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

[groundhogy]

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?

[dedmiston]

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]

people on the east coast don't know what mountains are until the get to the left coast.

[groundhogy]

Thank you all for your input.
It’s very much appreciated.

[time2roll]

Take 95 straight up to the I15 and continue north.

[ppine]

If you don't like mountains, the West is not for you.
Nevada alone has 276 mountain ranges.

[ndrorder]

Sounds like few people remember East Montana is Spanglish for flat and grassy.

[paulj]

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]

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]

If you don't like mountains, why would you think of Montana?

[naturist]

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.

[Lwiddis]

"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.

[dedmiston]

Not trying to be a smarty pants, but isn't Montana literally the Spanish word for "mountain"? Are you sure that's where you want to go?

[benbovac]

395 is a great route. Lone Pine is a good stop over.

[romore]

I agree with you regarding 99 and I-5 but 101 likely is not for him.