Snoqualmie in a sedan?

Submitted by ramblinsam t3_zmp55v in Washington

Hi Washingtonians! Planning a snowshoeing trip and Snoqualmie looks like a solid option in terms of facilities and accommodations (Cle Elum/Roslyn). This will be our first venture out of Western WA. Is it reasonable to think that a 2wd sedan will manage snowy roads okay? Do we need to consider chains, or even renting an AWD upgrade? We’ve driven in snow on the East Coast, but as folks here are quick to point out, snow here is different.

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Goofybynight t1_j0c8d96 wrote

Carry chains. Put them on if the advisory sign says so. Drive slow. Be cautious.

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amazing_redhead t1_j0car1d wrote

Be prepared for worse case scenario. Carry extra blankets and warm clothes, water, flare, non perishables just incase. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it

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tetranordeh t1_j0cla0d wrote

Depends on exactly where you're planning to go. You won't make it up any of the unmaintained forest roads. You should be able to make it to the snow recreation areas on maintained roads, though.

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anybodyiwant2be t1_j0cxqpx wrote

You can buy chains at Les Schwab tires and if you don’t use them you can get a refund at the end of the season

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Osunio t1_j0cej81 wrote

I just drove through Snoqualmie last week in my little sedan. Make sure your tires have good tread on them, and carry chains. Take it slow, that’s the best you can do. Safe travels!

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ardesofmiche t1_j0cm6eq wrote

Over the pass, you should be fine. Go slow, and if conditions are bad reschedule your trip

You won’t make it up any forest roads, so plan a snowshoeing destination that has a plowed parking lot

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Cryptikfox t1_j0cxp8k wrote

What kind of tires do you have?

Know what you have, what “traction tires” are, and know what the various warning levels for the passes are. WSDOT has a lot of good info on this.

Always carry chains this time of year and know how to use them.

Monitor the weather and pass conditions. One hour it might be fine while the next hour the pass is closed.

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Zhenja92 t1_j0d0nb8 wrote

You will need chains if going over the pass in winter. You also need to be flexible - if the pass is closed it is closed, and you just have to wait. Generally the drive isn't too bad if it is open. There are a lot of great places to snowshoe including the Crystal Springs Sno-Park, Suncadia, and trails above Cle Elum.

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jhires t1_j0eu6k2 wrote

Have good snow tires. I recommended triple peak rated. Carry chains. Sometimes they are required for the areas you are talking about going. Practice putting the chains on before you go somewhere you might need them. Snow here is different because it’s wet due to general warmer temperatures in the transition areas so it can be very slick. Otherwise same as anywhere else when you get into the mountains. AWD is recommended but not required, but, when chains are required, AWD vehicles are typically exempt from it except in extreme conditions.

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Alive_Vegetable6775 t1_j0gpgfi wrote

I went through the pass probably 50 times one winter with my Chevy Cruze.

They do really good at the roads there. If you are going somewhere where they don't plow as much you will definitely need awd and/or chains.

But if you are going somewhere pretty popular they may have the roads plowed already for folks

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