Going up California might be fun, but then, are the routes through the mountains fairly flat?Otherwise, it looks like I go back east to New Mexico and turn north towards Denver.Q: What are the flat routes?

U.S. Hwy. 395 is not flat but the grades are not that steep. What’s your issue with hill climbing?

Define flat. Lot's of mountains out West. Part of the beauty.Sierras aren't the rockies but they are more anything back East. If you are crossing on I-10, it probably isn't too bad but it's all relative. Crossing at Lake Tahoe to cut back to Montana has decent climbs. Not sure about going further north before cutting back East.

I15 goes north to Montana, without crossing anything significant. Well, there's a broad pass on the ID/Mt border. And the I90 crossing at Butte is relatively high. But what do you expect from a state that's called Mountain?

Now that you mention it, I was skiing in tahoe and saw Truckee. Some non-hospitable hills.Thats where all those people got stuck and ate each other.

groundhogy wrote:Now that you mention it, I was skiing in tahoe and saw Truckee. Some non-hospitable hills.Thats where all those people got stuck and ate each other.Donner Pass. Went over it in my old gasser and was not breaking any speed records, but it was pretty straightforward and caused no white knuckles. Very pretty drive. RichH

In Quartzsite, thinking of Montanna.. don’t like mountains..

23 Replies

dedmiston
Moderator
Mar 05, 2020
I think this thread has run its course.

I wish some of the comments had been more constructive and wish we'd shown our future eastern visitor better hospitality. Hopefully his visit in person will give us a chance to be more warm and welcoming.
Edd505
Explorer
Mar 05, 2020
people on the east coast don't know what mountains are until the get to the left coast.
groundhogy
Explorer
Mar 04, 2020
Thank you all for your input.
It’s very much appreciated.
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 04, 2020
Take 95 straight up to the I15 and continue north.
ppine
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2020
If you don't like mountains, the West is not for you.
Nevada alone has 276 mountain ranges.
ndrorder
Explorer
Mar 03, 2020
Sounds like few people remember East Montana is Spanglish for flat and grassy.
paulj
Explorer II
Mar 03, 2020
Yellowstone is a mountain - the lake is about 7000 ft altitude.

The eastern half is flat(ish), so I suppose you could keep mountains off in the distance if you come up US25 (from the 5000 ft Denver area).
ppine
Explorer II
Mar 03, 2020
Lwiddis wrote:
"395 has plenty of grades like Conway Summit, and the long one from Mammoth to Bishop"

They aren't that bad, ppine, and its scenic.

I was there on Friday. Definitely not flat. Why do people have trouble with mountains? Fear? Mostly they don't understand how to use gears and pay attention to their tach, and be easy on their machines. Those people have trouble with the long grade between Bishop and Mammoth.

Nearly all mountains are scenic. Hell that's why I like driving in them so much.
Allworth
Explorer II
Mar 03, 2020
If you don't like mountains, why would you think of Montana?
naturist
Nomad
Mar 03, 2020
groundhogy wrote:
Going up California might be fun, but then, are the routes through the mountains fairly flat?

Otherwise, it looks like I go back east to New Mexico and turn north towards Denver.

Q: What are the flat routes?

I could be snarky and ask if you know what mountains are, but I won't do that. Instead, I will mention that it is tough to go from 875 feet elevation to 3120 feet elevation (of, say, Billings, MT) without going up.

But, yes, the closest to flat you are going to get is east of Quartzite, not west. And while it is a long way out of the way, the flatest route is probably east to Oklahoma City, then north to Fargo, ND, before heading back west. That will make the rise in elevation as gradual as possible. More reasonably, east through Albuquerque, then north through Denver.