Feather River Senic HiWay (Ca. SR 70) - Montana Owners Club

OrangeCrate · 03-20-2011, 09:21 AM

We are planning on heading for the Spring Rally next week, does anyone have recommendations/info. to share concerning taking US 395 out of Reno to SR-70 on our way to Jackson. (we have some friends we want to see in Magalia) it looks like a decent way to travel and the pass is a little lower than Donner.
Let me know What U Think... as far as pulling our 340RLQ over this route.
The weather report looks like it could be snowy in the Sierra's next week.

rphoward · 03-20-2011, 11:34 AM

We live in Paradise and have gone this route several times pulling our 2950RK. Not a speedway, but very scenic route. My concern would be the weather. I've heard 395 has snow and you'd have to check the Portola and Quincy weather forecast.

Paradise has a forecast of rain and wind for the next week. Our high temp as been hovering around 40 degrees.

Caltrans has an 800 phone number to check road conditions. It is 800-427-7623.

OrangeCrate · 03-20-2011, 01:35 PM

thanks... Forcast for Donner Pass doesn't look much better for the next week. The one I looked at for Portola and Quincy shows Heavy Snow for next couple of days as well.. I guess I will just have to see what things look like when I get to Reno on about Wed. I guess my other option is to drop down to Carson City... which looks about the same..

HamRad · 03-20-2011, 06:24 PM

OrangeCrate,
Whatever you do don't take hwy 49 from Auburn on I 80. It is a great route for sightseeing but NOT for towing! There is a road just south of Roseville called Sunrise Ave. Take that south to the Jackson Rd./ Road 16. Take that to hwy 49 and go south. Jackson is just a few miles from that intersection. Drive carefully and enjoy! See you there. Dennis

Capt Kidd · 03-21-2011, 07:58 AM

395 to 70 is a great road. The road is in much better shape than I-80. I-80 is torn up by trucks and it is just bounce bounce. 395 and 70 on the other hand are smooth road beds. The pass is lower and therefor may have less snow but may not be as well cleared as I-80. I usually take this route when I go to or thru Reno.

WorkerB · 03-21-2011, 08:07 AM

Hi Dick,
I'm in the same boat. I live in Milford, CA and need to get over the mountain. 395 to 70 and through Quincy and Portola is a mistake. Portola has packed snow and ice all the time. Once you get over the top to the Greenville Y (why) it's all downhill from there. You can go around Portola by staying on 395 to Susanville then continuing on 36 to Greenville then down the canyon which ends at the Greenville Y. That is my #1 choice but conditions change rapidly http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/cctv/sm_sr70sr89.shtml# . Call the Greenville Sheriff's Office at 530-284-7222 for the most reliable report. From my place this is the shortest route. The trick is getting over Fredonyer Mountain http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/rwis/sm_fredsum.php . If two flakes land on the road the CHP requires chains. Susanville CHP 530-257-2191 will tell you if Fredonyer is open or not. My next choice from Milford is go to Reno and over I-80. Again conditions change from hour to hour. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departme...affic/cameras/ 1-800-427-7623.
If I don't go tomorrow I will have to wait till the weekend when the weather looks a little warmer. The very worst case is I'll throw the cab over camper on the pickup, chain up ALL 4, put her in 4x4 and go for it. Just won't do for the Wagon Master to miss his own rally! P.M. or email me if you need more info. Drive Safe. See ya there.
John.....WorkerB

OrangeCrate · 03-21-2011, 05:37 PM

WorkerB... If I am already in Reno... Say by Thursday, do you think it best for me just to truck on over Donner on 80.. rather than take 395?? We wanted to spend a day or two visiting some friends near VacaVille before the Rally anyway, then we could go on up to Magalia after the Rally and maybe on over to a place I heard about called 'Blue Lake Campground' near ClearLake (Ukiah). I figure I can always take the SR 70 senic route some time in the late summer early fall when all the snow is gone. It looks like the big storm hitting you now should be out of there by Thurs. of Fri. so Donner may not be a bad bet.

WorkerB · 03-21-2011, 05:58 PM

Dick,
I think you have a handle on it. If the weather is clear go for it!
See you in Jackson,
John.... WorkerB

WorkerB · 03-22-2011, 05:53 PM

Hey Dick!
I'm ALIVE! We left one hour late from Susanville but made it over Fredonyer Mtn. Spitting snow but not sticking. All was well as we traveled along the East shore of Lake Almanor and all of a sudden the snow started sticking. Things started clearing at Canyon Dam and from there the skies turned blue and the rest of the trip was just wet with rain. We are safe and sound in Paradise camped at Nailbenders campground.
Will be watching this thread to see how you do over Donner.
John......WorkerB

OrangeCrate · 03-23-2011, 04:28 AM

Glad to hear U made the trip without incident.. We are still in Montana (Dillon) spent two nites here because of Big Time Snow.. But it is clear today. So we are off!! Looks to me like the Tahoe area is getting slammed again by another storm right now.. But long range forcast show just a chance of snow later this week.. I plan on staying at the KOA near Reno when we get there, so will probably just go over Donner. Stay in touch. See U in a few days

WorkerB · 03-23-2011, 05:05 AM

OrangeCrate,
There are a couple KOA's in Reno. Boomtown KOA is at the base of Donner. If you are there Fri- Mon they have whole main lobster ALL YOU CAN EAT! Someone told me prices dropped from $24.99 to $19.99. http://www.boomtownreno.com/Lobster....FQEKbAodqyUN-w Frozen NOT fresh but for the price it's not bad.
John...... WorkerB

OrangeCrate · 03-23-2011, 05:00 PM

WorkerB... Thanks for the Tip. We are in Elko tonite, found a really nice RV park here that is somehow connected to the Hilton, (they let U use the fittness center and Sauna at the Hotel). Should be in Reno tomorrow (fingers crossed). Will definately give that a try.
WeatherUnderground site forcast makes me think we will be able to go over Donner on Friday...

WorkerB · 03-24-2011, 03:25 AM

OrangeCrate,
Just for grins you might call the Sheriff office in Portola (530) 832-4242. It's been warming just a taste and IF they are spreading salt & cinders it may be only slush through Quincy and Portola. Be sure and tell them you're towing the 5er. If they say go for it, that route would drop you right in Magalia. It's nice to have choices. Right now it's raining like a bad dog in Paradise.
Drive Safe,
John.....WorkerB

OrangeCrate · 03-24-2011, 01:26 PM

OK, we are in Reno.... drove thru a real Blizzard the last 10 miles or so, 3" of snow here at the Boomtown KOA, but we are warm and now dry after setting up in the snowstorm. I signed up to stay here for two days, so we will see what things look like on Sat. I found that my plastic dome in the Bathroom is shattered, so will need to make a trip into town tomorrow for a replacement and see if the snow lets up enough tomorrow so I can get it put on.. I will also be able to enjoy some one of the Lobster Buffet dinners U clued me in on.. Weatherunderground sat image looks like we are just seeing the leading edge of this storm now, so by Sat. it should be gone we will have a window to get over the Mountain either Donner or up near Susanville. Looks like 395 is getting hit about like here almost all the way to Susanville, so I will make a few phone calls on Sat. to see how that route looks.. before I take off. See U in a couple days..

Mynabird · 03-24-2011, 01:43 PM

FYI ... Channel 13 news , Sacramento, says I-80 closed both ways from Nevada state line to Applegate due to visibility. Be careful & drive safely ALL! Hope to see everyone in Jackson!

brenkco · 03-24-2011, 01:50 PM

Orangecrate,

I have been watching the CalTrans Webcams for your trip to the Sierra's today. Looks like you got there just as the storm was moving in. Some of the camera's over the pass go in and out, (be patient) some covered with snow but they might be helpful to see what your facing if you have internet access to view:

http://video.dot.ca.gov/

Scroll down to the Tahoe Area webcams. Some will give you views over the summit, Truckee etc.

Ken

OrangeCrate · 03-25-2011, 07:59 AM

Checked them out.... probably not going over today, maybe tomorrow...might just sit here at Boomtown till Sunday and make my fortune

brenkco · 03-25-2011, 08:28 AM

Yes, not much traffic...it was closed! Nice pictures though. So I have a question, if you make your forture will you be giving lessons at Jackson????????

Ken

OrangeCrate · 03-25-2011, 03:39 PM

spent the afternoon in the casino.... put $30 in, Cashed out @ $32.45... Spent about $52 for a Lobster Buffett (was all U can eat, lots to pick from + the Lobster)... A couple hours @ Cabela's ($225).. about the only thing that is a bargin here is the camping...$28 (Best Campground Showers I have ever used !!)
SO, I guess I won't B giving any lessons..
Supposed to Rain tomorrow, so Maybe it will open up for me by Sunday..

OrangeCrate · 03-25-2011, 04:50 PM

WorkerB.. your route suggestion is starting to look like the way to go... Both SodaButte and Kingvale sections of I80 still look snowpacked.. Kinda thinking I should take off from here tomorrow (Sat.) and plan on staying @ Oroville.. I am guessing I can make that trip in about 4 - 5 hours..

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