Titus Canyon & Death Valley

[Tom Merson]

dunc b,

Looks like a great area to explore. How does one access it exactly, how long overall was the route and about how long did it take. Love the pictures. Makes me want to go there before summer.

Thanks much.

[dunc_b]

Hi Tom,

We took the 95 heading NW out of Las Vegas until Beatty. Filled up with gas just in case. Then headed SW on the 374. You can see it on the map here...

las vegas - Google Maps

The turnoff is sign posted Titus Canyon on the right hand side in the map above.

It's a wide open trial to begin with and drops into the canyon later.

The trail itself is fine, far smoother than the washboard we experienced later on. So the canyon road ends on regular roads in the park...

las vegas - Google Maps

The washbaorded bit that took far longer than the canyon was this route...

It eventually turned us out in Big Pine. Its a beautiful drive, from the desert into the forests...

Death Valley Rd/Loretta Mine Rd to Scottys Castle Rd - Google Maps

[dunc_b]

We left Vegas around 7am (The Vdara is a wonderful hotel if you don't lke casinos like us!) and we drove across the valley and made it into Yosemite around nightfall...

The canyon took 2 hours - and the later part around 4 - we stopped to take pics etc...

D

[Tom Merson]

Dunc B

Really appreciate that information. I'm inspired to do that drive and your maps are very helpful.

Tom

[Scooby]

Originally Posted by dunc_b

I thought so too, it's just washboarded in places very badly.

The ridges are 1-2" high and 6-8" apart and it's enough to shake you so bad you want to stop! 75miles of it was enough to last me a day or two. Perfect for the bike though

Here's the trick air down your tires about 10psi from what you run on the street offroad ..your outback will handle better and takes a load off your kidneys,plus you get to keep your fillings...

It makes all the difference!

Also the faster you go the the quicker the suspension reacts and you'll feel it less..

If your hitting a washbaord road at 25mph it sucks...at 40 it's much better...

[GoGriz]

I grew up in Beatty for 9 years (sure is way different now compared to then) and traveled Titus Canyon a few times with my dad in his '68 Bronco. It looks like the road through there had been 'taken care of' as it sure wasn't like that many years ago. Great pictures for sure. I'll have to take that drive next time I go through Beatty. Oh, if you're down for camping You can stay at a good number of campgrounds in Death Valley, or stay at a hotel in Beatty. Gas is MUCH cheaper in Beatty than Death Valley. Also, if you like a touch of history, head to Scotty's Castle in Death Valley for a nice surprise in the 'middle of nowhere'.