Is this a tricky (or potentially unsafe) drive at nighttime? Is it best to wait for morning?

We're driving from the DC area, and first-timers at Timberline.

If it's not snowing, you should be fine.  The only non 4-lane highway stretch is from I-81 to Wardensville (about 15 miles?) and then from Mt. Storm to Davis to the mountain (8 miles max?).

I discovered that Tucker county doesn't do a very good job with treating Corridor H.  Yesterday's drive east was not good until we crossed out of Tucker County and that was with only a couple on inches of snow. Hope they do a better job today and tomorrow since we are heading back up.  The issue for driving at night when it's snowing is visibility on the ridges and once on top of the highlands, the winds will cut visibility with blowing snow.  It'll be a "take it slow" trip for sure.   

Unlike Snowshoe, the drive to Timberline is not bad at all.  Way less elevation change.  Drive reasonably, in reasonable conditions (ie. not in the middle of an ice storm), and you should be fine.

Coming from due south can be sketchy.  GPS sometimes takes us up a single lane gravel stretch through a couple farms. Road is on the map, but barely hahaha.   Had it happen late at night in the snow once and thought we were about to hear banjos before it put us back on the regular 2 lane highway (33/32 maybe?). 

That won't happen apporaching from the east though.  I now set the GPS to Moorefield then approach from there instead.

Reisen wrote:

Unlike Snowshoe, ...

LOL. My record(s) to Snowshoe were 4.5 hrs on an August afternoon to 10 hours during snowfall. We had friends once that abandoned the trip at Seneca Rocks and made a U-turn back home! LOL That was one of the many reasons I sold...can't go skiing if it's snowing! LOL

As others have said, if it's not snowing, I'd drive from DC to Timberline in the middle of the night without giving it a second thought. Driving in the snow is no biggie if you have the right vehicle, but running 25mph makes the trip take forever.

Number one thing to look out for - by far - are deer. Use those high beams whenever possible.

Watch yer WX....Driving up into the wilds of the WV Alpps at any time..let alone at night can result in a very white knuckle experience...u must check sites like this and others for wx info...do not rely on Wx man from the lowlands...they will tell u that there will be flurries in the Mtns when u will have this or much worse conditions.....WORD....

4PM: Moderate snow and 20F. 1.3 in of new snow past three hours, most of which fell in past hour. Cold front passed, wind sharply increased, temp starting down. Near zero visibility in heavy snow and blowing snow at times past hour.
Watch out for Bambi crossing the snow swept road...what road?...are we on the road?...Where is the Friggin ROAD??!!!!.....

fishnski wrote:

... the snow swept road...what road?...are we on the road?...Where is the Friggin ROAD??!!!!.....

Word...almost saw someone die in front of me on that drive to SS. You know how all of a sudden you're on a long flat patch - fields on the left & right, wind blowing across like krazy??? Snow-covered road. I'm in a Yukon XL (8,600 lbs. GVWR) glued to the road. Some yuppie SUV in front of me blown completely sideways in to the oncoming lane. If he had kissed the front bumper of an oncoming lumber truck...that's all she wrote!!! Leaving SS (that back entrance), met a guy that put his body shop's kid thru college. Hit that guard rail and slid around the turn like a pinball!  When I was leaving, someone in a mini-van with SC plates wanted me to tow him out of the parking lot. I refused. I knew if he hit 219 South he might not live to see Marlinton!! Ahhh yes...that drive THAT DRIVE to/from SS.

hoyadrew wrote:

If it's not snowing, you should be fine.  The only non 4-lane highway stretch is from I-81 to Wardensville (about 15 miles?) and then from Mt. Storm to Davis to the mountain (8 miles max?).

To  the OP, adding a bit to this. The trip is much easier this year, but it can still have some challenges. You do have two abrupt road switches from one set of lanes to another (between Mt. Storm and Davis.) Can be tricky in the dark for newbies; but much better/safer than last year. You can also hit some serious weather at the top of the climb up the Allegheny front ( ~Mt. Storm.) Even if not snowing, the visibility can go to zero in an instant at the top of the climb (fog/clouds.) As advised, pay attention to drifting snow/deer during the last part of the trip. There are a couple of high ridges before/after Moorefield that you need to pay attention to possible weather affects.

WVDOT doesn't do the greatest job clearing Corr H (Rte 48), so expect possible snow on the roads even days after snow.

I travel that route 10+ times a year. It is a much, much easier route than in year's past, but you are driving mountain interstates and a small bit of mountain two lanes. Most DC-area drivers are a bit clueless about how to drive those types of roads, but then again, they have trouble with low country roads.

hoyadrew wrote:

.....and then from Mt. Storm to Davis to the mountain (8 miles max?).

And these 8 miles could be the most extreme part of a ski weekend.

The19thHole wrote:

As others have said, if it's not snowing, I'd drive from DC to Timberline in the middle of the night without giving it a second thought. Driving in the snow is no biggie if you have the right vehicle, but running 25mph makes the trip take forever.

Number one thing to look out for - by far - are deer. Use those high beams whenever possible.

and watch for Bears anywhere near Wardensville & Moorefield!

The Colonel wrote:

 

and watch for Bears anywhere near Wardensville & Moorefield!

I saw a bear in the median of I-64 just west of Afton Mountain once. People were stopping on the sides of the interstate to get out and take pictures, just like they were in Yellowstone or something.

I am talking about ticket writing bears in uniform!!!

Best to not exceed 75 on Corridor H which is difficult on some of the ling grades downhill.  Otherwise it's clear sailing unless it was like last night with lake effects and high winds.  White knuckle time.  

Thanks for the responses everyone, this is helpful. 

Followup: How much of the drive would you say is distinctly "mountainous" i.e. steep or windy? And what are the prospects of doing that in a non-4WD? (Let's assume normal winter weather, but not dramatic snow or ice.)

DrSandy420 wrote:

...How much of the drive would you say is distinctly "mountainous" i.e. steep or windy? ...

Mostly just the last bit to get up onto the plateau near Mt Storm.

If it's actively winter precip-ing, I wouldn't suggest it for your first time in any vehicle, certainly not non-4WD. I'm hoping there's nothing falling this Friday eve when I make the drive, otherwise I may opt for the morning. I've had my share of winter driving adventures that drastically changed my next few days so I'm more gun-shy now.

Like others said, even with no precip, the winds and blowing snow before and after Mt Storm can bring out the white knuckles. And be real wary of the coal trucks hauling ass straddling the yellow line on their way to Mt Storm. They usually give you an inch, but not two.

Coming from DC, the trip to Davis is remarkably unwindy and mild, especially compared to some of the other roads in the area. Or compared to just about any route to Snowshoe.

Haha the best way to get to Snowshoe is in a helicopter

jimmy wrote:

Haha the best way to get to Snowshoe is in a helicopter

But that's the worst way to leave.  

Blue Don 1982 wrote:

jimmy wrote:

Haha the best way to get to Snowshoe is in a helicopter

But that's the worst way to leave.  

True!

eggraid wrote:

Blue Don 1982 wrote:

jimmy wrote:

Haha the best way to get to Snowshoe is in a helicopter

But that's the worst way to leave.  

True!

:)

 

WVDOT doesn't do the greatest job clearing Corr H (Rte 48), so expect possible snow on the roads even days after snow.

I noted that after my 2013 trip there and somebody jumped on me for being cityfolk or something. Fine whatever, I'll go somewhere else that plows the roads so cityfolk can drop a few hundred dollars into their economy annually instead of never again.

I think by next winter US 48 will be open to Davis. I'm hoping that spurs more investment in Timberline in the form of high speed lifts and snow-making. There is a lot of potential in that mountain that isn't being realized.