Driving in the mountains advice for new drivers.

It's easy to underestimate La Veta. Looks deceiving.

My first day ever in a truck I ran out to Raton, to Eagles Nest, then down to Taos.

Next day was La Veta and Monarch. Third was Lizard Head, Hesperus, and Wolf Creek.

The more I go up and down pretty mountain passes, the slower I get.

That same buddy who talked about going down 6%'ers with no issues due to his Jakes needed route advice over towards Gunnison Gorge a few weeks back.

I told him to hit 50, that it was a good drive, and only Monarch to go over.

He said Monarch scared him and he wasn't going back. Probably a good idea for him

 

My advice is the same as the others pretty much. Use 1 to 2 gears lower than what you went up with and run Jakes on 3. If no Jakes, tap brakes 3 times to slow your roll and keep it slow. Better to arrive alive and no load is worth your life. A/T have gear selections available to maintain your speed or RPM. I have an 18 speed so I use gears mostly to control my ride. Best of luck. Hope this helps.

 

"
This takes away the careless driving aspect of that law. … It’s going to be a lower burden of proof for law enforcement.”

He said hands-free devices include bluetooth radios that connect to phones and can also include dashboard mounts. Dashboard mounts are a gray area though, and it will be up to the discretion of the officer to determine if the mount was being used in accordance with the law. For example, answering or hanging up a phone or viewing a map on a dashboard mount is acceptable. "


..... but the cop can decide they dont like it... if they feel like it... hope no cops ever are in a bad mood...

 

One big key is get mechanics to change the speed when the Jake's kick in. I posted on another thread full details, but my 2025 Kenworth W990 (X15 and TX-18 Auto transmission) was factory default at 35 mph to kick in. I run regularly across US-50 from Delta Utah to almost Fallon NV. I'm hauling feed in belt trailer with pusher axle on truck and 4 axles on trailer. Usually 103,000 to 110,000 GVW. This is great area to learn my driving.... 16 passes greater than 3%. Multiple over 5% and worst one is up and over Austin pass. That pass is technically 2 passes 9-10% up and back down on narrow 2 lane with major switch backs ... Speed limit 55 down to 35..... But climbing up is usually about 15 mph and I don't let it get over 25 down the back side. On dry roads. Snow or (Mormon cricket slicks - yes that's happened 2 times of Mormon cricket carcasses making 100% covered slick road) I will crawl down at 5 mph. Anyway like everyone has said.... Start super slow with hazards on and take your time not worrying about who's behind (I do try to pull off pull outs at top of each pass and let everyone by)...... I put truck in manual mode and start at top at 15-20 mph with full Jake's and let her crawl down. Over time you'll learn your truck and load variations and figure it out. Biggest thing is go slower than you think especially if a new road. This highway has lots of spot that you think you're doing good and then you'll get a super sharp turn (and so tight your trailer offset will have trailer just on or over the double yellow while your nose is over the edge of pavement).. if you haven't driven it you get surprised and plenty have left lots of rubber as they try to slow down in time. Just my 2 cents. Great thread.

 

We drive hwy 24 in BC ….one of the steepest longest grades in BC. Scary (especially when icy)…..

Pick a low gear; lower than you would first think! Then take your time and don’t worry about others behind you.

 

Monarch ain't exactly one to screw around with. I'm happy to not go over it if I have a choice.

 

Don't get me started on Monarch Pass. About 2 or 3 miles past the summit, going down, they have a runaway ramp. Here's CDOT for ya', they put the runaway ramp just beyond a 35 mph curve. Couple years back, a driver from Texas, topped the summit too fast, got the brakes hot, and couldn't negotiate the 35 mph curve, and went off the left side and was killed. They figure he hit the curve at almost 50. Never even made it to the ramp.
ALERT: If traveling Hy. 50 next couple days, keep up with the forecast. Some reports say a foot or more in the hills, and it doesn't take much for them to close the pass. Chain-up requirements are imminent.

 

None of the roads you mentioned are ones to screw with, I don't like to even think about the road winning, but give those a chance and they will.