The northern 1/2 is not for Dec. Crator Lake is a snow

covered wilderness with road closures in winter. Mt Rainier is open in winter but driving snow covered mountain roads can be a challenge for many.

Snow chains may be required even on I-5 from Northern CA to Southern OR. And then the coastal hwy, as heavenly scenic as it may be, could be soaked by rain and get mud slide and road closure in winter.

Save the Northern 1/2 for more pleasant weather/time of the year and focus on the Southern 1/2. Keep you fingers crossed that CA doesn't get as much rain this year as it did last year.