SNOW BOUND: Possible 1st time snow driving. Visiting Beech Mountain in early November

Dude calm down I live in the area it's not bad.

 

You are correct it probably wont be bad at all, most likely no snow. But I do remember the January storm in 2010. Whiteout conditions and snow squalls, Boone, NC completly shutdown. I was one of the few lucky enough to have a friend with a lifted F250 4x4 diesel that could come get me. Many people were stuck inside their houses for a few days. Select fast food places just didnt close because they couldn't get home. The storm hit with much greater force than they had forcasted. Campus was even barely operating, students had a hard time getting food. I remeber going, what we call "drift busting" (literally driving and finding snow drifts to try and get through). I saw 10-12 FOOT snow drifts in NC lol.

Mountaineer Fan is most likely right there will be no snow. But I have also been a fan of always being prepared. Some chains will be an investment and certainly will not hurt to have.

 

I have run the bfg's all terrains here in VT for 14 years. No problem and we get a lot of snow and ice been through 18'' of un plowed roads just go slow use 4 x 4 and you will be fine

 

You are absolutely correct cheeseit. Thank you. I forgot to mention those since I was so focussed on the "traction" issue but yes, I have:
2 First Aid Kits,
Food (that doesn't require refrigeration),
Water,
Flashlights,
Extra clothes,
30' & 20' tow straps,
A machetee,
Fire wood, since I may camp in my truck at Mt. Mitchell,
Rear window screens. They slide over the entire door, I forgot the name but I have them at home. Bought them on line from an Australian company for $40 about a year ago & haven't used them yet.

You definitely know the area better than me since you live there & it may not be bad at all, meaning snow storms, or that may be good. HAHAHA! I still want to be on the safe side. I know people in Florida who never prepare for Hurricane Season & when we had that chain of Hurricanes in '05 guess who didn't have any broken windows & guess who was helping them? I appreciate that you are telling me not to worry too much though. Thank you.

WOW!
Yes, I plan to buy chains but that's the one question that hasn't been answered yet. Any recommendations on a good pair of chains?

Thank you but the only way I can use 4x4 is to jam (2) 4x4 pieces of wood under my rear tires for traction. HAHAHA! I'm Prerunning it the whole way.

willee51, I am so glad that I posted this thread. I was hoping to find someone who has camped at Mt. Mitchell & can give me some info. Is it legal to get a camp site but sleep in your car? Are there restroom &/or shower facilities?

The fact that Mt. Mitchell is the highest point is what is attracting me to it. I've been to Clingmans Dome also & it was cloudy so it looked as if I was floating on the clouds. HAHAHA!

 

There will be no snow!, No need for chains at all, I live in Northern NH ive never seen anyone with chains anywhere except out on the west coast! I lived close to Boone NC for a while, and have been all over the blue ridge parkway. November=No Snow!

 

Fine line between prepared and paranoid. I keep an extra jacket socks boots and my go bag with a few snacks. Chains would be good just to have anyway. The Truth is most of the time when it snows it's gone within 24-48 hours and off the roads before the next day at 4. I'm from Elkins WV were we get about 12+ feet of snow a year so this down here in nc is just kind of funny.

 

I have never needed chains ever, I go up to the mountains to snowboard considerable amount, and on the days that have the most snow (the best days). That being said my driving skills were forged in the harsh Canadian winter so for someone who rarely see's snow on the road I can definitely see where you are coming from.

So that being said, and based on what other locals are saying about the area you should be fine with just the weight in the back (I usually only put 200lbs when im driving around in 2WD) and dont drive like a complete yahoo. Your mech LSD will help you alot on any slippery road, but again keep your speed in check (speed is the biggest enemy of winter driving, no matter what your set up is).

Remember if you are having trouble getting traction on a slippery road, gunning it only makes it worse.

 

Just here to learn massive amounts of pointers from all the snow experts that used to live near here.....

 

Op has a PreRunner so no 4WD.

 

I have been going to the Sugar/Banner Elk/Boone/Beech Area for years around Christmas and the roads are generally very good. Probably the worst part would be the drive from Banner Elk up to Beech if the conditions aren't good. The blue ridge parkway is typically closed if conditions get to bad.

 

Don't be like that....Just trying to give the guy some tips. I will be moving back to the High Country as soon as time permits. I am up there every other week since my girl still lives up there. And I drove in the snow every single day it snowed for the past 6 years, 2009-2011 being some of the best ones. I'm only about an hour and a half away, but thats an hour and a half too far.

 

I love it up there....wish I could move there, but no jobs based on what I do.

 

I live on the Tennessee/WNC border 22 miles from the BRP in Spruce Pine. We are at 3200 feet on a county road and normally don't even put ON our snow tires until mid-November...The first few winters up here we got by with two wheel drive and snow tires.

All you have to do is WATCH the weather reports and get OFF the mountain when the snow comes. And if you REALLY want chains, there are garages in Banner Elk, the next town over, who sell and install.

Enjoy your trip, watch the weather, and don't worry too much.

 

I live in Ashe, but stay in boone often.. Very often.

 

While in Boone, watch out for the gophers and woodchucks!

 

I hate driving in snow. I have had my share of it when I lived in OH. It was fun when I was young but now I'd just as soon not drive in it. 2WD trucks are the worst. Man I hope we have a mild winter this year.

 

Good to know. Thank you.

I guess I'm straddling that line, HAHAHA! Good to know that the snow usually doesn't last to long, & it is November. Thank you.

Couldn't agree more. Slow & steady. Thank you.

You & me both. HAHAHA!

Yeah. 2WD trucks are the worst in snow, from what I've read. I'll let you know IF I actually do encounter some. Thank you.

Yes I will, Thank you. I heard that they car jack you in the mountains. HAHAHA. I did almost hot a deer in Banner Elk back in 2010. That was a bit scary.

"

What I remember from a few years ago! (Mt Mitchell)
1. Primitive camp sites, tents only
2. 1st come, 1st served
3. Bath-house with crappers and sinks (non-potable COLD water only)
4. We got drinking water at the parking site, from a Military tank trailer.
5. Ranger said STORE all food in vehicle, due to bears.
6. Views from the top (farther up the Mtn from the camp spot) of the Mtn are great, depending on cloud-cover. Can take till mid-day at times for cloud cover to clear
7. Weather in the Mtns can be unpredictable and change quickly

We use to go to Bryson City NC canoeing a few times a year, and once a year we would get on the BRPW at Cherokee NC (mile-marker -0-) and ride the Parkway all the way home (Central VA). The beauty of the Parkway is beyond description You might consider this trip some time.
The BRPW runs from Cherokee NC to Waynesboro VA, then turns into the Skyline Drive and goes to Front Royal, VA all Mountain Driving (paved road). This would be a once in a life time trip!!!!

Enjoy all America has to offer, while you can!!!!![/QUOTE]
willee51, Thank you VERY MUCH for this info on the camp site!
That BRPW drive is on my bucket list! Actually, on my drive from Beech Mountain to Mt. Mitchell I have to drive on the BRPW for 16 miles. I rerouted it through Blowing Rock, NC so that I will have to drive on the parkway for 64 miles instead. This also includes driving on the viaduct. October is the best month to see all the beautiful mountain colors.

Yes, enjoy this country while you still can. I agree. There are a lot of beautiful places in this country & I intend to visit as many as I can.

I like Boone. I had a flat tire on my rental & I stopped off at a tire store for a repair. Very friendly people there overall & the city is very clean.

Thanks hetkind. I have a link to current weather conditions saved on my phone & I will monitor that. And thank you for the chain info.

Thank you Travesty.

Yeah, I hear ya.

Awesome! Thank You ssilence.

Correct.

 

Hello folks,

I was reading a snow report on line & Mt. Mitchell received 9"'s in late October of 2012 & 7"'s in October last year. Also, I called 2 Banner Elk automotive shops & they said that they open on Sundays if there is a storm.

I may not need the chains at all or I may need it on one of the mountains. Plus, Black Ice is more dangerous than snow. I understand that this may be overkill but what's the worse case scenario, that I don't need them? I cam always keep them for the future or return them.

Can soneone one recommend an easy-to-install & capable pair of chains for my 285/70r17's?

I can't BELIEVE how much variety there is with tire chains.

Thank you

 

That 9" of snow in 10/12? That was hurricane Sandy...

Howard

 

There was several inches at my house around Oct. last year. The mountains definitely got hit a lot harder. There will be some this October too. It's cooling off very quick.

Has for the OP, I've lived in NW North Carolina for 20 years and have yet to use chains. With you being 2WD, good tires, controlled speeds, weight in your bed, and knowing how to drive will be your golden ticket. You'll be fine. Mountain counties are pretty good about scraping/salting immediately.