I5 Seattle to Sacramento in Feb/18

[Rocinante]

For the route we posted earlier, we did not unhitch once on the return leg of our trip. Every place we stopped for the night was very accommodating with a site perfectly situated for staying hitched up if we wanted to. We called ahead each morning to ensure a spot that evening. Because of the time of year and the fact that none of the campsites on the latter part of our return journey were "destination resorts," that approach worked out fine.

For our entire 3 month cross-country journey we did not stay at any truck stops, walmarts, cracker backers, etc., etc., and had a lovely trip, aside from the long hours we spent "in the saddle" on the way back home. To each their own, of course, but we always feel safer, have a more pleasant experience, and sleep better when we spend the night in a campground, at a Harvest Host, or at a dry camping location in the wilderness. No trucks rumbling next to us, no lot lizards, and no strange people zooming about the parking lot making a ruckus in the middle of the night (which happened to friends of ours who once spent the night in a WalMart parking lot). Besides, it gets pretty cold this time of year, and you'll be much happier and more comfortable plugged into shore power while running your propane heater at night. Otherwise, on a particularly chilly night where the blower runs a lot, you might have to wonder whether your batteries will die before you can get up and hit the road again.

[kootenayken]

Thanks folks for the helpful information from your past trips. One big one, because we have always travelled in the summer I had forgot about needing chains for the passes. On the way down we are going to try 7 Feathers then Rolling Hills Casino and French Camp RV. See you on the road.

[Rocinante]

Safe travels to you, have a wonderful trip!

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by kootenayken

Thanks folks for the helpful information from your past trips. One big one, because we have always travelled in the summer I had forgot about needing chains for the passes. On the way down we are going to try 7 Feathers then Rolling Hills Casino and French Camp RV. See you on the road.

Sounds like a plan! As for chains, for me, it's just something to make room for in the tv. Bottom line, if chain install is required, it's both tv & tt. For me that translates to a layup somewhere at the bottom of the hill vs chain up and towing in marginal conditions. Problem is, if you don't have them and carrying chains are are req (min chain req), it is an expensive ticket.

Happy trails & safe journey!





Bob

[kootenayken]

Lucky for us, if road conditions require chains we are staying put. Rather be parked almost anywhere than stuck on the road.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by kootenayken

Lucky for us, if road conditions require chains we are staying put. Rather be parked almost anywhere than stuck on the road.

Can't agree more. Our plan too. Just understand it doesn't take much weather, and often with clear roads, to trigger,the "minimum chain requirents" which I understand to mean, you must carry chains to be legal, even tho installation is not required by road conditions.


This may be a repeat, i've been dry over Siskiyou, but a hour later at Black Butte, thought I need to layup due to it snowing...which continued to Bridehead at Lake Shasta and that's barely 2000'. If it's not snowing in this area...just wait a bit.

My advice is to carry chains to be legal, even tho most drivers will layup and not continue.

Bob

[CruizinDux]

When we went thru Yreka it was sunny...starting to get cloudy and maybe a bit of storm approaching Weed...

here are some pics as we passed the Cal trans scales at Black Butte. A few miles back in Weed, it was just overcast and windy, but not snowing.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f542...ml#post1903443

I'll add that at this point we seriously considered laying up but since we were over BB Pass and will drop 2000 feet fairly soon, we continued on. It continued snowing lightly but wasn't sticking and finally stopped snowing at the lake. Plus all the plows were heading NB.

another chain required discussion.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...ml#post2033712

Bob

[rmkrum]

On one of our trips from the Los Angeles area to Seattle, it was raining heavily while we approached Shasta. My wife was napping, and the sudden silence of the rain woke her up...Her reaction, half asleep, "Oh, it quit raining, how nice!"

Only problem was that it had started snowing almost as heavy. They were closing the road behind us and stopping southbound traffic to our north. I had chains aboard, but it was amazing how little a change in elevation switched the rain to snow.

Be careful and well-prepared out there in the winter!

[OTRA15]

FYI an Amtrak train derailed and some train cars fell from an overpass onto I-5 south of Seattle. The fatalities are said to be on the train only.

Prayers for everyone . . .



http://beta.latimes.com/nation/natio...t=oft12aH-1la1
http://komonews.com/news/local/emerg...m-amtrak-train
http://komonews.com/news/local/derai...outh-of-tacoma

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

On one of our.....

Only problem was that it had started snowing almost as heavy. They were closing the road behind us and stopping southbound traffic to our north. I had chains aboard, but it was amazing how little a change in elevation switched the rain to snow.

Be careful and well-prepared out there in the winter!

Lake Shasta Is 1067'...mt shasta city/black butte/weed about 3500'. The problem inaddition to ele gain is that the BB area is sandwiched between mt shasta call it 14000+, nd BB 6300+ to the immediate east and castle crags at 3500' and the siskiyou range to the immediate west...that's a 3000' trough that essentially creates it's own often very stormy weather...including winds.

I've always thought siskiyou pass was the bigger problem, but a buddy from Tehema set me straight...Black Butte is the real deal.

Weather changes quickly in this area.

Rmkrum is spot on...be careful and well prepared


Bob

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

FYI an Amtrak train derailed and some train cars fell from an overpass onto I-5 south of Seattle. The fatalities are said to be on the train only.

Prayers for everyone . . .



http://beta.latimes.com/nation/natio...t=oft12aH-1la1
http://komonews.com/news/local/emerg...m-amtrak-train
http://komonews.com/news/local/derai...outh-of-tacoma

Thanks peter...our prayers are with them.

[rmkrum]

I noticed that the scene included at least one Madigan Army Hospital MASCAL van there to assist. That indicates serious large number of injured. Spent some time there in the past. That location is close to Madigan...

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

FYI an Amtrak train derailed and some train cars fell from an overpass onto I-5 south of Seattle. The fatalities are said to be on the train only.

Prayers for everyone . . .



http://beta.latimes.com/nation/natio...t=oft12aH-1la1
http://komonews.com/news/local/emerg...m-amtrak-train
http://komonews.com/news/local/derai...outh-of-tacoma

80 in a 30mph zone!

[Riverdrifter]

Last April we stayed at Canyon de Chelly for a couple days and got a guided Jeep trip into the canyon. The day of our departure we awoke to a couple inches of snow on the ground. I have skied all my life as well as doing lots of hunting trips in severe weather so I don’t think much about driving in all kinds of weather (black ice excluded!) and I have 4 WD on the truck. We drove to Santa Fe that day and had snow through Window Rock all the way to Gallup. Snow finally cleared on I 40. I won’t say it was a fun drive as visibility was marginal in,the blowing snow, but no slipping or other trouble as I kept it slow! So even in the Southwest be prepared for snow!

[GM Airstream]

Was just over at Inland Rv... and got my parts... they are under new management... and I would have to say... very helpful and effecent... enjoyed talking to the new owner and all the office help... I highly recommend that if you need anything you stop off and see them first... as they are the best airstrem has... and know your trailer...

A good place to stay if your on your way south from up north is either at the KOA or up on the hill at pomona... either of which has outstanding spots... and then its just a short freeway drive down to Inland RV... doesn't get any better than that

[rmkrum]

Well, since I live close by Inland, I’d say my situation is pretty darn good also...

[Drathaar]

I-5 is pretty beat up from Sacramento on south. If you don’t have a stop planned in SoCal, consider going east at Mt Shasta City, through Susanville and Reno. We prefer this route because of kinder roads (no rivet popping) and fewer crazy people in cars. We then go to Fallon, then take US 95 south. You can avoid going into downtown Las Vegas by taking Clark County 215, it connects to I-15 on the east side.

Of course this is weather permitting.

From the Portland area, I like to get over the Siskiyous and stop at Yreka. There’s a nice RV park on the east side of the freeway (first exit?). Next stop is either Boardertown or Hawthorne (staying at Whiskey Flats). From there, the Beatty RV Park is a good place. Grace Ann, the manager is a hoot, and Mike the guy that does it all has a nice old polished Bambi. It’s close to the hwy, so you get road noise, but it’s clean and I like it. You could also go into Death Valley. If you do, I prefer going down to DV junction and into the park that way. The descent from Beatty is steeper than I like, but we’ve done it a couple times, and it’s certainly safe.

If you take I-5, again I recommend Yreka. We go to Bakersfield and stay at the Orange Grove before heading to DVNP.

[GM Airstream]

I don't know about where I5 is beat up... we just came down that way and its a nice ride all the way to LA... Yep you can go 99 if you want the local traffic too... but I5 is fed funded and they keep it in pretty good shape...

We went from Seven Feathers... to Harra's and camped in the parking lot... then south to Newport beach and the marina park... was a easy trip... and we logged about 400 miles a day... go in the middle of the week... as then traffic is not a ... get their ites' thing... for the rest of the youkles...

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by GM Airstream

I don't know about where I5 is beat up... we just came down that way and its a nice ride all the way to LA... Yep you can go 99 if you want the local traffic too... but I5 is fed funded and they keep it in pretty good shape...

We went from Seven Feathers... to Harra's and camped in the parking lot... then south to Newport beach and the marina park... was a easy trip... and we logged about 400 miles a day... go in the middle of the week... as then traffic is not a ... get their ites' thing... for the rest of the youkles...

It wasn’t in good shape in February of this year. Mostly around the Over/under crossings. Gaps at the expansion joints, bad ruts, etc. I’m glad your experience was better... I will still avoid that segment of I5 any chance I get.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by Drathaar

It wasn’t in good shape in February of this year. Mostly around the Over/under crossings. Gaps at the expansion joints, bad ruts, etc. I’m glad your experience was better... I will still avoid that segment of I5 any chance I get.

so if you think that I5 is beat up you should try 101 in the Gilroy area. We used to take I680 to 101 to Paso but now opt for the back door via I5 to Hwy 41 to Hwy 46. Gilroy is extremely rough as is 680 S of WC...IMO


Happy Trails so to speak

Bob

p.s. someone mentioned Hwy 89. I often take I5 to Hwy 89 to Reno (and pts S) and simply love this road....not so much in the winter but an awesome drive that flows very well. Good Fishun in Hat Creek FWIW