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RopeTow
01-16-2012, 07:09 PM
Here's another question which has probably been asked and answered (or atleast the differing points of view explained) in the past.

Is it faster to get to Sugarbush Access Road from the south by exiting I-89 at exit 3 or 4 and taking 12A to Roxbury Gap Road or is it faster to stay on I-89 to exit 9 and head south on 100?

Since we know that the Roxbury Gap route is a shorter distance, what other considerations come into play? I know the top of the Gap road is dirt. Is it regularly plowed and sanded? Is it safe to navigate without 4 wheel drive or snow tires? Is there cell phone service if one has a mishap? How is the road in mud season? What other issues come to mind?

Thanks for any and all info and opinions.

RopeTow

boze
01-16-2012, 07:18 PM
Some (incl a particular owner) prefer exit 4 or 5 to Rox Gap. I prefer exit 3 to Bethel Mtn Rd to 100N mostly as Bether Mtn Rd paved and all around beter maintained throughout the seasons.

RopeTow
01-16-2012, 07:27 PM
I impatiently posted before googling the question. Here are some answers from 2007: http://skimrv.com/oldforums/about1123-0-asc-0.html.

Any updates or new opinions?

(FWIW, I drove the Gap today in the daylight in a VW wagon with front wheel drive only and 4 new snows and it was no problem.)

shadyjay
01-16-2012, 07:28 PM
I like to take 89 to Exit 3, then 107W to Blackmer Blvd to 100N. No mountain passes to contend with. And 107 [I'm assuming] is in great shape as it had to be rebuilt after Irene.

My last trip via this route was in July. Just days after Irene, I had an emergency trip to CT which I had to take 100N to Waterbury, then 89. That drive took an hour+ longer than normal, partially because of 91's closure in Greenfield. But prior to that, I have been taking the 100-107 routing and it saves me significant time, vs going 1/2 hour north to go south again.

slaw
01-17-2012, 08:11 AM
I like to take 89 to Exit 3, then 107W to Blackmer Blvd to 100N. No mountain passes to contend with. And 107 [I'm assuming] is in great shape as it had to be rebuilt after Irene.

My last trip via this route was in July. Just days after Irene, I had an emergency trip to CT which I had to take 100N to Waterbury, then 89. That drive took an hour+ longer than normal, partially because of 91's closure in Greenfield. But prior to that, I have been taking the 100-107 routing and it saves me significant time, vs going 1/2 hour north to go south again.

Been going Exit 4 or 5 for last 10 years. (prefer 4). If ice then 3. Never go higher. Have All wheel drive SUV with Bridgestone Bkizzak's. When dry I figure 45 mins from Hway to base.

gratefulskier
01-17-2012, 08:37 AM
I prefer exit 4 as a first choice, exit 5 as a second choice, and 100B to 100 when the mountain roads will be icy. But, when 12A was closed earlier this year on the Exit 4 side, I used exit 5 for a few weeks and enjoyed the change of pace, and it was pretty close time-wise.

GS

Yard Sale
01-17-2012, 09:18 AM
AWD Minivan w/ all seasons

1st choice Rox Gap via Exit 5

Sometimes Bethel Mtn via Exit 3 (If I'm sick of the highway)

teleo
01-17-2012, 09:19 AM
I usually prefer X4, then X5, but if snowy X9 or X3 to 107-100 to avoid gaps.
Is exit 4 -> 12A -> rox gap open all the way now after Irene? I had heard about there still being a detour and have been using X5 this year.

MntMan4Bush
01-17-2012, 09:57 AM
If you drive 60 mph or more on 12A then exit 4 is open. I've taken it the last 2 weekends to get to Roxbury Gap. If you drive less than 60 mph then exit 4 is closed. That is all.

Hawk
01-17-2012, 10:22 AM
If you drive 60 mph or more on 12A then exit 4 is open. I've taken it the last 2 weekends to get to Roxbury Gap. If you drive less than 60 mph then exit 4 is closed. That is all.
Dude, what are you saying???? The road is close if you don't drive 60 mph? What.... is there a jump over a hole in the road or something? LOL
I personnally have found that exit 5 is better. I always get caught behind that slow line of cars when I take exit 4. Time wise they are close.

Brew Ski
01-17-2012, 10:39 AM
By timing, I find exit 5 and exit 3 to be equal during good conditions. Mud season avoid Roxbury gap. Ice, avoid roxbury gap.
With AWD or 4x4 and good tires you can make it any exit, but it comes down to your winter driving ability and nerves. No one wants to be behind the guy swerving and spinning his minivan front wheel drive going over a gap in snow or icy conditions. Worse being behind the same guy going down hill.

If you're "that guy" do us all a favor and drive to exit 9, please. Else Hawk, and Yard sale will pass you on the gap road and toss insults in your general direction as they do. I will pass any poor driver at any point to keep my family safe, it is never safe to follow a poor winter driver. But I'm a red neck who grew up in VT and have no issues driving in any winter condition. So if you are "that guy" and don't realize it, when we go zipping by you, you might reconsider your driving ability!! ;-)

Xskier
01-17-2012, 10:55 AM
Dude, what are you saying???? The road is close if you don't drive 60 mph? What.... is there a jump over a hole in the road or something? LOL
I personnally have found that exit 5 is better. I always get caught behind that slow line of cars when I take exit 4. Time wise they are close.

I believe what he is saying is if you drive slow then exit 4 (his preferred route) is closed. Its kind of like telling beginners skiers that good bump runs are closed so the lines don't get ruined. Or another example would be saying the woods are closed after a dump.

Hawk
01-17-2012, 11:01 AM
I believe what he is saying is if you drive slow then exit 4 (his preferred route) is closed. Its kind of like telling beginners skiers that good bump runs are closed so the lines don't get ruined. Or another example would be saying the woods are closed after a dump.

I think you are right. Wow you understand MtnMan speak. Good. I could use you in the Castlerock at around 5pm as a translator. That is when it get real hard to understand. ;-)

gratefulskier
01-17-2012, 11:35 AM
To clarify, the route from Exit 4 is completely open, regardless of speed.

MntMan4Bush
01-17-2012, 12:11 PM
After 5 PM in the CRP there is a sharp decline in the ability to translate my speak unless you are Captain Morgan himself or at the very least his second cousin Boatswain Johnson.

Yes 4 is completely open, but if you see a silver Jeep Cherokee come up on you fast please be kind and pull to the side to let me pass, specially once you get on the Gap Road. I'd do it for you. No one wants to be stuck behind the Grand Marshal of the Rose Bowl Parade.

FWIW times out Exit 4 vs 5 with almost no traffic on 4 and it was maybe 3 or 4 minutes faster. It just helps break up the highway driving a bit more. Exit 3 just feels longer no matter what you tell me.

slaw
01-17-2012, 12:13 PM
Someone one told me that its legal to pass on a double yellow on Vt secondary roads. Something about farm machinery. No idea if its true or not but thats good enough for me on 12A!

djd66
01-17-2012, 12:43 PM
By the time I hit the VT border on 89, I'm doing 90+ I have tried exit 4 and always seem to get stck behind a Silver Jeep going 60. Thus, I have found exit 5 to be the fastest route to the Mtn. The only time I stay clear on exit 5 is during mud season.

Brew Ski
01-17-2012, 12:49 PM
After 5 PM in the CRP there is a sharp decline in the ability to translate my speak unless you are Captain Morgan himself or at the very least his second cousin Boatswain Johnson.

Yes 4 is completely open, but if you see a silver Jeep Cherokee come up on you fast please be kind and pull to the side to let me pass, specially once you get on the Gap Road. I'd do it for you. No one wants to be stuck behind the Grand Marshal of the Rose Bowl Parade.

FWIW times out Exit 4 vs 5 with almost no traffic on 4 and it was maybe 3 or 4 minutes faster. It just helps break up the highway driving a bit more. Exit 3 just feels longer no matter what you tell me.

I completely agree, proper etiquette is to pull over to the side and let faster travelers pass. You are welcome to drive whatever speed you feel comfortable, just don't force the rest of us to drive slow and nervous like you.

Moreover, exit three is definitely longer and very windy, littered with speed traps, moose all over the place and should not be used by anyone to get to or from Sugarbush!!!!! Definitely take exit 4 or 5. Without a doubt they are the fastest. I hear that after Irene reconstruction, exit 9 is a super short cut and everyone should take that as the fastest and safest route to the mountain! ;-P

Silver cherokee....OK, now I got it. Yup, you haul Dude! It makes me proud to not have to wait behind you for a chance to pass!

MntMan4Bush
01-17-2012, 01:18 PM
BI have tried exit 4 and always seem to get stck behind a Silver Jeep going 60.

Nicely done.

ducky
01-17-2012, 01:42 PM
Passing on a double-yellow is definitely legal in Vermont. The local Wash Cty sheriff confirmed that to me personally and it is in the VT driver's code book. As to which is fastest route to points south, we always found exit 4 to be the fastest, but only slightly. My brother-in-law commutes to Dartmouth from Warren daily and this is his route too. It also uses less gas than either exits 9 or 5. There is only 5 minute's difference between the 4 options anyway and road conditions and final destination in the MRV dictate which is the best on the day.

My personal rule has been to obey town speed limits, within 5 mph, but go for it on the country roads or highways. In town is where the forces patrol most often, and also where excessive speed will most likely hurt or offend someone else.

Exit 3 is one of the prettiest drives if you are not in a big hurry, and the businesses in Granville, Hancock, and Rochester could use your support. They were closed, almost inaccessible, by Irene for many weeks. Great places to eat are: the Huntington House, The Porch, Sandy's Books and Bakery, the Rochester Cafe, and the new Granville General Store for snack stuff and supplies. All mom and pop places and all hoping for support and patronage from Sugarbush and MRG visitors. Share the love.

HowieT2
01-17-2012, 02:16 PM
I completely agree, proper etiquette is to pull over to the side and let faster travelers pass. You are welcome to drive whatever speed you feel comfortable, just don't force the rest of us to drive slow and nervous like you.

Moreover, exit three is definitely longer and very windy, littered with speed traps, moose all over the place and should not be used by anyone to get to or from Sugarbush!!!!! Definitely take exit 4 or 5. Without a doubt they are the fastest. I hear that after Irene reconstruction, exit 9 is a super short cut and everyone should take that as the fastest and safest route to the mountain! ;-P

Silver cherokee....OK, now I got it. Yup, you haul Dude! It makes me proud to not have to wait behind you for a chance to pass!

Moose? where?

noski
01-17-2012, 02:17 PM
Moose? where?

hahaha

HowieT2
01-17-2012, 02:27 PM
hahaha

everyone is easily amused with snow on the ground. some of the threads from mid december were scary and should be analyzed by a psychiatrist.

gostan
01-17-2012, 04:31 PM
everyone is easily amused with snow on the ground. some of the threads from mid december were scary and should be analyzed by a psychiatrist.Dr. Sigmund Snow would have got a lot of billable couch hours if he was a pass holder.

Xskier
01-17-2012, 05:01 PM
I think you are right. Wow you understand MtnMan speak. Good. I could use you in the Castlerock at around 5pm as a translator. That is when it get real hard to understand. ;-)

MtnMan Speak is easy. I work with a lot of Indians. Now that is a challenge. In order to understand the MtnMan speak you need to level the playing field and drink a few extra cocktails. It reminds me of the Family Guy episode where Peter goes to Ireland to meet his Dad. That is funny stuff!!

teleo
01-17-2012, 08:48 PM
I totally understood Mtnman's reply. Works for me. Thanks for the info.