enthusiast route to/from Vegas

[Adrian Covert]

I'm going to Vegas on Thursday to pick up a friend who is also a motorhead, and I hope to drive back on Friday morning some way other than the boring ass highway slog. I've looked at maps and seen some routes running through the mountains, but I have no idea if they are practical or not.

Any recommendations on a good driving road that will get me from Vegas back to LA? It's ok if it's a little out of the way but I'm expecting it will take less than 6 hours total.

[George Schilling]

I'm going to Vegas on Thursday to pick up a friend who is also a motorhead, and I hope to drive back on Friday morning some way other than the boring ass highway slog. I've looked at maps and seen some routes running through the mountains, but I have no idea if they are practical or not.

Any recommendations on a good driving road that will get me from Vegas back to LA? It's ok if it's a little out of the way but I'm expecting it will take less than 6 hours total.

I you want to make it in less than 6 hours, better stick with the 15. But on the way back, take a detour in either direction in the middle of the Cajon Pass. If your final destination is near the SF Valley, you can take a road up and over the mountains and end up in LaCanada @ the 210. I recently took this on the way back from Streets of Willow. It was a blast.

[John Prosser]

Anything but the 15 will greatly increase travel time and scenic wonderment.

If you are into nature consider going through Death Valley. Depending on how you do it , it will probably be over 6 hours but well worth it. One way is to take 95 out of Vegas, go all the way to Scotty's junction (home of Scotty's Castle) then drop down into Death Valley. Or go across on 160 through Pahrump to 190 into Death Valley junction.

More of a Route 66 fan?? Take 95 south towards Needles. Go west on I40, then drop down onto route 66. It somewhat parallels I40 for about 40mi. or so.
Check out the Roadrunner Cafe, Amboy, home of Roy's Diner and the Amboy Meteorite crater. on to Ludlow. It's one of the better contiguous sections of Route 66.

In a hurry?? detour of the 15 at Calico to see the Calico Digs (an early man site). I hear the Ghost Town is good but never visited.
Enjoy
JP

[Tom Tanquary]

The Death Valley route John describes is a good one. A longer route would be take 95 south out of Boulder City, through Searchlight, and follow it down to the Parker cut off. Then take the 62 West towards 29 Palms. You can continue all the way into 29 or take the 177 fork and cut down to the 10 in Desert Center. The 62/177 is pristine asphalt, a really good road. On the 177 you'll get to see such sights as "shoe fence" and over 7 miles of unbroken graffiti made with rocks along the rr roadbed that parallels the highway. That's actually pretty amazing to see. Otherwise it's just miles and miles of desert and hills. Usually little to no traffic.

[Adrian Covert]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the input:

I you want to make it in less than 6 hours, better stick with the 15. But on the way back, take a detour in either direction in the middle of the Cajon Pass. If your final destination is near the SF Valley, you can take a road up and over the mountains and end up in LaCanada @ the 210. I recently took this on the way back from Streets of Willow. It was a blast.

I checked the dot.ca.gov page and it looks like 2 is closed in the mountains, but still might try it if it opens up by tomorrow.

[KJ Christopher]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the input:

I you want to make it in less than 6 hours, better stick with the 15. But on the way back, take a detour in either direction in the middle of the Cajon Pass. If your final destination is near the SF Valley, you can take a road up and over the mountains and end up in LaCanada @ the 210. I recently took this on the way back from Streets of Willow. It was a blast.

I checked the dot.ca.gov page and it looks like 2 is closed in the mountains, but still might try it if it opens up by tomorrow.

I think the 2 has been closed for a few years near the northern end. I drove all the way from la canada to the barrier back in may. About 50 miles one way? Nice trip.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the input:

I you want to make it in less than 6 hours, better stick with the 15. But on the way back, take a detour in either direction in the middle of the Cajon Pass. If your final destination is near the SF Valley, you can take a road up and over the mountains and end up in LaCanada @ the 210. I recently took this on the way back from Streets of Willow. It was a blast.

I checked the dot.ca.gov page and it looks like 2 is closed in the mountains, but still might try it if it opens up by tomorrow.

I think the 2 has been closed for a few years near the northern end. I drove all the way from la canada to the barrier back in may. About 50 miles one way? Nice trip.

Huge rock slide a few years back. I think they're still smashing boulders into pieces that they can haul out.

[Chuck Fowler]

Huge rock slide a few years back. I think they're still smashing boulders into pieces that they can haul out.

last i heardaround the end of the year. they still have a bridge to finish.

[George Schilling]

I sure would be nice is they get that road open again, but I'm not holding my breath.

[John Prosser]

I sure would be nice is they get that road open again, but I'm not holding my breath.

A couple of the motorcycle groups that I hang with, say they may not open the road.
I guess there are other examples (Mount Baldy?, Mulholland?). Apparently there is some political pressure (Sierra Club etc.) to keep roads of this nature from reopening.
This may be only a rumor but it does have the smell of truth.
JP