More on this later. My wife and I drove the little Jeep through Titus Canyon yesterday and were enthralled! Washboard the first ten miles or so from Beatty. After that, just a slow road with incredible views. Recommend good tires! I actually used 4wd some of the way, but a 2wd rig with good clearance would do okay.
I would not want to be in Titus Canyon in a flash flood!
That whole area is incredible. You're right not the place to be in a flash flood. Death Valley and the rest of the area is an Overlander's paradise. Just don't be down there in the summer !
If you're coming back north on 395, stop off at Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine, had the overall #1 ranking in the country on Yelp a couple of years ago, the Tri-Tip is outstanding.
Also, check out the Laws Railroad Museum outside of Bishop, real cool history of the area. Bodie, the Morman Road, so much cool stuff in the Eastern Sierra...