Steep and steeper

[hammersley]

Ok - this has probably been discussed before - but for my info - considering the Interstate system only - what's the steepest highway grade/worst hill to pull that you've experienced. One of the steepest I can think of is Cabbage or Emigrant Hill Just East of Pendleton Oregon - about 9 miles of 6% Interstate with some very sharp curves, but the view on a clear day looking west - hard to beat - one can see Mt Hood and Mt Adams over 100 miles away. You know what sort of truck you have pulling Cabbage Hill in the summer - and the winter - well that's another story altogether.

 

[Champane Flight]

Pulled Cabbage many times,it is a good pull. Got closed one time and had to layover in La Grande for a couple of days. I don't know Eisenhower pass on 70 is a good pull but not quite as steep,but the pull out of Denver is a long one. Then of course Vail,but since four lane not bad. There is a good pull up in Montana on 90,I don't know the grade though. But really loved pulling Cabbage last summer with the fifthwheel and passing Fords.

------------------
95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[Archive]

ChampaneFlight... hopefully you passed my fatherinlaw! He lives at the first exit as you crest Cabbage hill. He just called a few days ago... sold his 97, bought a 2001. Oh well, ya can't pick your relatives that easily!
I love that hill... the curves are what slow ya down tho... they are TIGHT!
I have spent the last five or so Christmas' there. I am hoping to close on some retirement property there by April... it is beautiful!

 

[rob10858]

guys come on to the east coast and try some of our slopes. sandston mtn on i 64 between charleston wva and lexington va will give you a good run for your money, both up and down. its between a 7 to 9 percent grade, and it seems like its straight up and down. i dont like curves either, but it at least they can keep inertia from taking you down the mtn like the first run on a rollercoater. also in the fall, its one of the top scenic drives anywhere. another fun one [speaking of rollercoasters] maggie valley nc on i 40, us 64 from nc into ga, and anywhere in the coal country of penn. ill say one thing for the coal truck drivers, they may put you in a ditch, but the'll be the first to help you get back out.

------------------

 

[Crazy Horse]

Elevation Gain 9,500 ft/11-12% Inclines over 25 Miles of Going Uphill.
The worst grade I've seen was a couple of months ago in the Big Horn Mts. of Wyoming south side on Alt. Rt. 14. I climbed it with the camper on and the trailer. It had warning signs at the base of a 25 mile climb that it contained grades of 11-12%. It was uphill all the way to the top. I never wan't to go up or down this mountain again.

------------------
2K Dodge 3500,4x4,SLT,Quad Cab,PR4 Red,Auto Trans,3. 54's,Anti-Spin Axle,Trailer TowPack,3 Piece Auto Ventshade Hood Protector,"BEEFED" up Factory Camper Pack(No Airbags),Factory Fogs,Rear Slider,Rancho 9000's,Rhino Spray In Liner,Smitty Built Nerf Bars,Alpine 60x4 Watt CD Player,Lance Cabover Camper,BD Plug n Power,K&N w/Modifed Stock Box,Amsoil 15w40,EGT Guage,And Enjoying The Ride.

2K Dodge 2500 SLT RC LB PB3 Blue
99 Dodge 1500 SLT/Sport RC SB Solor Yellow {Her Truck}

[This message has been edited by Crazy Horse (edited 02-16-2001). ]

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

In June of 1998 the east bound lanes of Cabbage Hill were closed for maintenance. We were routed up the West bound (downhill) side of the pass. My '93 - towing my 28' trailer passed everything towing anything - I capped the top at 60 mph. Thats when my 1st gen showed her stuff. Yes Cabbage Hill is one of the steepist along with Briddger pass in Wy and Lincoln pass also in Wy.
Happy Trails

------------------
1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[Champane Flight]

Rob,That whole area is fantastic. The wife loves Baker. Way back in 71-74 that was my steady run,most of it was two lane over Cabbage. And it was a challange to drive it in those days. Like you say,have to roll off the throttle for the corners on the west side. Mucho fun to work the Cummins Huh?

We have bought our piece of mountains about 37 miles N/W of Trinidad Colo. Plan to build up there in the five years to come before retirement(second career as greeter at Wal-mart).

------------------
95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bob,

I towed our 5er(GCW 19750 lbs) the same way(east up the west bound side) up Cabbage Hill in late August--between 95 & 100 degrees. I was in our '97 3500 CC auto at the time. I had to run in 2nd gear 35-40 MPH because of all the slow traffic. With the A/C on and almost full throttle, the engine temp was running near the 230 mark and transmission near 300. #ad
Sure would liked to have been able to lock the torque converter!! Still made it OK--passed several truck/trailer RVers rigs setting on the shoulder with the hoods up. I'd like to go back and try it again with our '00 6 speed. #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

 

[illflem]

I talked to a 40 year veteran over the road trucker at a rest stop who said he had been on every Interstate in the US. Told me that Cabbage Hill was the worst,second was Siskiyou Summit south bound on I-5 in So. Oregon. For a two laner US 60 where it crosses the Salt River Canyon east of Phoenix was bad. Also said it worst part was going down any of them. Told me the story of how coming down Cabbage once with a load of explosives he went to flip on his Jake and the toggle switch arm broke off,Near the bottom his trailer tires started on fire,ran back with a fire extinguisher,but ran out of juice before he could get the fire out,so he started running,nothing ever happened though. Whether any of this is true I have no way of knowing.
I personally think that the Grapevine on I-5 southbound just north of LA is the worst,seems like it's hotter than blazes every time I've been on it. It's a pretty good grade for twenty miles before you even hit the steep part.




[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 02-16-2001). ]

 

[Scollins]

Ok, this is NOT on a freeway or highway, but near Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, WA, there is a hill with a 21% (!!!) grade! I can't imagine trying to haul ANYTHING up this hill! This would be a real good place to see how well the diesels from Dodge, Ford and Chevy stack up... ..... #ad



------------------
Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins. Slightly BOMBed! #ad

Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 02-16-2001). ]

 

[Koa Man]

Scollins,
We got you beat in Hawaii. A couple of years ago our local newspaper listed the steepest hills on Oahu. Huali Street below the National Cemetery has a short section, about 100 ft. , that is 23%. I used to live near there and remember when driving up that section of the street with my car, you could not see over your hood!! Almost like driving blind for that short distance.

 

[Bob Stephens]

It's not on the interstate but this summer I pulled up Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado on US160 on my way to Denver from Cortez with 17000 GCW and a 98. 5 2500 AT. They slow you to 35 at the bottom then you start up a 7000ft elevation gain. Half way up the ol' temp gauge shot up into the red zone. Had to pull over and idle till it cooled down. One hour and 2 more stops to cool later and we made it. Pulled Cabbage on the last day of our trip heading back to Fall City. Decided once I got home that it was time for a ETH/DEE upgrade. Picked it up last Friday and can't wait to try those hills again.

------------------
2001. 5 White 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport SLT+, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group. Preparing to add Guages, Line-X, 20. 5 Pullrite Hitch, DEE-ZEE FX Running Boards, Exhaust Brake, ICOM 706MkIIG HF Radio (maybe more later). Pulling 99 Hitchhiker II 30RK fiver and ordering 2001 Alpenlite 35RK fiver.
Ham Call: AF9W/7

 

[Champane Flight]

Back in my trucking days used to haul gas and diesel. I can remember a Moly mine down near Questa NM. Had a delivery there one time,they told me half of the load went right in a tank near the entrance. The other half went up there! I looked and only saw the side of a mountain. He said No UP there,pointing up toward the top. There was this small tank about 3/4 to the top,with a dirt road(many switchbacks)to the top. That old KW was put in third and stayed in third all the way. Some of the switchbacks I wished I was in second. Knew if I had to downshift I would have had to back down the mountain. Ceramic clutch would have taken the driveline out on that grade. Nice veiw from up there though. The trip down was fun too,empty on the dirt.

That time we got held up in La Grande because of closure. There was this feller from Texas(Houston) with a single axle tractor and a set of pups. NO chains and didn't even know how to put them on. We helped him out with a extra set of singles and showed him how to put em on. He followed us up the eastside and stopped at the top with us. He was white as a ghost and told us he was never coming back north of Amarillo!When we told him what was coming up(or going down) he wasn't going to do it. Finally I told him I would bring the truck down. He sat in right seat and covered his eyes the whole trip down. Said he was going south out of Seattle(destination)to LA and then across to Houston on the way back. Hope he made it home.

------------------
95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bob Stephens,

Yep, I've done that one too. What is tough is where you have to slow down to about 20-30 MPH about half way up going east on the sharp switchback. You can look off the mountain to the west and nothing but blue sky for miles out across the country about 2000 feet below and look up road and the highway seems straight up.

I have a friend with a Hitchhiker II similar to ours who has a Dodge/Cummins now, but pulled that in a Cheby 6. 5TD automatic--10 MPH to the top in 1st gear and wondering if he was going to make it. It's a wonder he didn't scatter connecting rods all over the highway.

How about CO 149 from Lake City to Creede--I did that one the first time before it was paved. Or UT 24 fron Hanksville, UT to Bryce NP. Seperates the men from the boys--er, the trucks from the toys!!

Love traveling the western US!!!

Bill

 

[Bill Stockard]

Champagne Flight,

"37 miles NW of Trinidad" Be more specific. Would it be around La Veta, Cuchara? Know that country quite well--love going there, but not for long in the winter!!

I know about that moly mine at Questa too. Ain't no way I'd take a tanker of fuel up there!!!

I see you are from La Junta. Is Hud's Campground in McClave still there? It was pretty run down the last time we spent the night there. Thought you might frequent US 50 back east towards Lamar.

I cut across on CO 10 from La Junta to Walsenburg sometines going to South Fork area--pretty nice road and NO traffic. When going north towards I-80 I take CO 71 all the way north from Limon--again good road and NO traffic. I avoid all the mess through Denver and the I-25 corridor.

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 02-16-2001). ]

 

[Bill Stockard]

Apple guy,

Hey I bet that was a beautiful drive this time of year!! Yep, I know that road to Boulder well!! I can imagine that ridge and looking down on both sides at the snow covered country was a grand drive.

We haven't been to that part of UT in winter, but we have been to Arches & Canyonlands in the winter and back around Price and east of SLC. Beautiful country in winter for this old "flat lander"!!

Bill

 

[Koa Man]

illflem,
Update on expensive highways. Most expensive now is the H3 in Hawaii. $1. 7 billion for 17 miles, yes, an incredible $100 million per mile! Beautiful drive, 6% grade signs before the tunnels. Good place to test out your rig.

 

[illflem]

Koa Man,H3 wasn't open yet when I was there,boy when I think of it that was a really long time ago,isn't there a Hawaiian expression for the speed of work there?Something like moke time. I watched them digging a power line ditch on the Big Island for 3 years,just 15 miles from Keaau to Pahoa. It was solid lava rock,but that's still a long time.

Most expensive road to keep open is US 1 south of Big Sur in CA,averages $50-100 million per year. I can remember times when it's been closed for 6 months for repairs. Some times entire sections fall in the ocean and the only way to fix it is to build a bridge or do major blasting. Only reason it was built in the first place was to watch for Jap subs during WWII. The feds have threatened to close it and let it fall apart several times,think the deal now is that CA has to share in the upkeep if they want it to remain open. It's also one of the top roads for beauty in the US.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Speaking of high dollar highways, anyone know what it cost to build I-70 through the Colorado River gorge between Vail and Glenwood Springs? It took a long time to build, but is an engineering marvel. I am amazed at the engineering and work it took to build that portion--beautiful drive too. In fact I-70 all the way from Denver west to I-15 is a sight-seerers delight. We've done it several times in the fall--WOW!!

Bill

 

[Scrmbld4X4]

All good choices. My "favorite" is Rabbit Ears pass on US 40 east out of Steamboat Springs, CO. Vail is a good one too.