Winter on Highway 26: What to Do When You Slide Off Near Sandy
Every winter, Highway 26 between Sandy and Government Camp eats cars. Black ice, sudden whiteouts, and drivers who underestimated the mountain turn a ski trip into a ditch situation. If it happens to you, here's what to do and what not to do.
Why Highway 26 is different
The stretch from Sandy up past Rhododendron climbs fast, and conditions change just as fast. It can be raining in Sandy and a whiteout at the summit 20 minutes later. ODOT does a good job, but no plow schedule beats a sudden ice storm. Most slide-offs happen in the same spots: shaded curves that freeze first, the descent grades where people ride their brakes, and anywhere the wind drifts snow across the lanes.
If you slide off: stay put and stay visible
Stay in the vehicle unless it's unsafe (e.g., you're in a travel lane or dangerous shoulder). You're warmer and more visible inside. If you are safely able to sit behind a guardrail or off the shoulder completely, do so safely.
Hazards on. If you have flares or reflective triangles and can place them safely, do it.
Call for help, then wait. Call (503) 253-3030. Tell us your direction of travel, the nearest milepost or landmark, and whether anyone's hurt (if so, call 911 first).
Don't spin your tires. Flooring it digs you deeper. If you're barely stuck, gentle rocking sometimes works. But if you're in the ditch, stop and wait for a winch.
Oregon chain law, in plain English
When ODOT posts chain requirements, they're not suggestions. Carry chains or traction tires from November through March if you're heading up the mountain. The fine for ignoring a chain-up sign is real, and so is the tow bill when you slide into a snowbank without them. Studded tires are legal in Oregon from November 1 through March 31.
How a winter recovery actually works
When we get a slide-off call on 26, we dispatch a wrecker or flatbed with a winch rated for the job. Our operators anchor, rig, and winch your vehicle back onto the pavement, usually without a scratch. For bigger vehicles or nasty embankments, we bring the heavy wreckers. Most winter winch-outs take under an hour once we're on scene.
Winter is coming. Save our number now, (503) 253-3030, before you're the one in the ditch watching the snow pile up.
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