Elevation and road conditions on I5 from SF to Portland in December.

[nrvale0]

Hey, everyone.

I'm thinking about riding up to my sister's in Portland on Friday but I've never driven the 5 between SF and Portland. The temperatures and precip look doable but I'm not sure about the elevation and thus possibility for snow and ice on the road. Does the 5 go up high? Likely to be treacherous this time of year?

 

[Carlo]

Siskyou summit between Weed and Ashland is likely to be the worst. I think it tops out around 5000 ft. Mt. Shasta City could also be a problem if it's snowed recently there.

There's occasionally snow at Sexton Mountain North of Grants Pass, and in the mornings, there can be icy spots anywhere if it's cold. Beware of places that are shady in the afternoon.

Going up the coast will give you the best chance of avoiding snow or ice, but you may encounter fog or windy storms.

Check the Caltrans and ODOT weather cams just prior to starting your trip so you can decide if you want to head over to the coast.
It's doable, just be careful. You probably won't hit anything really serious if the weathercams show clear roads.

 

[Junkie]

Don't know for sure, but even low elevations can get *cold*. I drove down to SLO on Friday and, even with hear, was pretty chilly in a convertible. I'd advise either a ton of insulation or heated gear.

 

[JO EBRMC]

Went through there in November and despite predictions of rain it was actually really pleasant the whole way. However, when the sun went down it got completely foggy - bad enough that riding would be way, way too dangerous.

The problem you might encounter is that the weather may be very erratic so you might not know what to expect until you are in the middle of it.

 

[nrvale0]

Thanks. guys. Never thought about the web cams. Great idea.

As for the cold, meh, I just finished a XC ride from New Hampshire via Texas. It was cold (sometimes in the 30s) but not so bad with the grip warmers and a couple of layers under the jacket. I'm well-conditioned I suppose. Although a couple of black ice experiences in the mountains of New Mexico have me more leary of the roads than of my ability to withstand the cold.

Will let you know how it went.

 

[Junkie]

I've got no clue how bad the fog was for Jerry above. I do, however, remember fog bad enough in Virginia that I was unwilling to go freeway speeds. On the other hand, I was on the freeway, so going 40 felt like I'd get asspacked...



so: in some situations, it isn't safe to be on a motorcycle, period.


edit: yeah, heated gear would've helped. My trip was on a CBR929 with NO wind protection, and no warmth beyond leathers.

 

[n10sive]

Siskyou summit between Weed and Ashland is likely to be the worst. I think it tops out around 5000 ft. Mt. Shasta City could also be a problem if it's snowed recently there.

There's occasionally snow at Sexton Mountain North of Grants Pass, and in the mornings, there can be icy spots anywhere if it's cold. Beware of places that are shady in the afternoon.

Going up the coast will give you the best chance of avoiding snow or ice, but you may encounter fog or windy storms.

Check the Caltrans and ODOT weather cams just prior to starting your trip so you can decide if you want to head over to the coast.
It's doable, just be careful. You probably won't hit anything really serious if the weathercams show clear roads.

Plus to all this!

One suggestion...you could do the coast up to Crescent City and then 199 to Grants Pass. From there I think the max elevation is less than 1000'. This will help you avoid the Siskyou's. It can, and does snow in Central Oregon, but typically doesn't last. However, it's been a cold winter so far so if it does snow, it won't melt as fast as normal.

Good luck with the ride!

 

[Bob O]

I've driven several times in the winter and my son is driving it today and should be home soon. Today it was clear but never reached 30 between weed and yreka. Was in the low 30's thru the Siskyou's. If it does snow which is very likely, you don't want to be on a bike. Here is the site I use to check the roads. Patches of ice in the morning and clear but COLD by about 11.

http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&curRegion=7

 

[packnrat]

no real need to worry about altitude. I5 never gets that far up and the pass just inside of Oregon is the highest spot this fwy gets in all of north America.

but ICE will be a killer at that time of the year. even dry and no rain for the past six weeks, there will be ice in spots.

yes very cold. be safe and have fun

.

 

[n10sive]

no real need to worry about altitude. I5 never gets that far up and the pass just inside of Oregon is the highest spot this fwy gets in all of north America.

but ICE will be a killer at that time of the year. even dry and no rain for the past six weeks, there will be ice in spots.

yes very cold. be safe and have fun

.

4300' over Siskiyou Summit at Ashland

 

[engineboy]

4300' over Siskiyou Summit at Ashland

Yep, and the weather hangs on the east side of the mountain, right where the road goes through.

I drive 5 up to grants pass every year and ashland is usually touch and go for weather this time of year.

I lived in CC for several years and the coast is a better drive weather wise but will be colder and foggy this time of year, lots of moisture on the road. 101 to 199 is a funner road though, LOTS of twisties through the redwoods. 199 does have its areas that are prone to snow this time of year, even though the elevation isnt that high, the tunnel area near the border and the cave junction area both get snow.

Good luck, watch road reports and dress way warm.

EDIT: Also watch for large critters at dusk and dawn...this time of year they are out and about.

 

[machete]

If you go the I5 route, watch out for CHP as you come into the Weed, Ca. area. They usually sit in the middle divider just before the exit.

oh, and watch out for ice man. sounds like you got the cold handled.

 

[engineboy]

If you go the I5 route, watch out for CHP as you come into the Weed, Ca. area. They usually sit in the middle divider just before the exit.

oh, and watch out for ice man. sounds like you got the cold handled.

They be sneaky in those parts. I almost got one going up last year, he was backed up on the on ramp so you didnt see him till you went under the overpass. By then it was too late

My mojo must have been good that day, he didnt budge and I wasnt exactly doing the speed limit.

 

[machete]

They be sneaky in those parts. I almost got one going up last year, he was backed up on the on ramp so you didnt see him till you went under the overpass. By then it was too late

My mojo must have been good that day, he didnt budge and I wasnt exactly doing the speed limit.

yep. or they sit behind the shrubs in the huge middle divider. I almost got popped, the guy had just rolled up to his spot, and I saw a glint from his car, I slowed enough, and he got the lady behind me. I gassed up, as he ticketed her in the town of Weed.


I usually crank my head to the right and check onramps.

 

[flying_hun]

FWIW, I've been caught in some HUGE snowstorm in the Siskiyous. They do happen. All the advice from Carlo is spot on.

 

[DaveT319]

Best advice we can give after 12 years of doing the Salinas to Eugene trip is break it up into 2 days. Get up to Redding, get a good nights sleep, have a good breakfast and head out at about 10 am. This way you wait for the roads to warm up and all the black ice reports to hit the road reports so you know where to be extra careful. It's not that it can't be done in a day, and in great weather it's fine. We just always have a plan to not be in mountains after dark. Also, if weather is expected, the stretch between Salem and Portland can be very dangerous as well.

http://tripcheck.com/Pages/RCmap.asp?curRegion=0&mainNav=RoadConditions

Check here for up to date road conditions. Oregon is so much more organized than CA!

 

[n10sive]

If your going to break it into 2 days, make it to ashland at the end of the day, not the beginning. There is a nice hotel there used to be called "the windmill inn".

OSP loves Cal plates. Speed traps north side of Medford and Canyonville (nice twisties too).

 

[mean dad]

headin that way myself on friday, but I'll be in a truck. weather looks clear until wednesday night into thursday, supposed to be rain turning into snow. friday looks clear, but anything more than three days out is a guess on weather.
what time are you planning on leaving? maybe we'll swap numbers in case you run into trouble...

 

[two wheel tramp]

You can buy chains at les Schwab. if you don't use them, return them for a refund. Siskiyou will be the most challenging. Sexton is also likely to have snow as Carlos said. It's not bad, though, definitely doable.

 

[Banjoboy]

Siskyou summit between Weed and Ashland is likely to be the worst. I think it tops out around 5000 ft. Mt. Shasta City could also be a problem if it's snowed recently there.

There's occasionally snow at Sexton Mountain North of Grants Pass, and in the mornings, there can be icy spots anywhere if it's cold. Beware of places that are shady in the afternoon.

Going up the coast will give you the best chance of avoiding snow or ice, but you may encounter fog or windy storms.

Check the Caltrans and ODOT weather cams just prior to starting your trip so you can decide if you want to head over to the coast.
It's doable, just be careful. You probably won't hit anything really serious if the weathercams show clear roads.

FWIW, I've been caught in some HUGE snowstorm in the Siskiyous. They do happen. All the advice from Carlo is spot on.

^THIS^
It's always sketchy this time of year. A few years back, a friend from Red bluff, had to go up with truck & trailer, to rescue a rider who got caught in a snow storm in the Siskiyous. The guy was o.k. but his tires had "gummed up" with snow, (may have been some black ice too?) and he had bounced off snow drifts, and crashed 3 times. (Easy slow speed get-offs.)