Snow in the Grapevine?

[purplecrush]

We are planning a trip to Disneyland in December. Does anyone know if the Grapevine and other mountain passes get snow in December? We are coming from Portland, OR and will drive down 1-5. We have only traveled down there in the summer, so I have no idea what to expect.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[bcla]

It happens occasionally. When it does traffic pretty much grinds to a halt because it's not a road that's equipped for chain controls and few vehicles will be carrying them. Unlike the mountain passes that get snow every year, they'll usually just shut it down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejon_Pass

The pass is sunny in the summer, spring, and fall, but is subject to severe weather and closure to traffic in the winter. The 40-mile stretch of Interstate 5 between Grapevine and Castaic is sometimes closed by the California Highway Patrol, generally because of the icy conditions combined with the steep grade of the pass, and the high traffic during the winter holidays. The Highway Patrol is also concerned that one accident in the snowy conditions might force traffic to slow down or come to a complete stop, leaving hundreds of vehicles to become stalled at once, especially with the number of big-rigs that pass through. Whenever there is such a closure, traffic must then either wait or endure a multi-hour detour between Bakersfield and Los Angeles (normally a two-hour drive).

 

[purplecrush]

Thank you for the reply! One of my friends that live down there says that "usually" when it gets snow, its in Jan/ Feb, so I thought I would ask

 

[Jedi Mouse]

It happens, but is not common. Coming from Portland, you can check the weather when you leave and take an alternate route along the coast or over Tehachapi if things look bad.

 

[purplecrush]

Wonderful!!! Thanks!

I'm actually terrified of driving in the snow, so I will be watching the passes like crazy. I need to see if the passes in southern Oregon get a lot of snow as well. I never really get out of my "bubble" up here. Where I'm at, we don't get snow very often..maybe about ever 5 years or so. This year we got a lot!! and only lasted the weekend (which was wonderful!!)

 

[GrandBob]

If you're terrified of driving in the snow, then it's the Siskiyou pass on the OR/CA border that you need to watch for. Check the weather conditions before you leave, and be prepared to change your driving days by a day or two in either direction if a storm is predicted. When that area gets a storm, it's usually bad in northern California too. Can be a bit of a problem all the way from Ashland OR to Redding CA.

-Bob

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yes there is snow on the grapevine, depending on the amount police do escort over the vine. But like you I am not a fan of driving in the snow either. Only had to drive over it once in the snow and never again I hope.

 

[purplecrush]

Thanks for the advice!

Would it better to drive down 101 from Oregon to California? Im not sure if 101 gets alot of snow?

Whats the best way around the Grapevine? Just continue down 101? We've only driven down 1-5...the more boring drive ever, lol

We had planned on going down 101, then cutting over to 1-5 after the threat of snow is gone.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yes, you can take the 101 and by pass the grapevine. It will take a little longer.

 

[bcla]

Thanks for the advice!

Would it better to drive down 101 from Oregon to California? Im not sure if 101 gets alot of snow?

Whats the best way around the Grapevine? Just continue down 101? We've only driven down 1-5...the more boring drive ever, lol

We had planned on going down 101, then cutting over to 1-5 after the threat of snow is gone.

It sounds like you're worried too much about this. You can always check the weather reports before passing through. Snow there is a rare event.

 

[purplecrush]

It sounds like you're worried too much about this. You can always check the weather reports before passing through. Snow there is a rare event.

I am a worrier!!!! We will check the weather before we leave, but I like to be prepared. ( im a planner too!) I know 101 will take alot longer..we've done that drive before. We have actually never driven straight to Disneyland LOL..I keep adding stuff to our trip

Thanks everyone

 

[GrandBob]

Too worried about snow on the Grapevine, yes I agree. It's a rare event.

But I believe that the OP is right to be concerned about snow on her route through Oregon and Northern California. Besides the parts I mentioned, the area around Roseburg can get dicey in a snow storm too.

OP, I believe you were asking about taking 101 all the way from Portland, not just the SoCal section. It's been many, many years since I've taken the coastal route through Oregon. But yes, in a snow storm, I'd expect 101 to be better than I-5 past Roseburg and through the Siskiyous. But I'd expect it to take a lot longer; especially in NorCal past Eureka etc. If I were you, I'd just plan on I-5, but check the weather before you leave. If a big, big storm is predicted, either go via the coast, or just delay your trip until the storm has passed. I-5 gets cleared as fast as humanly possible after a storm.

HTH,
Bob

ETA - Carry chains!

 

[bcla]

Certainly have a plan, but there's maybe a 1 in 1000 chance that you're going to have to reroute. I'd worry more about a brush fire than snow. I got stuck on Tejon Pass for about 90 minutes because of one.

 

[GrandBob]

Sorry, have to disagree with you again, bcla. At that time of year, there's a decent chance (I'd say at least 10%) that she'll have to reroute or delay going through the Siskiyous. It's very wise to have alternate plans.

-Bob

 

[usnuzuloose]

If there is any doubt , please just take the 101. If not keep snow chains with you. It always snows over the grapevine in winter. If you are pressed for time maybe you can leave one day earlier and just take your time to drive.

 

[purplecrush]

We have chains and will MOST certainly carry them! We will check the weather conditions before we leave! For sure! I just had hubby get the entire week off (instead of just the end of it) so we can take our time to get to Disneyland! So, if it looks dicey, we will just take 1-5 to Roseburg, then over to 101 down and enjoy some quiet, alone time. This is the first time we've gone to Disneyland without the kids! So excited!!

 

[bcla]

We have chains and will MOST certainly carry them! We will check the weather conditions before we leave! For sure! I just had hubby get the entire week off (instead of just the end of it) so we can take our time to get to Disneyland! So, if it looks dicey, we will just take 1-5 to Roseburg, then over to 101 down and enjoy some quiet, alone time. This is the first time we've gone to Disneyland without the kids! So excited!!

Chains aren't going to do much good because they'll close down the pass before they go to chain controls. In fact, chains aren't allowed at all. I know there are some articles that claim chains might be required, but that's not what Caltrans says. Caltrans, CHP, and local governments have a plan called "Operation Snowflake". The first phase is reports of snow where they don't do anything. The second phase is where they require CHP escorts in groups. There are four sub-phases where Tejon Pass is closed. They won't go to chain controls because there's no safe place to chain up and then remove them.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist6/opsnowflake/guide.pdf

Why are chains not allowed on the Grapevine, as is the case on I-80 over Donner Pass?
Since the snow and icy conditions are often limited to the summit, a location for the removal of chains would have to be made available and this is not viable due to the traffic volumes. This can make driving all the more dangerous when it does snow because drivers who don't travel through the Grapevine regularly would not be carrying chains, not expect snow, nor have much experience driving in it.

Other differences between the two passes are the grades and traffic volumes. The Grapevine is 6% grade for 5 miles, while Donner Pass is 3-6% grade for 30 miles. The graph illustrates the steepness of the Grapevine, over a shorter stretch of roadway as compared to Donner Pass, in addition to greater than double traffic volumes.*