Worst mountain

Monarch pass is definately not one to take lightly. I have seen it snow up there in july, just out of the blue, even the graders with chains have trouble up there sometimes. I think its 9% in mny places as well.

 

Me too. About 30 years ago that road (I68) #### near killed me. I was in a Ryder tractor with no engine brake pulling a triple axle U.S. Navy lowboy with an old TD-25 International Dozer loaded up. That dozer weighed just a little more than a D-8 Cat. I was grossing around 110,000lbs just creeping down the hill. I remember that I kept seeing the sign that said 50mph turn at bottom of grade. I started at 25 mph down the grade but as I was using over 50lbs of air to keep it down under 40mph near the bottom and smoke was pouring out from at least 4 axles. That sign was on my mind. I gotta say I was puckered that day going around the curve at the bottom. The chains held and thank havens I was always on the use a little extra tie down side. I sure didn't want to stop once I was on flat ground or I would have burned the truck to the ground. Those brakes were hot for awhile. I learned a good lesson there early in my career.

 

US 50 west heading out of Keyser, WV loaded about 79,900 cutting through MD took about 130 miles off my route running over to 79. Wish I would have just went up and grabbed 68. The grades and switchbacks were bad enough going up and down... Several switchbacks where the nose of my tractor was on the oncoming lanes shoulder while my trailer was almost dragging the guardrail on my side.

 

with-out a doubt....US Hwy 52 south from Hillsville Va. to Cana NC...the old fancy Gap..ran that many , many times with a milk tank...FUN.....

 

Yeah ride across 50 in a 4wheeler so u can look around--there is a veritable history of old freight companies layin off some o those hillsides--trucks that were just too difficult to get back up on the road back in those days--used to know an ol boy back in the day that ran line haul for Snuffy Smith--last 10 yrs he had a Winchester to Parkesburg--Cinncy bid--and used to laff how he almost never made cincy--outta hours bout 60 miles out every trip--hadda come get em--50 to 32 all the way across--keep ya on ur toes--and that was in the Summer! LOL---

 

MacDonald Pass on highway 12 Eastbound into Helena Montana comes to mind.

 

Yea I did it in the summer too I couldnt imagine trying that one in the winter. I pull a flatbed and I'm glad I over secure my loads, especially that day. What's the name of that hill? I seen a sign that said Mt. Storm but I was told Storm is on a different road...

 

TN 30/ 285 is the worst..never go down after sunset.

 

299 has been improved the last decade and is a fun, beautiful drive until the snow hits. Full of switchbacks, I dont think theres a single straight spot between Redding and Eureka CA