Traveling to bend ore via hwy 5 fron SF in early January
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Traveling to bend ore via hwy 5 fron SF in early January
Hi folks as the title says I'm heading to bend from SF Ca in early January via hwy 5. Was wondering what weather I will encounter on the was such as ice an snow and how to be prepared. Every ite I see says 8 hours but I'm prepared for more time. Thanks for any help you can provide!
#3
janisj is right ... it all depends on the weather.
The places you are most likely to hit snow or ice, depending on the weather, is I-5 north of Redding, even moreso I-5 over the Siskiyou's north of Yreka, and VERY often over the Cascades between Eugene or Albany and Bend.
There are a number of potential routes, but the fastest and the route with the least likelihood of snow (but the highest likelihood of frosty or icy roads) is to take I-5 to Weed, thence US 97 though Klamath Falls to Bend. It's the least mountainous route and through dry country. But it's also likely to be the coldest route.
Incidentally, one of the best primers I know of for winter driving on snow and ice is at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...r.Driving.html .. it's mainly about Canada, but gives good hints about driving on snow or ice. Incidentally, snow SEEMS dangerous and difficult, but in many (most?) cases it is far less dangerous than ice, especially black ice, which you often can't see.
The places you are most likely to hit snow or ice, depending on the weather, is I-5 north of Redding, even moreso I-5 over the Siskiyou's north of Yreka, and VERY often over the Cascades between Eugene or Albany and Bend.
There are a number of potential routes, but the fastest and the route with the least likelihood of snow (but the highest likelihood of frosty or icy roads) is to take I-5 to Weed, thence US 97 though Klamath Falls to Bend. It's the least mountainous route and through dry country. But it's also likely to be the coldest route.
Incidentally, one of the best primers I know of for winter driving on snow and ice is at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...r.Driving.html .. it's mainly about Canada, but gives good hints about driving on snow or ice. Incidentally, snow SEEMS dangerous and difficult, but in many (most?) cases it is far less dangerous than ice, especially black ice, which you often can't see.
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We live near Sacramento and have a vacation home in Sunriver, just south of Bend. Under normal conditions, it takes about 8 hours to drive the route...I5 to Hwy 97(with gas and short lunch stops). It is way too early to predict what the weather will be in January. If it is snowy, you will see chains required near Mt. Shasta and Weed. Snow can make Hwy 97 rough once you get to the high desert north of Klamath Falls. We have AWD vehicles and have made the drive in about 10 hours under very snowy conditions. The CA CHP will close I5 when it is very dicey to drive. Oregon doesn't seem to care. They do not close the road, but you must carry chains and drive slowly.
Good luck. We plan to make the journey in mid January.
Good luck. We plan to make the journey in mid January.
#6
On Monday 11/9 I drove N from Weed on US 97. About 12 miles N of Weed the snow was about 2" deep on the highway. We did meet a plow coming southbound that was putting on anti skid on both lanes. By the time we got to Dorris, the road was fine.
If it is really bad, there is a hill about 25 miles north of K-Falls that can require chains.
I got the snow tires put on in Bend on Tuesday.
We're going to Bend tomorrow but we would not be if I still had the summer tires on.
Believe our signs that say "Do not pass snowplows on the right" at the start of passing zones.
A small part of Mt. Bachelor opened yesterday.
If it is really bad, there is a hill about 25 miles north of K-Falls that can require chains.
I got the snow tires put on in Bend on Tuesday.
We're going to Bend tomorrow but we would not be if I still had the summer tires on.
Believe our signs that say "Do not pass snowplows on the right" at the start of passing zones.
A small part of Mt. Bachelor opened yesterday.
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Surprised that no one mentioned about what to carry in the car. Have a warm blanket or two, snow boots or similar, warm clothes and some snacks such as bottled water and power type bar. This is if you somehow run off the road and need to wait for help.
An external charger for your phone is good. Also, I keep a bag of kitty litter in the trunk. Good to put under tires for traction when needed to get out of a tight spot. Safe driving!
An external charger for your phone is good. Also, I keep a bag of kitty litter in the trunk. Good to put under tires for traction when needed to get out of a tight spot. Safe driving!
#8
The AAA has excellent winter driving tips at http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadw.../#.VlTOnnarTRY
Washington State Dept. of Transportation has a summary of winter driving tips at http://www.wsdot.com/winter/ and a summary of how to ptrep your car and things you should carry at http://www.wsdot.com/winter/emergencykit.htm . Most other cold-weather states likly have similar sites.
The very best website for winter driving IMHO ... it's long ... is at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...r.Driving.html
Washington State Dept. of Transportation has a summary of winter driving tips at http://www.wsdot.com/winter/ and a summary of how to ptrep your car and things you should carry at http://www.wsdot.com/winter/emergencykit.htm . Most other cold-weather states likly have similar sites.
The very best website for winter driving IMHO ... it's long ... is at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...r.Driving.html
#9
I left Bend about 4PM yesterday headed south toward home.It took more than 1.5 hours to get from the weigh station to the Century Drive exit (7 miles).
I stopped in LaPine to clear the wipers and while I was doing that, a snow plow went by. We followed him all the way to Gilchrist.
We got home about 7PM with an undamaged car. I'm told that more than 12" of snow fell on Mt. Bachelor since sunset.
I stopped in LaPine to clear the wipers and while I was doing that, a snow plow went by. We followed him all the way to Gilchrist.
We got home about 7PM with an undamaged car. I'm told that more than 12" of snow fell on Mt. Bachelor since sunset.
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