The thrills of mountain driving in spring.

Headed west along the Trans Canada Highway through Kicking Horse and Rogers passes. Elevation 5400 ft or almost 1700 meters. Heavy wet snow covering the road with semis spun sideways and even lying on their side. My ten hour trip turned into 12 as the traffic was crawling. Big signs saying "NO STOPPING AVALANCHE AREA were ignored as traffic ground to a halt getting passed accidents. Two days later I decide to do a return trip. I head north to join the highway and after an hour I get to the Trans Canada and see a great big sign. Highway closed on both directions. Well dang. Back south I go then west for an hour then north to the Yellowhead pass. 17 hours after leaving I finally get home. Oh well I got to see both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. No wild life spotted in either park. Maybe the Big Horn Sheep so common in those parks didn't like the weather either.

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Sapio · 51-55, M

I spent many years running those road with a semi and b-trains. Saw a lot of carnage in the winter months. Got shutdown in Golden or Revelstoke more times than I can count. So I know what it's like when the trip time is extended. Main thing is you made it safely. But unlike many, you obviously know how to drive winter roads.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@Sapio Many years ago I came out of Vancouver and as I got farther and farther east the weather and the roads got worse and worse. I made it over the mountains but north of Calgary the weather really socked in and the RCMP were closing highway 2 all the way past Red Deer. I got to the cop and he asked me where I had come from. I said Vancouver. He kind of looked at me funny and said "If you made it this far I am sure you can make it the rest of the way. Safe travels sir" I kept going. It was a bit interesting with the cross winds around Olds but I made it.

Hatt94 · 56-60, MVIP

Yeah, those roads can be bad in the winter. Glad you were safe

Quimliqer · 70-79, MVIP

Heading to the lower mainland I refuse to go down the #1, always choosing #16 then south to Kamloops.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@Quimliqer using the Yellowhead to Kelowna adds over an hour to travel time and I did check the road reports before leaving both times. I am amazed at the poor driving skills of so many semi drivers. I got stuck behind one going through the snow sheds at 30 Kph. The road was wet but not snow covered. Thank goodness for passing lanes. The guy is likely still two days out of Vancouver. lol At least it was warm in Kelowna. 22 C on Wednesday.

Quimliqer · 70-79, MVIP

@hippyjoe1955 Truckers aren’t what we grew up with!!

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@Quimliqer You got that one right!!!! People were getting so frustrated they were passing him where under normal circumstances they wouldn't pass.

unregisteredhypercam4 · 22-25, M

We got no snow this winter

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@unregisteredhypercam4 Do you want some? Lots of it coming down here now. I will share if you want.

unregisteredhypercam4 · 22-25, M

@hippyjoe1955 House got up to 25 today. Low is 15 tonight.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@unregisteredhypercam4 Sounds a bit too warm for me. Where I was on Wednesday it got to 22 C. I was sweating just standing around. I am not yet adapted to the warmth.

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