Home› General

General

Tesla Forums are now read only. To continue the conversation with the Tesla community visit engage.tesla.com.

Driving into Death Valley

sobonzin_92903330sobonzin_92903330
edited November -1 in General
I was in Death Valley without my Tesla. The only possibility for charging at present is to rent one of the campsites with hookups, which is extremely difficult in a busy season. We stayed at the Furnace creek Inn, which has no means to charge, I even checked the grounds for a 110 outle in the landscaping, no luck. I had the good fortune to speak withChris Freeman, theInn Manager. He said the he has been in contact with Tesla, and hopes to have two charging stations by the end of the year, one at the Inn and one at the Ranch. He was gracious enough to offer his direct line 760-786-3348, so those interested could check on the progress, or offer encouragement.

Comments

  • negarholger_132356negarholger_132356
    edited November -1
    Very good news... Death Valley is my favorite National Park.
  • wildcatzoowildcatzoo
    edited November -1
    Great to know, thanks for the number.
  • cliffmccormick_93387672cliffmccormick_93387672
    edited November -1
    wildcatzoo: Great to know, thanks for the number.

    What he said.

    Thank you.
  • carlgocarlgo
    edited November -1
    I love Death Valley, hope to play at the golf course sometime, but there are no Teslas to be found in these environs. Nice that the proprietor is getting guest chargers, but that won't help those not staying at that spendy inn.

    I wonder when we will see signs like Next Supercharger 100 Miles in remote areas.
  • Brian HBrian H
    edited November -1
    If you were without your Tesla, what were you trying to charge?
  • PMadFlyerPMadFlyer
    edited November -1
    He was seeing if he could charge his model S, should be drive it next time, I assume.
  • sobonzin_92903330sobonzin_92903330
    edited November -1
    Aside from the Death Valley Inn, the other Chargers will be at the Ranch, by the General Store. The Chargers at the Inn will be available to all, not just the guests. Played the golf course, quite nice...
  • joonmyung.kang_93327067joonmyung.kang_93327067
    edited November -1
    I am planning to go to Death Valley from Bay area in two weeks with my MS.
    I booked long street inn & casino hotel located in west side of the park and asked to manager about EV charging. The manager replied that I will be able to charge my car by available RV hookup.
    I am planning to charge at Lonepine SC in full and go to the hotel.
    After full charging during whole night at the hotel, I am going to Barstow SC via 127 and I15.

    I will share my experience later.
  • carlgocarlgo
    edited November -1
    @sobozin great that you played the course. On my bucket list.

    Everyone contemplating a trip in this part of the country should also try to visit Bodie. Not at all sure about range issues up there, but it will probably require careful planning EV-wise.
  • centralvalleycentralvalley
    edited November -1
    Carl, I agree Bodie is a sight to behold. But Bodie is nearly a full day's drive north from Death Valley on US395. The last 4 miles are gravel/dirt, and I don't know if I want my Model S on that sort of road.

    As it stands right now, one could charge at Lone Pine to reach Mammoth and use a destination charger there if using the facilities.

    I charged at the Bridgeport Marina and RV Park last July, and there is another campground near Walker, if memory serves. One could patch together some charging spots to reach Bodie and continue north to Reno.
  • carlgo2carlgo2
    edited November -1
    It is indeed a long drive to get to that rough road. I wonder if the X will have tires appropriate for SUV use. Think about the drive up there when the place was being developed! They hauled up huge machines and vast amounts of materials.

    Tesla technology served to power the place and it had a more advanced electrical system to run all those giant motors than cities of the time did, all in the most inhospitable place in the US, out in the middle of nowhere.

    There are those who want to resume mining there, and more that do not...there is still gold in them thar hills.
  • neilhamrin_92889139neilhamrin_92889139
    edited November -1
    Was in Death Valley a month ago and charged at Stove Pipe Wells. The registration desk folks were very helpful and we enjoyed our overnight there a lot. Got there from Lone Pine and made it to Barstow with range to spare and Primm is even closer. A wonderful place to visit and stay.
  • HaggyHaggy
    edited November -1
    An SC there would be great. Even if Tesla puts one at the ranch and they add destination chargers at the inn, it would work. It would also look good for Tesla. Most people in the US don't have a clear idea of what it's like there, except what they hear about the middle of the summer. They likely think it's always like that so the thought of being able to drive there in a Tesla would give quite an impression.
  • astrothadastrothad
    edited November -1
    I had read on another thread (sorry - can't find a link right now) that the National Park Service doesn't want direct branding in the parks. Thus, no Superchargers at Yosemite, Death Valley, etc., as they would stand out too much. However, HPWCs and similar "fast" charging facilities are available in Yosemite Valley now. I imagine Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells will go the same route.

    I hope so, at least. I was out there 2 weeks ago, and want to be able to enjoy the park once I get a Model X.
  • carlgo2carlgo2
    edited November -1
    Gas stations are usually situated in the small gateway communities located outside park boundaries, along the highway. That is where you would want to find Superchargers as well. And of course worms, beer, chips and hats.

    Tesla could do the same thing, but of course sell free range worms, craft beer, organic chips...
  • Mike83Mike83
    edited November -1
    I only feed my worms organic garbage. The fish love them.
  • stuart_92740508stuart_92740508
    edited November -1
    I'm not so sure about the branding problem. Chevron has no problem making their brand known at their Furnace Creek gas station.
  • jerrythebeeguy_393398jerrythebeeguy_393398
    edited November -1
    Don't be afraid to go to Death Valley. I was there March 26, 2014, and Furnace Creek RV park was closed for the summer, but no gate and I drove in to find nobody there. The electricity was on at all the camp sites, so I charged there. This was before the SC at Lone Pine, and I stayed nights at Independence Inn Motel in Independence. The owner, Jim Getzinger, is a fine fellow who has a NEMA 14-50 just for Teslas.
  • mannarinoinsurance_93426505mannarinoinsurance_93426505
    edited November -1
    If you're going to Death Valley - you should take the time to drive all the way up the 394 to Bridgeport if you want to see a beautiful little town and get some great fly fishing in. The Walker River is known for some of the best fly fishing in California. Not ideal for driving a Tesla, but beautiful country anyway.
    Nothing like a road trip in a Tesla. Just take care of it.
    Trust me - I know.
    - Mannarino Insurance
    http://mannarinoinsuranceagency.com/auto-insurance/
  • stratulatdobrin_93426546stratulatdobrin_93426546
    edited November -1
    i want feed my worms organic garbage.
    ________________________________________________
    <a href="http://apartamentelavanzare.ro">apartamente bacau de vanzare</a>
  • Brian HBrian H
    edited November -1
    ↑ stratu Spam flagged ↑
  • vperl_93057718vperl_93057718
    edited November -1
    Suggest a case or two bottled water
  • Brian HBrian H
    edited November -1
    Gila-ade?
  • vperl_93057718vperl_93057718
    edited November -1
    Urine aide
Sign In or Register to comment.