Stuck in Missoula Montana

[Wrknrvr]

With a late start heading to Arizona we are waiting for the roads to clear. And then it started to snow on the passes again, so now what.

My plan was to visit Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and then Flaming Gorge to see everything in fall colors. And then head south.

The DW and the the Yellow truck DW has other thoughts.

But we could go snowmobiling------ forget that. That sentence did not even end and I had an answer.

There is a yellow truck following along with us also for this trip.

O no, we found a HDT graveyard and a Volvo truck dealer. So we have been doing some repairs and getting parts to be installed during the winter in Arizona.

Throw in a Harbor Freight and now this is a mans territory.

 

 

Safe Travels

, Vern

[sclord2002]

Vern, sorry for your weather woes but the HDT boneyard and Harbor Fright should help a bit. gotta keep momma happy. Charlie

[don&penny]

I don't think you'll be seeing much of Yellowstone. As of November 1st, only the north (Gardiner) and north-east (Cooke City) entrances are open, as is the road between the two cities. The gates are closed on the grand-loop road, preventing access to the rest of the park. Snow mobile season does not start until December (or when the snow pack on the roads will support snow mobiles, which ever is later). All accommodations except Mammoth campground are closed. Getting to Jackson Hole will require you to take the road outside the park.

 

Don

[rdickinson]

Did you not check the weather in advance? Weather determines which side of the Rockies I travel on and where I jump over the rocks or even if I travel at all. I need a good 4 day weather window to get from Vancouver BC to far enough south where snow is generally a non issue. Up here it takes about 3 days after a snow event for the roads to clear well enough to drive on with my rig.

[SuiteSuccess]

Yellow truck......Bandbuds?

[Wrknrvr]

I have been watching the weather in the northwest. Just had to stay around to finish some work and do some things on our truck and even the Yellow truck.

We have made this trip before so just going with the flow. As in back to Volvo for spare parts, then Harbor Freight, maybe throw in a Fastenal stop also.

Must stock up as after this location I am not planing on being near any of these stores for the winter. If possible.

 

 

SafeTravels, Vern

[Star Dreamer]

Vern, if you buy enough stuff maybe the extra weight will help you get thru the white stuff. If that doesn't work maybe you can head east towards

MN as it is in the 60's here with the sun shining and no white stuff down in southern MN (yet) and then head south!

Dave

[strawdog]

If it makes you feel any better...it's rainy & didn't get warmer than around 55 here today. In 2013, we were in the same position as you -- dodging snowstorms to get out of Columbia Falls. We were 2-3 weeks behind you time-wise then. Made a mad dash out of Columbia Falls when the roads cleared up there, then stopped in Cardwell for 2 nights, at 0 degrees overnight, waiting for Bozeman Pass to get cleared. No plans to do that again.

 

At least you're with friends! Just keep forking the $ over to Bretz for propane & it's all good.

 

See you shortly (maybe...)

 

Renee

[Jemstone]

Hi Vern, I hope you get a break in the weather and can head south quickly. We had an Azrizona six inch rain today (each drop falls six inches from the next drop) that gave us the first crisp day since early March. The temps will be back into the mid 70s quickly and the low desert will be fun to explore, at least for us rockhounds.

[BandBuds]

Yellow truck......Bandbuds?

Yup, you got it Carl. We're traveling along with Chris and Vern having fun along the way. Will post later from Arizona about the project that has begun on the Sonshine Express as the result of a stroll through the salvage yard.

[Biker56]

• Most of the roads in Yellowstone are closed to auto travel between early November and late April
• The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana, via Tower Junction is open all year to auto travel
• U.S. Highway 212 is closed to auto travel just east of Cooke City from late fall to late spring

Specific closure dates

• Oct 13, 2015: Beartooth Pass and Dunraven Pass close
• Nov 2, 2015: All roads except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast entrance close at 8:00 am

2014 Yellowstone Park Facility Seasonal Closures

Make sure to check closure dates before planning your fall trip to Yellowstone. Here are some key dates.

• Bridge Bay Campground closes Sept 7, 2015
• Canyon Village Campground closes Sept 13, 2015
• Fishing Bridge RV Park closes Sept 20, 2015
• Grant Village Campground closes Sept 20, 2015
• Lake Village Hotel and Cabins close Oct 4, 2015
• Mammoth Campground open all year
• Mammoth Hotel closes Oct 12, 2015
• Mammoth Cabins close Oct 12, 2015
• Old Faithful Lodge closes Oct 9, 2015
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins close Oct 18, 2015
• Tower Fall Campground closes Sept 28, 2015

[Wrknrvr]

Just some things that slowed our trip south was remove and repair the three fuel tank straps on the passenger side of the Volvo. While the fairings were off, repair or replace the metal supports for the fairings and steps.

Then while the fairings are off, repair problems on the fairings and paint them.

Next was to replace the seal on the font off the N-14 at the auxiliary drive. Note Pulleys do come off with small bolts removed. Broke large flat pulley for A/C even with small bolts out of it. Blank Blank Blank. Bad word. Will need to chuck pulley in lathe and remove the rest of unneeded pulley.

Now this is all because the large nut holding the pulley flage that the seals to the seal will not come off. Check with a friend at a Cummings dealership. It will not break anything in the engine----------.

Finally get the extra outer pulleys of one on the shaft. Then grab the pulley that is causing the problem with a 3' pipe wrench and then 4' pipe on the nut.

Dam that was easy.

Now just reverse the process.

And no it does not leak oil.

And customers think I am sitting on my ass while it was time two weeks ago.

I know it is late to see Yellowstone and other things but I did snowmobile there in1979.

 

 

On a side note that yellow truck has a lot of my pinger prints on it also.

Today is another trip to Volvo for spare parts and to say goodby to Missoula Mt. till may first.

Time to turn the heat on in both trucks and get to work.

 

 

Jeff if you see this turn the heat on.

 

 

Safe Travels. Vern

[Wrknrvr]

We are leaving later this morning when the ice on the roads melt. It is white outside at 6 am and there was lake effect snow on the east side of Flathead lake over night.

Home stake pass on I 80 was blocked over night from a truck accident and it blocked both east and west bound lanes.

A fair amount of the highways in Montana have ice warnings so it is time to spend some seat time ad get south asap.

It is suppose to be sunny for a day or two.

 

 

Safe Trvels, Vern

[billr]

Safe travels south Vern. Good stuff on Eng repairs. Hey to Jeff and Cindy too!

[rdickinson]

I'd wait for that day or two for the roads to improve. I may be wrong but Montana doesn't or didn't use salt just sand. My trip south 9 yrs ago was a white knuckle drive with the 4700 and the 40' TS.

I've done many a trip with the old Dodge from Calgary to Victoria and it takes 3 decent days for the roads to be clear and safe enough to drive the rig. You will run into icy patches in the mountain shadows, icy bridge decks.

Missoula temps are only going to get up to 33f, perfect for black ice.

Saturday and Sunday would be a better choice weather wise. Temps up to low 40's.

 

If your going thru Butte you have another 2k ft climb. Temps drop 3.5 degrees for every 1k ft altitude depending on moisture. Butte is currently foggy and 11f.

[Wrknrvr]

Now 55 miles into Idahoe onI-15. Lots of 4 wheel ditch marks seen along the way. Two semi' with scattered stuff all over the ditches with cranes there to set them upright.

Apparently there snow over night got wet then froze on I-90 about 6 am. Today.

Some places had maybe6" of snow. Then in Idahoe the snow disappeared.

Ely Navada and some time at the cacino tomorrow night.

[PSD_Tweaker]

Driving in the snow & ice, one of my favorite things to do with my rig......NOT !!

You were wise to use your time to park & fix while the storms passed.

 

Enjoy that casino stop you 2.

 

 

Rick

[Shallow Draft]

How was Monida Pass? it can change from good to bad and then to treacherous in a hart beat.

[Wrknrvr]

Monida pass was clear on the road. But maybe 6" of sow off the pavement. Now I see it snowed in Flagstaff and cold in Pheonix so mite as well go to Mexico.

 

 

 

Safe. Travels, Vern

[Shallow Draft]

warm in the valley today. forecast looks great. 77f 79f tomorrow

[Wrknrvr]

At Fort Hall cacino for breakfast then Twin Falls Idahoe. Then hopefully to Ely Navada for casino nights.

21 degrees. Or just cold as Jeff just said

 

 

Too cold for signature

[Wrknrvr]

Ely Navada, prospector cacino campground. Beer time

[noteven]

14C = 57.2F yesterday just N of Calgary motorsickle riding weather.

 

Today ... a bit cooler

[Wrknrvr]

Las Vegas