Where are the "big" mountain passes in the Northwest?
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by mjfreespirit, Aug 21, 2016.
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So I finally moved to Oregon, and got with an owner operator who runs nothing but Kent, WA to Salt Lake City, UT. I-84 doesn't seem so bad NOW. I'm actually pretty concerned with how it's going to be come winter time. There's many grades before and after Cabbage, and I've seen many signs indicating "Snow Zones" and areas for chaining. Is it going to be that bad when winter hits the fan? Really, simply put, how should I approach these hills in the Winter? Slowly for sure, but I'm most likely going to have to put my big boy panties on an sling some chains to get up and over cabbage or other pass on that route. Any advice on this route?
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Ladd Canyon between La Grande and Baker City can get icy at times. The grades between Huntington and Ontario also get slippery at times. Then 84 from the weightstation/restarea at MM228? eastward to Tremonton, UT can be icy at times. A lot of the area eastward of Boise is affected by the winds blowing also.
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I ran westbound over Cabbage a couple of years ago in a heavy snowstorm with temperatures around 10°F. As we were running the hills and flats approaching Cabbage we kept hearing eastbound traffic warning us about the "choo-choo" train coming down the hill. We didn't grasp exactly what that meant until the last turn before the final long descent to Pendleton. In the right lane at least 100 trucks going THREE MILES AN HOUR. Chains slapping around, gripping the steering wheel hard with a death stare. The "hammer lane" was moving all of ten miles an hour.
Learn to chain. Do it several times in dry conditions. Make SURE your chains fit the tires. Learn to dance the dance in slick conditions. Find an empty snow or ice covered parking lot and play a little. Figure out how the interaxle differential lock changes how the truck behaves.mjfreespirit Thanks this. -
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For the looks of this Winter you'll be a professional chain slinger in 1 season. Have some good winter gear whrn you Iron up. Keep your eye out for idiots when your on the traffic side. I use to park at an angle tail out to block any random morons that might slide into you. Remember under your truck is the safest place.
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Is cabbage the same as dead man pass?
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Ok I've heard y'all mention Cabbage but wasnt sure where it was.
In that case Cabbage was the first big western hill I went down. Weather was good , road was dry, but was still nervous lol
I remember snoqualmie and 4th of July pass in the winter holy cow. We almost got stuck on one of em one time. Lost momentum and started sliding back. Made it up though.Last edited: Oct 15, 2016
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