I live, own, and operate a ranch near this area. One: You don't drive over that road in the winter unless you are absolutely positive the road is cleared and inclement weather is not imminent. The snow can come very quickly and can make driving impossible in less than an hour. And if you're all the way to Eden Valley, you won't be able to walk out.
The road is paved, narrow, no guard rails, road markings, and at night, dark as the back side of the moon. Maps all show it for a nice ride. Maps are flat, this road changes elevation seveal times in thousands of feet. And last, no cell towers. Its 85 miles of desolate, towering forest, no lights, habitations, nothing and in the winter, will kill you quick...
Do we know which road they were found on/near? So far I haven't seen that specified. The last speculation I saw was that they might have taken 42 from Roseburg.
Good information from a local. About what I expected, although I wouldn't have expected it to be paved.
Thanks for the first hand info. We don't have anything like that in the Southeast, except possibly some primitive roads in the Smoky Mt Natl Park, which can get pretty hairy in winter. We don't get sudden blizzards though.
When I heard they were last seen in Portland and heading to the coast I figured they went off the road - as I recall their are two main roads heading over the hills that are both pretty winding and steep and dark. I guess we're still waiting for details, but I wonder if they were in an accident or if they got off the road into a rest area/ camp ground to wait out the poor travelling conditions? Prayers for the family.