blow up the mountain to widen it at Mountain Springs, that's the Old Spanish Trail.
US93 is now Interstate 11, it by passes Boulder City, in a new section, climb up thru mountain pass, then steep down to the Dam Bridge. Good hotel resturant just before the Dam, called Hoover Dam Lodge, good bus parking across the old hwy at that hotel casino. If the timing is right 30/31Oct a mile away from that hotel, were holding the last That Dam PRE Rally at the Lake Mead RV Park.
US93 on the other side of the Dam, is still rough in places, but sections are much improved, gas and diesel along the way. Still have to come to a stop light in Kingman at the US93/1-40 intersection. TA truck stop there. I-40 is 75mph and 2 more truck stops up the mountain east of Kingman. Some steep climbs to Seligman.
Williams has several RV parks and good restaurants, which is were you turn left to the Grand Canyon, train ride to the canyon is great fun, either steam or diesel locomotives. there is a KOA past Williams, that is very kid friendly. In Williams if you stay there, there is Bearazona and Deer Farm, both great for kids, snow and Ice rarely a problem in So NV, but Before Williams, Ash Creek to Grand Canyon should be checked, trains don't stop for weather, El Tovar resturant is great at the Canyon Village, lvmci...
Hi;
Just a note;
6-8 years ago I took the north road out of Yosemite. It was the worst road I have ever been on. There were
rock overhangs and lots of pot holes. I won't do that again. Maybe you can check with Cal-Trans to get an
update on road improvements.
Also, check with Cal-Trans about the road into Death Valley. I understand it is 6-8% down grade into the valley with
lots of curves. (200 feet below sea level.)
Good luck, Merle.
Wow that is steep. That would dirty my shorts😳😳
I think I would take 120 to US95 then south.
Wolf creek pass in Colorado westbound scares me silly and it is only 6%.
Good luck 👍
Don't stop in Kingman for too long...the scammers seem to own the city. You'll need new tires, new shocks, new sway bar bushings AND since your graphics are faded, they can redo them cheaply.
I was in DV this spring with my 40' Eagle. The roads are beautiful now, albeit not very wide. Many roads have been repaved just recently and are really nice. I stayed in a campground in Furnace Creek (good base camp) for $25/night with full hookups and large sites, but get there around noonish for the best spots. Scotty's Castle is still closed (unfortunately).
My reco is to stay in Furnace Creek and take your toad everywhere. Just Fuel up before you get there as fuel prices in FC are outrageous. $5 - $7 / gal.
The road from Stovepipe Wells to Panamint Springs is a looooooong steep grade down and it is only 2 lanes wide. That is the only time I was concerned about losing my brakes. Gear down early and try to travel that hill when traffic is light and just hope your "Check Underwear" light does not come on. ;) Or if you are going up like Tom mentioned, watch your temps and maybe plan to travel at night if you go in the summer.
That being said, I love to go to DV. It is an amazing place. Best time to go is in the summer as there are no tourists there. ;D
Check out this website for Road Conditions, but it does not assume you are driving a 20-ton bus so you will have to read between the lines for that info.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/standard-road-conditions.htm
Ok this is exactly the info I'm looking for. Will need to sort through this and come up with a plan. Still not sure about the tunnels in Yosemite. Anyone experience those?
10% grades are no joke. I've done a similar grade before and it's definitely an anus tightener. Brakes on the coach have just been redone and gone through including slack adjusters. But don't have jakes so I need to come up with a new plan.
All of the roads in Yosemite are really narrow. Tioga pass might be closed that time of year. The park side is a long steady climb. The road down into Lee Vining is long and fairly steep, but plenty wide. Not much, if any, camp spots in Yosemite that can accomadate a 40' RV. None with hook-ups. Crossing the Sierra Nevada mtns. anywhere, is daunting and mostly narrow. One option would be to stay just outside the park at the south entrance, (hwy 41), and use the towed to see the park. If the road to Glacier Point is open, it's a must see kinda thing. Just inside the park, (south west hwy 41 entrance), there is a Giant Sequoia grove, absolutely stunning and humbling. If you go in on 120/140 and Tioga pass isn't open then just go back down to the valley. The road going to the Hwy 41 entrance from the Yosemite valley is a white knuckle very twisty drive in a coach. 40'tour buses drive all through the park, but, they do it all the time and have retarders or Jakes.
I would put on the Jakes, really not that expensive considering what they do.
Quote from: Scott & Heather on July 22, 2019, 05:08:19 AM
Ok this is exactly the info I'm looking for. Will need to sort through this and come up with a plan. Still not sure about the tunnels in Yosemite. Anyone experience those?
10% grades are no joke. I've done a similar grade before and it's definitely an anus tightener. Brakes on the coach have just been redone and gone through including slack adjusters. But don't have jakes so I need to come up with a new plan.
I have had my MC5A all through the park. My height is 11' 5" no issues with the tunnels.
Remember what RJ who drove it all the time used to say about Lee Vinning," Stop when you see a car approaching the other way and let them hit you instead of trying to get past them, they will have to pay", LOL but true. When in the Sierra mountains always carry chains to be ready. :)
did your 11 foot 5 have another 1 1/2 foot clearance?
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/restrictions.htm
Get a copy of the Mountains Directory West, it became my go to book for mountain travel. Tip.....if it says the road has curves 35mph or less , it means you will be using your brakes a lot!
Just be careful going thru this tunnel in that park. It is a bit tight but you can make it. 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKNL6gI8DBU
Yeah Gary,
There's no way I'm doing that. Going to pass by Yosemite and try to drive toad in...
You notice that that is NOT Gary's coach in the picture?