When would you feel safe driving over the passes with a trailer? (Missoula: moving to)

[Hawaii900]

Winter is not the ideal time to move, especially over the mountains, I know. When is the latest you would feel safe doing so? What about the earliest, in spring?

I am considering moving to Missoula from western WA. This means I would be going over Snoqualmie pass, as well. I would be hauling a 5' x 10' cargo trailer with a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer (That has AWD and studded tires). Would it be stupid to attempt this in mid - late November, or even December? I've been over Snoqualmie pass in winter and that usually isn't too bad, but I don't know what it would be like in Montana and especially with a trailer full of heavy furniture..

What are your thoughts? Would you wait until spring?

[NorCalMan]

Originally Posted by Hawaii900

Winter is not the ideal time to move, especially over the mountains, I know. When is the latest you would feel safe doing so? What about the earliest, in spring?

I am considering moving to Missoula from western WA. This means I would be going over Snoqualmie pass, as well. I would be hauling a 5' x 10' cargo trailer with a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer (That has AWD and studded tires). Would it be stupid to attempt this in mid - late November, or even December? I've been over Snoqualmie pass in winter and that usually isn't too bad, but I don't know what it would be like in Montana and especially with a trailer full of heavy furniture..

What are your thoughts? Would you wait until spring?

I'm not a Montana resident... yet, but going over passes is the same in California. Monitor the weather, see when there's a calm period, if it's a warmer winter with less snow you might have no problem, the later you cross a pass in the season generally the better. Watch for weather alerts and go to the department of transportation for the states you're going between and see if there's any closures. Carry chains and give yourself ample stopping room.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

You can get around the passes on I-90 from Coeur d'Alene to Missoula by doing a detour from Coeur d'Alene up 95 to Sandpoint (or probably even more convenient for you, go Highway 2 north out of Spokane all the way to Sandpoint), and then follow 200 east along Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River. It takes you all the way to 93 north of Missoula, no passes. But it is a winding 2-lane road, so you should still be cautious about slick/icy roads. Still, you get the added bonus of it being a really beautiful ride!

[OneDawg]

Originally Posted by Hawaii900

Winter is not the ideal time to move, especially over the mountains, I know. When is the latest you would feel safe doing so? What about the earliest, in spring?

I am considering moving to Missoula from western WA. This means I would be going over Snoqualmie pass, as well. I would be hauling a 5' x 10' cargo trailer with a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer (That has AWD and studded tires). Would it be stupid to attempt this in mid - late November, or even December? I've been over Snoqualmie pass in winter and that usually isn't too bad, but I don't know what it would be like in Montana and especially with a trailer full of heavy furniture..

What are your thoughts? Would you wait until spring?

Watch the weather and follow the line of snowplows.