Canadian Snow-Birds worried about snow - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Camping | Places, Gear and Planning > Trips and Travel Planning
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-06-2019, 09:59 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 457
Canadian Snow-Birds worried about snow

This January we’re going to become Canadian Snow-Birds and head south for the winter. I know it’s still a ways away but I like to plan ahead. We’ll be going down the I-5 from the border and the question I have for those in the know is this. Is it worth the time and extra miles to switch over to hwy 101 at Astoria and head down the coast from there? Or would it be better to stay on the I-5 and wait till we hit northern California and then take the 101 from Crescent City down the California coast. My concern is that being winter there may not be as much open in the way of campgrounds or stops of interest on the Oregon coast that time of year. But we like the idea of going along the Oregon coast because there is less chance of snow.

If it were a later in the year we would definitely go the Oregon coast. The I-5 is fast but the coast is more interesting.
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 10:47 AM   #2
Member
 
padamas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Langley, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 5.0TA SOLD
Posts: 57
Snowbirds

We have done this trip the past two years; the first time south on I-5 to Grants Pass, then west to take 101 to San Francisco. It was my first drive south in the winter and I wanted to avoid the Siskiyou Pass.
Last January we stayed on I-5 to Sacramento and took 99 to Bakersfield before heading west to the coast.
We are new to this adventure, and enjoyed both trips, but Highway 101 is far more scenic and not so busy. Just don't be in a hurry, there is lots to see.

To partially answer your question, we never ran into a place that was closed for the season in California, and in fact found the parks we stopped at were not busy. We were not on the Oregon coast very long, but everything we looked at was open.
padamas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 10:52 AM   #3
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
I hope to leave Portland, OR on January 21, 2020 heading to Quartzsite. I'm working on mapping multiple routes. There's no way to accurately predict weather this far in advance. It will be difficult enough planning 3-5 days in advance! I'd really rather not take the coast route, Hwy 101, to California. But, it's also on 'maybe need to' map.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 11:33 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
rmitch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: WALNUT, California
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA The Glass Inn
Posts: 229
Picked up or 5.0 TA on May 9th. Took 101 all the way. State campgrounds in Oregon are awesome. Most have full hookups and almost all have power and water. Great facilities and free hot showers, all for $32. Near Astoria Fort Stevens is the largest public campground west of the Mississippi. Hiking and biking trails, Historic Ft. Stevens, a lake, a ship wreck on the beach, and the Columbia river. In Coos Bay, Sunset Bay St. Park is beautiful and near a botanical garden. Just north of Brookings is Harris beach St. Park another beautiful beach campground. I vote for the coast, it is beautiful. Takes longer but it's worth it. Oh and don't forget to stop for fish and chips along the way. As far as weather I can't help there. Whatever route you choose have a great trip.
rmitch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 11:44 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
h2owmn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Placerville, California
Trailer: 2018 Escape 17A double dinette
Posts: 1,518
A word of likely unneeded caution: There is a road from Galice (just north of Grant's Pass) that goes over the mountains and eventually to Gold Beach on the coast. It's a partly gravel very winding sometimes one lane road until you reach Agness, used mostly by folks shuttling vehicles while rafting the Rogue River. You do NOT want to tow a trailer on this road. This is also the road where the family was caught (someone had neglected to lock the gate that prohibits travel in the winter) and the dad died of exposure.
__________________
--Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced older woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force. --Dorothy Sayers
h2owmn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 12:31 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
I hope to leave Portland, OR on January 21, 2020 heading to Quartzsite.


I agree. The weather at the time will be the deciding factor. While we've done the coast route when we wanted to for the scenery etc. we've never had to sit out weather or not be able to do Siskiyou. Partly luck I know. At that time of year all we want to do is get South as fast as possible.

So I'd say take the route that you want but be flexible.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 12:42 PM   #7
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC View Post


I agree. The weather at the time will be the deciding factor. While we've done the coast route when we wanted to for the scenery etc. we've never had to sit out weather or not be able to do Siskiyou. Partly luck I know. At that time of year all we want to do is get South as fast as possible.

So I'd say take the route that you want but be flexible.

Ron
My first choice is to take I-84 east from Portland to Twin Falls, ID then straight south to The Q. It's probably a route better suited for the end of March, than the end of January... but it's on the list.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 01:00 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Farther's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Quimper Peninsula, Washington
Trailer: TBD
Posts: 369
After living in Siskiyou County for 19 years, I would not let the weather be the determining factor. The Siskiyou Pass is rarely closed but when is, it would be for less than a day. However, I would not like to cross if the roads are slick. I would layover (and have) instead of chaining up. That said, the coastal route would be far more scenic, very windy and very slow. In the Winter when traveling from Yreka to Medford, I always knew that the return trip could be delayed because of weather.
__________________
Thanks,
~Farther
Farther is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 01:10 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Abiquiu, New Mexico
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21 2017 GMC Canyon Duramax Diesel
Posts: 328
We picked up our E21 on January 14, 2019 and heaed south down I-5. First night stop was Mount Vernon, WA, 2nd night Eugene, OR then after checking the weather in Siskiyou Summit, over the pass to Oroville CA for our 3rd night stop. Siskiyou Summit was bare and dry and we were celebrating our good fortune only to run into the mother of all rainstorms beginning around Yreka. We had planned to stop further north on I-5 in Red Bluff or Redding but given the combination of bad weather and refugees from the Paradise fire, we found every RV park was fully booked. Hence, we had to continue driving on to Oroville where we finally found a vacancy. We have crossed Siskiyou summit 6 or 7 times in the Winter. Only once we had to layover in Klamath Falls for a couple of days until I-5 was cleared of snow and ice.
Chama is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 01:43 PM   #10
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17. Looking for something else.
Posts: 49
Crossing the Siskiyou's in winter is usually not a problem. Weather and road conditions are posted on the internet from both ODOT (Oregon) and CALTRANS (California) and current information is updated very frequently..

Sometimes, very infrequently, tire chains or approved winter tires are required. If your vehicle is not equipped with chains or approved tires, you cant cross. I would not want to put chains on a fiberglass trailer. I've gone over the pass many times and never had a situation that needed chain, but I'm in the habit of carrying chains just in case.

In winter, I suggest you make sure you have adequate fuel to get you from Medford Or. to Redding Ca. as some of the smaller towns in between these two places especially Yreka Ca. run out or have long lines and have run out of fuel when bad weather is forecasted. Both Medford and Yreka tend to sell out of tire chains in bad weather.

Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The 7 Feathers Casino I 5 exit 99 has free overnight parking and a first class resort $$$ campground.
Jack L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 01:55 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chama View Post
Hence, we had to continue driving on to Oroville where we finally found a vacancy.
Last time we did that there wasn't a space to be had in Oroville because of all the folks evacuated because of the dam scare. Ah, travelling, you never know for sure how it's going to go. Part of the fun.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 02:20 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
h2owmn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Placerville, California
Trailer: 2018 Escape 17A double dinette
Posts: 1,518
And if you're in Medford I recommend ButterCloud Bakery/Cafe for breakfast (on my top ten *anywhere* for breakfast) and in Weed (CA) Ellie's for coffee and lunch. Great sandwiches on homemade bread. There's not much more choice in Weed and Ellie's is great. I think they close midafternoon.
__________________
--Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced older woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force. --Dorothy Sayers
h2owmn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 02:41 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Port Hardy, British Columbia
Trailer: 2019 5 TA
Posts: 121
We live in Port Hardy and have been going down the I5 for the past 5 winters. 13 Jan this year. Watch the weather, be flexible and enjoy. The I 5 is well maintained and normally clear, we took the road from grants pass to Crescent City one year to avoid snow in Siskiyou pass but got heavy rain instead and that was unpleasant. We watch the weather starting 1 Jan and head out when we get a 4 day window. Once you get to RedBluff ,CA you are good to go. PM me and I can let you know trouble spots.
Greg and Kathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 05:20 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 457
Thanks for everybody's input. It looks like we'll do the Oregon and California coast on the way down and the I-5 coming home. Thanks for the offer Greg and Kathy I'll definitely be in contact with you.
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 05:34 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
I'm interested in the mid February weather on the US 95 / AZ 95 corridor from Lake Havasu City to northwestern Nevada. I'd like to photograph the Fly Geyser and that is the time frame I have available. I know it will be cool at night in Gerlach, NV, but I'd love to know what it would be like towing a trailer between the two locations that time of year.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 06:18 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Mike Lewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
Jon- I can't help you with a weather report, but I suggest taking some time to photograph nearby Pyramid Lake if you can. It's on the way to Fly Geyser and is worth a stop. I was there mid-November several years ago after the supercomputer conference in Reno. At the time there was no precip. I realize mid-November isn't mid-February.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2019, 08:14 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Farther's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Quimper Peninsula, Washington
Trailer: TBD
Posts: 369
When heading south on I-5, make sure to top off the fuel tank in Medford, OR because fuel costs are significantly more in California.
__________________
Thanks,
~Farther
Farther is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.