The Ultimate Car Kit for Winter Driving in Siskiyou

With lots of fresh snow on Mount Shasta and more winter weather on the horizon, we thought weโ€™d put together the ultimate insiderโ€™s guide to a winter driving kit, whether youโ€™re assembling your own or trying to measure up the effectiveness of one thatโ€™s ready-made. A few extra minutes planning could make all the difference in an emergency (especially if youโ€™re planning a trip into the back country!) and being prepared will keep your journey through Californiaโ€™s north fun โ€“ and hopefully minimize any stress of getting stranded in the snow!ย 

Minimal Supplies

If youโ€™re just driving up Interstate 5 and through Siskiyouโ€™s quaint towns, you can likely get away with a smaller winter kit.ย  But at the very least this is what we recommend:

  • Tire Chainsย  (Cable chains are easiest and there are often checkpoints throughout the county that are put in place to make sure youโ€™re carrying chains so theyโ€™re always good to have on hand. Some places like Les Schwab in Yreka and Redding will even let you return unused sets of chains so thereโ€™s no excuse not to carry them!)
  • LED Headlamp (hands-free!) or flashlight (preferably with batteries and a strobe function for signaling)
  • Bottledย water
  • Snacks (especially high protein bars that wonโ€™t freeze)
  • Road flares orย reflective warningย triangles
  • First Aid Kit
  • Jumper Cables
  • Winter clothes (gloves, boots, jacket, insulated hat)
  • Collapsible Shovel
  • Tire gauge to checkย inflation pressure in all four tires and the spareย 
  • Jack and lug wrench to change aย tire
  • Ice scraper/Snowbrush
  • Lighter and box ofย matches
  • Spare change andย cash
  • Phone charger

Wise Additional Supplies:Ultimateย 

Depending on where youโ€™re headed in Siskiyou, many of these items will be overkill.ย  But an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure โ€“ and make you feel like youโ€™re on a true adventure!

  • Multi-wick survival candle (Surprisingly cheap, these are great to have on hand in the event you get stuck in the snow as both a light source and heat source since running your car can be dicey โ€“ either by running out of gas or having ice block the engineโ€™s exhaust and sending poisonous carbon monoxide into the cab.)
  • Duct Tape (use it to fix radiator hoses, a hole in your clothing, or just about anything.ย  You can even attach your keys to your person so they donโ€™t get lost in the snow!ย  Pro-Tip: Orange and pink also work especially well as signaling tape from your carโ€™s antenna.)
  • Portable air compressor (Powered by the 12v outlet this handy and compact tool can help fill a low spare or fill a flat because in cold weather, pressure-related tire failures are quite common)
  • Can of Fix-A-Flat
  • Simple toolkit (like screwdrivers, pliers, multi-tool and an adjustable wrench)
  • Baby Wipes (to clean hands)
  • Rainย poncho
  • Batteryโ€“ or hand-crankโ€“poweredย radio
  • Paperย maps & compass (and know how to use them!)
  • Tow Strap
  • Carpet Strips 1โ€™x 4โ€™ or a bag of sand or kitty litter (this will help with tire traction to help get you un-stuck in snow)
  • Notepad & Pencil
  • A stainless steel or enamel cup to melt snow in (either put the cup on the engine block or over your candle to heat)

A Few Pro-Tips

  • Clean snow and ice off your headlights and tail-lights so youโ€™re more visible
  • Observe the โ€˜quarter tank is emptyโ€™ rule
  • Carry matches AND a butane lighter.ย  Matches donโ€™t work if theyโ€™re wet, and butane won’t go to a gaseous state below 15 degrees F. If a Bic is all youโ€™ve got, warm it in your hand (or armpit!) a little while before using it.
  • Carry a fully charged, unactivated cell phone in your glove box. 911 service is a mandatory feature and usually no SIM card required.ย  It will ensure youโ€™ve got a lifeline!
  • Restore proper windshield wiper blade action by smoothing the rubber blades with fine sandpaper
  • Before you head out, fog-proof your mirrors and windshield with shaving cream. Just spray and wipe it off with paperย towels.
  • Always put your pack where you can reach it!

True MacGyver Status

Chances are you will never need any of these in Siskiyou, but who doesnโ€™t want a few wilderness survival hacks in their back pocket?ย 

  • Carry a couple of cans of tuna fish in oil, and a can opener.ย  If you need a survival candle, poke a hole in the can, insert a wick (you can always use a cotton shoelace!) and let it burn.ย  Once the oil burns up, eat the tuna.
  • Use the car mirrors and your headlamp or flashlight as signal mirrors
  • Brush up on SOS in Morse code (or bring a manual for reference!)
  • If you get stuck, change the answering message on your cell phone (before it dies!) to alert people to send help.ย  Let them know where you are and what the date is in the message.
  • Magnesium Metal matches.ย  Just about foolproof once you know how to use them!


At the end of the day, if you have to drive in bad weather, the best advice is use common sense and don’t panic!ย  Usually getting stuck is nothing more than an inconvenience that will make for a good adventure story when you return to warmer climes.

๐ŸŽถ Southern Oregonโ€™s legendary Rogue Suspects are bringing the groove to the Yreka Summer Concert Series this Friday, July 18! ๐ŸŽธ๐ŸŒŸ

Join us at the park for a night of classic, high-energy jams you wonโ€™t want to miss. Bring your lawn chairs, your dancing shoes, and your summer vibes! โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿ’ƒ

๐ŸŽค Music starts at 6:30 PM
๐Ÿ“ Miner Street Park, Yreka
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Free & family-friendly!
๐ŸŒฎ Food + Beverage Trucks On-Site

#YrekaSummerConcerts #RogueSuspects #LiveMusicYreka #SiskiyouVibes #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #redding #mtshasta #yreka #southernoregon #medford #ashland #norcal
๐Ÿš—โœจ Etna, CA: where charm meets adventure in the heart of the Siskiyous. From artisan butcher shops to mountain trails and locally brewed beers, this little town packs a big punch. ๐ŸŒ„๐Ÿป 

What's your favorite spot in Etna?

#SmallTownExpeditions #EtnaCalifornia #DiscoverSiskiyou #HiddenGems #RoadTripVibes #siskiyou #etna #siskiyoucounty #smalltowns #norcal #mountaintowns
๐ŸŒฒโœจ Tucked away in the heart of the Klamath National Forest, Happy Camp is your gateway to wild beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. Whether you're casting a line in the Klamath River, hiking through ancient forests, or just soaking in the quiet, there's something peacefulโ€”and powerfulโ€”about this special corner of West Siskiyou.

๐Ÿš— Take the scenic drive and discover why it's called Happy Camp.

#DiscoverSiskiyou #HappyCampCA #VisitCalifornia #NorCalHiddenGems #KlamathRiver #AdventureAwaits
Happy Fourth of July! ๐ŸŽ†

Whether youโ€™re chasing waterfalls, hiking under the stars, kayaking on crystal-clear lakes, or enjoying a local festivalโ€”Siskiyou is the perfect place to make holiday memories.

๐ŸŽ‡ Please remember to recreate responsibly - do not light your own fireworks, and pack out all of your trash! Tag us in your weekend fun using #DiscoverSiskiyou and stay safe out there! ๐Ÿ—ป๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ’ฅ

๐Ÿ“ธ: @livelikeitsthewknd

#discoversiskiyou #seesiskiiyou #visitcalifornia #norcal #california #adventure #pnw #chasingwaterfalls #granolagirls #mtshasta
Who are you sending this to ๐Ÿ‘€ #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #waterfall #waterfallwednesday #norcal #california #visitcalifornia
๐ŸŒŸYreka Golden City Days 2025๐ŸŒŸ

Celebrating Yrekaโ€™s rich history, community, and small-town charm on historic Miner Street ๐Ÿช•๐Ÿ—๐Ÿปโ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿค 

From live music and mouthwatering barbecue to historic tours and a Fatherโ€™s Day car show โ€” this is where memories are made. ๐Ÿ’›

 #GoldenCityDays #Yreka #SmallTownStrong #SiskiyouSummer #discoversiskiyou #siskiyou #norcal #smalltown
๐ŸŒŠ McCloud Upper Falls ๐Ÿ’™
Quick stop, BIG views.
Easy trail, epic water flow, and that fresh mountain air ๐ŸŒฒโ›ฐ๏ธ

If you want to see Siskiyou's waterfalls at their peak, now is the time!

๐Ÿ“ธ: @heidy_dianeth 

๐Ÿ“ McCloud, CA
๐Ÿ’ฆ Part of the 3 McCloud River Falls
๐ŸŒฒ Perfect for a peaceful escape

#McCloudFalls #discoversiskiyou #NorCalHikes #WaterfallVibes #MtShasta #norcal  #HikingCalifornia
Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir = pure magic! ๐Ÿ’ง๐Ÿ’™

This hidden gem is a short, easy hike with a big reward โ€” a stunning waterfall you can actually walk behind! ๐ŸŒฒ๐ŸŒŠ

๐Ÿ“ธ: @may_hz7 

๐Ÿ“ Location: Just off I-5 near Dunsmuir
๐Ÿฅพ Trail: Super easy, family-friendly

#siskiyou #siskiyoucounty #norcal #discoversiskiyou #HedgeCreekFalls  #WaterfallWanderlust #NorCalNature #HiddenGems
๐ŸŒฒโœจ Accessible adventures await in Siskiyou! From wheelchair-friendly trails to scenic drives with epic views, there's something for everyone to explore. Nature should be for all โ€” and in Siskiyou, it truly is. โ™ฟโค๏ธ

Click the link in our bio for accessible Siskiyou adventures.

๐Ÿ“ธ: @wheelchairtraveling 

#AccessibleAdventures #DiscoverSiskiyou #NatureForAll #WanderWithoutLimits
Chasing light, finding peace. ๐ŸŒ„โœจ

Mt. Shasta glowing in the golden hourโ€”nature really showing off.

๐Ÿ“ธ: @happylustig 

#MtShasta #SunsetVibes #NatureHeals #WanderMore #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #california #norcal