I made the trip last year and to be very honest, I drove 19 hours the second day, got to the lake bed at 2am on Monday and I couldn't tell you how I got there to save my life. I came in following my GPS, I came through Yucca Valley and I remember the Palm Spring area but that's about it. On the way home I went out Joshua Tree national park all the way to I-10. I think we took 62 to Utah trail then took that all the way to I-10.

Is there a better way to get to JV coming in on I-10 from the East than these 2 routes?

From the 10 you can go up the 62 into Yucca (big grade) and go left at the 247.

From the 10 you can go up the 62 into Yucca (big grade) and go left at the 247.

I'm pretty sure that's how I came in last year, that grade was a bitch and I was mainly trying to avoid it if possible.

You can continue east to the 251/15 and come up there. The grade is not nearly as bad but your adding some miles.

Get off at the D St exit (that's Hwy 18, turns into 247) go right and follow it all the way in. Get your last fuel and ice in Lucerne Valey, Boone Rd is 24.5 miles from the stop sign in Lucerne.

i'd go up the 62, going all the way out to the 215/15 is like adding 2 hours onto your drive.. and the grade might not be as steep, but it's longer..

Looking at Mapquest I see a route you can take 177 up to 62 and come in that way. Looks like you exit at Desert Center. What do you know about that route?

Just take your time up the grade and save the massive amount of time it would add to go around.

177 at desert center is a good route, 10 to 177 to 62 to 247 it's 2 lane with some hills but not like the morongo and yucca grades

bob

ew4c

177 at desert center is a good route, 10 to 177 to 62 to 247 it's 2 lane with some hills but not like the morongo and yucca grades

bob

ew4c
Yeah that grade at Morongo is tough! We may be pulling a pretty large trailer this year and I was hoping to avoid it if it is not too far out of the way. So the Desert Center route is not bad huh? We may give that a try then.

I dont think its any further and it does have some grades but you dont drop to sea level in the cochella valley only to clime out to 4000 ft. when you get to yucca take a right on yucca mesa about 4 miles before 247 left on buena vista to 247, this way you miss the grade on 247 out of yucca

bob

ew4c

this way you miss the grade on 247 out of yucca



...but we want them to spend money in Yucca first...You know, groceries, gas, and anything-else under the moon....right? :laughing:

...but we want them to spend money in Yucca first...You know, groceries, gas, and anything-else under the moon....right? :laughing:

Speaking of which....is there a place I can fill my fresh water tank just prior to JV?

Speaking of which....is there a place I can fill my fresh water tank just prior to JV?

Good question. However I'm a block in off of hwy 247 if you wanna stop by...before I leave to KOH, probably Monday.

Good question. However I'm a block in off of hwy 247 if you wanna stop by...before I leave to KOH, probably Monday.

Thanks for the offer, but I probably won't get out there until Thursday.
It shouldn't be a problem though....I'm not even bringing the Jeep out with me this time.

How about some info on towing in from the east on I-40 Thanks

Essex road off of the I-40 in CA. Follow that for 50 or so, hang a left on Amboy rd, just past Amboy. 25 miles or so bring you to 29 Palms. Left at the tee, right at the light. Another 20 or so miles, right on 247/Old Woman Springs road in Yucca Valley. 20 miles, right on Boone Road (Last Mile Road sign, hit your brakes, medium strength).

Speaking of which....is there a place I can fill my fresh water tank just prior to JV?

I'd like to hear some advice on this as well.

Last year I paid some gas station chick in Yucca Valley to let me fill my tank, I'd rather find something a little more official because she acted like she was selling me gasoline.

I'd bet Greg would let you fill up at his shop in Yucca (Ace Alternators) and even install a Premier Power Weld for you at the same time.:grinpimp: I'll check with him and let you know.

My brothers fab shop (with a 5'x10' water table Torchmate:grinpimp:) is just across the street from Greg's but the turn around room is very tight, but doable. I'll check with him also.

Doug

Anyone coming in can fill fresh water at our place

I'll be coming in through Yucca & will need H20,grociere store,beer & ice!Is Yucca the best place for these things??Thanks for any help,Troy

Yup, YV will have all your needs...w/ plenty of selection.

BTW...Squirly, PM sent to ya...
:smokin:

I'd bet Greg would let you fill up at his shop in Yucca (Ace Alternators) and even install a Premier Power Weld for you at the same time.:grinpimp: I'll check with him and let you know.

My brothers fab shop (with a 5'x10' water table Torchmate:grinpimp:) is just across the street from Greg's but the turn around room is very tight, but doable. I'll check with him also.

Doug

Doug I'd be very interested in this info, I'm more than willing to pay for the water I just need a solid place to get it. I can also bring a bunch of hose to fill the tank if needed.

Watching this thread, I'm going to need to fill up the water tanks before hitting the lake. Not sure which route I'm coming in on, but it will be from the east.:laughing:

Just talked to Greg at Ace.
Free fill-ups w/ any purchase...or $5.00 otherwise.
There's plenty of room to get around.
BTW, Greg has plenty of KOH DVDs...& Premier Power Welders

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=ace+alternator+yucca+valley&fb=1&gl=us&hq=ace+alternator&hnear=yucca+valley&cid=0,0,8875007516727095660&ei=5LtUS936KYKusgPEsqyLCA&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA&t=h&ll=34.130492,-116.430359&spn=0.032966,0.055189&z=14&iwloc=A

Hey guys I will be coming in off I40 as well. Any steep grades or anything stupid to look out for? I will be pulling a 32' goosneck.

Thanks,
Rob

Thanks for the info Hammer Hog!!I'll hit Greg up,don't need a welder but I sure could use a DVD!!LOL Thanks again,Troy

Hey guys I will be coming in off I40 as well. Any steep grades or anything stupid to look out for? I will be pulling a 32' goosneck.

Thanks,
Rob

If your coming through Amboy and taking Amboy Road there’s a slight grade up to Sheep Hole Pass after the dry lake, watch your speed coming down after that because there’s a sweeping turn at the bottom. Other than that if it’s been raining watch for flash floods or the aftermath, the road runs cross grain.

Thanks, I will check my directions.

Just talked to Greg at Ace.
Free fill-ups w/ any purchase...or $5.00 otherwise.
There's plenty of room to get around.
BTW, Greg has plenty of KOH DVDs...& Premier Power Welders

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=ace+alternator+yucca+valley&fb=1&gl=us&hq=ace+alternator&hnear=yucca+valley&cid=0,0,8875007516727095660&ei=5LtUS936KYKusgPEsqyLCA&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA&t=h&ll=34.130492,-116.430359&spn=0.032966,0.055189&z=14&iwloc=A

Sweet, do you know the hours that they're open?

Sweet, do you know the hours that they're open?

Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm
Sat 9am - 1pm

http://www.acealternators.com/

If you come in on 62 east of 29 palms, and it is raining check with CHP on road closers, the road will close at the drop of a hat and you will have to go around

bob

ew4c

Is Greg a member here on PBB? I'm curious about filling a tank outside of their normal business hours.

Is Greg a member here on PBB? I'm curious about filling a tank outside of their normal business hours.

Give him a call at his shop, 1.877.365.5489