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Oregon's chain law applies to all highways in the state, on every day of the year. Oregon does not use another state's control levels: in a snow zone, ODOT posts one of the sign levels below, and the posting in effect at Siskiyou Summit right now is shown at the top of this page, read live from the ODOT report.
The current summit posting applies in both directions unless ODOT splits them: Northbound: check the status above. Southbound: check the status above.
You must have chains or traction tires in or on your vehicle, the right size for it, and enough of them to meet Oregon's minimum chain requirements. Nothing has to be installed yet; this is the posting that tells you the mountain ahead may make you use them.
You must use chains if your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less and is towing, and on any single drive axle vehicle rated over 10,000 pounds GVW whether towing or not. Chains must also be used on the trailer or vehicle being towed. Lighter vehicles that are not towing may use traction tires instead of chains.
Chains go on every vehicle that is towing and every vehicle rated over 10,000 pounds GVW, including the trailer. If your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds GVW or less and is not towing, you must use chains or traction tires.
The strongest posting, used when the standard restrictions are not enough for the conditions. Chains are required on some or all vehicles regardless of traction tires; a typical Siskiyou posting reads chains required on all vehicles except four wheel drive unless towing. Officers check vehicles at the control point, and traction tires alone do not get you through.
On Oregon's designated snow zone routes you must carry chains or traction tires from November 1 through April 1 regardless of the day's weather, and a posting can go up any time conditions turn. Carry chains that fit your tires, and practice putting them on at home in daylight. The chain up areas on a summit grade are no place to learn in the dark at 25 degrees.
Traction tires are tires rated for severe snow service, marked with the mountain and snowflake symbol. When a posting allows them in place of chains, they go on the drive wheels in the pattern Oregon's minimum chain requirements describe.
The same Oregon law and sign levels apply on the Cascade passes. Check Santiam Pass, Willamette Pass, and Government Camp before you reroute in a storm, because each pass carries its own posting.
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