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Old 11-25-2016, 10:38 AM
 
37 posts, read 108,300 times
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Hey gang... we're planning a trip to Sisters for Christmas, driving over from Portland. I'm worried about driving at that time of year... how bad is it? Any route tips, suggestions, etc?
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Old 11-25-2016, 02:16 PM
 
Location: North Idaho
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Old 11-25-2016, 02:23 PM
 
Location: North Idaho
32,632 posts, read 47,964,911 times
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Down to Salem, over the Detroit highway to Sisters. That highway is well plowed, but can have ice near the summit. Traffic is usually less crowded and I'm sure there will be skiers traveling but they will be less drunk than the skiers coming home from Mt Hood.

When you come off the pass and see 30 miles of straight road from there to Sisters, put it on cruise control at 55 mph. That stretch is heavily patrolled for speeders.

Check tripcheck before you leave home.

Just before you get to the summit there is a small lake to the north of the highway, very small, almost a pond. It is down in a low shade spot and if there is ice, it doesn't melt there and there are often wrecks there. Slow way down driving through that hollow until you are certain there is no ice.
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Old 11-26-2016, 05:07 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke View Post
Down to Salem, over the Detroit highway to Sisters. That highway is well plowed, but can have ice near the summit. Traffic is usually less crowded and I'm sure there will be skiers traveling but they will be less drunk than the skiers coming home from Mt Hood.

When you come off the pass and see 30 miles of straight road from there to Sisters, put it on cruise control at 55 mph. That stretch is heavily patrolled for speeders.

Check tripcheck before you leave home.

Just before you get to the summit there is a small lake to the north of the highway, very small, almost a pond. It is down in a low shade spot and if there is ice, it doesn't melt there and there are often wrecks there. Slow way down driving through that hollow until you are certain there is no ice.
Thank you so much for the tips!!
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Old 12-09-2016, 05:44 PM
 
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Once after a yuuuuge mountain pass snow storm, I was rather paranoid of driving over any passes. I just drove I-84 east to The Dalles, and then took Hwy 197 south through Maupin to Redmond. From there it's a short jaunt to Sisters.

Extreme? Perhaps. But the driving was fast (no snow/ice) and comforting.
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Old 12-09-2016, 07:55 PM
 
Location: Cascade Lakes Highway / Kapalua
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Yes once while pulling a trailer I went the I-84/197 route. Avoids all the passes.
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Old 12-10-2016, 11:02 AM
 
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Oooh, that's a great option, I like the idea of avoiding the passes! Thank you guys!
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Old 12-11-2016, 12:37 PM
 
Location: Bend OR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dry Side View Post
Yes once while pulling a trailer I went the I-84/197 route. Avoids all the passes.

Just be sure to check for any freezing rain warnings on that route, especially the i-84 portion. The Gorge and surrounding areas (including Portland) are somewhat prone to freezing rain conditions in Winter.

I personally would rather take a well plowed mountain road, than a flat ice covered roadway.

Luckily the skating rink effect is not an everyday thing, and usually their will be warnings up, if you are looking for them and paying attention.
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Old 12-11-2016, 03:20 PM
 
Location: Was Midvalley Oregon; Now Eastside Seattle area
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Depends
I'd go thru Salem then east on 20 which will drop you at Sisters.
84 gets a mighty strong wind.
It only takes 30 minutes to thru either the Gorge or Santiam/Willamette pass.
Watch the overly hyped news.
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Old 12-15-2016, 09:30 PM
 
2,542 posts, read 4,000,508 times
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Oregon State Police close Highway 20 after avalanches | KVAL

Quote:
Oregon State Police closed Highway 20 near Hoodoo Ski Area after two avalanches blocked the roadway.
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