Do they let us pass if road closed for snow?

[Huhwhye]

This is kind of an editoral, and maybe its the talking so...

So let me start be saying I've never had this problem being from a beach city in Southern California.  This morning on the radio they said the 5 fwy was closed this morning going through the Grapeville due to up to 12 inches of snow.  They were turning people around.  I think it was a 100 mile detour. I doubt they close roads in other parts of the nation for this.  It would happen too often right?

I know from my limited experience driving in snow that 12" is not going to stop me in either of my mildly built rigs, even without chains.  And I know it would be a non-issue with chains.

So when they make these closures do they let anyone pass?  Yeah, I get it, they don't know if you can handle it and yadda yadda.  But to me it just sounds like another time that the Gov is trying to protect me from myself.  And I can take care of myself, and Darwin takes care of the rest.

What if I show up with 2 sets of chains, real chains.  Full expedition gear and prepared for the weather.  "Sorry sir, you'll have to turn around just like that Honda Civic up there... it's too dangerous and we know what's best for you"   

[EarlKann]

If the road is closed, the road is closed.  They won't care how well equipped you think you are.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

If the road is closed, the road is closed.  They won't care how well equipped you think you are.

yup the roads closed. with that said i have been on I5 when the roads are closed with no problems i got on the road between the traffic blocks and chp never said a thing

[Sparkplug]

If your rig is really equipped, why not just find a way around the road block, drive a couple miles up, then hop on and have it all to yourself . In reality, here in nor cal, it depends on the snow level. Sometimes they say chains for all vehicles, sometimes they say you can just use 4wheel drive if you have it, sometimes they close the roads completely. Just depends.

[Huhwhye]

If your rig is really equipped, why not just find a way around the road block, drive a couple miles up, then hop on and have it all to yourself . In reality, here in nor cal, it depends on the snow level. Sometimes they say chains for all vehicles, sometimes they say you can just use 4wheel drive if you have it, sometimes they close the roads completely. Just depends.

Pretty much.  

Granted, in CA petty can't even handle the rain.  But they don't close road for that.  Maybe they should.  I image the number of accidents that happened in the rain during the last 24hours was ridiculous.

A couple of weeks ago I say a dodge ram lying on its side on the freeway near my house (on a very flat and smooth section of hwy).  Dude, it was raining.  Learn to drive.

[Huhwhye]

they usually dont, but i have been known to..........  ...ive only done that like three times though

Now that's funny

[crawlerdan]

Now that's funny

california hwy patrol didnt think so

[Huhwhye]

Probably couldn't catch you with their Crown Vic though.  HAHA

[crawlerdan]

Probably couldn't catch you with their Crown Vic though.  HAHA

they tried, and failed.


please dont get the idea that i condone breaking the law.

but in these particular circumstances (screaming 3 year old, wife 8 months pregnant, on the road for 6 hours already)- i had no other choice

[Huhwhye]

please dont get the idea that i condone breaking the law.

Of course not

[Rocksurfer]

The real problem is not so much that a vehicle couldn't stay on the road with someone that realizes that you can't stop so quick on the ice and snow it's all those idiots next to you that think they can still try to go 70 mph. Just like when the fog lays down on the freeway and you can't see the end of your hood and you still try to go the speed limit. Even with that there are too many vehicles on the highway and once the 1st accident happens it's a chain reaction right on down the line.

[Plekto]

Most of these mountain passes do have side roads that parallel them most of the way, though.  No problems on those if you are equipped, which generally just leaves the main stretches up and down, which are mostly clear.

Generally speaking, though, I find big knobby tires(MTs or similar) plus a winch pretty much gets people a pass - or in some cases people asking you for help to get their yuppie toys unstuck

[NorCalToy]

around here (farnorcal) if you have a local ID and chains/studs/4x4 then they usually let you thru or let you drive thru while they "look away". usually theyre pretty chill about it but sometimes, they get what ever and you gotta get in there face and make some up avout how your family needs you for this or that. but its relativley safe because you are usually a lone ranger on the road.

[kneedownnate]

I hear norcaltoy is getting a good amount of snow in the last couple days!  Just heard chester got 30" in the last 24 hours  

[Bazzi]

around here road closed = impassable  means that you are on your own.  .... the problem with that is that when they try to open up the road again there are sometimes so many cars stuck on the road, that have been left there that removing these cars first takes all day long.  like the weather here has been last days. the road workers (don´t know the correct word ) they are driving through the roads (that connect to reykjarvik) 2 trucks non stop, sometimes that isn´t enaugh (the snow fills up faster than those trucks can showel it) and then the road is closed. Icy roads are just a part of learning how to drive, and most of us have nails in the tires,
this week the roads have been closed from 22:00-07:00 and have opened around 13:00. it just depends on the weather.
the road closed wouldn´t stop me or my friends, but mildly modified trucks 35" and down just stay till the road opens....

[crawlerdan]

they have been closing some of teh mountain pass roads here lately. often times if i tell themn im local(i am) and they gawk at my rig for a minute, they let me pass. sometimes i have to go around to get to work.

[ninja turtle]

i worked at a ski resort for 7 seasons and chain control would let you by if you showed them your employe pass and told them you had to go to work.

[crawlerdan]

i worked at a ski resort for 7 seasons and chain control would let you by if you showed them your employe pass and told them you had to go to work.

i want to love whatever is in your avitar man

[ninja turtle]

i know right. its a swiss military rig. the thing is tiny.

[crawlerdan]

i know right. its a swiss military rig. the thing is tiny.

that thing actually is what my dirty fantasies are made of 

[Hammerhead]

That thing is kinda cool...


It could be very different out here in Utah but I've always been able to talk my way through if I'm in my Toyota.  They look at the 38.5s and let out a chucKle as they wave me on past.

[NorCalToy]

I hear norcaltoy is getting a good amount of snow in the last couple days!  Just heard chester got 30" in the last 24 hours  

the local park has more sno than anywhere else in CA. it started rainin today, but weve been gettin lots. any at all in redding?

[Huhwhye]

Im at the Beach in Orange County and I can look down my street and see all the snow in the LA mountains.  Looks awesome.  I wish I was up there playing but I'm stuck in my office.  Sucks.

[FruitaCrawler]

Colorado does the same thing at least a couple of times a year they close I70 over vail pass. it doesn't matter how well epuiped you are when it is closed the turn everyone around. absolutly nobody goes over the pass when it is closed

[DanS]

It's definitely wild to see you getting the weather we are so used to. With that, Ontario has laws that state if a road is closed, to be found travelling on them you are subject to fines no less than 500.00 . Also, if the road is closed you have NO insurance, so if an accident occurs you will be charged and you will pay out of pocket for damages to property and or your vehicle. 

[germ]

I've never actually been turned around. Usually they just look at me with bewilderment when I explain that I purposely go "off road in the snow", and that any paved road with snow on it would be easy compared with that. Then they roll their eyes, and wave me thru.

[Hammerhead]

Hehe, that's a good arguement, I'll remember that one...