Steep Roads in CA

[scotmartin]

I thought that I would share this pic with you guys.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

26% is pretty tough. When I lived in Colorado we found a back road that was 18% and that was bad enough.

 

[hammersley]

Now there's a hill

those bikers don't want to go UP!!!!!!

 

[John L]

I believe that's Sonora Pass (Hwy 108). A very steep climb at 9600 Ft.....

 

[terrywerm]

Wow! 26 % is steep for a highway. I've been on stuff like that when offroad, but highway?? In typical Minnesotan: Uff Da!



Below is a visual that may help put things in perspective.



On the other hand look at it this way: A trailer that is 50 feet long and 13 feet tall, facing downhill on a 26% grade. The top front corner would be at the same elevation as the road at the back of the trailer. Yup! That's steep!

 

[Mhannink]

if that is sonora (and i think it is) then now everyone can know why they close it down for the winter 26% and its snow and ice not what i would call fun

 

[PatrickCampbell]

MAn - I had a picture of this sign but I lost it. I wonder if it is the same exact one. I was going from Sacramento to Mammoth so 108 sounds about great. The picture was great too bad it is long lost now. doh.

 

[willyslover]

It is Sonora Pass. . just a few miles east of where I live... I use this pass all summer long to go over to Reno and visit my Son



you would not believe what I've seen with all the tourista's traveling that route. . brake smoke and burnt brakes like you would not believe. . I drop it into 2nd gear and pull on the exhaust brake and just ease on down without ever touching the brakes unless there is a tourista in front of me , and then I get WAY back to get out of the smell... it is a very pretty ride over in early spring . . that would be around July 4th weekend there . . they usually try to get it opened by then. . some years they get it opened by mid May. . I know I'm babbling

 

[Ram4Sam]

Been there, done that! You can see that sign's twin at the 395/108 intersection, except the truck on the sign in going up instead of down. First time I saw that sign I thought "no way!" Made a left turn, with trailer, I am now a believer. Too bad it is so far up in the hills, someone who sells e-brakes coud sell a bunch of them if they used the grade as a demo drive.



Sam

 

[TGibbs]

Too bad it is so far up in the hills, someone who sells e-brakes coud sell a bunch of them if they used the grade as a demo drive.



Sam

Nice territory but definatly a hell of a climb or descent especially with 3 horses and a trailer full of camping gear and water

 

[CPG]

Sonora Pass is definitely exhaust brake country. Will not take this route in our 5vr, but have gone over all of them except this one in our 26' "Alphy".

Hwy. 88 is passable but one has to use the "pullouts" to avoid the CHP from pulling one over in causeing slowing the faster traffic.

 

[Doubleclutch]

I believe that this is one of the 5 passes (bike-ies help me out here) taken on the Marklieville Death Ride each year. Guess why they call it DEATH ride?

Greg

Willyslover- are you and Short-biggie (with his blender) going to be at Pahrump this year?

 

[cyborg]

No

Carson, monitor and ebbetts.



I worked at the base there for a long time. I've seen some pretty bad accidents on that stretch.

I have seen quite a few try and go up with too much load and not enough truck. Always lose it in the same place.



That is a GREAT ride down on a bike!!! We did it at night with a full moon one time, shuttled up, road down. Wild!!!

 

[MCrossley]

Well one nice sunny afternoon HVAC and myself went over hwy 4 from 395 to San Jose; I can remeber his words clear as day oh yeah thats not a rough road at all you can handle it just fine... . that was with my 36' tripple slide and my brand new 01 2500. Can you say pucker factor = creased seat? Nevr again no way no how notaa... :{

 

[scotmartin]

Well one nice sunny afternoon HVAC and myself went over hwy 4 from 395 to San Jose; I can remeber his words clear as day oh yeah thats not a rough road at all you can handle it just fine... . that was with my 36' tripple slide and my brand new 01 2500. Can you say pucker factor = creased seat? Nevr again no way no how notaa... :{

I can't beleive that you made it through!

 

[MCrossley]

I am a firm believer in if you can't drive it don't buy it... Although it was truely a test of driving skills no doubt... :--)

 

[Matt400]

Well one nice sunny afternoon HVAC and myself went over hwy 4 from 395 to San Jose; I can remeber his words clear as day oh yeah thats not a rough road at all you can handle it just fine... . that was with my 36' tripple slide

Thats a pretty big trailer for hwy 4. We take our 25' single slide TT over 4 to Hermit Valley camp ground and **** a few folks off on the narrow stuff. Last time I hit mirrors with a PSD :-laf

 

[MCrossley]

it is not a big trialer for hwy 4 it is a monsterous trailer for hwy 4 no will never do that again insanity is all it was but once I saw the signs there was no turning around I like how they do that oh don't be over this size but sorry the turn around was 2 miles earilier...

 

[Matt400]

I like how they do that oh don't be over this size but sorry the turn around was 2 miles earilier...

:-laf :-laf and I think the sign says. . vehicles over xx not recommended which makes you think its ok, just not recommended. Glad I wasn't on the way to Hermit Valley when you were coming the other way

 

[bombero]

Ive been over every pass thru the Sierra's. Not all dragging my trailer. With the trailer I think Monitor was the steepest, more hair pins, and longest. I had more stuff in my shorts at the bottom. In a PU the best/ worst is Tioga or Walker Pass (ya get your map out)