Bob806
Ohio
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Planning an early spring road trip in May. We'll be departing from Flagstaff and heading up to Redwood NP.
I was looking at roaming through Nevada, then entering California on US 395through Susanville to Cal 44 or 36, on to Klamath, CA. I know weather is unpredictable, but should I avoid that route and take the long way up I-5 from I-40?
A campground I'm considering is near Lassen Volcanic NP off of CA 44 before Redwood NP. I'm just not sure. Any advice is appreciated, thanks.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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Should be a good trip. The long boring I5 could be a backup if needed and you could cross on 20 and go up 101. Consider buying Mountain Directory West and have a heads up on the roads.
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StarkNaked
West Seattle, WA
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May is early for Lassen Volcanic NP. Expect lots of roads inside the park to still be closed for snow removal.
The connection between south and north entrances didn't happen this year till July 1st.
* This post was
edited 09/14/23 11:50am by StarkNaked *
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Bob806
Ohio
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StarkNaked wrote:May is early for Lassen Volcanic NP. Expect lots of roads to still be closed for snow removal.
The connection between south and north entrances didn't happen this year till July 1st.
I did read that on the NPS website. The CG I'm interested in says the main roads are always passable, just double checking.
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Bob806
Ohio
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CA Traveler wrote:Should be a good trip. The long boring I5 could be a backup if needed and you could cross on 20 and go up 101. Consider buying Mountain Directory West and have a heads up on the roads.
Thanks!
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dave54
Northeast CA.
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Live there, near Susanville.
Highway 395 Reno to Susanville is good road. No problem in May. Fuel in Susanville is cheaper by about a nickel per gallon at the Diamond Mountain Casino. Main street fuel is higher. No large discount truck stop chains.
Highway 89 through Lassen Volcanic NP will most likely still be closed in May. Highway 44 around the north side of the Park will be open. Same for Highway 36 south of the Park. Both 36 and 44 are kept open year around. Some of the forest roads off 44 will be iffy in May. Count on no fuel on 44 between Susanville and Redding. There is one gas station in the tiny community of Old Station (population 50). May or may not be open, and has tourist prices.
Which campground are you asking about? There is lots of boondocking opportunities in the National Forest around Lassen Volcanic NP. Cell phone coverage can be hit or miss. Mostly miss. Great fly fishing in Hat Creek. Famous for it.
From Lassen Park there is basically three routes to get to Redwoods. Highway 36 from Red Bluff to the coast is not recommended for RVs. Narrow, curvy, not RV friendly. Highway 299 from Redding to the coast is good two lane, but very curvy with a couple of steep grades. I have done it, and is not fun but safe. My preferred route is north on I-5, then Highway 199 from Grants Pass Oregon to Crescent City. Much nicer drive, easier with an RV. This takes you right through Jedediah Smith State Park (Star Wars -- Forest Moon of Endor filmed there) and a nice campground right on the river and next to a large grove of Redwoods.
May in the Redwoods can still be wet and cool in the mornings. Fog commonly burns off mid to late morning, then can be sunny and pleasant in the afternoon. Inland 5-10 miles gets you out of the fog belt and can get hot in the PM.
* This post was
edited 09/14/23 12:26pm by dave54 *
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So many campsites, so little time...
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Bob806
Ohio
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dave54 wrote:Highway 89 through Lassen Volcanic NP will most likely still be closed in May. Highway 44 around the north side of the Park will be open. Same for Highway 36 south of the Park. Both 36 and 44 are kept open year around. Some of the forest roads off 44 will be iffy in May.
Which campground are you asking about? There is lots of boondocking opportunities in the National Forest around Lassen Volcanic NP. Cell phone coverage can be hit or miss. Mostly miss.
From Lassen Park there is basically three routes to get to Redwoods. Highway 36 from Red Bluff to the coast is not recommended for RVs. Narrow, curvy, not RV friendly. Highway 299 from Redding to the coast is good two lane, but very curvy with a couple of steep grades. I have done it, and is not fun but safe. My preferred route is north on I-5, then Highway 199 from Grants Pass Oregon to Crescent City. Much nicer drive, easier with an RV. This takes you right through Jedediah Smith State Park (Star Wars -- Forest Moon of Endor filmed there) and a nice campground right on the river and next to a large grove of Redwoods.
May in the Redwoods can still be wet and cool in the mornings. Fog commonly burns off mid to late morning, then can be sunny and pleasant in the afternoon. Inland 5-10 miles gets you out of the fog belt and can get hot in the PM.
Great info, thanks.
I was looking at Living Springs RV Park on 44. I'm not too worried about cell phone stuff, just want to make sure we can get our 30' 5er into a decent CG safely. Not afraid to Boondock, but it makes my wife nervous lol.
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Geo*Boy
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When we visited we went to Lassen, then onto Crater Lake and then took 199 down to Redwoods NP.
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dave54
Northeast CA.
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Not familiar with Living Springs CG. Never stayed there.
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