Wolf Creek Pass and 444 Gears

[Forrest Nearing]

Thems fightin' werds!



.

I liked all those C. W. McCall songs back when I was 4yrs old... but I also liked Raffi... I kinda grew out of it, ya know?

 

[BarryG]

OX:

Wolf Creek on the east side isnt bad. The west side isnt that bad either. The only thing that really makes it anything is you cant fly up it at 60mph. In several places you have a sharp hairpin turn where you have to slow way down then build your speed back up, just to do it again at the next one. If empty it is nothing big, if hauling a load you just need to pay attention to what is coming up next instead of the scenery. In the winter time it can certainly be more of a challenge.



If you havent been there for several years then next time you will notice an improvement on the east side approach. They widened the road (at least part of it, the section from just east of Fun Valley to Moon Valley campgrounds) and put in a short little tunnel. Both of which help out or at least make it a bit safer when meeting an 18 wheeler coming the opposite direction.

 

[ox1]

Per widening the east side:



I doo recall one sweeping rh corner going west that the rocks were strait up from the pavement. It just looked like a box truck of eny length at all would rub up top if he tried to keep his tractor in his own lane. I studied that rock outcropping intently as I passed by, but didn't really see eny sure-fire signs of it "tradin' paint". ???





Forrest - so you don't like Gallapin' Goose either? (Pre-requisite for spending much time in Col as I understand. ) LOL!

 

[NPloysa]

I second that. A defnat pucker factor:-laf. But I do love Wolf Creek it is gorgous. This Saturday I'm taking the Harley over Independance, McClure, Kebler and Cottonwood passes with the wife. Should be a fun day

Pucker factor? No way! Maybe in a truck with a trailer. Not on a bike. This is a pucker factor. No Harleys, let alone trailers on this bad boy!



Black Bear Pass between 550 and Telluride

ADVrider - View Single Post - Black Bear Road and a GS??

ADVrider - View Single Post - Black Bear Road and a GS??



I personally have not done it. Bike is too big and I'm not experienced enough :{

 

[BrianJ]

No CTD's either (in a truck, anyway), they will not make the switchbacks on Black Bear Pass... only Jeeps and bikes belong on that pass...

 

[BDW]

Been there done that! I have video while hanging out the window of my Dads jeep. Believe it or not, my father in law has gone over in a K5 blazer!

 

[Turboman]

The pass over wolf creek is 10900ft where the road passes over. The observation point above the pass is about 11850 ft or so.

 

[Grizzly]

We'll be going over Wolf Creek Pass in about 3 weeks on a run, with the 5er in tow, to see the color changes in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. This is some of the most Beautiful Country in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[SHobbs]

Grizzly,



I will be up there starting on 9/28 thru 10/3. Me and my dad are staying in South Fork, looking forward to getting away from the heat here.

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



I will be up there starting on 9/28 thru 10/3. Me and my dad are staying in South Fork, looking forward to getting away from the heat here.

SHobbs, do you have a crystal ball where you can predict the optimum color change? We'll be there exactly at the same time. After a run to Ouray and Tellurite, Colorado, we plan on going over Wolf Creek Pass and stay in South Fork. Can you recommend an RV Park there?

 

[SHobbs]

Grizzly,



Check out Riverbend Resort - South Fork, Colorado 1-800-621-6512. Dan and Linda will take care of you they are great people. This has been our place to stay every year for skiing or summertime. Latest info on RV sites I have show

30 AMP

Non riverview 28/night, riverview 30/night

50AMP non riverview 30/night, riverview 32/night.



I have not had the chance to get my 5er up there yet we always rent a cabin when we go. Hopefully if fuel comes down some I can do it next year. Riverbend is about 3 miles from Southfork on 160 towards Pagosa Springs. If you have ever seen the movie Vacation with Chevy Chase Riverbend was the setting for Kamp Komfort.



As far as the color change, well everywhere. As you said it is beautiful up there.



Can also try

South Fork Colorado RV Park South Fork CO RV Park South Fork CO Recreational Vehicle Park

RV Park - Ute Bluff Lodge, South Fork, Colorado

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



Check out Riverbend Resort - South Fork, Colorado 1-800-621-6512. Dan and Linda will take care of you they are great people. This has been our place to stay every year for skiing or summertime. Latest info on RV sites I have show

30 AMP

Non riverview 28/night, riverview 30/night

50AMP non riverview 30/night, riverview 32/night.



I have not had the chance to get my 5er up there yet we always rent a cabin when we go. Hopefully if fuel comes down some I can do it next year. Riverbend is about 3 miles from Southfork on 160 towards Pagosa Springs. If you have ever seen the movie Vacation with Chevy Chase Riverbend was the setting for Kamp Komfort.



As far as the color change, well everywhere. As you said it is beautiful up there.



Can also try

South Fork Colorado RV Park South Fork CO RV Park South Fork CO Recreational Vehicle Park

RV Park - Ute Bluff Lodge, South Fork, Colorado

Thanks for all the good information SHobbs. I'll give them a call.

 

[SHobbs]

Grizzly,



I found a list of others you can check out.

Colorado Business Directory South Fork Lodging

 

[NPloysa]

RV Park - Ute Bluff Lodge, South Fork, Colorado

Stayed there two different times in one of the cabins. Very nice people and would like to stay there again.

 

[NPloysa]

No CTD's either (in a truck, anyway), they will not make the switchbacks on Black Bear Pass... only Jeeps and bikes belong on that pass...

I have pics of an '08 F-series pickup on it doing testing It was a factory test driver, so not something any Joe Blow should do. He actually rescued a BMW R1200GS up there

 

[JCasper]

I thought It was a great song, I enjoyed it.



Another good challenge is the Continental Divide going into Butte, Montana on I 90 going north. That's where I blew the big block gasser engine on my F250 Furd pulling a 29' 5er in 93.

I hardly remember that, my truck must of pulled it without problems

 

[BarryG]

Went over Wolf Creek westbound on Friday and eastbound on Sunday. East side colors are starting mostly down low. West side mostly the cottonwoods in the San Juan river bottom but some aspens starting low. Up higher maybe just the slightest hint of change. So my guess would be you guys going may hit it right around peak color time as long as the weather cooperates.

 

[Ragain]

Try Stevens Pass near Skykomish, WA. , La Manga and Cumbres Pass on RTE-17 in CO. (went over that one by accident in my big truck... . OOPS!)

The hardest "steady" pulls are Cabbage Patch, Pendleton OR. , grades North and South of Camp Verde, AZ. (I-17), Loveland and Vail Pass, CO. (eastbound), Homestake Pass, Butte, MT. , Dunsmuir, Tehachapi, Cajon, Grapevine Passes, CA. ,

Anyone been down the RTE-140 grade between NV. state line and Adel, OR. ? That is the one grade I do not like going down with just bumper-pull, let alone in big rig. No guard rail with sheer cliff and S-turns all the way down. 8-9% grade. Kinda reminded me of The Death Road in S. America.

Below is my old 359 Pete atop Crater Lake Pass, OR in 8' of snow.

 

[honda350rmx]

I live in Denver and pulling I the mountains is a way of life. The dealers should do there testing in the high mountains. I worked at Stewart& Stevenson when they were testing there new dd15. glad I will not be working on that pos. They do all there testing year round here. They get the altitude then they run down in AZ in the summer for that heat.



This summer I picked up a 40ft 5th wheel for a buddy that only had a Chevy gasser. Picked in up in Grand Junction and brought it back to Denver. All I have is a 03 with air filter 4” pipe egde ez set at 60hp and gauges. We ran the 65mp on the flats and did not drop below 55mph pulling vial or Eisenhower passes. Egts did not get above 1150. and when I filled up did hand cal and had done 13 mpg in fuel. The next day my buddy traded that pos gasser that could only get 6 best pulling the trailer and that’s in cali on the flats running 55mph. love CTD



His

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Mine 27ft with 19ft boat 74ft 11in have to stay with in the length laws



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Mine 27ft with 19ft boat 74ft 11in have to stay with in the length laws

 

[Grizzly]

The two photos are the Summit on Wolf Creek Pass two days ago on 8 Oct 08, which I though was a piece of cake compared to Red Mountain Pass going into Ouray, CO. the day before. Red Mountain Pass is full of switch backs and higher in elevation. Molas Pass south of Silverton was also challenging.