donners pass going up through Tahoe is a long grade and then all downhill into sparks and reno after that its pretty flat until the Sisters in Wy..... but you shouldnt have any problems

Hina--just a word of caution, pipe lines and possibly even water heater can freeze up while traveling if not empty.  Particulary easy to forget if one takes off from a lower (Warm) elevation and drives up to higher (cold) elevation.  You should be fine but if you feel you would like a litte more info look into the "Truckers and RV High Mountain Passes" book (Sorry if that is not exactly the name--but it's close, you should be able to find it with a google) the West edition.  It describes in detail every mountain pass, length, mile markers etc.  You'll know whats coming up and how steep/long it's going to be. Less than $20----you can get it on CD too.

 

Flyone

-- Edited by flyone on Wednesday 27th of February 2013 12:45:14 PM

Jane if your run is taking you up the interstates you will be Fine.....watching the weather is important , I've done that run on a Motorcycle from Sacramento Ca to Pittsfield Mass. the same time of year......and drove Truck thru there pulling doubles on the CA side and Triples on the nevada side for a year

if there is snow on Donners pass that is bad they wont let you cross til its clear.....the Same with the Sisters in Wy...........when crossing donners pass do not take feather river canyon as a short cut through tahoe if the interstate is closed.......not a good place for a first time run pulling a trailer

Again you will do fine....take your time and enjoy the beauty of the run!!

I'm going to have to print this all out, and add it to the big notebook I've been compiling.  Been thinking, this should be the classic, all American journey across the West! As far as Nevada, I have an iPod with 40 GB of music, and 60 GB of videos, so I can keep my mind occupied! One thing, it doesn't look like Sprint has much coverage on this trip, so I will be out of contact, and will need to find Wifi campgrounds and cafes along the way.

My CA, NV, UT experience is limited. Nebraska I know only too well, and I HATE driving I-80 across that state! The wind is always blowing straight from the side at 40 mph or more, from the north in the winter and from the south in the summer, and it's all semi traffic. LOTS of semis! I did that ride on my motorcycle numerous times, and hated it more each time. It's just as bad in a car, and I wouldn't want to be hauling a high profile vehicle when the wind is strong, there's just nothing out there to stop it.

I prefer I-90 across SD. The wind can be just as bad across much of the state, but the big truck traffic is MUCH lighter and in my feeble mind the scenery is better in SD. I grew up in SD so I may be just a little bit biased. LOL There's really not much to look at, especially in March when everything is black snowdrifts and black fields. Oh, and dead grass. Lots of dead grass! LOL If you do decide to go through SD make sure to visit the Badlands National Park. I try to get out there in March or April every year before tourist season starts. I've spent several days in the park and only seen 3 other vehicles, 2 of them were rangers! You'd have the whole place to yourself.

If snow is forecast find a place to hole up till they've cleared the roads, with the ubiquitous wind there WILL be drifting and poor visibility. March is traditionally the snowiest month, but that's partly because when it does snow it's very wet and heavy so it builds up fast. It melts fast too, but it's greasy sloppy to drive in 6+ inches of slush.

You mentioned Wifi campgrounds, not many, if any, will be open that early in Wyo or Dakota, would think Nebraska would be similar. Definitely check ahead to see if they're out of hibernation yet.

I agree with Nightsky, NE is a long haul with lots of semis, but as a daughter of a trucker, sometimes that can be comforting. I drive 80 through Iowa frequently so am used to semi traffic, but it can be nerve wracking.
I have drove 90 multiple times and prefer it. Though the wind in SD can be 35-40 mph quite often. SD and ND are know for their strong winds. We spent a few weeks in April in SD, particularly around Badlands and Rapid City, it's a nice time of year. But on that trip we did experience some really high winds, one day we literally had our awning reaped right off! It was loose and that 40 mph wind got a good hold on it and tore the awning right off.
Before, I misunderstood, thinking you were driving through in March. Most campgrounds won't open until mid-April.
Once, we drove the loneliest road in the US through Nevada, RT 50, I believe it was early June. OMG, we literally went hours without seeing another vehicle, no towns, or ranches, no sign of life. It was surreal! I don't think I would attempt that driving single. In and out of one valley after another, it was an experience. RT 50 starts in Sacremento and goes through Tahoe.
So much to see and all of it beautiful. We are so blessed to be able to travel this great country in our RVs! You will have a wonderful time! Check out the Mountain directories, they are worth the money. We have both for the west and the east. My father who drove semis for 20 years turned me on to them. And can save you lots of stress! Whichever route you choose, do as Mike advises and check the weather each day,if its questionable, stay put. No point in putting yourself in a dangerous situation with an RV in snowy weather or extreme winds. It does snow through those states even in April.

My birthday is in May, and I remember it snowing on my birthday on more than one occasion.

 

Last year it was 80 degrees when I was up there for my tax appointment in March, so it's a real toss-up what the weather will be.

Hi Hina, we are in Reno, and Yes, thru April can/will snow, especially in the higher passes. have a fair amount of "inside sliders" that catch us off gurard, just watch the wather channnel and you'll be oakie, dokie, happy travels to ya!! michele

Hina wrote:

---

I guess Spring isn't really Spring in the heartland. I'll plan accordingly. I've never even driven a regular car in snow, let alone towing!

---

  Go slowly; take your time and enjoy the ride and the scenery!!! Really you don't need to hurry. I don't think they will move South Dakota before you arrive. Please be safe!! I think we all enjoy your posts and want to keep you around for awhile!!!

Pierre, do hope with your latest loss that you are hanging in there. You have quite the history of sorrow, may the days ahead be happy for you... michele

Jane,

When are you going to be in Sioux Falls? We will be there from 3/30 to 4/4 at the Tower Campground.

Les

 

We're all going to just miss each other..... I'll be up north March 18th for my tax appointment and to finally meet my newest grandson.

Well, anytime I need to get the car fixed, taxes done, talk to a lawyer or have my palm read by a gypsy, it's going to cost $100 an hour. Even the Mexicans who mow lawns around here make as much or more than poor lil' ol' me, working in social services. :( It's the biggest thing holding me back, can't afford to live here, can't afford to leave. April/May may be the best time to go, it seems. It's been a sunny 72 degr3s here in Sonoma county, one nice thing about the bay area!

I'm very close to there, shop at the Whole Foods in Petaluma, and have been by Two Rocks. Land of the Happy California cows, pastoral paradise. Yeah, the rain... well, that's why I rigged up the rain water collection off my roof. Get about a gallon a MINUTE!

I haven't stayed at Tower, but here's the webpage for it.
http://www.westtwelfthproperties.com/index.html

And some more options in the SF area...
http://visitsiouxfalls.com/visitors/places-to-stay/campgrounds/#1

There's a Yogi Bear campground on the east side of SF on I-90 as well, I stayed there with the grand kids last summer. It was a bit more expensive than Tower's published rates, but they have a pool and that's where the kids hung out most of the time.

If you're into shopping, the Empire Mall is off I-29, 41st St exit. 160 stores or there abouts. West 41st is crammed with all kinds of retail stores and many restaurants. The Washington Pavilion has exhibits and performing arts, it's located downtown in the old Washington High School building. There is also the Old Courthouse Museum housed in - what else - the old courthouse. It's a magnificent building, built in the late 1800's of locally quarried Sioux Quartzite. The entire downtown area has gone through a resurgence in the last 15-20 years. After the urban renewal craze back in the 70's it was nothing but banks and other financial businesses, but now there are neat shops and restaurants throughout the city center, particularly on Phillips and Main Ave. The Eighth and Railroad area is also neat, artsy crafty sort of stores. Zandbroz Variety downtown is a really cool place, (used to be the old Woolworth? store) and still has the original soda fountain.


The Falls of the Big Sioux River are what the city was named for, and the riverfront is currently being upgraded with walking paths etc. The city cleaned up the whole falls area a few years ago, it used to be a rather seedy area when I was younger. There are great bike trails that pretty much circle the city. The Sertoma Butterfly House is always a fun relaxing place to spend a few hours.

Just outside of SF is Garretson SD, home of Palisades State Park. Pipestone National Monument is 45 minutes northeast, and has a nice walking trail with a waterfall, no camping area though.

It's very easy to get around, all the roads are laid out in a square grid, none of the crazy windy roads so common in many areas. They all run straight north-south or east-west. lol

If you're looking for something in particular let me know and I can tell you if/what is available locally there.

Edit by moderator: Activated links.  Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 10:43:35 PM

Hey Les, (bigboomer) just noticed your post. I don't know, I'm still planning, is the Tower camp ground nice? Affordable? I've never been to Sioux Falls, so any recommendations are much appreciated!

Flea markets are rare up north, or at least in Sioux Falls, unlike southern areas of the country. Benson Flea Market runs generally the 1st full weekend of every month from September - April. If there is a holiday on the first weekend the flea market moves to the second weekend. It's held at the Fairgrounds. Swap meets... hmmmm... not much that I'm aware of unless it would be a motorcycle or car swap meet. You may be able to Google something.

The wind never stops blowing in Wyoming

Be glad you're not here now, the wind has been blowing 40+mph with high temps in the teens, with freezing rain and snow and blowing snow sprinkled with periods of sunshine. I took these pics today on I-90 going from Sioux Falls to Worthington MN for my tax appointment. There's very little snow actually left on the ground though, unlike the Blue Earth area east of here where they still have a good snowpack and 5" of fresh snow. There were blizzard warnings last night and today further east due to the 50 mph winds there.

 

Brrrr! Yes, we are very glad NOT to be there. We are down in Florida currently, but will be heading toward South Dakota the end of April.

Bring Your Snow shoes!!!!!........at the rate we are going up here, its not going to melt til september!!!!!!!!

OK, maybe it's a good thing I'm being held up financially here in sunny California: today, 66 degrees.

Thanks for posting the amazing pictures!

Have you looked at airfare, motel and rental car deals? I remember a friend found it cheaper to fly to South Dakota than to take his RV.