Road condition of Hwy 447 between Cedarville and Gerlach?

bodyalive · Post by **bodyalive** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:17 am

I'm planning to drive to BM from Redding via 299 to Alturas, turning south on Hwy 447 at Cedarville. I was just told yesterday that a significant part of 447 is gravel instead of paved. Is this true?

(And to those who read this before... I started a new topic for it since I had originally posted it in the wrong place.)

Thanks for your help,
Brian

prophet · Post by **prophet** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:55 am

It's paved, but there aren't many good shoulders or other pull-over places.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:06 am

Do not exceed the speed limits on this road. They're posted for a reason! The road in many places is narrow and winding...lots of blind curves. Do not pass where you shouldn't.

If you're on the road at night be aware that it's open range and cattle bigger than VWs wander out onto the asphalt to soak up the warmth from the road. Do not swerve to avoid them...you WILL roll and most likely die. It has happened. Hitting one at full speed will also not be fun, but more survivable than over steering. Same for the damn rabbits...they die!

Keep your speed under control, headlights on hi-beam and look well down the road for dark moving shapes.

If you're driving a slow heavy rig, pull over wherever you can to let faster vehicles get by you...but not on a soft shoulder...wait for a turn out...and there aren't many.

bodyalive · Post by **bodyalive** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:28 am

Thanks, prophet, dragonpilot (good name, that!), for the responses. That's what I wanted to know. From Redding it's either Hwy 447, or the long way down to I-80/Reno and back up. I wanted avoid driving on a washboard gravel road.

I have a small motorhome with a plenty of power so I can really scoot down the road if I want to. I'll follow your sane advice about the curves and soft shoulders, since more speed just means I can flip it faster!

Brian

Iago · Post by **Iago** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:06 pm

Every thing dragonpilot said... It's not a bad road, a bit bumpy in places, but has improved over the last ten years that I have been using it. I did it once at night and almost hit a BLACK angus bull (yes, bigger than a fucking vw bus as dragonpilot put it) It is open range and I will never do it at night again.

Even though most of it is flat about midway there is a serious downgrade. It starts out mellow then gets steeper and windier through a canyon. You'll know by the smell of burning brakes ahead of you.

Over the last few years I have seen more and more ppl pulled over by NHP and Sherif. I don't even let the speedo get over 58mph anymore.
This year I'm going down CR 34 to see some new country. 90 miles of gravel all the way, which I find more relaxing (no yahoos) and I'll be already playafied when I get to the gate.....

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:32 pm

coming in from Vya is a nice little trip, I am amazed how nice the road is for almost 100 miles of gravel.

Iago · Post by **Iago** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:50 pm

Thanx for the update goathead.. I've done 8A from Vya to Denio many times. Beautiful country. And already know you may have to give up an hour or two helping out on a cattle drive here and there. Hell of lot easier sitting in my van blasting the horn and blinking the headlights than being stuck in the saddle with boys out there. That's why I always pack my cowboy hat..... I always play Kraftwerk really loud on my stereo which seems to get the little doggies moving along faster too...

Oh Ya, forgot to mention that I have run into this on 447. Just stop and wait for a rancher on horseback to tell you what to do. They actually appreciate the help....