Day 12: Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes

Up and have breakfast at the Staybridge again.  Last night we got all bags ready for loading into the car. 

Arrange the luggage into the car, seven large luggage bags now and a number of other ones!

We filled the cool box with juice and the chocolates and covered with ice.  We also made sandwiches for lunch. 

On leaving the hotel it was straight to fill up the tank with petrol. 

Car suitably fed, then start off to Pahrump.  It’s about 60 mins from Vegas.  

Road to Pahrump

We get there and head for Bell Vista Road to drive to Death Valley Junction.  I had read when planning this drive that it was about 3 miles from the normal junction. You start to doubt you are heading the right way as you leave the town behind and are out in the sticks when you see the turn!

From here it’s a good 30 min drive to Death Valley junction and the Amargosa Opera House.  Meg and I see a Road Runner.  Didn’t see Wilde Coyote though.

Amargosa Opera House

Next stop, Furnace Creek where we stop along the way to pay our fee and get a few photos.

Pay point.

Zabriskie Point



In Furnace Creek we get some ice lollies as it’s hot, hot, hot.  Eat our lollies in the car as they are melting too fast outside. 

Old Dinah at Furnace Creek

The barren Death Valley

Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells

Back in the car and off to Stovepipe Wells.  We stop here for eat our sandwiches.  I get some nice freezing cold juice from the shop.  Definitely eat in the car as it 115°F (46°C). 

Stovepipe Wells RV Park!!

The next bit of the drive up to Paramint Springs it a large climb up over 4000ft, so to take the strain off the car overheating with the luggage the air-con was off during the large climbs. 

Leaving Stovepipe Wells behind.

At the top of the pass.

Going down to Paramint Valley and that straight road.

Gosh, it got a bit sweaty, but seeing cars at the side of the road overheated, we knew a wee bit of discomfort was worth it. 

Downhill, air-con was on full blast!

The road is so straight at some points and you enter Paramint Valley and onto the next final large climb.  This pass is up to about 4500ft with a few switch backs.  We were also stuck behind a large truck for a bit until we stopped for photos.

Paramint Valley

Rainbow Valley & Paramint Valley

Snow in the hills in the distance whilst it's still over 110°C

Onward to our next stop Lone Pine for some cold drinks and rest stop!  A local McDonalds makes do.

Mammoth Lakes is only just over 100 miles from here, so just drive.

We arrive just before 4pm.  Knackered mainly due to the heat.

We were planning on just taking a small bag of clothes into this hotel as we’re just staying the night, but at check-in they say bring everything in as smells attract the bears!

Have a swim in the pool.  Burr, it’s nice a cold.  Lovely after the heat today.

We go for a drive round Mammoth Lakes, park and go for a walk. 

We get food in an Irish Pub, fish and chips and loaded skins for Meg.

No chance of alcohol at over 7000 ft for me!

Tea!

Back to our hotel .