Forum Discussion

rightlaneonly's avatar
Sep 07, 2014

Tioga Pass grade %

Can anyone tell me the percent of grade on hwy 120 from Lee Vining over Tioga pass? Also is there a web site that gives that information? I cant seem to find one. Thank you.

9 Replies

  • rexlion wrote:
    Matt_Colie wrote:
    rightlaneonly wrote:
    trop-a-cal wrote:
    Go to the state DOT site.
    Thank you, I did that and find at its steepest the percent grade is 7.6%. Thanks again.

    Yes, the Mountain Directory West says 8%, but if you are pulling a trailer with a naturally aspirated (no turbocharger) Jeep, expect to be doing about 40MPH with your foot on the floor for the last 1000~1500 ft of climb. There just isn't enough air up there. The scenery is worth it.. (BTDT)

    Matt

    Need to floor it? Towing an Aliner? Nope. The Jeep will do just fine with that folding trailer.

    I towed a 16' KZ Escape TT over that pass last summer with my V6 Highlander, and I didn't need to floor it, either. On the steepest part I may have been as low as 35 mph, but I could have gone faster... I just wasn't pushing it. There are some curves, after all, and it's a long way down.


    You're right, the Jeep can handle it OK. I just towed the "A" over Sonora Pass, 26% grades. Was in low gear but not floored. I won't do that again because of braking issues more than power issues. Even tho the Jeep handled it I don't believe in abusing it. I just remembered Tioga as very steep but wondered how steep. 8% grade is no problem. Thanks to all who responded.
  • Matt_Colie wrote:
    rightlaneonly wrote:
    trop-a-cal wrote:
    Go to the state DOT site.
    Thank you, I did that and find at its steepest the percent grade is 7.6%. Thanks again.

    Yes, the Mountain Directory West says 8%, but if you are pulling a trailer with a naturally aspirated (no turbocharger) Jeep, expect to be doing about 40MPH with your foot on the floor for the last 1000~1500 ft of climb. There just isn't enough air up there. The scenery is worth it.. (BTDT)

    Matt

    Need to floor it? Towing an Aliner? Nope. The Jeep will do just fine with that folding trailer.

    I towed a 16' KZ Escape TT over that pass last summer with my V6 Highlander, and I didn't need to floor it, either. On the steepest part I may have been as low as 35 mph, but I could have gone faster... I just wasn't pushing it. There are some curves, after all, and it's a long way down.

  • Signs at the top warn of grades the next 12 miles (ie to the highway), and then 4% for the next 2 miles. The average (using data from the map) is about 5%. So it's not a 8% slog all the way. The steepest section is probably a 3.5 mile sweeping curve, which is 2 lane with pullouts.
  • rightlaneonly wrote:
    trop-a-cal wrote:
    Go to the state DOT site.
    Thank you, I did that and find at its steepest the percent grade is 7.6%. Thanks again.

    Yes, the Mountain Directory West says 8%, but if you are pulling a trailer with a naturally aspirated (no turbocharger) Jeep, expect to be doing about 40MPH with your foot on the floor for the last 1000~1500 ft of climb. There just isn't enough air up there. The scenery is worth it.. (BTDT)

    Matt
  • trop-a-cal wrote:
    Go to the state DOT site.


    Thank you, I did that and find at its steepest the percent grade is 7.6%. Thanks again.
  • "Tips for Pulling a Trailer over Tioga Pass

    Highway 120 between Tioga Pass and its junction with US 395 is a steep, winding mountain road. The steepest portion of the road is an eight-mile section that ascends about 2,500 feet (from Lee Vining toward Tioga Pass). Portions of the road have a grade as steep as eight percent."


    LINK
  • It's 12 miles from park entrance (9800') to US395 (6800').