Traveling to Oregon

[clockmanjim]

The wife and I are trying to plan a trip to Oregon. Last year, in September, we cancelled out plans to go there due to all the fires out west. This year, we're thinking of traveling in May. We're now concerned with driving through the mountains at this time of the year, Not knowing what to expect weather wise. I've got a 2017 Ford F150 and pull a Keystone 25 foot Passport. Can I get some feedback on what to expect going through the mountains at that time of the year. Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

[Don77]

I used to live in Calif. and traveled all of the mounians north and east from Central Cal and have seen SNOW in july.
Just keep awhere of the weather as it can change dailly, and have a backup plan to stay put someplace safe.

Don

 

[clockmanjim]

I used to live in Calif. and traveled all of the mounians north and east from Central Cal and have seen SNOW in july.
Just keep awhere of the weather as it can change dailly, and have a backup plan to stay put someplace safe.

Don

Thanks Don. That’s the kind of info I was looking for
Jim

 

[Stu Norman]

Mountain weather is always somewhat unpredictable. Some of the passes in the Cascade range can go from warm and sunny to snow at the drop of a hat. Keep a sharp eye pn the weather forecast and keep your plans flexible.

Lake Wallowa state park, near St. Joseph, is awesome. I recommend spending a few days there if you can get a reservation.

 

[rvdummies]

I'm a PNW native and have traveled the roads there in all seasons. Main OR roads/highways are very well maintained and should be easy to navigate. Like everyone else says, keep an eye on the weather forecast and be flexible with your plans. That said, while there is occasionally snow fall in the mountains in May, it's highly unlikely that travel will be affected. We just spent 4 weeks in the Mt Hood area between February and March and while there was snow on the ground in the campground for about 2 of those weeks, there was probably only 2 days that I wouldn't have towed due to snow on the roads. If you're spending time on the coast, which is highly recommended, you'll rarely see snow.

 

[mojocamping]

The wife and I are trying to plan a trip to Oregon. Last year, in September, we cancelled out plans to go there due to all the fires out west. This year, we're thinking of traveling in May. We're now concerned with driving through the mountains at this time of the year, Not knowing what to expect weather wise. I've got a 2017 Ford F150 and pull a Keystone 25 foot Passport. Can I get some feedback on what to expect going through the mountains at that time of the year. Thanks in advance.

Jim

Just check the weather!

 

[JasonH42]

My home state, I live in the Bend Oregon area, vacation paradise! So many places to see and things to do! RE roads, try www.tripcheck.com for weather and road updates. Generally, most major mountain passes by May are safely drivable. Trip check is important because May through October is road construction season too, so not just weather and traffic cams but construction alerts can be found there.

Crater Lake doesn't open the rim road until mid june due to snow/ice and elevation. In May however, so much to see and do. Oregon is really 3 states in 1. A narrow small coastal area that runs the length of the state, separated to the east by a small mountain range from the state's main population centers along the I-5 corridor (Portland, Salem, Eugene, Grants Pass, Medford/Ashland), separated to the east by another larger mountain range. Central and Eastern Oregon are more remote and amazing, high desert and plains, geologic formations, rivers and hot springs, etc... Population centers are smaller and towns are more distant from each other the further east you go!

Not sure where in the state you are headed but by May, you generally should be ok over almost all mountain passes. Watch the weather report, May snow in higher passes is not uncommon, but generally not permanent.

 

[Dave C-KEY]

Jim,

I live just north of Portland, OR in Vancouver, WA. I have a 2019 30 foot Passport that I have pulled both to Boise and the California Central Coast with a Diesel Chevy Colorado. On I-84 coming from the east, you have a mountain pass over the Blue mountains. Coming from the east, the climb from La Grande is fairly easy as it climbs slowly then goes down steep to Pendleton. The rest of the way on I-84 through the Columbia gorge misses the mountains. If you cross Oregon further south, you will have a high mountain pass that will have snow in winter.

Coming up from California, there are several passes near the Oregon border. The highest being Siskiyou pass. I have no problems going over that pass in October as I head down to the Central California coast. But when I come back north in mid-February, I take Hwy 101 along the coast all the way to Reedsport, OR. Then I follow the Umpqua river through the coast range to Cottage Grove and north to Vancouver, WA. That way I avoid the snow in the high mountain passes. The route along the Umpqua is the lowest way thru the coast range in Oregon and rarely has snow. Oregon requires that you carry chains from November thru March over the passes. That includes chains on all wheels of the trailer. However, the path along the Umpqua is low enough that you don't need to carry chains to go over it in winter. Still, in winter, be aware of the weather. It can snow anywhere in the state including the coast.

 

[Bobstross]

The wife and I are trying to plan a trip to Oregon. Last year, in September, we cancelled out plans to go there due to all the fires out west. This year, we're thinking of traveling in May. We're now concerned with driving through the mountains at this time of the year, Not knowing what to expect weather wise. I've got a 2017 Ford F150 and pull a Keystone 25 foot Passport. Can I get some feedback on what to expect going through the mountains at that time of the year. Thanks in advance.

Jim

Jim,
We live in Southern Oregon . . . Should be okay, possibility of some rain but most of any freezing weather is gone. Three passes North of Grants Pass (Highest if about 2,000 feet) but4 in the weather you will likely have, not much of an issue.

 

[Rhagfo]

Well May is really past the snow season, but as mentioned just watch the weather. This year has been snow heavy in the higher elevations, mostly above passes, and lighter in the lower elevations.

 

[clockmanjim]

Thanks for all the responses. This info will help planning. And hopefully make for a smooth trip

 

[Randy23LT]

Oregon is a great state to visit (and live in). I have been here 65+ years.
Where do you plan on visiting? Oregon is a diverse state with the coast, the Willamette Valley, high mountains and high desert area.
Enjoy……

 

[Rhagfo]

If you plan to travel the coast, best to travel north to south, this will put most day use parks on the right. Easier to pull into and get back of the highway.

 

[clockmanjim]

Thank for all the info. We’ve decided to take this trip in the fall. We’ve been retired for a number of years and we typically go for a month. We always have a destination in mind, but never really plan how to get there. It makes for some great trips. Last year we were going to head to Newfoundland. My son called one day when we were on the road and asked how the trip in Canada was going. I told him I didn’t know because I was in Texas. We do enjoy just roaming.
I do appreciate all the info I got here and will put it to use later.
Thanks and safe travels to all