Trip to Vegas!

[jrad235]

I have my first serious vacation in the works planned for next month between the 14th and the 22nd. I will be stopping in Tahoe and then on to Vegas, will be driving the truck and towing my fifth-wheel. (If it all goes to plan)

Any tips, ideas, routes?

Anyone going to be home during that timeframe in Nevada? It'd be great to meet some fellow Oil-Burners.

 

[Wyreth]

Well my contract at MJ One is susposedly going to end on the 7th. So I should be abouts.

If you're here on the 19th, there is a lovely little dive bar I spend Thursdays at. =P

 

[chris142]

Check out the Joshua tree forest between searchlight and nipton. One of my favorite drives. The slots in searchlight stil pay out coins not paper recieps like in vegas.

Farther south in kelso is an awsome train and desert museum called kelso depo and it has a great snack bar.

 

[icanfixall]

Well on the 5 in Shasta there is a train museum thats really nice. Also there is or was a nice rv camp ground with drive thru sites. Its the KOA site. I really have never found a bad KOA site either in many states where I have used them.. Might tell us your trip route too. I'm thinkng your driving the 80 up to Tahoe. Then back tracking down to Reno and then over to Vegas. Really sounds like a fun trip.

 

[jrad235]

Thanks! Actually I am super-sick of driving the I-5, done it 3 times now because it was always the snowy season for the passes and I refuse to drive it again until I have gone at least one other way. Also I hear that the mountain pass on 97? Has a much lower summit than 5, and I don't have a turbo.

I may reconsider for the trip home, especially if there is a very awesome train museum.

Wyreth, that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Knuckledragger]

Depending on how much time you have and what you want to do, There is an alternate route that bypasses much of California and has endless vistas most of the way, as long as you like a lot of desert views. Go east to Gresham and take 26 south to Madras. Pick up 97 to Bend and then 20 east to US-395 south. You can go to Reno and/or Carson city, cross over (I-80 from Reno, SR 50 from Carson City) to 95 and continue south to Tonopah , then on to Las Vegas directly or through Pahrump. Not a lot of mountain driving and plenty of scenery. Best of all, not a ton of traffic like on the I-5. It will take longer than the interstate, but you will actually enjoy the drive.

I don't know the elevation on the 97 between Gresham and Bend, but have been there during the winter and don't remember needing chains.

 

[reklund]

I'll be in town in Henderson/Vegas and available Sept 14/15 and Sept 21/22 if you need a cold beer or help with the truck

 

[icanfixall]

Many years ago I picked up the 395 south just out of Spokane Washington. I drove that down thru much of oregon into cali. It was hell for me too. Cut across cali to the 5 and sailed home much quicker. I also have driven up the 395 from so cali all the way to reno.. Not a nice trip either. Plenty of small towns with a 25 mph limit on 395 to travel thru. Then there is one pass about 9700 ft to cross. Thats not fun either. Check it on the map before traveling 395 if you want to make good time. Or travel slow and enjoy the small roadside towns..

 

[jrad235]

I will probably be in town between the 17th and the 20th, otherwise on the road. Thanks for the offer Reklund.

I bought a road atlas that exclusively covers the mountain passes in the western half of the country, so I'll take a closer look at that to determine the route as far as low elevation goes.

 

[jrad235]

Getting close! Wrapping up a bunch of stuff on the truck and trailer. Need to get it timed though, hopefully Typ4 comes through for me.

I believe the pass I was referring to earlier was on Hwy 58 out of Eugene, then down to Klamath Falls, Hwy 139 down to 395 to Tahoe. Then, whatever keeps me out of California into Vegas.

 

[SHARPIE]

Go up to Mt Charleston nice spot to have lunch/dinner or it used to be when I lived there and its off the tourest trip and Red Rock is a nice drive.

 

[jrad235]

Will probably stop by Mt Charleston at some point. I've been out to the red rocks, they are pretty cool.

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[jrad235]

Sharpie, I just heard from a local source that there was a monstrous flood out there that took out the road to Mt. Charleston. Supposedly the only way to get there now is to circle around to Pahrump.


If any of you guys are willing to let me take up space in your driveway(Or your favorite local establishment) briefly while I'm in town, please PM me your numbers. I don't plan on having internet access while I'm out there. Would love to meet some of you along the way.

 

[mohavewolfpup]

Boulder city has a train museum with rolling stock you can ride behind the rail road pass casino. They have a early 50's? Engine. Diesel of course!

Boulder highway has a great museum for $2, including a old coal fired train. Also along boulder highway is trailer parks. YMMV, sketchy when the sun goes down. Sam's town has a rv park. Circus circus is a koa. Jerry's nugget has/had? One on las Vegas blvd/lake mead. Sketchy area again though.

Pahrump 60 miles to the west is full of them. One is 425/month if you are extended staying.

Pm'ing you my phone number if you need assistance. Please text, I loathe phone calls! Do have limited tools if you break down in the area and I find a way to you.

 

[SHARPIE]

Oh ya I herd they had some major flooding but the other way is Kyle Cayon road about 10 miles past Mt Charleston dr, You could go up to Zion or Moab I wasn't much of a ciity type stayed away the Ripcenios I loved wheelin and the back roads, Parump there not really anything to see unless you like tumble weeds or the ***** house ;D

Parump does have RV parks though.