Ever tow over CA108 from US395 to Sonora, CA?

[Bill Stockard]

The Mountain Directory says there is a short 26% grade over Sonora Pass and 10 miles of grades of 8 to 14%. I was thinking about hauling the Lance over this since it would be a short cut. It would be a workout for the 6 speed and PacBrake. Hey, I've never seen a 26% grade!! #ad


Bill

------------------
Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[Okie-Go]

I have never been there but is that the one they call Donner Pass. I have heard it is pretty steep.

------------------
2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Joe G.]

Donner Pass is I80. It's long but certainly not 26%. Sonora Pass is quite a bit south of Donner. I can't remember the highway. One thing to check is to see if the pass is open before you go. Some of the high Sierra passes open pretty late because of snow. Twenty feet of snow takes a while to melt down to where you can plow it.

------------------
Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Bob Wagner]

where could I find the mountain directory?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bob,

I got mine at Camping World several years ago. They have come in very handy when traveling off the interstates. There is a directory for the western US which covers 250 mountain passes and steep grades in 11 western states. The directory for the eastern US covers 300 mountain passes and steep grades in 11 eastern states. I think they were about $10-12 each--darned well worth it if you like traveling the mountains.

It seems like someone, maybe HVAC, said something about Sonora Pass before last year's May Madness. I would imagine it would still be closed at that time of year(end of May). I plan on going over later in the summer.

Bill



[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 03-08-2001). ]

 

[Bob Wagner]

Bill thank you for the info.

Willyslover is the sonora pass expert.

willyslover live near sonora

 

[illflem]

There was a lengthy debate here about a year ago if the Sonora Pass grade is as steep as they say. I've been over it several times and the east side is definitely steep,but I think 26% is stretching it even though that's what the sign says.

 

[arlan]

#ad



Guys, I have been over this pass a half dozen times and everytime I love it. Really beautiful up there. Bill, it would be a great drive to test your six speed and PacBrake with your Lance loaded. I do it with an automatic, PacBrake and Slide-in camper with a small trailer hooked up, so the six speed would make it a piece of cake. Thing is this year you probally won't be able to do it until some time in June. It is somewhere around 9800' and there has been a lot of snow this year. Illflem, I agree about the 26% sign possibly pushing the truth at bit. It is one of the better climbs I have seen though.

Arlan

------------------
98. 5 ISB QC 3500 4X4 3. 54, PowerMax1, DTT TC & VB, TY303 225/70/19. 5's on Rickson Wheels, 275 Injectors, Mag-Hytec Transmission Pan/Differential Cover, 9000 LB Warn Winch, Ultra Board Running Boards, Westach Combo Boost/EGT Transmission Temperature & Fuel Pressure gauges, Pac Brake, 2-lo kit, CB, GPS, Rancho 9000's, ATS exhaust manifold, JRE 4" exhaust with muffler and resonator. Lifetime NRA Member

[This message has been edited by arlan (edited 03-08-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

I think a steeper road is the one south of Sonora Pass,Tioga Pass on SR120. It's just a hair short of 10,000 ft and only 12 miles to the desert below at Lee Vining. I drove it once in late June when the road was in a 20 foot canyon plowed out of the snow,not much of a view that day.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Apple Guy,

Yes, I've been over Tioga Pass several times both directions on CA 120 going from Lee vining to Yosemite Nat'l Park. I didn't tow the 5th wheel--just drove the truck solo. We parked the 5th wheel in Lee Vining at a real nice RV Park there and drove over to Yosemite.

No snow that trip, but I have been to Yellowstone National Park in late May-early June and the conditions were like you said about Tioga. Driving down a 10-12' high snow bank lined highway--sure can't see much.

Bill

 

[Bill Stockard]

arlan,

Thanks for the report. I'll probably have to give my wife a handful of tranqualizers before we go. #ad
At least I and Annie the wiener dog will enjoy the ride.

I'll stop and get a photo of that sign too. The Mountain Directory says that a CA Highway Dept official has calculated the grade and it is really 26%. I gotta see it!!

I have a lot more nerve taking the Lance over roads like this than the 5er. I've taken trailers over a lot of steep passes, but they were smaller and lighter than our current 5er and I was younger and a little more brave(dumb)then too.

Bill

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bob,

Willyslover... ... . Hmmm... . Hey,that's the guy who tries to mow down pine trees with his Dodge Ram #ad


Yes, I was thinking there was a discussion on here about Sonora Pass and it was about May Madness time last year--just couldn't remember who--old age setting in.

Bill

 

[illflem]

Bill,here's the best old post on Sonora

Originally posted by dfuller:
Drystock2, I presently live in San Jose, but my home town is Sonora and I have to disagree with Willyslover comment about Tioga being the worst. The worst pass is Sonora Pass. It has at least two sets of switch backs and the road is very narrow, barely two cars wide. The worst double switch back (like a "S")is on the west side just after Chipmunk Flat, the first part of it you can see the traffic coming, but the second part is around a blind corner going to the left just as you head up an even more steeper grade alongside Deadman Creek. Even with a 24 foot trailer you will have to take the entire corner and just hope no one is coming down from the other direction. If someone is coming, the grade is a least 8 - 9 % and they will have a difficult time stopping in time. The other impressive corner in on the east side at the bottom of a long down grade going into Levitt Meadow. In short, do not take a trailer over Sonora Pass the first time you drive over it.
Tioga Pass road on the east side as I said in my previous message is steep, but the road is wide, good visibility, with long straight and sweeping corners.
For your knowledge I have driven over all of the Sierra passes except I haven't taken my trailer or will I ever take it over Sonora Pass.
Over the last forty years, I guess I have driven over Sonora Pass at least 50 times. Probably the most fun time was when I was coming back from Hot August Nites in my 66 Dodge GT Dart, 340 cu in, 4 speed charging up the east side. What a blast especially turning it loose going up the last steep section just before the top. It is nearly straight up after crossing over a short bridge in a gully leading into a slow corner going to the left, then straight up the side of the mountain to the top. Can you imagine being near 10,000 feet, pulling 3rd gear around 60 mph and can not obtain anymore speed because both rear tires are spinning.
Don't get me wrong I wasn't driving recklessly, I shut it down well before I got to the top. I know Sonora Pass like the back of my hand.
Well, in short knowing Sonora Pass, I would not attempt it or even suggest to anyone taking a 24 foot or longer trailer over this pass because of the narrowest, switch back blind corners.
In closing, here is my 2 cents for rating the sierra passes starting with the easiest (1) to the most difficult (6).
1. Donner Pass (hiway 80)
2. Echo Pass (hiway 50)
3. Carson Pass (hiway 88) my favorite for scenery
4. Ebbits Pass (hiway 4) road barely two cars wide and a lot of tight corners, but not real steep.
5. Tioga Pass (hiway 120)
6. Sonora Pass (hiway 108)

 

[Brandon]

call me a pu$^Y but I would not take that road loaded, especially eastbound, west bound loaded is easier, not to mention its closed till almost may, man I would take I-80
ca108 is closed during the winter and we snowmobile that route all winter, the furthest we go is kennedy meadows during the summer loaded, not only do you have to worry about the road but all the other idiots travelling at the same time as you
B

------------------
END THE OPPRESSION FREE HVAC NOW
Danelle's Dodge

 

[Bill Stockard]

Apple Guy,

Thanks for looking up the old post. It pretty well sums it up. Also I appreciate the rating on the other passes. I have yet to make Ebbett or Carson. The closest we have come to Carson is the CA88 and CA89 intersection. We have always turned east toward Gardnerville. The next time we are in Tahoe with the Lance, I'll take Carson Pass instead of Echo Pass and US 50 for something different. I will also check out Markleville the next time we are in the Tahoe area. I have read a couple of magazine articles on that town and while we are there, we'll make a run over Ebbetts Pass. My wife's uncle lives in South Lake Tahoe so that's a good excuse go to No. CA and travel around the area.

Brandon, the biggest danger to traveling those winding mountain pass roads is the other fools out there. The get on these roads and try to drive them like an Interstate Highway!

Thanks for the information everybody. I'm planning another trip out west in the Lance this year--that means roaming around on State and US Highways and no Interstates. When we take the 5er we usually take the easier roads and go to stay in one place a while.

Bill

 

[HDH]

Bill, I have driven the Sonora Pass, And It Is a Nice Slow Drive once you get near the top. On the west side of the Peak , there is a short steep curvey climb,And Like Brandon Said, On the East Side There is a Wild Curvey Climb and I would not want to come down on the east side loaded. But I have seen Fifth Wheel and Travel Trailers up at the top Near Soda Creek. Last year it was open in late june when i was there. There is a Nice Campground on the westside of the pass called Darndanelles (sp?). They have a general store with a small fueling station. Dont know if they have diesel though.
On the East side of the Pass, Near 395, The is a Marine Winter training camp.

But, I want to say one thing, The pass is a series of 8%,12%,26% grades for around 10miles.
One of the most sceinic drives I have taken.
Doug.
P. S. When i was up there last year, there were also two MotorHomes broke down on the pass, With steam blowing out from their hoods and transmission fluid running back down the road.

[This message has been edited by DieselRam (edited 03-10-2001). ]

 

[arlan]

#ad


This is a tiny lake (Mosquito Lake) that is up at the top of Ebbits Pass. I had to shrink the image was down so the resolution is poor.

 

[DocStressor]

I've driven all of the passes mentioned in this post with a loaded Lance. The scenery is indeed spectacular! I recommend that you drive them all! There is lot's of good advice in this thread; Sonora is the worst and it is easier to climb the switch backs going East to West. But don't worry, the guy in front of you will probably be slowing YOU down. Unless you are in a hurry, take Rt 88 (Carson Pass) back from the Sac Valley to get to South Lake Tahoe via Rt 89. Rt 50 is faster, but the views aren't much.

I don't consider switchbacks to be a challenge with a properly rigged slide in as long as the road is paved and you don't have to back up and do a 3 point turn to get through them. I've been there, done that, but don't care to do it anymore.


------------------
1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

[Bill Stockard]

Thanks everyone for all the good advice!!

These passes are on my CA to do list.

Arlan, that photo is very good of the lake on top of Ebbitts Pass.

Lee, you are right about US 50 from Sac to Tahoe--not much scenery, just lots of traffic; however, the view of Lake Tahoe is pretty going down the east side of Echo. Carson Pass the way we are going next time. I have a cousin in Vallejo that we visit when we visit my wife's uncle in South Lake Tahoe.

Yep I've been on some of those roads where the truck is too long to make the switch back and you have to back up to make a second try.

Bill