How to know when Pass is closed from snow?

Calif. can use these
Caltrans CCTV Map

Division of Traffic Operations - Road Information - California Highway Information

 

WA has pass info on their site and usually it'll update pass info regularly and frequently. The most common one to be closed is Snoqualmie pass. Closure can last several hours to several days
https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/snoqualmie

 

The CB radio is very helpful, sometimes. If you don't have one it can never help you. Sometimes, it's the only helpful info I could get.

 

It's not like we have to choose between phone, radio or CB; use every tool you've got.

About a decade ago, I'm climbing Emigrant summit on Hwy 30 in idaho, it's snowing, blowing a bit, but we're doing fine bare foot. I'm almost at the summit, and a driver coming just over the crest gets on the CB YELLING : THERE'S ELK ALL OVER THE &^$#@%=ing ROAD!. Sure enough, 200 yards past the summit, there's probably fifty or sixty cow elk, mosying across the highway, in no particular hurry. Without that shout on the CB, it would have been sporting...... and at that point it might have made the radio or the 511 website, lol.

Use every tool you've got.

 

each state has their own road status page that updates in real time, WyDOT, U-DOT, COtrip

just Google " [state] road conditions " and its the first result

COtrip Traveler Information

Road Conditions | UDOT

WYDOT Travel Information Service

 

The few times I've been on 80 it was in the warm season. So far, with what little experience I have, I've been lucky to miss most weather. Knock on wood.

When you do find those snow gates down, what do they have you do? Just stop or do they have you reverse direction and find a place to park? Call up dispatch, fill them in and wait? Then monitor that website for the reopening?

Thanks!

 

511

 

Wait, what?

 

Those snow gates are always at an exit, so, you just go off the exit, and find some place to park.

Back 30+ years ago, before we had laptops and cell phones, I kept the 1-800 road closure number of every western state that had mountain passes (as well as the numbers for NY and PA toll roads), and would call them from the courtesy phone at my table in the truckstop restaurant. Also, CB would usually let you know as you got closer to the mountains.