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 several 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...
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Her son told her there was snow on nfs #1 just north of 36 on the previous Sunday. They got as far a Ruth Lake and had to turn around in a blinding snow storm and drive south on 101 to hwy 20 to Chico. Just like you said, these roads are a thrill in summer and fall but...
Wow. Very graphic, scary description. I was up there once on one of the roads in that area (during the summer, even) and I recall that it was one of the darkest and most remote feeling places I had ever seen in my life. And climbs in elevation and no guard rails - that's something they don't tell you on the maps, as you point out.
Sounds to me that the road should be closed in the Winter or, at the very least, in snowy weather.
In fact, the chamber of commerce in that area recommends it for a "scenic ride". In the meantime, people repeatedly get trapped in that area.
I just hope and pray James Kim is alive and well.