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bacabunch's avatar
bacabunch
Explorer
Jul 31, 2020

Correction **Alternate route for Deadmans pass in Oregon?

I'm sorry I should have made this clearer, my concern is the climb from Pendleton to LaGrande heading east.

Thanks,
Ben
  • You might put that note in the other post no need to create a new one.
  • It's the reverse of what I said in the other thread. It's a total of 12 miles climbing - six of them at 5 - 6%. The Mountain Directory (a purchase I highly recommend) says it "...can be a severe test on engine cooling systems in the summer." I still don't know of a better route.

    Rob

    Edit: my wife is the smart one in the family... she says unhitch the tow'd and drive it separately and/or drive it at night.
  • The Blue Mountains have some windy roads. None of them are that hard. You just can't hurry because are not banked the right way.
  • Put you RV on a barge and go up the rivers to Lewiston. Then you only have the grades out of that valley to contend with. :)

    At Pendleton you are near sealevel, near the Columbia River. To get to the upper part of the Snake in Idaho (Boise etc), you have to pass through Hells Canyon, or cross or bypass the Blues. Even if you took US97 south you have a significant climb. US20 east from Bend doesn't have much grades, but Bend area itself is around 4000 ft.
  • What is your concern? Over heating? I've towed over it a few times, with a gas and diesel towing 9000+ lbs. It's just a long version of a shorter climb of the same %.