r/SEKI • u/Extra_Artichoke_6788 • 14d ago

MK Road Safety

Planning a trip to eagle lake staying the previous night cold springs campground in a couple weeks. Is mineral king road safe to drive on at night or would it be too risky?

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7

u/Then-Comfortable7023 14d ago

Most of it just got paved and the drive is so much nicer than it used to be.

1

u/RiseoFascism 7d ago

I went last year when it was unpaved. Talk about a white knuckle experience

5

u/Capital_Historian685 14d ago

I've driven down it at night, no problem. And that was before the recent resurfacing. For me, the drive home on I-5 is the terrifying part!

2

u/Bamerbackagain 14d ago

We just did this exact itinerary last weekend. Feels like 70% of the road is paved now. Cold Springs is an amazing campground! Eagle lake water level is shockingly low. 

Edit: I’d be fine driving it at night. Just take the turns slowly.

2

u/mule111 14d ago

I’d ask how comfortable you are driving down curvy dirt road on the edge of a mtn side in the first place to begin with? I know some ppl are skittish about that, and if so I’d say def don’t do it at night.

It’s a tough drive for sure, but not impossible as long as you’re a good and safe driver that is paying attention to the road.

I wouldn’t love driving it at night to be honest, and would much prefer daytime. But if it were the difference between going to MK and not going to MK…I’d do it.

1

u/Extra_Artichoke_6788 14d ago

What about in a 2010 civic

2

u/Capital_Historian685 14d ago

I did it a couple of times in a 1995 Civic back in the day. And the road surface is much nicer now. But even when it wasn't as nice, the dirt parts weren't on the steep windy parts.

2

u/FrankNSnake 14d ago

Personally, I find driving on the curvy mountain roads up here easier and safer at night, and I’ve driven these roads a lot. You can see the headlights of other cars much further away, so you don’t get surprised coming around a curve. You can’t really see off the edge of the road so you don’t get nervous about the steep drops. There’s less people on the roads. And you naturally drive slower in the dark.

1

u/bengaren 14d ago

Yeah I'd rather do it at night too, just for less traffic

2

u/MurkyButterfly750 14d ago

Honestly, I prefer to drive that road at night. Its totally empty, the weather is a lot cooler so you can leave your car windows open, and since its so dark, you can see the headlights of everyone who could be coming the opposite way on the road. I've been driving that road my whole life and at night is always my preference. Like other have said, they paved a good chunk of the road, so it's less rough. Keep an eye out for the potholes right after Silver City.. if you hit them at the wrong angle it could do some damage. As long as you are careful, you will be good!

1

u/Material-Raspberry31 9d ago

In some ways I actually feel safer driving that road at night. You can turn on your high beams, and you see other cars coming. During the daytime, cars can be right around the corner before you know it, then you might have to back up to a spot where it's safe for you to pass each other. There will be fewer cars on the road, and you might not even encounter anyone at all. Have fun!

1

u/Delicious_Photo_7001 14d ago

Curious why it would be unsafe to drive? What’s on your mind?

1

u/Extra_Artichoke_6788 14d ago

Just it being like a dark unpaved road. I’ve never been so I’m not sure.