Kingbury Grade (Carson City, Minden, Kingsbury: rentals, hotel, living in)

[Zinnia]

You all have been helpful so far... I have one more question for you...

What is the Kingsbury Grade like in the winter... theres a duplex for rent up there.... is this far from Carson City?

One more week and I will be in Carson City!

Thanks

[garth]

It can close down from time to time. It's also steeper than US Interstate standards, which hold slopes to a max of 6%. I thnik Kingsbury is something like 9% for a portion of it.

Sometimes people like to be in a hurry on Kingsbury. You get some people, who know the grade real well, trying to head down the hill real fast. Some of them like to tailgate and intimidate you into driving beyond the speed limit. I wouldn't say it's an all the time kind of thing, but it's common enough to be irritating.

You will still have the option of taking Hwy 50 down into Carson if you live near the top of Kingsbury. It will likely be open when 207 (Kingsbury) is still closed and it will dump you cloer towards your destination.

As for the issue of "far," that's up to you. Here's an estimate . . . if you're looking from the top of Kingsbury, before you get into the hotel area of Stateline, it would be about a 15 minute drive into Minden down Kingsbury. Then, you need to drive north into Carson. If you're headed into the downtown area, it would be about a 15 minute drive. So, everything added up would be 30 minutes, maybe 40 minutes. However, that estimate is under dry conditions. If you add rain or snow, anything could come into play.

Remember, if you're looking at the top of Kingsbury, you could be anywhere from 6500 to 7000 feet in elevation. You're in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. With those elevations and those mountains, you can get significant snow. We're talking the kind you need to shovel out of your driveway just to get your car out. 5 feet wouldn't be out of the imagination.

Such snow can seriously affect you commute. You won't get the same thing down in the Carson Valley (Minden/G'ville) or Eagle Valley (Carson City). You will have some, but nothing like up in the Tahoe area.

I hope that's helped a little.

[Zinnia]

Thanks Garth, That was very helpful...

It most likely is a beautiful place to live, however since I haven't had experience with snow and mountain driving of that kind in many, many years, its probably best I stay away from it until I get my "snow legs back". Also the thought of shoveling my car out of the drive way brings those unpleasant memories of having to help my father do that when I was growing up in Nebraska, and having my own car buried while living in Chicago and Boulder CO. Think I will steer clear of mountain living for a while...

[garth]

You're welcome.

Why not consider Minden? You'll be right near the base of Kingsbury Grade for easy access to Stateline and South Lake Tahoe. You'll also be right off US395 for an easy drive into Carson City without having to live in Carson City.

[Zinnia]

Thanks Garth, Minden might be possible... I will check it out when I get there... Since I will be renting I wont be tied to a place.... that way I can get a feel for the area. Will look at all options then pick which area I feel most comfortable in...

[renokevin]

You need very good driving skills and a 4wd if you drive an older car expect to service it alot! I went through a car a year living at the top (quaking aspen) and working in Stateline. Winters are harsh but go slow and leave enough room to stop between you and the (stop sign,traffic light,car) in front of you. Very pretty to live at the top year round.

[graffixjones]

Originally Posted by Zinnia

Thanks Garth, That was very helpful...

It most likely is a beautiful place to live, however since I haven't had experience with snow and mountain driving of that kind in many, many years, its probably best I stay away from it until I get my "snow legs back". Also the thought of shoveling my car out of the drive way brings those unpleasant memories of having to help my father do that when I was growing up in Nebraska, and having my own car buried while living in Chicago and Boulder CO. Think I will steer clear of mountain living for a while...

Take that Nebraska and Colorado snow, and then triple or quadruple it... and that'll give you a feeling of what it would be like to live in the Tahoe/Truckee area.

Truckee is the snowiest place in the Continental United States (which excludes Alaska). I think it averages about 204"/yr. (that's 17ft. if you don't want to do the conversion yourself)

I was looking at rentals in the Kingsbury Grade area, but when snowblowers are provided as part of the package, you know that it's going to be a rough winter.