what are some of the steepest grades in N. America??

[EMAC2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_(slope)

 

[mikeberry]

Sonora, Ebbets, Monitor, Tioga all in CA sierras. Bill's picture is not a photoshop. Been over them all many times. No problem in a Cummins. Sonora was fun one year in a vapor-locking '78 suburban with 25' Golden nugget, boat, bikes, etc. Also realize that with Ebbets and Sonora there are 180 degree switchbacks AT 26%. All of these are state routes too, not obscure county or forest service roads. Roads like these tend to see people mess up in turns more than runaways. it is the interstate 4 lane jobs that people feel too comfortable on and have runaways at as little as 6-10%.

 

[SierraRam]

The steepest grades I've seen are on CA state highways crossing the Sierras. Sonora Pass comes to mind...



Bill

I second the Sonora Pass, we nick named it "Mr. Toads Wild Ride"!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

14a In Wyoming is a butt pucker ride also -10%. It's closed during the winter months.

http://www.whp.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/ports/mountain_road_information

 

[JLeake]

The east side of Wolf Creek Pass (Highway 160) averages 8. 5% for 18. 5 miles or so from what I read, starts at the top 10,850 feet elevation.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

14a In Wyoming is a butt pucker ride also -10%. It's closed during the winter months.



http://www.whp.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/ports/mountain_road_information

I tow up 14a every other year, stay at the summit for 8-10 days and ride the quad. Beautiful spot. From the Western side the road averages 13% for 13 miles, The steepest spots are more like 20% for short distances. However my trip over Sonora was quite a eye opener. The Dodge had all she could handle both uphill and down. .

 

[Bill Stockard]

The east side of Wolf Creek Pass (Highway 160) averages 8. 5% for 18. 5 miles or so from what I read, starts at the top 10,850 feet elevation.

I have towed/hauled over Wolf Creek on US-160 many times both with gasoline and diesel power with and without an exhaust brake. I think the west side is worse than the east side because of the switchbacks.



Bill

 

[BarryG]

I drive over wolf creek a good 10-15 times a year each direction I would definitely agree that the west side is worse and to top it off it is hard to keep your eyes on the road in spots because it is such a great view. They widened the bottom end of the east side and put in a short tunnel 5 or 6 years ago(maybe more) that helped the east side approach quite a bit as it was fairly narrow and tight in places. I have been caught several times in winter on it in a blizzard not fun at all.

 

[Grey Wolf]

I agree with Bill & Barry especially on the great view

 

[philipswanson]

West of Prescott, AZ try Highway 89. Steep and winding. Saw a dead motorcyclist on it a couple of years ago. My motorhome climbs it in 1st gear only.

 

[georgej]

Hwy 22 west out of jackson,wy is fun pulling a 5th wheel... . 10% grade

 

[JMetzger]

That is why I take I-17 instead of 89 out of Prescott, AZ

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I tow up 14a every other year, stay at the summit for 8-10 days and ride the quad. Beautiful spot. From the Western side the road averages 13% for 13 miles, The steepest spots are more like 20% for short distances. However my trip over Sonora was quite a eye opener. The Dodge had all she could handle both uphill and down. .

No way I'd pull trailer up the west side up 14a. You're right about what seems to be a straight up grade for short lengths. I was in third gear for much of the trip on my way to the top. Beautiful drive for sure.

 

[richardcoxid]

Teton Pass on WY 22 between Jackson, WY and Victor, ID.



!0% for 5 miles on the WY side and 10% for 4 miles on the ID side. Went over twice yesterday.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here a picture from on top after climbing all the way from the bottom without leveling out. Some points of the climb dropped off to 5-7 degrees. What a view looking back to Cody at the base of the mountains in the distance. It took awhile to climb it so we wouldn't fry the turbo. Glad to have climbed it rather than go down it with the load we had. Truck axles scaled at 13,600 with the camper.

 

[jelag]

Travel from Yellowstone to Grand Tetons and leave the Tetons at the southern end headed west... The Teton Pass is 10% and must be 6-8 miles... I was surprised that the pacbrake in 3rd gear as I remember would hold the truck and 15K lb trailer except for the 10 MPH switch back which I had to brake down for.....

 

[AABEN]

i am a truck driver in upstate NY, so i was wondering what are some of the steepest grades you have all come across in your travels? reason i ask, is that there is a "big hill" on a state route in central NY, near the Watkins Glen speedway that is 7% over about a 2 mile span. trucks are allowed down it, but over 9 tons, are req'd to use a DOT pullover and do a brake check. there is another hill about an hour west of Buffalo that trucks are NOT allowed on under any circumstances, due to the sharp curve at the bottom, and a '70's era gasoline tanker rollover/explosion. to me, these are big hills, but i am sure to some of you westerners, these are ant hills. neither of these hills have sand traps along the way. last week i followed a crane down the 7% grade, and his brakes were smoking like a champ at the bottom! using my engine brake, i can travel the entire hill without hitting my brakes at all, and still keep around the 40 mph limit. Share!

How much was your weight??

 

[Grizzly]

I agree with Wolf Creek in Colorado as others have mentioned. There's also Independence Pass near Aspen, Colorado and Red Mountain Pass from Ouray to Ridgway, Colorado.

 

[Tractorat]

Travel from Yellowstone to Grand Tetons and leave the Tetons at the southern end headed west... The Teton Pass is 10% and must be 6-8 miles.

Pretty sure thats the road I headed up (west) several years ago pulling my 4klb TT. I just couldnt get about 35mph, and the coolant temp was still "safe" but and the 3/4 hash mark. So, I turned around and went back down. Went around the other way. BTW, thats about the time I think my stat was going bad (at the time I blamed it on a clogged radiator) If I had the new stat in it, I think it would have been a lot better (temp wise)

 

[BIGNASTY]

Don't know if this counts but plenty steep and ya cant take your trailer but plenty HIGH!!

The Alpine Visitor Center is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park Service, situated at 11,796' at Fall River Pass

The white Dodge is ours ran fine 2miles high ROCKYMOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK