Author Topic: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017  (Read 7197 times)

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Offline danielsalas

Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« on: August 19, 2017, 02:25:27 am »
Hello,

I'm from Chile, South America, and I plan to conduct part of the Pacific Coast Route in October this year, between Vancouver and San Francisco (north to south). I only have that month available for the trip. Do you encourage me to do it anyway? I understand that October is a rainy month, but is it too severe? Thank you in advance. Greetings from Chile.

Offline Norsman

Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2017, 11:41:12 am »
October is still a good month to do this ride.  The earlier in the month you do it the better your chances of avoiding too much rain.  The advantage of doing it in October is the tourist traffic will be way down so cycling will be safer.

Offline jamawani

Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2017, 12:39:43 pm »
October is iffy - - depends on when the autumn rains begin.

Climate info by state:
https://wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmwa.html
https://wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmor.html
https://wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmnca.html

Quillayute, Washington gets 10.5 inches (28 cm) of rain in October.
Astoria, Oregon gets 6.1 inches (16 cm) of rain in October.
Bandon, Oregon gets 4.2 inches (11 cm) of rain in October.
Fort Bragg gets 2.6 inches (7 cm) of rain in October.

The rainfall pattern is:
More rain in the north, less in the south.
Early start of autumn rains in the north, later start in the south.
It is the same as Chile, except opposite hemispheres and seasons.

October would be a better month for touring in the Southwest.
Perhaps start in San Francisco, some Pacific coast, and tour the great parks -
Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon -
Ending up in Santa Fe and taking Amtrak back to L.A. to fly out.




Offline danielsalas

Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2017, 03:10:47 am »
Hello,

Thank you very much for your time.

So I think a better route (because of the weather) would be from Truckee to Bakersfield (Part 4 of the Sierra Cascades).

Is it possible to do this part in 2-3 weeks?

Thank you again.

- Daniel.

Offline jamawani

Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2017, 10:09:48 am »
It is the peak of fire season - with Santa Ana winds.
And it's already been a bad fire season in the West.
Early rain/snow would be helpful in the Sierra Nevada -
But if not, then the fire risk is high.

http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents

http://wildfiretoday.com/2017/08/24/wildfire-activity-continues-in-northwest-california-and-southwest-oregon/

Offline DaveB

Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2017, 01:50:00 pm »
Sounds like the OP has his choice; rain or fire.   :-\

Offline adventurepdx

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Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2017, 02:41:44 pm »
While I agree that October is the beginning of the rainy season on the NW Coast, the October rains are not as bad (usually) as what comes later in November/December. And there can and will be nice days in there, but the rule of thumb is be prepared for rain. So I think it's still doable, but if the OP can start a bit further south, it may be better.

If it were me, I'd definitely stick to some variation of the "inside" route between Vancouver and Astoria, Oregon. The western part of the Olympic Peninsula is one of the wettest parts of the lower 48, and will definitely be seeing good rain there. Staying east of the Olympics will avoid some of that.

Offline jamawani

Re: Vancouver to San Francisco in October 2017
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2017, 03:32:03 pm »