Donner Pass Advice
Sep 22, 2016, 12:13 pm
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
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Donner Pass Advice
Hey everyone, I'm flying into Reno December 9th and was wondering about my chances, to cross Donner Pass/Truckee Pass using a rental, without snow chains?
No rental car company allows renting chains for a car that I know off, so while I would have liked to visit Lake Tahoe before crossing over into California; I don't know if that will be feasible in December.
Last year I visited Portland in the same time frame and it was dry and warm. No snow to be had anywhere down the West Coast. It felt like summer. Not sure if the weather will repeat itself this year. My back-up plan is to drive south to Vegas if I can't cross any of the passes.
No rental car company allows renting chains for a car that I know off, so while I would have liked to visit Lake Tahoe before crossing over into California; I don't know if that will be feasible in December.
Last year I visited Portland in the same time frame and it was dry and warm. No snow to be had anywhere down the West Coast. It felt like summer. Not sure if the weather will repeat itself this year. My back-up plan is to drive south to Vegas if I can't cross any of the passes.
Sep 22, 2016, 2:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2013
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You shouldn't have any problem driving to Tahoe. I've been to Tahoe during the winter months and rarely had to use chains.
Actual heavy snow fall in the Tahoe area and passes, even in the dead of winter, is intermittent. Watch the weather forecast and you shouldn't have any problems dodging any major storms. Even when the passes do get heavy snow, they are typically cleared and passable again within a day or rarely 2. And December 9th will be early in the snowy season further reducing the chances of heavy snow closing the passes.
Heading south out of Reno through Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is a good route to consider.
Actual heavy snow fall in the Tahoe area and passes, even in the dead of winter, is intermittent. Watch the weather forecast and you shouldn't have any problems dodging any major storms. Even when the passes do get heavy snow, they are typically cleared and passable again within a day or rarely 2. And December 9th will be early in the snowy season further reducing the chances of heavy snow closing the passes.
Heading south out of Reno through Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is a good route to consider.
Sep 22, 2016, 5:47 pm
#3
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You shouldn't have any problem driving to Tahoe. I've been to Tahoe during the winter months and rarely had to use chains.
Actual heavy snow fall in the Tahoe area and passes, even in the dead of winter, is intermittent. Watch the weather forecast and you shouldn't have any problems dodging any major storms. Even when the passes do get heavy snow, they are typically cleared and passable again within a day or rarely 2. And December 9th will be early in the snowy season further reducing the chances of heavy snow closing the passes.
Actual heavy snow fall in the Tahoe area and passes, even in the dead of winter, is intermittent. Watch the weather forecast and you shouldn't have any problems dodging any major storms. Even when the passes do get heavy snow, they are typically cleared and passable again within a day or rarely 2. And December 9th will be early in the snowy season further reducing the chances of heavy snow closing the passes.
Heading south out of Reno through Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is a good route to consider.
Sep 22, 2016, 7:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Unlike the other repliers to your post, I urge much greater caution. At the very least, make sure you have a brush to wipe away snow from your windshield and rear window. Even better, don't even think of driving if there is a forecast of snow. I have actually driven on Donner Pass during snow in JUNE! Luckily only minor snow in June, as you might expect. But still, it was frightening to see snow falling on my rental car as I was driving through Donner Pass in June.
Perhaps the other posters will call me a wimp, but I believe I am offering prudent advice. All best wishes to the OP.
Perhaps the other posters will call me a wimp, but I believe I am offering prudent advice. All best wishes to the OP.
Sep 22, 2016, 7:48 pm
#5
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Sep 23, 2016, 7:59 am
#6
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I am not as sanguine about your prospects as everyone else in this thread so far. December is winter weather, and precipitation that falls in the passes is likely to be snow. During and shortly after snowfall it is likely there will be chain restrictions. You'll need to monitor the weather forecast and plan your driving around it.
Sep 23, 2016, 9:19 am
#7
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I am not as sanguine about your prospects as everyone else in this thread so far. December is winter weather, and precipitation that falls in the passes is likely to be snow. During and shortly after snowfall it is likely there will be chain restrictions. You'll need to monitor the weather forecast and plan your driving around it.
Sep 24, 2016, 12:41 am
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
Another vote for a careful monitoring of the weather. I've driven Donner Pass quite a few times in extreme weather, and it ain't fun. Nor is getting funneled off the road and stuck someplace with no hotel rooms or restaurants for 18 hours until the road reopens.
To the OP about chains: in that area there are stores that will sell you chains and allow you to return them if they are unused. Once when we needed new chains for a new car, we bought them at a Walmart outside Sacramento and the clerk offered right up front to take them back if they weren't used. I know there's a Walmart in Reno; if the weather is iffy, you might consider getting a set as insurance.
To the OP about chains: in that area there are stores that will sell you chains and allow you to return them if they are unused. Once when we needed new chains for a new car, we bought them at a Walmart outside Sacramento and the clerk offered right up front to take them back if they weren't used. I know there's a Walmart in Reno; if the weather is iffy, you might consider getting a set as insurance.
Sep 24, 2016, 1:44 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
You shouldn't have any problem driving to Tahoe. I've been to Tahoe during the winter months and rarely had to use chains.
Actual heavy snow fall in the Tahoe area and passes, even in the dead of winter, is intermittent. Watch the weather forecast and you shouldn't have any problems dodging any major storms. Even when the passes do get heavy snow, they are typically cleared and passable again within a day or rarely 2. And December 9th will be early in the snowy season further reducing the chances of heavy snow closing the passes.
Heading south out of Reno through Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is a good route to consider.
Actual heavy snow fall in the Tahoe area and passes, even in the dead of winter, is intermittent. Watch the weather forecast and you shouldn't have any problems dodging any major storms. Even when the passes do get heavy snow, they are typically cleared and passable again within a day or rarely 2. And December 9th will be early in the snowy season further reducing the chances of heavy snow closing the passes.
Heading south out of Reno through Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is a good route to consider.
Another vote for a careful monitoring of the weather. I've driven Donner Pass quite a few times in extreme weather, and it ain't fun. Nor is getting funneled off the road and stuck someplace with no hotel rooms or restaurants for 18 hours until the road reopens.
To the OP about chains: in that area there are stores that will sell you chains and allow you to return them if they are unused. Once when we needed new chains for a new car, we bought them at a Walmart outside Sacramento and the clerk offered right up front to take them back if they weren't used. I know there's a Walmart in Reno; if the weather is iffy, you might consider getting a set as insurance.
To the OP about chains: in that area there are stores that will sell you chains and allow you to return them if they are unused. Once when we needed new chains for a new car, we bought them at a Walmart outside Sacramento and the clerk offered right up front to take them back if they weren't used. I know there's a Walmart in Reno; if the weather is iffy, you might consider getting a set as insurance.
The problem with that is the rental car companies prohibit it and I'd have to find someone to install it since living in a sunny country year round; I know squat about snow chains. I have read that there are people on the pass who install/take it off for a fee, but will the rental car company notice damage to the tires, is what I ask myself with that plan.
LOLGot that covered. No plan to add to history in that way
Thanks for the all the responses guys. I plan to monitor the weather closely and book a backup refundable ticket to fly, just in case I won't be able to cross due to weather.
Sep 24, 2016, 4:50 pm
#11
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I lived in North Lake Tahoe for 4 years. While your chances are good, I recommend checking weather forecast for the few days before you go and intend to return. Nothing worst than being stuck up there - I once tried to drive a 'vette from RNO to Incline Village via NV431. Had to turn back, go south on US 50 to NV28 which was a better-cleared (and lower elevation) major road.
As for chains, there are licensed chain installers at the chain-up areas but if the chains come loose, any resulting damage is going to be on your dime. It's not damage to the tires but to the fenders/wheel well from metal being whipped around at high speeds. They say chains are better than cables as far as not breaking. I never used cables but had (real) chains.
Road conditions are R1, R2 ad R3.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wo.htm
As for chains, there are licensed chain installers at the chain-up areas but if the chains come loose, any resulting damage is going to be on your dime. It's not damage to the tires but to the fenders/wheel well from metal being whipped around at high speeds. They say chains are better than cables as far as not breaking. I never used cables but had (real) chains.
Road conditions are R1, R2 ad R3.
R1: Chains are required - snow tread tires allowed.
R2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
R3: Chains are required - all vehicles - no exceptions.
R1 and R2 are the most common conditions. The highway is usually closed before an R3 condition is imposed.
R2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
R3: Chains are required - all vehicles - no exceptions.
R1 and R2 are the most common conditions. The highway is usually closed before an R3 condition is imposed.
Sep 24, 2016, 11:40 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
The problem with that is the rental car companies prohibit it and I'd have to find someone to install it since living in a sunny country year round; I know squat about snow chains. I have read that there are people on the pass who install/take it off for a fee, but will the rental car company notice damage to the tires, is what I ask myself with that plan.
Now that I think about it, it's time to get the chains and winter emergency gear out of the basement and stick them back in the car. Thanks for making me think of that.
Nor sure what your route is meant to be, but keep in mind Amtrak runs from Reno to Sacramento with several stops along the way. It will often be running when the roads are still a mess.
Sep 25, 2016, 5:37 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
Correctly installed chains should not damage either the tires or the car; key word being "Correctly". But it's not that difficult, even my ex, who seriously lacks mechanical aptitude, could do it.
Now that I think about it, it's time to get the chains and winter emergency gear out of the basement and stick them back in the car. Thanks for making me think of that.
Nor sure what your route is meant to be, but keep in mind Amtrak runs from Reno to Sacramento with several stops along the way. It will often be running when the roads are still a mess.
Now that I think about it, it's time to get the chains and winter emergency gear out of the basement and stick them back in the car. Thanks for making me think of that.
Nor sure what your route is meant to be, but keep in mind Amtrak runs from Reno to Sacramento with several stops along the way. It will often be running when the roads are still a mess.
I actually have no route planned. 'Cblaisd' mentioned a nice route for the lake but other than that, nothing is really concrete. I would enjoy crossing over into California via the pass and scratching it off my non existent bucket list mentally; but of course this all depends on the weather at the time.
Sep 25, 2016, 9:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Try to rent a Subaru.
I spent a winter in Mammoth Lakes. The California authorities would regularly have check-points inspecting for snow chains. All Subarus were just waved through.
I'm sure this is not a written regulation.
I spent a winter in Mammoth Lakes. The California authorities would regularly have check-points inspecting for snow chains. All Subarus were just waved through.
I'm sure this is not a written regulation.