Questions about general I5 conditions

J

Jlward953

New Member
My plan is to try to complete the I-5 ride, as well as the Canada to Mexico ride, on the 17th and 18th of January. I ride a 1250gs with 90/10 road tires. I know I will have cold conditions, and I'm fine with that. I can ride comfortably with my setup, into the teens. I'm more concerned about the road conditions.

I'm in need of advice. I'm reasonably capable of riding in snow. Deep snow and ice are my main concerns. From what I could find online, both states keep the snow cleared for the most part.

If you're familiar with the southern Oregon and northern California passes, can you give me an idea of what to expect condition wise? Is Grant's pass generally passible on motorcycle in January? I'm not asking for a guarantee, or "worst case." I know it's dangerous at times. I'm looking for the general status from someone who has been thru there in winter.

I am keeping an eye on the weather forecast as well as the respective states' highway department websites. It looks like conditions will be above freezing, barring any changes in the next week.

I do know it's not an ideal time of year for long rides. I'm riding this time of year, because of time availability. But if it's too unsafe, I'll just have to wait.

Thank you in advance for your time and advice!
 
I lived and rode in Oregon for 45+ years and have done the I-5 corridor from Portland South to CA multiple times in Winter. Watch the traffic cams for I-5 in Oregon and California for actual live conditions. Grants Pass is the drop dead point when heading South. If the passes farther South are snowy, Grants Pass is where you need to call it, because there will be very little options farther along to bail. The passes get packed down quickly and become treacherous ice. The area gets a wet, heavy snow when it snows.

Mountain Gate is the CA end of the snow, most of the time. Anderson Grade is often where the worst will be. It can be fine in mid/late Jan, or terrible.

It really just depends on the weather. You can see from the live cams if there is packed build up from the previous snows or not. It can be no problem, but you should always stop and check the pass conditions before crossing Mountain Gate or Grants pass so you know what you're riding into. If it's starting to snow in the passes, I would suggest not continuing on into the night. Daylight at least you can see better. I've had some sketchy rides in the snow on I-5, more times than I would like to admit to.

Just in case you don't have these bookmarked already.

CalTrans Road Conditions Link

NOAA forecast Link

Right now, it looks clear and cold a week out, but that can change. Good luck and make sure your heated gear is working.
 
EricV said:
I lived and rode in Oregon for 45+ years and have done the I-5 corridor from Portland South to CA multiple times in Winter. Watch the traffic cams for I-5 in Oregon and California for actual live conditions. Grants Pass is the drop dead point when heading South. If the passes farther South are snowy, Grants Pass is where you need to call it, because there will be very little options farther along to bail. The passes get packed down quickly and become treacherous ice. The area gets a wet, heavy snow when it snows.

Mountain Gate is the CA end of the snow, most of the time. Anderson Grade is often where the worst will be. It can be fine in mid/late Jan, or terrible.

It really just depends on the weather. You can see from the live cams if there is packed build up from the previous snows or not. It can be no problem, but you should always stop and check the pass conditions before crossing Mountain Gate or Grants pass so you know what you're riding into. If it's starting to snow in the passes, I would suggest not continuing on into the night. Daylight at least you can see better. I've had some sketchy rides in the snow on I-5, more times than I would like to admit to.

Just in case you don't have these bookmarked already.

CalTrans Road Conditions Link

NOAA forecast Link

Right now, it looks clear and cold a week out, but that can change. Good luck and make sure your heated gear is working.
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Thank you so much! This is exactly the advice I was hoping for!

I really appreciate your help! Luckily, I have a bit of time to come back. So I don't expect the need to rush. Hopefully I'll get a clear window!
 
It is very doable given the right weather for that time of year. There are some lower passes North of Grants Pass, but mostly it's going to be marginal conditions w/o being horrible unless there is a serious storm in the Willamette Valley.
 
Also check www.tripcheck.com. That is Oregon's DOT website with roadcams on all the Siskyou passes.

Be prepared for traffic going through Portland and Seattle. Although lane splitting is not technically legal in Oregon it's tolerated in the Portland metro. I do it there all the time.
 
keithu said:
Also check www.tripcheck.com. That is Oregon's DOT website with roadcams on all the Siskyou passes.

Be prepared for traffic going through Portland and Seattle. Although lane splitting is not technically legal in Oregon it's tolerated in the Portland metro. I do it there all the time.
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Thanks for the link. Hopefully I get it done. I really appreciate the help!
 
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