American SW in December/January

[mokum]

Hi All!
I'm planning on doing an RV trip for 3 weeks from a few days prior to yule celebrations (for me at least), starting in LA, San Diego, Tijuana, Las Vegas, Canyons of all sorts, New Mexico, then up, Colorado, up more to Mt Rushmore, then back down, Salt lake city, across to San Fran, back down to LA and then back to the future. Keeping it all pretty open, so can see what we want when we want and all that. Distances are OK, lived in Australia for a few years, so 12 hours drives are no worries...but main queries I have are to do with the sky. What are driving conditions going to be like late December, early Jan? Should I expect to just need occasional use of snowchains in the mountains, or unexpectedly stay longer thank you very much Mr Blizzard?
Peoples opinions mean more to me than wikipinions

BTW, any "writers hangouts" in alberquerque?

[Savor Dam]

Mokum, just to establish credibility: I have lived all over the Western US for all but seven years of the last half-century.

Were it any other time of year, I would be advocating that you extend your trip north to Portland and Seattle...if not Vancouver. However, driving an RV that far north in December is pretty problematic.

If you are confident of your ability to drive an RV over mountain passes under snow chain conditions, your plan is fine. If you are not so sure, I would advise that you keep your crossings of the Sierras (the mountains between the western coast of the US and the desert interior) to the south. From Salt Lake City, head back south to LA, then travel up through California to San Francisco. Do not skip SF, and be sure to contact Cameraman Jenn (defacto leader of the SF contingent of Watchers) before visiting.

If you do make it to Portland and/or Seattle, please let me know.

[Damelon]

I've got to think that a lot of RV parks would be closed along the northern portion of that route in December and January.

[Savor Dam]

I've got to think that a lot of RV parks would be closed along the northern portion of that route in December and January.

It depends. Some, especially those off the beaten track, will be. A certain percentage of those open will be associated with membership organizations (Thousand Trails, for example) and not necessarily be available to those not affiliated with them or their partner organizations.

However, there is a considerable culture of seniors in this country who are full-time RV nomads, and there is a concommitant business network of year-round RV parks...or at least locations where one can stop overnight and find support services for the traveller who is not seeking a room for the night. This will be particularly true in the Southwest, since the snowbirds from less-conducive climates will be headed toward warmer places.

If nothing else is available, mokum will certainly find rest stops and truck stops where he can stop for the night. He may not always get a hook-up for power, water, or waste...but he won't be just pulled off on the side of the road either.

[mokum]

Thankyou very much for your advice guys, much appreciated.
Have accordingly changed the itineray to keep a bit further south.