Date:         Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:31:57 -0700
Reply-To:     Donna Skarloken <dskarloken@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Donna Skarloken <dskarloken@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: least steep California Sierra Passes/ THANKS!
Comments: To: Michael Hart <mjhart853@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <237257.93697.qm@web54304.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Carson-88  is pretty good - we've towed heavy antique tractors over that one
and it's not bad - just a couple of spots - climb into Kirkwood is a little
steep, and the climb out of the Carson Valley, but they're short and there
are passing lanes.  (Didn't tow the tractors with the van though!)

I love Sonora-108 but it's just hard - hairpin turns, very steep.  Been
driving aircooleds and Vanagons over it for years but 88 is just easier.

Careful on Hwy 4 in the Delta.  I think Scott is thinking of Hwy 12 as
well.  In the Delta both are two lane but dangerous - yahoos wanting to pass
where they shouldn't.  Scenic but hectic.  80 into the bay is croweded, as
is 580 (that goes through Dublin; Scott must be thinking of 4 as it runs
along the Delta to the base of Mt. Diablo.  12 will get you to wine
country.)

Donna, 87 Syncro, getting rebuilt top end this week

On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 4:45 PM, Michael Hart <mjhart853@yahoo.com> wrote:

> To all of you that responded to my question on 'least steep California
> Sierra passes' - THANKS!
> - Markus, David K, Don, Donna, David O, Joe, Mike M, Pete, B&S, Scott, Gary
> (& any others that I may have missed)
> Overall, I-80 seemed to be favoured for reasonable gradients.
> - I'm biased against this road since it is a major 4-6 lane freeway with
> lots of big trucks and fast traffic; plus I've been stuck for too many hours
> on it in winter ski traffic.... Also since that is a long detour for this
> trip, I've suggested to my brother (for he is actually the one to be taking
> this trip - out from England to borrow my Westy for a 3 week trip around
> California) to take the Carson Pass (Highway 88) which no-one seemed to
> think would be too steep. The recommendations to stop off at Bodie Ghost
> Town and Grover Hot Springs are great ideas & have been added to the trip.
> Thanks again (hoping that my van will perform flawlessly....)
> Mike,
> '87 Westy
>
>
>
>