San Diego Conclave

[John Morralee]

Unless I come to my senses I intend driving my '63 BJ7 from Canada ( one hour East of Toronto) to the Conclave in June 08. I am interested and a little concerned about the deserts I hear so much about and drivng thro. them. I have no idea what to expect. I read of 'trailering' thro. them or going at night time. Can they be avoided? Out-side it is -10 C and deep snow. Perhaps I could trade some winter driving info.. Not in Healeys though!!

 

[Editor_Reid]

John,

Good for you for driving so far to the San Diego Conclave! The good news is that the time of Conclave is not "the heat of the year," which is at its worst later, in August. Late June/early July is better.

I would plan a route that avoided Death valley, and if you travel through the Rockies in Colorado and northern Nevada, you shouldn't have too much cause for concern, at least as far as heat goes. Oh yes, it will be warm, but nothing too extreme. Obviously it will pay to get your cooling system in good working order.

 

[Sarastro]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Yes, it is possible to get 120F weather in the S Cal deserts, but usually around 100F in June is the norm. And, even then, you can get across most of the desert routes (e.g., Phoenix to LA) in about 6 hours if you drive like me, less if you drive like most people. So, worst case, you hit the road at 4 AM, by 9-10 you are across most of the desert, and the heat hasn't really started to build up. And, yes, stay as far north as possible. The route through northern New Mexico and Arizona can be very attractive.

 

[Bugeye58]

Or follow I-80 across to the coast and then down the Pacific Coast Highway.
Jeff

 

[tiga2]

...Yes, that was going to be my suggestion, stay north and dont use I8 or I10. You do NOT want to come up the "rock pile" on I8 East of SD in the summer!!

 

[Michael Oritt]

As Conclave gets closer perhaps this topic will be pinned to the "Active Topics" page so those of us travelling to SD can easily exchange route information and travel plans.