Southern Route on I8...advice please.

John316 · January 17, 2010, 08:25:16 AM

Okay, since it is public that the bad weather followed us, I guess we should make the best of it. We HAVE to be in LA on Thursday. Of course, there is supposed to be a lot of precipitation. Our concern about going over on I-10, is the mountains and snow. We would like to avoid that, if possible.

So we are looking at the southern route I-8. They are predicting a ton of rain, but of course, no snow. Are there any concerns with this route? Anything to watch out for?

Any advice at all?

Thanks a lot guys.

God bless,

John

Ed Hackenbruch · January 17, 2010, 08:33:28 AM

They have been known to get snow in the mountains just out of San Diego. That is a fairly long climb too if i remember right. Only been over it once in a car a while ago.

Van · January 17, 2010, 08:43:18 AM

John, I posted this on the Q thread but in case you missed it, check this out,would be good for you as you do alot of traveling.
http://www.weathertap.com/

Ed Hackenbruch · January 17, 2010, 08:45:10 AM

Just checked my Mountain Directory West and going on I-10 you only have one pass and they don't even bother to tell the elevation. On I-8 you have 4 passes that are between 3200 and 4140 ft. it is also a lot longer ways to go by this route.......i would go I-10. Somebody else can probably give you better info.

Ed Hackenbruch · January 17, 2010, 08:48:52 AM

I use weather underground.....it is free, no login, just enter the city you want for local weather. You can have a favorites list built up so you can check a lot of different places quickly.

Van · January 17, 2010, 08:50:47 AM

I agree with Ed, I-10 straight in. the snow level is predicted to reach down to 3000ft during the upcoming storm systems that are approaching,good luck. V

luvrbus · January 17, 2010, 08:53:59 AM

John , the pass on I 10 is less than 2000 ft
Here is a web site I use for my travels www.intellicast.com.

good luck and be safe

luvrbus · January 17, 2010, 08:58:27 AM

Forgot to tell you both I-8 and I-10 are under construction beware of the rain and the people they have no idea how to drive in the rain.
The first few minutes of rain are the worst the dirt build up on the roads from no rain will turn a road way in the southwest to a ice skating rink

good luck

John316 · January 17, 2010, 09:02:34 AM

Thanks a lot, gents. You are very helpful.

So it looks like I-10 is it

. Thanks for the weather sites, too. We used wunderground, but I like some of the other ones that you posted. Looks like we will be able to make it after all. lol. Carson city is the next question...lol. Now the big Q sounds like it will be a mess. Stay warm and dry, everybody.

Thanks for the tip, Clifford. You mean you all don't get enough rain for people to practice on

.

Any other ideas, or tips?

God bless,

John

BG6 · January 17, 2010, 10:35:40 AM

Quote from: John316 on January 17, 2010, 08:25:16 AM
Okay, since it is public that the bad weather followed us, I guess we should make the best of it. We HAVE to be in LA on Thursday. Of course, there is supposed to be a lot of precipitation. Our concern about going over on I-10, is the mountains and snow. We would like to avoid that, if possible.

Uh . . .WHAT mountains and snow . . ? There is nothing between LA and where I-8 breaks off from I-10 in Arizona that I couldn't ride over on a bicycle.

BG6 · January 17, 2010, 10:49:18 AM

Quote from: van on January 17, 2010, 08:50:47 AM
I agree with Ed, I-10 straight in. the snow level is predicted to reach down to 3000ft during the upcoming storm systems that are approaching,good luck. V

Snow anywhere on I-10 in Arizona or California will be like "Hey, look, snow! No, REALLY, I saw a SNOWFLAKE!" You will see some in the mountains a few miles away, but any snow that you actually see falling will likely have blown off of the mountains.

The only "mountain pass" on I-10 in SoCal is the Banning Pass, and it's only a "pass" because it sits between two mountains. If you don't see the ONE sign, you won't know you've gone over it. Just to help you find the sign, the airport is considered the summit, so when you notice it on the left, watch on the right for the sign.

There is one pull, but it is so easy it doesn't even look like you're going uphill. It's on the stretch leading to Chiriaco Summit (we used to call it "Shaver's Summit"), and again, there is an airport, and the George S. Patton, Jr Museum, which is worth a stop.

John316 · January 17, 2010, 11:24:06 AM

Quote from: BG6 on January 17, 2010, 10:35:40 AM
Quote from: John316 on January 17, 2010, 08:25:16 AM
Okay, since it is public that the bad weather followed us, I guess we should make the best of it. We HAVE to be in LA on Thursday. Of course, there is supposed to be a lot of precipitation. Our concern about going over on I-10, is the mountains and snow. We would like to avoid that, if possible.

Uh . . .WHAT mountains and snow . . ? There is nothing between LA and where I-8 breaks off from I-10 in Arizona that I couldn't ride over on a bicycle.

Thanks a lot. I just realized that I was thinking about 40, coming down on 15 to LA. Thanks for letting us know. We are very grateful

God bless,

John

Dreamscape · January 17, 2010, 12:28:41 PM

I-10 all the way John. I-8 has some very long grades, but nice scenery........Lots of big rocks...........

BG6 · January 17, 2010, 01:12:10 PM

Quote from: John316 on January 17, 2010, 11:24:06 AM
Thanks a lot. I just realized that I was thinking about 40, coming down on 15 to LA. Thanks for letting us know. We are very grateful

No problem. It gives us a chance to ridicule.

I love to drive between LA and Phoenix, it's some of the nicest highway in the country.

When I lived in one and had to make business trips to the other, I found it usually to be better to drive than to fly -- a 6-hour drive through the desert for the cost of fuel vs. 4-1/2-hour (door-to-door) trip costing several times as much.

expressbus · January 17, 2010, 01:52:03 PM

John,

I went into San Diego June 2008 using I-8. The only test was what is locally (Phoenix Arizona) as "The Hill." As my luck would have it they told me I'd make it to The Hill right at the peak heat of the day. That was the first hill I had seen that had water points about every half mile and signs warning of severe cross winds. The signs were topped with airport type windsocks. We made the hill and on into San Diego but it was the thrill of our trip that year. Oh yeah, do what you can to keep the rpm's up or it will be a real slow crawl up "The Hill."

Good Luck on your trip, we will be thinking about you.

Will