When it snows in the California Sierras it really snows

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
11/27/2018 at 16:47 • Filed to: donner party

I grew up in Montana and have spent about 2/3 of my life in Montana. However I have never seen it snow as hard it does in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. I recall seeing snow accumulations around 6"/hour! That’s getting stuck just driving down the road levels of snow.

So if you wonder why it is wiser to fly to Vegas or Reno in the winter, this is why. Donner party FTW! As usual it’s the other drivers you have to worry about, if the road was empty it would be much easier to cross.

The other big problem is there is only one interstate going east in northern C alifornia. For most people they don’t think about the smaller state highways like HWY 50 or 88. Often HWY 50 is in much better condition than 80, it just has some exposure on the other side coming down to T ahoe.

DISCUSSION (11)

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/27/2018 at 17:04

I wonder if the price of the Vegas and Reno routes track with the seasonal weather at all.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/27/2018 at 17:09

GET EVERYONE ELSE OFF THE FUCKING ROAD, I’M MAKING AN EXCUSE TO BRING THE SSJ IN FOR SERVICE. IN CALIFORNIA. FOR REASONS.

Sir Halffast > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/27/2018 at 17:11

I mean, it wasn’t named the Donner Pass because they had a summertime picnic.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove
11/27/2018 at 17:12

Not really, just holiday travel and such.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/27/2018 at 17:13

I am so excited for this this weekend!! Finally getting to make use of my snow tires and AWD and getting some real skiing in. Thankfully the storm should be finishing up Thursday so roads will be safe/clear enough on Friday morning to just be interesting rather than downright treacherous. Pretty much the first 4 hours to Bishop are gonna be snowless but that last hour is where all of the excitement will come in.

I’d hate to be traveling i-80 in this though for sure. I drove through the Donner Pass in June a couple years ago when there was no snow and I was just thinking the whole time how bad it would be in a storm.

Also just ordered snow chains from Amazon so that I dont get hassled at chain control checkpoints. Apparently they still make you carry them in 4wd vehicles even though the only time they are needed is in R3, which also closes the roads for good reason. Seems silly but whatever they are cheap on Amazon and I will never use them.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Sir Halffast
11/27/2018 at 17:16

It might not have been summertime but it certainly still was a picnic feast !

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/27/2018 at 17:16

The two or three times I got caught on I80 in the snow were fucking terrible. Line of cars going 15 mph or going too fast or not moving at all. It was make a lane in some areas. And yes, if it’s R3 they close the roads, I have never seen the roads open at R3, that’s like 12" per hour snow and they can’t keep up with the plows.

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/27/2018 at 17:33

Someday I’ll get my Jeep out west to play. Y’all have all the fun.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin'
11/27/2018 at 18:49

Do it! It’s called big sky country for a reason.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/27/2018 at 19:31

This is why we Californians eat the weaker members of our parties when we cross the Sierras and get stuck.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Sir Halffast
11/27/2018 at 19:35

It was more of a winter picnic.