Christmas trip to Gold Country: Q on distances & day trip to Lake Tahoe
Dec 21st, 2012, 02:15 PM
#43
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Wow Gold Run is low, that's Colfax. Trucks are being screened in Applegate. DS is on the road and says 80 east bound is crazy packed as is 65 southbound to 80. Friday is typically pretty bad on 80 east in the winter as the Bay Area tried to get to Tahoe. Hope it'll be better tomorrow & Sunday.
I really like to look at the Caltrans webcams so I can see for myself what the roads look like:
http://video.dot.ca.gov/
No good pics after about 4:30 though as it's gets too dark.
I really like to look at the Caltrans webcams so I can see for myself what the roads look like:
http://video.dot.ca.gov/
No good pics after about 4:30 though as it's gets too dark.
Dec 21st, 2012, 02:58 PM
#44
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The Caltrans quickmap that shows the warning signs on the roads is nice, but some of the signs themselves aren't all that informative to a nonlocal. Right now there's a sign west of Auburn on I-80 reading 'Chain Control over Summit. Carry Chains.' Okaay...relative to where that sign is being displayed to drivers, where's the summit?
http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov
http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov
Dec 21st, 2012, 04:37 PM
#47
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Ahhh - do miss White Christmases.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
(And somebody else shovel it, ok? )
Last time heading to Tahoe/Reno from Sacramento - couple years ago in Jan - left Folsom at Oh Dark Thirty - and it was clear - and I turned on the radio and a storm had blown in about 12 hours early. They predicted chain controls would be on in an hour - so I stopped in Colfax? - to buy some chains (Yes, I put them on a rental car - oh - the horror - but they were the plastic type and normally don't cause damage).
Anyhow - was in my shirt sleeves on the snow - hooking up the chains. Be danged if I will pay some young whipper-snapper $20 or whatever is now the going rate.
However - I forgot that it can get cold (usually - the other times - had ski gear and gloves on, etc) - especially when they salt the snow and it melts and gets you wet - even if you throw down a garbage bag under where you are laying.
My exposed hands were freezing but got 'er done - and then - just over the summit - the controls were off. Pulled over - took of the chains - and motored on.
Oh well - made it safely without having a big backup as sometimes happens.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
(And somebody else shovel it, ok? )Last time heading to Tahoe/Reno from Sacramento - couple years ago in Jan - left Folsom at Oh Dark Thirty - and it was clear - and I turned on the radio and a storm had blown in about 12 hours early. They predicted chain controls would be on in an hour - so I stopped in Colfax? - to buy some chains (Yes, I put them on a rental car - oh - the horror - but they were the plastic type and normally don't cause damage).
Anyhow - was in my shirt sleeves on the snow - hooking up the chains. Be danged if I will pay some young whipper-snapper $20 or whatever is now the going rate.
However - I forgot that it can get cold (usually - the other times - had ski gear and gloves on, etc) - especially when they salt the snow and it melts and gets you wet - even if you throw down a garbage bag under where you are laying.
My exposed hands were freezing but got 'er done - and then - just over the summit - the controls were off. Pulled over - took of the chains - and motored on.
Oh well - made it safely without having a big backup as sometimes happens.
Dec 23rd, 2012, 06:33 AM
#50
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Having seen the weather forecast, I'm *not* planning to try Tahoe! But just so I know: The Thrifty agent at SFO said that cables are permitted on its cars, but not chains. If one wanted cables, where would one get them?
Dec 23rd, 2012, 06:50 AM
#51
Most anyplace that has chains will have cable chains - auto supply shops (AutoZone, O'reilly, Napa), Tire shops. There are several scattered along the hwy49 corridor in Auburn.
Or Walmart, other big box.
Or Walmart, other big box.
Dec 23rd, 2012, 10:45 AM
#52
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Good idea to skip Tahoe, my nephew was going to drive to Reno to visit friends from Christmas, last night my husband's oldest son and wife visited from Northern California (Humboldt County) and said there is a foot and a half of snow in the Sierras now, they drove down here to get out of the cold for a few days.
