upper midwest to PNW in october. Bad idea?

[blrfjr]

My nephew is planning a trip from Indy north to Mn to Yellowstone to northern Wa to Or to Nv and back to Indy via the I80 corridor.

I guess the first question, is this even possible in mid oct. If anyone or everyone wants to chime in on this go ahead. He wants to know of POI and good roads alond the way. Any suggestions?

Yes I know he's nuts for doing a 6000 mi ride that far north in mid oct, Ive already told him that.

 

[wheatonFJR]

NUTS on two wheels would be my guess going over the passes. Be interested in a real opinion.

 

[velvet fog]

I wouldn't say NUTS, but I'd keep an eye on the weather radar. Going through the Rockies and Yellowstone will take you up over 8000 ft a couple times and the passes into western Washington are 3500 - 5000 ft. October is the time when the weather starts to turn from fall to winter. The conditions can range from cold and dry to heavy wet snow. Since this is an el nino year, odds are it will be cold and dry but you can probably expect frost or worse every morning. Wouldn't attempt it without heated gear and be ready to re-route or hunker down on a daily basis.

There isn't really any low altitude way through the Rockies but you can get through the Cascades at near sea level by following the Columbia river.

 

[Spud]

It's a total gamble. October can be fantastic and fairly warm if there's a high pressure system that stays in place. The higher elevation areas like Yellowstone country will get snow, not rain that time of year. If you get really unlucky you can get snow accumulation in the valleys too.

If you hit good weather, all you can expect is fantastic scenery, little to no traffic, cheap hotels, empty restaurants, etc. Be aware too that riding time gets very short--early AM's are not good--frost on road and really low temps.

This was a mid-October day on the Teton Pass a few years ago. I thought I could make it but a cop made me turn around.

 

[blrfjr]

thanks for the ifo guys and keep it coming.

 

[wheatonFJR]

thanks for the ifo guys and keep it coming.

I'm not sure how much more info you need. You thought it was iffy, because you asked the question. The two posters above you gave great advice...basically saying that it is a crapshoot based on the weather.

Unless you can personally affect the weather, what other info do you need?

I wouldn't say NUTS, but I'd keep an eye on the weather radar. Going through the Rockies and Yellowstone will take you up over 8000 ft a couple times and the passes into western Washington are 3500 - 5000 ft. October is the time when the weather starts to turn from fall to winter. The conditions can range from cold and dry to heavy wet snow. Since this is an el nino year, odds are it will be cold and dry but you can probably expect frost or worse every morning. Wouldn't attempt it without heated gear and be ready to re-route or hunker down on a daily basis.

There isn't really any low altitude way through the Rockies but you can get through the Cascades at near sea level by following the Columbia river.

It's a total gamble. October can be fantastic and fairly warm if there's a high pressure system that stays in place. The higher elevation areas like Yellowstone country will get snow, not rain that time of year. If you get really unlucky you can get snow accumulation in the valleys too.

If you hit good weather, all you can expect is fantastic scenery, little to no traffic, cheap hotels, empty restaurants, etc. Be aware too that riding time gets very short--early AM's are not good--frost on road and really low temps.

This was a mid-October day on the Teton Pass a few years ago. I thought I could make it but a cop made me turn around.

 

[blrfjr]

thanks for the ifo guys and keep it coming.

I'm not sure how much more info you need. You thought it was iffy, because you asked the question. The two posters above you gave great advice...basically saying that it is a crapshoot based on the weather.

Unless you can personally affect the weather, what other info do you need?

I wouldn't say NUTS, but I'd keep an eye on the weather radar. Going through the Rockies and Yellowstone will take you up over 8000 ft a couple times and the passes into western Washington are 3500 - 5000 ft. October is the time when the weather starts to turn from fall to winter. The conditions can range from cold and dry to heavy wet snow. Since this is an el nino year, odds are it will be cold and dry but you can probably expect frost or worse every morning. Wouldn't attempt it without heated gear and be ready to re-route or hunker down on a daily basis.

There isn't really any low altitude way through the Rockies but you can get through the Cascades at near sea level by following the Columbia river.

It's a total gamble. October can be fantastic and fairly warm if there's a high pressure system that stays in place. The higher elevation areas like Yellowstone country will get snow, not rain that time of year. If you get really unlucky you can get snow accumulation in the valleys too.

If you hit good weather, all you can expect is fantastic scenery, little to no traffic, cheap hotels, empty restaurants, etc. Be aware too that riding time gets very short--early AM's are not good--frost on road and really low temps.

This was a mid-October day on the Teton Pass a few years ago. I thought I could make it but a cop made me turn around.

If you read the opening post you would know what I "need". I was asking for POI along the way (that's points of interest) and some good roads to take.