Discussion Topic |
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| Messages 1 - 13 of total 13 in this topic |
Scoot
Trad climber
Estes Park, CO
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 23, 2008 - 05:17pm PT
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Do they close HWY 108 from San Fran to Bishop area in the winter? Or does it just see temporary closures when inclement weather hits.
Thanks
S
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Shimanilami
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Dec 23, 2008 - 05:24pm PT
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It is completely closed all winter. The next closest option is via Hwy 88.
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Captain...or Skully
Trad climber
North of the Owyhees
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Dec 23, 2008 - 07:56pm PT
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88 gets a bit hairball, at times, but stays open.
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Dec 24, 2008 - 12:07am PT
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88 is consistently hairball for that stretch at Kirkwood, which is a bummer for those of us with out four wheel drive. There's a lot of up and down over three passes on that road, so you need chains, you don't need chains....
Otherwise a good road in the winter, fast in good conditions. Whether it buys enough time to justify not taking 50 to 89? That's a judgement call.
Tom
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Dec 24, 2008 - 12:19pm PT
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Winter pass closures in the Sierra: Highways 4, 108, 120 - also non-Sierra: 120 between Benton and Lee Vining.
So 88 on the north end, 178 on the south end. 250 miles or so.
You can check CA highways at:
http://www.caltrans.ca.gov
Or call toll-free within CA (and I think they extended it a bit into NV to the Reno area, maybe Vegas): 1-800-GAS-ROAD (427-7623)
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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Dec 24, 2008 - 12:31pm PT
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89 over Monitor Pass closes for the winter too.
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Scoot
Trad climber
Estes Park, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 24, 2008 - 12:45pm PT
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Thanks for all the replies out there and for helping to keep the rubber side down and the shinny side up of my car.
S
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Dec 24, 2008 - 01:11pm PT
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Oh yeah, forgot about Monitor, the useless pass - because even when it's open, it's quicker to go around Monitor than over it (unless you're going up Hwy 4). And you get cheap gas in Gardnerville.
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Chris2
Trad climber
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Dec 24, 2008 - 01:12pm PT
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Monitor is a gorgeous drive, if the weather is good.
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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Dec 24, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
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Monitor is nice in late March when you want to get to Lee Vining Canyon and bypass Nevada and its many charms ;)
The drive is nice & twisty, which is fun if you know what you are doing and driving a car that handles well, like my old Acura. Otherwise, you may not enjoy it ..
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Dec 24, 2008 - 01:57pm PT
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Monitor is for fun, and maintaining the communication towers, not for speed.
Good fall colors, hot springs and a beer at markleeville, and a welcome change from the Gardnerville route. It does not save time.
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mrtropy
Trad climber
Nor Cal
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Dec 24, 2008 - 02:26pm PT
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Monitor is for also fun for road bike riding. A couple of small crags where it hits Hwy 4 nice.
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| Messages 1 - 13 of total 13 in this topic |
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