Medford Oregon to Truckee CA Route

[David Foley]

Thinking about planning a trip out west that would have me in Medford Oregon (Crater Lake) around 12/28/2013.

Heading back to Texas I want to roll through Lake Tahoe and spend New Years eve there.

The route I am wanting to tackle is high-lighted in Blue here:

Anybody familiar with this route? Much preferable to slogging down the 5 the entire way but I am worried about weather this time of year. Not so much the cold - but ice, snow, etc.

FWIW here is the entire trip itinerary: Any other glaring holes in this plan? Appreciate any feedback!

 

[willboe]

At this point I will, approximately, quote Clint Eastwood: "You have to ask yourself, are you feeling lucky?". Oh, AND I would add 'Cold' to your list of concerns. On the other hand, it could be absolutely awesome. The only advice I can think of that may be useful is, have a plan B ready.

The data below, from Weather.com/Monthly for Truckee, shows the 'AVERAGES' giving you a fair chance at success IMHO.

26

AVERAGES Hi 40°F Lo 15°F

RECORDS Hi 54°F Lo -9°F

27

AVERAGES Hi 40°F Lo 15°F

RECORDS Hi 60°F Lo -9°F

28

AVERAGES Hi 40°F Lo 15°F

RECORDS Hi 55°F Lo -5°F

29

AVERAGES Hi 40°F Lo 15°F

RECORDS Hi 58°F Lo -26°F

30

AVERAGES Hi 40°F Lo 15°F

RECORDS Hi 55°F Lo -22°F

31

AVERAGES Hi 40°F Lo 15°F

RECORDS Hi 55°F Lo -23°F

Good Luck.

 

[Bugnatr]

We have had some snow and real cold a week ago. Most of it is gone but the roads were/are heavily sanded and the residual sand is a threat to two wheels not to mention the paint on your bike. I would be real concerned of the ice on the dry bridges and in the shady areas of the forest along 89.

However we are in a drought and not much moisture is expected into early January so this may be your only chance to ride up there in December.

I would avoid Hwy 20 from I 80 to Grass Valley as much of it is in the shade with frost and icy areas. Hwy 174 from Colfax to GV is a better route.

Here's a fun ride on your way north to get off I 5 for a while https://goo.gl/maps/2P7hD

I plan to ride it tomorrow

 

[David Foley]

Looks like a good route Bugnatr. Wondering if I may be biting off a bit too much with this trip by heading up to Crater Lake. I may consider just stopping my drive up the coast at Fortuna and then hitting the famous 36 from Fortuna to Redbluff and then coming down and taking your route to Truckee. Would 36 be ok this time of year?

Thanks for the temps in Truckee Willboe. Will have to keep an eye on the weather for sure.

 

[Bugnatr]

Looks like a good route Bugnatr. Wondering if I may be biting off a bit too much with this trip by heading up to Crater Lake. I may consider just stopping my drive up the coast at Fortuna and then hitting the famous 36 from Fortuna to Redbluff and then coming down and taking your route to Truckee. Would 36 be ok this time of year?
Thanks for the temps in Truckee Willboe. Will have to keep an eye on the weather for sure.

I would suspect Crater Lake is all snowed in, FJRay knows that area real well.

36 should be ok but keep an eye on the shady spots as they never really dry out this time of the year.

Perhaps I can get away to join you on part of your Norcal route below Red Bluff. Sending PM

 

[user 31223]

i travelled that route almost exactly this last august, nice ride but as others have said lots of shade ( good in august) - I loved Mt Lassen hadn't been before.

I would also consider that coming down 5 to Shasta etc is also subject to chain control , and it is closer to "sunny" Oregon so more likely to get snow - i think fortuna would be a decent plan B - just my 02 cents

 

[MCRIDER007]

Looks like a good route Bugnatr. Wondering if I may be biting off a bit too much with this trip by heading up to Crater Lake. I may consider just stopping my drive up the coast at Fortuna and then hitting the famous 36 from Fortuna to Redbluff and then coming down and taking your route to Truckee. Would 36 be ok this time of year?

One of the most dangerous rides I have ever had was when I got caught in a rain/snow storm on 36 and the temperatures dropped below 32.....but that was in the third week of May.

 

[Bugnatr]

Looks like a good route Bugnatr. Wondering if I may be biting off a bit too much with this trip by heading up to Crater Lake. I may consider just stopping my drive up the coast at Fortuna and then hitting the famous 36 from Fortuna to Redbluff and then coming down and taking your route to Truckee. Would 36 be ok this time of year?

One of the most dangerous rides I have ever had was when I got caught in a rain/snow storm on 36 and the temperatures dropped below 32.....but that was in the third week of May.

Ahh the joys of spring riding in the Mountains. When Wheatie and Karl were out here they were denied some great roads due to a late spring.

With the drought we are in this year 36 may be just fine other than the normal sand/ frost in the shady areas but using a good eye and steady throttle hand it's very doable with a dry forecast.

 

[James Burleigh]

I personally would not get anywhere near Truckee and Hwy 80 this time of year--aka the tippy top of the Sierra Nevada (look up nevada in the Spanish-English dictionary). All you need is an unpredicted blizzard, and you're enchilada is cooked. And the weather speculators are so good at speculating.... JS&NS.

 

[escapefjrtist]

This time of year that trip would be a crap shoot at best...just my $.02.

Good luck!

--G

 

[ionbeam]

Riding through the mountains in October, just south of Rt 80 was cold. At >6,500 feet in the afternoon we had to stop and put on everything we had with us, then crank up the seat and grip heaters to high. Over 10k feet there was snow on the ground. My $.02 says that I wouldn't even think of trying that in December or January.

I don't know how you plan to get to Flagstaff, but if you are thinking of taking Rt 40, when you hit the mountains just before Williams, expect the evening temps to be in the mid teens and on a good day the highs to be in the mid 40's. On a bad day in the 20's with heavy snow. On the other hand, if you like star gazing, Williams is a most excellent location with good altitude and almost no light pollution. On Bill Williams Mountain I felt like I was going to freeze to death while doing the star gazing.

 

[Roy Epperson]

you might want to checkout https://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi and look at road closure info. I would be quite concerned on the route through Lassen and beyond. I've been through Lassen with snow in July.

 

[David Foley]

you might want to checkout https://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi and look at road closure info. I would be quite concerned on the route through Lassen and beyond. I've been through Lassen with snow in July.

Thanks for the link Roy - great resource. Looks like I may have to alter my plan and stay on the coast. The 101 from Eureka CA to Astoria OR might be ok but the further North I go the longer the slog down I-5 - don't really want to repeat myself by coming back down 101.

My first winter trip. I'm counting on a full heated gear (jacket, pants, gloves and socks - under a FirstGear TPG Expedition suit) taking cold out of the equation. Maybe being naïve here?

 

[Bugnatr]

Ca weather predicts dry through the end of the year. Normally this would not be doable now but should be no problem this year as there is almost no snow in the high country. Just watch the shady areas.

Go for it!

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

I would not go into the mountains this time of year other than a brief day ride in the lower foothills, , Doug said it right several times, avoid damp spots in the shade, you will find lots of black ice. These are mean mountains and travel advisories are to be taken seriously even in 4wd vehicles prepped for the conditions let alone a high performance sport tour bike loaded down. This area is Northern California, not the balmy climes of the bay area, and hollywierd. PM me, I will be happy to meet up with you for a coffee or a cold one.

FWFE

 

[dj bill]

I think you have a death wish,it would be a real ***** in a car.

 

[beemerdons]

I think you have a death wish, it would be a real ***** in a car.

David I truly appreciate and respect your sense of adventure, but I stand behind the statement of mi Amigo dj bill. I worked in NorCal in the 70s and 80s and my Company "Associated" did service work along your route in Post #1, lumber mill in Susanville was operational back then and I worked on their piping systems.

In the Winter it was a real ***** to get around on your route in a large Piping Company Service Truck, with dualies on the rear and chained up to the maximum!

You also mentioned Flagstaff, Arizona: Right now no one is getting in or out of Flag because of ice and snow on Interstate 40. You can stay at mi Casa on I-10.

I would also send a private message to HotRodZilla, because I also believe that I-40 is closed at the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

[ionbeam]

...lumber mill in Susanville was operational back then and until I worked on their piping systems...

Fixed it for ya.

 

[beemerdons]

...lumber mill in Susanville was operational back then and until I worked on their piping systems...

Fixed it for ya.

Come on now Alan, Papa Chuy Viejo was a "Perfect Pipefitter! Do you know what a "Perfect Pipefitter" is? That is a brute with a size 50 chest and a size 5 hat, a "Perfect Pipefitter"! dcarver is also a "Perfect Pipefitter"!