"suraj" <> wrote in message
news:bnc3k5$3r6$...
> >It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've
done it
> >many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
> >dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
> >prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your
chances of
> >needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you
plan
> >to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains
as
> >you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the
elevation
> >of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't
spend
> >much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste
of
> >money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
> >passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
> >depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
> >driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
> >December driving.
> thanks for the information.
> so we can't even visit helens and rainer in seattle in december? is it
that
> bad? anyway, what is the recommended way to visit them during december
20-25
> time frame? are they open at all?
You should be able to get into the lower levels of Rainier via the
Nisqually entrance but you'll need tyre chains. Mount St Helens
is impossible. The roads are closed from late October to May
Keith