A tough desert road to Towne Pass in California
Towne Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.515m (4,970ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.
Where is Towne Pass?
The pass is located on the west side of Death Valley National Park, in the eastern central part of California.
Is the road to Towne Pass paved?
The road to the summit is totally paved in very good condition. It’s called CA-190 (State Route 190). The road connects the Panamint Valley and Stovepipe Wells and offers incredible views along the way.
How long is the road to Towne Pass?
The pass is 29 miles long, running north-south from Stovepipe Wells (a way-station in the northern part of Death Valley) to Panamint Springs (a private resort).
How challenging is the road to Towne Pass?
Set high in the Panamint Range, the road comprises a few turns and steep sections, hitting a 15% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The current speed limit on this section is 55 miles per hour, but drivers are advised to slow to 30 miles per hour to drive safely through a series of curves, the tightest of which has a radius of 350 feet. There are plans to realign a section of CA-190 immediately east of Towne Pass to improve safety and reduce collisions.