Here is a shot I took last fall while visiting our friends in Nevada City, (northern California gold country). It was taken just outside of Nevada City/Grass Valley. Fortunately this steep section of the road is only a little more than a quarter of a mile. In the winter it is totally impassable even with 4 X 4 and necessitates a serious detour. I've seen my share of steep roads down here in Arizona, 8% to 10% is not unusual but this one takes the prize. :E

Did you drive it? Was it actually that steep? Usually the percentage of incline is relative to the terrain and not that bad.

:E That would get the adrenaline flowing. I have to laugh at the picture on the sign, nobody in their right mind would try it in one of those.

Yeah. If it's a straight downhill shot and not all that far and you have some run out at the bottom it's not a problem at all. But how do you know that out traveling cross country?

18% is the worst I've ever seen. Yours is a roller coaster!!

ReneeG wrote:Did you drive it? Was it actually that steep? Usually the percentage of incline is relative to the terrain and not that bad.That would be "Yes" and "Yes", down it and back up again. Just to make it even more fun the road is narrow, curving, virtually no shoulder and lined with trees. :E

How steep was it? | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 31, 2014
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Mar 30, 2014
Yes, even when they start going downhill... like this one (Pun intended), they are almost always entertaining. :B
korbe
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Geeze, people aren't arguing here. Just because a topic drifts, doesn't mean anything's wrong. To be honest, you can only go so far with a 31% grade post. :)
noe-place
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Desert Captain wrote:
OP here: Yes, I was just trying to share an interesting experience. Wasn't looking for a remedial math class. I guess it is impossible to post anything here without someone wanting to argue. :S

The folks at Cal Trans have been engineering the roads in California for quite some time and if they post a sign that says "31%" trust me it is a 31% grade (and yes that is 31' of drop for every 100" of horizontal travel. If anyone out there knows more than the engineers at Cal Trans I am sure they would love to hear from you. Break that down anyway you like, it is a very freaking steep road.

In conclusion all I can say is "lighten up", downshift and please don't ride your brakes. :R

Brother, the world will never be rid of those who have to argue if white is white or that it's actually black with all the darkness removed. :R
Gale_Hawkins
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Raften wrote:
Turning up Old Priest Grade in a big motor home must have surely been an accident. I have been up and down it for the last 40 years but wow, a MH, I can only imagine what that was like. Everyone should go both East and West on Sonora Pass once, get your heart rate up a bit.

My daughter was my acting co-pilot and put too much faith in the GPS but since no one got hurt it was a learning lesson. We were thankful we had the old MH up in good shape including the new 5 row recored radiator. Going up at least speeding and brakes were not an issue. We went out the Fresno side and it was a piece of cake.
korbe
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
If you ever wonder what your driveway slope is, this is what I do. Put a level on a 2x4 up the hill from your location. Use a tape measure and find 1 foot vertical difference from that horizontal 2x4. Then measure the level horizontal distance. Divide that horizontal distance into 100 and you will have your % slope.
Raften
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Turning up Old Priest Grade in a big motor home must have surely been an accident. I have been up and down it for the last 40 years but wow, a MH, I can only imagine what that was like. Everyone should go both East and West on Sonora Pass once, get your heart rate up a bit.

Edit, meeting big trucks on the Old were a huge problem before the built the New.
Raften
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Turning up Old Priest Grade in a big motor home must have surely been an accident. I have been up and down it for the last 40 years but wow, a MH, I can only imagine what that was like. Everyone should go both East and West on Sonora Pass once, get your heart rate up a bit.
scroller95969
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Sonora pass has a 26% grade.
pnichols
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2014
A bit off topic but just for fun ... at the top of the world, here's the record holder for the highest altitude (somewhat North of 21,000 feet) ever achieved by a wheeled vehicle - I'll bet they had to go up (and down) some steep grades:

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How steep was it?

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