Avoiding The Siskiyou Pass- Class A

[P21932]

I am heading south for the winter from Oregon to Central California. We have 3 of us in a Caravan.

Looking at the weather it snows for the 5 days before we are leaving over the Siskiyou Pass (Mt. Ashland/Mt. Shasta) with temps in the mid to upper 30's as a high, so we have decided to bypass the Siskiyou Pass by heading over to Hwy. 101. We are looking for the best way to come back to I-5 and curious if 299 out of Arcata California or if driving down 101 to Route (HWY?) 20 South of Willits (North of Ukiah) would be better.

It looks like taking 299 might well put us back up to some altitude and risk of snow and ice whereas 20 appears to be a "larger" road and a shorter (though a longer drive on 101) trip and less likely to have altitude and snow ice issues. I am really interested in this from a Class A perspective.

I have a 40' Class A DP (no Tag axle) and will be towing a Jeep Wrangler unlimited (which we could unhitch and drive separately if that would be preferable). The other two couples have slightly smaller rigs. Any experience with these routes and potential issues would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[bobndorine2]

We travel from Oregon to California all the time and prefer to take #20 past Clear Lake to Winters on I-5, then south.

[larryholsopple]

Siskiyou Pass driving conditions are risky in the winter season, due to fog, ice and snow. I've been over the pass several times in winter with 4x4 SUV and would not want to drive it in my 32' Class A...nice drive in spring-fall.

As you commented, take OR/CA-101 south along the coast and then cut over on CA-20 east to I-5 at Williams. This route avoids the SF/I-80 traffic and CA-20 is short connection and a good road for RV's to I-5.

Good luck and safe travels!

[huffypuff]

I'm leaving on the 10th from WA to southern CA as I do every year. What I do is take I-5 exit 99 to Seven Feathers RV Resorts and Casino on my way down and spend the night.

I check first thing in the morning on TV and the pass cameras before I go through the passes. It takes the mystery out what condition the pass is before going. If it is bad I stay another night and be safe. If not so bad and expect to be clear before heading over then I go. The plow trucks work to clear up by day so trucks can get through this major interstate. Only one time did I have to stay a extra night.

Good luck and safe travel.

[CarlAda]

Out of curiosity, do you carry chains as required by law or do you just chance that a) you aren't going to need them or b ) you're not going to get stopped to show them? I live in Medford, so going south (or anywhere actually) will require going through snow areas where chains may be required by law.

[obedb]

I have traveled Ca 20 a number of times with a Peterbilt pulling A 102" wide 53 foot trailer. Ukiah Harley dealer was my destination. You will be fine on that road. Washington does and Oregon (I think) require that commercial vehicles have them on board during snow season even if there is not a cloud in the sky. Did not know RVs are subject to that rule, but I have never RVed out there.

[huffypuff]

I carry chains by law but I sure won't be using them. That is why I watch the news, if chains are require I won't go.

[P21932]

I don't own chains and would not use them (probably not physically capable of putting them on). I would rather miss a day or two than risk the snow and ice that required chains. That's why I am asking about alternates. They are predicting snow in Klamath Falls so that route is not one I would prefer either. We will be watching the coastal winds and the mountain snows as we go.

[jana0623]

I have travelled the Siskiyou Pass several times in winter in a 30 foot Holiday Rambler Admiral or 40 foot Country Coach Magna. I've had no problems. Just follow the advise of HuffyPuff. Stop at Seven Feathers for the night, then check in the morning. It's a major truck traffic route, so the state DOT gets it open as quickly as possible.

[huffypuff]

This is a follow up after the login is working again.

I left home a day late as my coach failed the pre check and needed the alternator replaced. So we left on Friday 12-11- 2015 at 9:00 am for Seven Feathers and arrived at 5:00 pm same day. We decided to have dinner in the casino and walk around a little. When we got back I heard a mention of snow on TV so I hooked up the laptop to check the passes on. line weather. The forecast was snow starting by 9:00 am Saturday turning to blizzard condition that afternoon and continue to Monday night. I later found out that it snowed 2 feet of snow with many drifts with ice.

We had a decision to make, red eye till the wee hours of the morning or be stuck where we were for three days. My DW had to catch a plane on the morning of the 16 in Ontario, CA so the second choice didn't sound good. We left at 10:30 pm top off, the fuel tank and propane at Seven Feathers and red eye until 4:00 am to a Wal-Mart about 100 miles north of Sacramento, CA. Since we were so close to Sacramento we skipped that stop and put us a day ahead when we continue later that morning.

Again we were able to avoid trouble by watching the weather in the passes. And DW was able to catch her plane yesterday.

[C-783533]

We just did a similar thing but in the opposite direction. From Williams on I5 west to 101 and up to Florence, OR. From Florence to Eugene via OR 126 and on up I5 north to Seattle. Not a bad trip. No snow, no ice but enough rain to raise the level in the Pacific a couple of feet :-)

[huffypuff]

Yes George, the reason we head south every winter the cold and constant rain. We can do it only three months a year while others are lucky enough to do it for 5 to 6 months.

[obedb]

Huff/ Your post about running into the wee small hours of the morning to stay ahead of the weather reminds of my years trucking out there. Didn't have all of the sources that are available now, but there were some. The winter as a trucker in the west was often a struggle, but oddly, I miss it. Thanks for your account.