Western Mountain Passes May 23, 2018, 03:58:35 pm I think we have driven most of the mountain passes in the US. I think the ones over the coastal mountains in N Cal are the most dangerous. Narrow, logging trucks and lots of traffic. As a group, I think the three over the Big Horns stand out. [14, 14A, and 16]This one may be Ebbetts. I can not recall for sure. I am sure many will recognize it. As for being steep, it did not impress us, but I have never seen a sign for a grade steeper than 24%.
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #1 – May 23, 2018, 04:02:50 pm "This one may be Ebbetts."Doubt if it's Ebbetts, could very well be Sonora, Hwy 108. Just got back from there!
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #2 – May 23, 2018, 04:45:14 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - May 23, 2018, 04:02:50 pm"This one may be Ebbetts."Doubt if it's Ebbetts, could very well be Sonora, Hwy 108. Just got back from there! So, Steve, there's gotta be something more...exciting...whiteknuckling to the story, given the sign advised against vehicles over 25 feet. Given the anxiety I felt going over the Divide on I-70, I'm up for a Paul Harvey rest-of-the-story...let me live vicariously through that adventure. Lynne 1 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #3 – May 23, 2018, 05:07:53 pm Quote from: Don Malpas - May 23, 2018, 03:58:35 pmI think we have driven most of the mountain passes in the US. I think the ones over the coastal mountains in N Cal are the most dangerous. Narrow, logging trucks and lots of traffic. As a group, I think the three over the Big Horns stand out. [14, 14A, and 16]This one may be Ebbetts. I can not recall for sure. I am sure many will recognize it. As for being steep, it did not impress us, but I have never seen a sign for a grade steeper than 24%.Steve has it right, it's Sonora Pass.The Mountain Directory West shows it having grades up to 26%, indicating it to be long, narrow and winding with steep hair pin turns. It isn't advisable for vehicles over 25'.It's a hard one to pull a toad over. It's steep almost the entire way, in either direction, not a great place to find out the brakes and/or cooling system are not in top condition.Larry
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #4 – May 23, 2018, 05:52:59 pm "...let me live vicariously through that adventure."When I was a young Marine (1958) a buddy introduced me to Hwy 108, more commonly known as the Sonora Pass Road, and specifically Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station. Kennedy is located shortly beyond Dardanelles resort and before you start up the final grade to the top. There is a USFS campground at the intersection of Hwy 108 and the Kennedy Meadows road called 'Baker'. As to the pass itself, yes, there are grades as steep as 24% and switch-backs to match. I would no more think of driving my 30'IB over that pass than jump into boiling oil! In a car, okay. In fact, my friend Annie and I were up there just last Friday. Lots of snow along the road, the streams are boiling down the mountain as the snow melts off and it was a spectacular drive, both ways. We ate in the café at the Lodge several times, the most notable of which was Sunday night when we ordered the Prime Rib Special, soup & salad, with baked potato, topped off with Bread Pudding and Jack Daniels Sauce, all for $25. 4 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #5 – May 23, 2018, 07:34:05 pm I remember in the late 50's traveling west on SR 108 from US 395 in a Chrysler Imperial and a 14' trailer. I recall my mother's "that sign says travel trailers not recommended" and my father's "this is a camping trailer". . . I recall that when we stopped at Kennedy Meadows I had never seen my father so nervous and my first whiff of burning brakes. 2 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #6 – May 23, 2018, 08:21:47 pm Wow, 24%! I've never been through the Sonora Pass, as far as I can recollect, but it's going on the list now . . . albeit in the Subaru! 1 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #7 – May 23, 2018, 10:33:19 pm I'm with the Sonora Pass folks. I've been over it several times -- once (and the last!!) time I did it on a bicycle! That said, it doesn't get more "white-knucklin'" than driving an RV southbound on NorCal Highway 1 from Leggett. 2 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #8 – May 24, 2018, 07:36:35 am I can not recall the road south of Leggett it must have been bad, as I do recall bailing out and going east on 20 to Willets. Talk about from the frying pan to the fire. Folks passing on the inside of switchbacks, logging trucks, etc.Somewhere south of Crescent City there is a twisty-turny section right on the cliffs. Usually some bikers present. Other traffic is never pleased with me for driving the speed limit.I pick CA for having the majority of hair-raising mountain roads. Combine that with the pot-hole roads in the valleys and you have.. well something unique. 2 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #9 – May 24, 2018, 09:41:12 am Highway 70 thru the Feather River Canyon has its moments, as well. Highway 50 over Monarch Pass in Colorado has a few interesting drop-offs. I guess all the western states have memorable (i.e. nerve-wracking) roads and passes. 1 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #10 – May 24, 2018, 09:56:53 am The new Monarch pass has nice views and al bet and a slow climb. 25 mph as i remember.
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #11 – May 24, 2018, 10:32:17 am Has anyone here driven General's Highway (Hwy. 198) between Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks in their Lazy Daze?https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sequoia+National+Park/@36.5480799,-118.8003349,12.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x440adff99f1ef464!8m2!3d36.4863668!4d-118.5657516
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #12 – May 24, 2018, 11:28:33 am Thx, Steve, for the Paul Harvey...so a no-go on the 30'IB relieves me of any illusion the sign is a suggestion. When I finally get around to following the bear who went over the mountain out there I'll need to plan a base of operations where a rental car can be delivered, since I don't tow & Ray's bicycle method is not in my future, either. I've been thinking about Ladeze in September. With my aunt gone, Denver is no longer a must stop, & I've been looking at new territory. I generally prefer the slower pace & smaller towns of the US routes & numbered state roads over the Interstates. With these discussions about mountain driving I'd certainly appreciate the experience & thoughts of y'all in the west.The venue is Pine Valley Recreation Area, northeast of St. George, UT. North Missouri across Nebraska into Loveland looks to be on a par with my usual route on US 36 to Denver, but from there on it looks like I'd generally be in the mountains. From Loveland I was thinking about US 34 through Rocky Mtn National Park (Trail Ridge Road) to Hot Sulphur Springs. I remember The Aunt & Uncle taking us on several jaunts up to Estes Park (they especially enjoyed sharing The Other Side restaurant with us) & then going on into the Park to watch for all possible critters--the kids & I did The Alpine Ridge Trail from the Visitors' Ctr (actually, Bill & I hiked it...Maggie was in the backpack carrier most of the way). I remember the road being good, but we were in their Suburban, not a 30' RV--looking at Google maps I see there are a number of switchbacks & tight curves (though TripAdvisor had a discussion of someone doing it in a 25' rig). The Aunt & Uncle would loop back to I-70 & back into Denver, but I'm looking at continuing on US 40. Branching off onto US 191 to US 6 to UT 96 which turns into UT 264 then UT 31 would get me to Fairview. From Fairview US 89 goes south to Salina, where I'm looking at UT 24 to UT 62 to UT 22 to UT 12 which briefly reconnects with US 89 to UT 14 which goes to UT 56 at Cedar City, from there UT 56 connects to UT 18 at Beryl Junction south to Pine Valley Hwy E through Central, UT, and then FH 035 into the Pine Valley Recreation Area. Even with just the 2D Google map satellite views I can tell there is lots of high terrain which will be a learning experience compared to Kansas, but I can also see there are circular irrigation fields visible which I take to be several valley areas.In Missouri the numbered state roads out here in the boonies are hard surfaced & adequate width for the RV (because the farm trucks/machinery use them), but there is certainly the sense that they just followed a cowpath over the hills & dales--I can go faster over the hills in the van than I'd ever think of in the LD. After reading the discussion that started this thread & Steve's comment about not taking his 30'IB/Joel's recollection of his father with the 14' travel trailer on that state road, I'm wondering about the route I've been looking at...how do I assess, before I get to one of those Oh-My-God points The Aunt used to talk about going in her Jeep, where I can't turn around & I don't know how to get out because I don't know the country? I can remember when I got my first front wheel drive minivan that it took me on some snowy farm roads I'd have never tried with my previous rear wheel drive sedans--but I'm now a bit smarter & realize I shouldn't have tried those roads in the first place & it was just pure dumb luck that I got out of some of those spots ; I'm not interested in testing pure dumb luck as much as I once was. So, from you who are familiar with western/mountain driving in less populated areas, has anyone been in these areas? What should I be aware of? How crazy is it for me to consider this? I got the LD to get out & about to see what the bear saw & stretch myself by doing the unfamiliar, but I am also much more aware of what I don't know & the importance of not bumbling off into the unknown without some preparation--especially from those who have been there/done that.Thx, so much.Lynne
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #13 – May 28, 2018, 04:41:20 pm Late to this thread, but my favorite knuckler was the Moki Dugway: Geology of National ParksLoni was terrified each time a switchback put the passenger side on the precipice. 😬 — Jon
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #14 – May 29, 2018, 06:43:23 am Quote from: Jon & Loni - May 28, 2018, 04:41:20 pmLate to this thread, but my favorite knuckler was the Moki Dugway: Geology of National ParksLoni was terrified each time a switchback put the passenger side on the precipice. 😬 — JonWe consider that road tame. Loni would sure not want to ride with us on some of Jeep trails we like.
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #15 – May 29, 2018, 08:49:43 am Quote from: Jon & Loni - 16 hours agoLate to this thread, but my favorite knuckler was the Moki Dugway: Geology of National ParksLoni was terrified each time a switchback put the passenger side on the precipice. 😬 -- JonQuote from: Don Malpas - May 29, 2018, 06:43:23 amWe consider that road tame. Loni would sure not want to ride with us on some of Jeep trails we like.My aunt in Denver used to relish telling about the Oh-My-God Road between Idaho Springs & Central City, & the effect on the Missouri visitors she would take on that trek in her jeep--she was disappointed that by the time my kids & I were making our annual sojourn it had been turned into something quite tame so the tourists could get to the casinos at Central City & Black Hawk.Lynne
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #16 – May 29, 2018, 01:16:57 pm Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood - May 24, 2018, 11:28:33 amSo, from you who are familiar with western/mountain driving in less populated areas, has anyone been in these areas? What should I be aware of? How crazy is it for me to consider this? I got the LD to get out & about to see what the bear saw & stretch myself by doing the unfamiliar, but I am also much more aware of what I don't know & the importance of not bumbling off into the unknown without some preparation--especially from those who have been there/done that.Thx, so much.LynneYes, you can drive a 30' motorhome over Trail Ridge Road. You better be reasonably well versed in mountain driving. There is no shoulder and the road will be full of inattentive people not used to mountain driving themselves doing erratic things. If you have a toad, that is a whole additional consideration, at 12,000 feet your motorhome will be gasping.The road on the West side of the park is steep and has many hairpins. You need to be very proficient in engine braking and maintaining speed WITHOUT riding your brakes. The hairpins are not super tight, but again, you will have inattentive traffic, so be prepared to have people drifting into your lane on them. Rabbit Ears Pass by Steamboat has a line decline to also manage braking. West of Craig, you enter desert and it is deserted. I think Maybell would be your last chance for gas for a long time. You run right by Dinosaur National Monument, so definitely make the stop. I don't know much about the Utah roads, but your route has you crossing the Wasatch Front Range. The west side of the range is steep and drops a ton of Altitude, so again, engine braking is key. 1 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #17 – May 29, 2018, 01:22:29 pm Red Mountain Pass is interesting.It isn't ridiculously steep, but is a highway built to 1920's standards (narrow lanes, no shoulders, twisty), often perched on a shelf 300-1000 feet above the canyon floor. No guardrails. Most of the pass is in avalanche zones which would rip out the gaurdrails every year if they bothered to install them. In good weather, it is not super difficult to drive. I drive my LD over it several times a year, usually pulling a boat trailer. But, zero tolerance for mistakes. This road is open in Winter. I've never been more scared driving than being on this road in a whiteout blizzard. 4 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #18 – May 29, 2018, 07:47:40 pm This thread got me wondering what are some of the worst roads in the world and how does the US compare? You be the judge:16 Of The Most Dangerous Roads In The World 1 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #19 – May 30, 2018, 07:05:45 am Quote from: Jeff Newman - May 29, 2018, 01:22:29 pmRed Mountain Pass is interesting.This road is open in Winter. I've never been more scared driving than being on this road in a whiteout blizzard.you are a better driver than I Gunga DinThere was a short-lived TV show about drving that road in the winter in a tanker truck, ambulance, etc.It's the on-coming traffic that you need to watch out for, even the ones on the inside. 1 Likes
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #20 – May 30, 2018, 10:48:59 am Jeff--Thx for that response...& the picture Knowing that another has navigated it in an LD (& with a boat trailer at that!) is so valuable...sinceI don't tow, that's one less worry. I've read, taken to heart, & used the wisdom on this site about gearing down & engine braking up & over with the wider lanes of I-70. Don's original post & picture made me realize I need to get some first hand been-there-done-that as I planned this journey.These experiences have also helped me learn the art of slowing down (& practicing my deep breathing)--if somebody thinks they need to barrel on past me...or drift into my lane, I can wait for them to do that...going slower gives me better reaction time & an inch-worm gets wherever he's going eventually (unless he gets eaten )--plus inching up & down those inclines lets me see what the bear went to see on the other side of the mountain.Thx, also for the word about fueling at Maybell."This road is open in Winter. I've never been more scared driving than being on this road in a whiteout blizzard." Lord love a duck...and I was whiteknuckle terrified in a whiteout blizzard where I couldn't see the nose of my white minivan on US 36--with no mountains to drop off of--heading east Thanksgiving of '05 (thought we were getting out of Denver ahead of the storm, but started getting flakes about Cope & had snowpacked roads within about an hour...took 8 hours to make the usual 4 hour distance to Norton where we finally holed up for the night (if I'd had the LD I would have quit sooner).Thx, again, Jeff. Any wisdom from those who have done the Utah section I'm looking at, through the Wasatch/etc.?Lynne
Re: Western Mountain Passes Reply #21 – November 05, 2018, 03:02:36 pm OK, unless the road looks like this one, suck it up, no complaining. 4 Likes
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