West Coast Mountains

i don't even think they are allowed on that road.
it doesn't go anywhere.

 

Whatever with the stats..say what y'all want WYOMING in the winter is the most dangerous..I see the most jackknifes, in the ditch trucks in that stretch of road more than anywhere else.Half of the problem is the truckers..they go way too #### fast there when it's snowing, windy and icey. Of course there are other roads..I 40 west of Memphis is crowded, narrow etc... I would rather chain in Montana on 90 and do 15mph on a mountain than go 40mph hwy 80 on the ice amd deal with the wind in Wyoming any day.. stay safe, don't feel pressured to haul ### by other truckers un those mountains and you will do fine. Enjoy the west during the summer..you can drive way past dark and won't have to worry about parking out there..enjoy the views.

 

If you're referring to the sign at the top of Siskyou Summit giving speeds with different weights, please note the color coding on the sign....it is yellow background with black letter/number. This coloring is "advisement" not a speed limit actual. Siver background with black lettering is a speed limit sign. The speedlimit on that downgrade is 55 beginning at the CA state line climbing to the summit and 55 continuing to just above the new welcome center being built, then 60 into Medford.

 

I will assume you are referring to the few "let em rest" signs. Those have been there since the 70's...they don't upgrade much in CA. But yes it is a very deceiving downhill run. Many have cooked their brakes on the first longer steep run from just west of Hwy 20 intersection and not stopping at Nyack to let the brakes cool before decending the real drop into Colfax.
Another poster said it right...stay at the speed limit and you will be fine...but most of the "new breed" drivers have a hard time keeping it under 70 especially on a downslope trying to "make up time" I guess.....as the old Trix commercial put it...Silly Rabbit!

 

I never smoked'em but, I remember back when I was a rookie not understanding why that hill was deceiving.
I remember saying oh it's not that bad . I had only been driving bout three yrs.

 

Midwestern did hire rookie drivers right out of training school. They paid 8.5 cents per mile, for a CO-Driver spot with an "owner-operator" who was getting 12.5 cents per mile drivers pay for team operation. So while MWD did give new guys a chance, they were ALWAYS running team with a somewhat experienced driver.
the senior driver was under contract to buy the Freightliner thru MWD for a dollar down. it took a few months to be able to get that first seat. Going down Donner and the Grapevine, Cabbage , Vale, etc. I doubt if anybody ever let a green rookie take one of those hills on his first trip out and lived to tell about it.
MWD was like JW Bray, or North American and other companies using that fake owner operator scam.

 

I did Donner, fresh graduate from a 10 day cdl school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Driving for MidWestern Distribution.
The lead driver was experienced and felt comfortable with me doing it. Also did another one on I-5 out of Washington State heading southbound, but don't remember the name of it.

 

Not really any big grades southbound I-5 in Washington. You sure it wasn't Oregon I-5? There are a few there north and southbound. Not really sure why everybody thinks Donner is a big deal. I guess I'm just use to it. There are many others that require more skills than Donner.

 

Maybe it was Oregon; I don't remember. No jake brakes on Midwestern trucks.
Have done Black Mountain dozens of times.
~
Midwestern bought Leaseway and the Leaseway tractors had power steering which was a big deal then.

 

Do you remember the name of that old motel in Ft. Scott that a lot of the MWD drivers stayed at during orientation and when they were in town waiting for dispatch. ?