What is the steepest or longest grade you have hauled?

Cheyenne River breaks, one lane gravel/dirt, two ninety degree turns, 55k load of cattle. On the way down you find your gear and play the jake brake piano all the way down. On the way up you hook to a 4X4 JD tractor with a log chain and creep in low at just above idle. Don't know the grade, but it's difficult to get an empty pick-up out in 2wd. I've been in and out several times so (I can make it look like) it doesn't bother me. We were shipping 21 loads of cattle out one time and I met the trucks at a turn off about twelve miles from where I lived. We were loading some trucks at the ranch and the rest down in the breaks. I went around pounding on doors and had a short meeting to give directions to the ranch, then I asked for volunteers to follow me in my truck to the river where they would have to be pulled out loaded. I ended up drafting a few folks. One female driver stepped up. Most of these drivers were from the interstate and didn't want any part of it. I did have a little pity on a couple of guys with shiney Pete's and let them off the hook. Even without the hill, it's twenty some miles of dirt and cow trails and not good for equipment.

 

I live in Oregon and have a didcared route that runs I 5 all the way to border with cali and a i84 route that runs to idaho. So I can say those aint bad. Compared to some of the hills on Montana that I used to run into. Now throw snow in the mix and its some of the worst driving you ever done cause the snow is wet and dense unlike montana were its dry and light blowing snow.

 

I went to a Kingsford Charcole plant in West Virgina. By comparsion the Siskiyous are a cake walk. This I know, as I live in Medford, Oregon, Exit 30 on the 5.

The Siskiyous can be a pain, espically in the winter though. Wet on the Bottom, Icey on top, kind of like some women.

 

There is a 14% in Auburn Wa. Its really just a city street, and its only about 2 miles long, none the less, its still there. Some day im gonna stop and take a pic of that sign. Would make a great avatar.

 

I can probably get you a 17% grade picture in Ohio. I'll have to get through there again. It's on Ohio Highway 303 between Richfield and I-71.

 

I assume this is it?

 

That is two different things. There is a hill in Vermont that's 3 miles 25% straight up. However there is one approaching Stephens City TN in the SE that's not marked for percentage but was on absolute hands and knees getting up that thing.

The longest? Well that depends on where you are. MIlesburg on 80 East in PA 10 miles. Donner is 44 miles out west.

You can even consider yourself on a downgrade for hundreds of miles from say Denver into Kansas City. It's a small percentage but enough to set records in terms of fuel mileage in the correct weather situations eastbound.

Sometimes grades like say at US 191 I think towards I-70 goes on and on and on but has a very big surprise at the bottom. Scottie67 would know about that one.

Some grades are pretty short but if you screw it up, over you go. And you will never stop rolling. Breaking a bone with every impact all the way down.

Throw in some ice with water on top. You might as well be on the moon trying to get back to earth safely. Ha.