OBCDR Snow report?

[rlwjaw]

Any one have any info about the snow conditions along routes 3 , 4 , or 5 of the OBCDR ? We want to leave sometime next week but we can put it off if the snow is still too deep.
Thanks
Dick Wentworth

[richardattek]

this may help

Clickable Map of Oregon SNOTEL Sites | Oregon NRCS

[rlwjaw]

Thanks , I do check that but I would like something more specific to the OBCDR.
Thanks
Dick Wentworth

[Jerry]

Just thought I would mention that Dick from Beaverton is leading a tour of the Modoc National Forest Back Country Discovery Route from July 10 to 14 this year. The general plan is to meet in K-Falls, drive to the starting point in northern California, do the route and end up back in the K-FAlls area.
Jerry

[Toy Man]

Hard to say. The snow MIGHT be melted off of Winter Ridge above Summer Lake. You could call the store at Paisley for info. Not sure about snow in the Ochoco's. Can pretty much guarantee snow in the stretch of route 5 between Seneca and Meacham. Also snow on the last ridge between Toll Gate and the Washington border.

This is pretty early to be running the OBCDR. I would not be surprised to see snow at any of the higher elevations. I ran into snow in a 'dry' year between Prineville and John Day at a later date than this.

Dick - Toy Man

How much time are you allotting? I would allow 11 days for route 5 unless you are on motorcycles.

[rlwjaw]

Thanks Toy Man
We are allowing 3+ weeks for the entire run. A little snow wont be too bad. We can winch through some. I just dont want to have to turn arround and find an alternate route. The whole point is to stay off the pavement and see the back country. We will have at least 2 vehicles with winches. We will also have a chain saw for downed trees. We have done this kind of travel before and part of the fun is the challenge of the work to get through. I am also looking forward to meeting a few people along the route. Do you have any sugestions about points of interest we should see along the way? We plan to see Crack In The Ground , Fort Rock and the obsidian fields , Christmas Valley Sand Dunes , Derrick Cave and do some fishing along the way. Do you know of more interesting suggestions along the way?
Thanks
Dick Wentworth

[Toy Man]

My guess would be that the snow will be too deep to winch thru but it will be fun finding/taking bypasses. Other than the scenic points around Christmas Valley that you mentioned just driving the route(s) will be their own reward.

Dick - Toy Man

PS: Now that I think back I would guess that the start of Route 5 at the California border stands a very good chance of being snowed in as it is fairly high and shaded by trees. Call the Modoc FS or the store at New Pine Creek about FS Road 2.