Drive from Sequoia to Death Valley

Is it possible to get to Death Valley from Sequoia/Kings Canyon area without going down to Bakersfield? What is the shortest route. Is there such a road as j41 thru the sierra below Sequoia park? I would love to get to both sites but it seems like quite a drive if there is no way across the sierra.

Drive from Sequoia to Death Valley

There is no road through the sierra from Sequoia/Kings Canyon.

Drive from Sequoia to Death Valley

Sure you can. J41 is a wonderful route.

You can go up into the mountains heading east from Porterville or Visalia around the north side of the Tule Indian Reservation until you get to Johnsondale, and continue east. Technically, J41 is an Inoyo county road so you don%26#39;t pick up the signs until you get out of Kern country. Its a summer only route, so you might want to check locally if you are going before June 1.

Whoops, technically, this is a route from Sequoia National Forest east, not Sequoia National Park.

Thank you Dufore27 for your information. Its appreaciated and will help greatly. It sounds like you have taken this road thru Sequoia forest. How long does it take to get to 14 thru by this route? This route is never discussed, I figure its because it may be a tourtuous route taking just as long as going to Bakersfield. What do you think, will it save me time or should I save my trip to Death Valley for the next time im in California??? (I dont mind coming back next year, I love CA).

Raul Duke

Its been about five years since I did it, so I can%26#39;t remember how long it took - my guess is a couple of hours from Johnsondale to 395. The route is pretty obvious even on the Rand McNally road map book I have here at home.

Its not so much a short cut as a scenic route, though. Also, it depends on what kind of vehicle you are driving - a giant motorhome, maybe not so much fun. This is a two lane paved road going through the mountains - a sports car would be the most fun!

I was assuming you would be in the vicinity of the parks more like in the area of Three Rivers not south of the parks in the forest area that is east of Delano.

Sequoia National Park to Johnsondale is 3 hours. You switch to J24 when you reach the intersection of 198 %26amp; J24. Johnsondale to 395 would still be quite a drive though. If you are trying to conserve time then you might want to take the route through Bakersfield. If that is not your consideration then take the scenic route. It does depend on which part of Death Valley you are headed.

Thanks so much for your information guys. From your info and insight I have decided to put off death valley until my next trip to CA.

I wish I had the time for this road though. It sounds like alot of fun.

I love the internet. Years ago I would have wondered what I would have been missing or might have taken that road and found out the hard way what a grueling trip it was. I try to avoid 6 or 7 hour hauls. Thats a whole day if you figure in recovery time.

Hey have any of you been to the ghost town of Bodie? Next vacation will include Death Valley and maybe a stop in Bodie.

Raul Duke

Been to Bodie. The eastern Sierra is a beautifull yet undervisited area. We spend our vacation in Mammoth Lakes every summer. Bodie is north of Lee Vining and very close to Bridgeport. Then it%26#39;s like 13 miles east on a dirt road. The road is hardpacked but really bumpy. No need for 4 wheel drive or anything. Once there, it is one fascinating building after another. You can take a whole day but since we go in the summer it%26#39;s really hot, so get an early start if the day is forcast to be hot. Monon Lake is really intersting too.

the J24 route is no shortcut, it would be much faster to take the 99 freeway to Bakersfield and double back to Death Valley. But if you want an adventure and haven%26#39;t had enough of the sequoias you could do it.

Look at %26#39;im growlin%26#39;, look at %26#39;im growlin%26#39;!!!

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