Question for someone in Nor Cal about snow and riding conditions

[Guaps]

I'm planning a moto trip with my dad and brothers for the first or second week of Dec.  We're starting in San Diego.  I was planning a route up the coast and across Hwy 36 and then back down 395.  What are road conditions on Hwy 36 like that time of year?  Is there snow?  If so, is there salt (or whatever they use) on the roads between storms that would make riding difficult.  We'll all be on sport bikes. (2 Monsters, 2 BMW sport tourers)   

We all live in San Diego so snow is a deal breaker as none of us are comfortable riding in those conditions.

Thanks!!

[Rufus120]

I live on 395 during the winter and I would say there is a pretty good chance you might hit snow on your way back down. I would keep your eye on the weather starting two weeks out.  The area of Mono Pass and the Mammoth Lakes area are where I would be the most worried about hitting snow.  It's been snowing in Mammoth recently, but it's hard to say what it could be doing a month from now.  I'll leave some links for weather site in that area below. There can be some nasty winds on 395 too.

http://mammothweather.com/
Click on the Current forcast and dweeb report on the left of the home page.  Then click on the Dweebs latest weather discussion.  That might help you in looking down the road.

Here's the National Weather Service for that area.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.650121340384764&lon=-118.92425537109375&site=rev&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

Good luck

[Guaps]

I live on 395 during the winter and I would say there is a pretty good chance you might hit snow on your way back down. I would keep your eye on the weather starting two weeks out.  The area of Mono Pass and the Mammoth Lakes area are where I would be the most worried about hitting snow.  It's been snowing in Mammoth recently, but it's hard to say what it could be doing a month from now.  I'll leave some links for weather site in that area below. There can be some nasty winds on 395 too.

http://mammothweather.com/
Click on the Current forcast and dweeb report on the left of the home page.  Then click on the Dweebs latest weather discussion.  That might help you in looking down the road.

Here's the National Weather Service for that area.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.650121340384764&lon=-118.92425537109375&site=rev&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

Good luck

Thanks for the info.  That will definitely come in handy.  I figured if there is a storm along the 395, we could always just turn around and come back down the coast. It will add some time to our ride, but it's an option.  That would also allow us to loop back on the 299, which could be fun too...

[sportskid1]

The 395 can definatly be nasty in the winter.  There is most definatly a chance of snow and high wind.  Last year an 18 wheeler fliped over in front of us due to high wind.  Happens all the time.  Even if the weather is sunny look at the wind forcast.

[TomT]

I wouldn't be as worried about snow on 395 as I would on the eastern stretch of 36. You've got two 5700'+ passes, and that's pretty far north. It's a beautiful route - I did it early summer a couple years ago. One of the places I stopped to stretch my legs was a largish parking area with restrooms just south of Lassen. As I walked around I read all the info posted for snowmobile riders that use it as a staging area in the winter. Sounds like there might be snow, huh? I think it would be a wonderful trip some other time of year. BTW 36 between Red Bluff (inland) and Fortuna (on the coast) is everything you've heard, but doing it in possibly wet conditions would take the fun out of all those miles and miles of curves... sorry for the downer. Good luck. TT

[Guaps]

Sounds like this is probably a summer only trip.  Thanks for the info everyone.

[TomT]

Or Fall. Or Spring. Just not mid-December. But do go - its beautiful country. I have to say I'm surprised nobody has asked the obvious - a Socal rider headed north in the winter? Sup widdat? Just kidding, but a lot of riders would give their left axle nut for a San Diego winter! TT

[MendoDave]

I wouldn't worry about snow On Hwy 36, just possible rain. But my advice to you is to stay to the west of the Sierras this late in the year. Well, at least if the weather looks ugly, dont crosss.