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The road from Portland to Bend, what sorta road we talking? Any idea what the weather forecast is like this weekend? Trying to figure out type of rental car for 4 peeps + gear. Haven't been up there before and don't know if there are any mtn passes or anyplace where your standard rental car couldn't go? I'm assuming a standard car is cool, but let me know if I'm wrong.
The snowiest you'll see is here probably
http://www.tripcheck.com/RoadCams/ca...amp_pid624.jpg
which looks smooth sailing.
Pretty simple drive. Unless its nuking you shouldn't need 4wd. No passes whatsoever.
2 lanes, but generally a good road
going over/around hood is usually the only nasty stretch if weather is bad, often raining at lower elevations if precip at all
EDIT: yeah, where that webcam is. check ODOT www page for conditions, has cams on passes
takes a little under 3 hours in good conditions
many stretches where you can "safely" do 80+ mph
speed "limit" is 55, sort of - look up VBR (Violation of the Basic Rule) for OR speed limit quirk
basically, no special car needed unless heavy weather forecasted
go
depends if you are going past Mt. Hood or via Salem. Same time either way, although after Hood it's a straight shot, whereas via Salem you end up going through Detroit to Sisters, and it's a twistier road that doesn't have lights for nighttime driving. Neither pass is difficult. check www.tripcheck.com which is Oregon's
Weather doesn't look terrible.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/forecas...ncounty=ORC017
what you got planned Comish?
Hwy 26 from PDX is mostly a nice 4 lane road up to Government camp on which you can cruise along at 55-60 mph. Then it's a 2-laner. If the weather's nice you won't have problems. In foul weather, however, it can get very icy and you'd likely have difficulty navigating a standard rental over the pass.
Another option would be to drive up the Gorge to The Dalles and then take the Hwy there (I forget the number) south to Bend/Sunriver. This will keep you low and out of the potentially bad stuff. The Gorge is also an absolutely worthwhile trip if you've never been.
Have fun!
Thanks for the quick answers. We are coming tomorrow night until Sunday. A college reunion of sorts. All my skiing friends visiting a buddy who recently moved to Bend. Be on the hill Saturday and Sunday.
Oh, BTW, when you reach Bend, watch out for this guy ==>:fm:
You're entering a world of pain, Viva. A world of pain. :FIREdevil
I drove my family from Hood River to Bend last week in my two wheel drive full size van. Absolutely no problems, although I was technically illegal with studs on after April 1. Would have been fine with regular tires anyway.
Have a good trip. Bachelor has zero crowds during the week right now, and we had great snow......some days fresh, others spring.
Gorge intersate I-84 to The Dalles, then south on Hwy 197 that joins up with 97 to get to Bend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Viva
Depending on the traffic it can often be faster to drive down to Hood River via I-84 up Hwy 30 then hook into 26. Slightly more miles but you avoid the Gresham/Sandy traffic.
You can also drive out to Hood River and hop on Hwy 35 which will take you directly to 26 and on to Bend after a short stretch where you head up the east flanks of Mt Hood.
This is the most natury scenic way to do the drive and only adds about 25 minutes. Plus, the Hood River Bagel Shop girls are extra scenic - they rule over the (Sandy) Mountain Moka ho's 7 days a week. Also, there is a rad used gear shop in Hood River on the main strip with good deals on ski shit right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by ptavv
The man speaks the truth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Platinum Pete
Heh...I still have my souvenir postcard from there and that wasn't even one of their better years.
did you know there is a system forecast to come into the pnw out of the gulf of alaska on thursday night and move south over thurs and fri with snow levels dropping to 3000 ft baker scheduled to get the big brunt and hood scheduled to get the lesser of the impact fri to sat morning. hope you get some snow in bend.
LONG~DUCK~JONG, your schtick is starting to smell like the womens locker room trashcan.
Portland-Mt.Hood-Bend=14 miles shorter and a much easier drive than I-5 Santiam pass. No people at Bachy, just locals. Once you get to the (Hwy 26) 88 Mile post it's high desert and gas it.
A DEEP LOW PRESSURE AREA ALOFT WILL MOVE OUT OF THE GULF OF ALASKA
TO PUSH A STRONG COLD FRONT INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FRIDAY.
THIS WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BRING VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW FROM
FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 FEET
WILL BE POSSIBLE NEAR PASS LEVELS. SNOW LEVELS WILL FALL ABRUPTLY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEHIND THE COLD FRONT TO 3000 FEET...AND DOWN TO
2000 TO 2500 FEET FRIDAY NIGHT.
PEOPLE PLANNING TO BE IN THE MOUNTAINS OR TRAVEL ACROSS THE
OREGON AND SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES OVER THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY
WEEKEND...ESPECIALLY CLIMBERS OR HIKERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR
A RAPID DOWNTURN TO WINTRY CONDITIONS FRIDAY.
Just dont try to ford the flooded river on the Oregon trail.
I'm so glad I'm going to be camping at Smith Rock this weekend. It's going to be f'ing cold.
Agreed- Toyota it instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Evmo