lexpilot

From Bend, Oregon we're headed to Palm Springs on Sunday. I typically drive I5 to Arvin, Kramer Junction, San Birdew, in the winter. I've not driven hiway 395 from Tahoe to Ridgecrest. Is that a mountain pass situation ? Or is it similar to Bend where the mountains take all of the moisture out and our hiway 97 is relatively dry. What are the bad spots on 395, please ?
Robin

Jim

You'll love that drive. The last part is all flat desert, but the drive down through the Owens Valley past Mono Lake and the High Sierras is stunningly beautiful. You are well below snow level, so don't worry about that. All of the Mountain Pass roads south of I80 at Reno for are closed for the winter. You will not encounter dangerous roads. I took my girlfriend down that road this summer, and right before we crested Conway Summat above Mono Lake, I said. OK, get ready to take a walk on the moon. As the valley opened up, I had to open the sunroof to give her enough oxygen to breathe. Take your time, and enjoy the scenery. The high desert gets more boring down towards RidgeCrest, but still nice... If you need some side trips, PM me.

OldGuy

thata a great drive, I could spend 2 weeks of vaction doing
that, Once you get past Miden Gardnerville you will go through
Lake Topaz Walker and Cole. With the walker river on the east side.
then Bridgeport and Lee Vining. all that is 2 lane road. from
Lee vining to June Lake and the Mammoth turnoff is 4 lane.
This is your biggest possibilty of snow. You're running around
7000 feet. Then down the sherwin summit to Bishop. Nice
place to eat. Try Schatz bakery for sandwiches. on the right
hand side of the road right after the Vons Kmart center
on the left. Still four lanes to Big Pine and after big Pine there
is a 40 mile strech of 2 lane through independence and then to Lone
Pine. You're around 4000 now. before Lone Pine it goes back to 4 lanes
for 30 miles or so. after Lone pine back to 2 lanes till Olancha then
4 lanes for 40 miles or so till your almost in Ridgecrest. If you wnat
to take a break in Ridgcrest call me and I'll bring the Turbo out to
meet you. There is a Chevron at the 178 and 395 junction (about
6 miles after the 14 395 intersection. Ph #760 446-7368. From there (Inyokern)
to Hwy 15 is not a very nice road. Especially from 58 395 junction south
Be carefull! once your on I15 your home free to Palm Springs.
If you're staying in Ridgcrest over nite please call and well have
drinks!
Hope to hear from you Robin. We dont get a whole lot of visitors.
Will you be in your Porsche??

GrantG

I went to summer camp in Susanville in 1974 - brings back alot of memories - beautiful place!

Terry Adams

Lovely drive, as OG says. Last time I did it was butterfly season in the Owens Valley:

Terry Adams

and just off the 395 from Lee Vining on 120 going over the pass at 9K+ ft, westbound into Yosemite (summer):

Terry Adams

and off the 395 on the way through Death Valley to Vegas (this is how you get to Palm Springs in a 993 but no other)

lexpilot

Thanks for the replys. I posted this query from home the day before we left. Then my cable service at home crashed! When I left it was still down so I did not get to see any of the replys until today the 15th. We'll probably go home that way on March 10th. We're down in Palm Springs for the next 3 weeks near Gene Autry at Hwy 111. We had a nice 3 day drive down as we diverted off I5 to Cholame (James Dean memeorial) and over to Pismo, Avila, and Solvang. Boy that Calif coast from Morro to Malibu was picturesque ! This is a Duramax trip so that I could bring my bicycle and Mary's quilting materials.
Once again, thanks for the replys. I am sorry to have asked and not been able to repond until now.
Robin