Driving from Helena to Spokane in November.. What's Lookout Pass usually like? (Missoula: home)

[vedaju44]

I'm from Helena and my husband and I are going to be making several trips to Spokane from the end of October to mid-end November. Is Lookout Pass generally pretty mild during that time period? We've driven it many times before and know it can get pretty nasty in the Winter! It is absolutely crucial that we make it there when need be so is it closed down often? With the temps still being in the 90s at the end of September it would surprise me if we have much snow that early on!

[Redraven]

It can vary day to day, if not hour to hour.
There just isn't any hard and fast rule of thumb.
It may be beautiful in Missoula, and by the time you get to Lookout Pass you will be in a blizzard!
Don't forget, you also have Fourth of July Pass in Idaho to get over. It can be very dangerous due to black ice in the shady areas.
Good luck.

[vedaju44]

Thanks a lot! Isn't the weather just great? One minute it's clear and sunny--the next blizzardy You just never can tell!!

[rickers]

If your luck is like ours you could be driving on a highway that looks like this ! Like the others said you never know so I would pay attention to the forecasts a day or two before your trip.
I happen to enjoy driving when it dicey, but then again I used to enjoy skiing down avalanche chutes !

[wycowboy2]

If you're from Helena - wouldn't you know the answer?

[vedaju44]

wycowboy2- I'm from Helena which is a long ways from Lookout Pass. The farthest West I get from home routinely is Missoula which is still a ways from there.

[mtlogger]

Originally Posted by vedaju44

wycowboy2- I'm from Helena which is a long ways from Lookout Pass. The farthest West I get from home routinely is Missoula which is still a ways from there.

He was prolly thinking McDonald Pass in your backyard.