TERRIFIED of heights, narrow roads with drop-offs, etc.

[jenhere]

Hi all,

This is my first post to RV.NET and I'm happy to be here! We are new full timers and I have a route question.

We are staying in Victor Idaho while visiting Grand Teton Park. I am hoping for a better route to get to the park and Jackson than the Teton Pass.

In our two months of traveling, I've had more than one panic attack when traveling through some tight , high areas. Sometimes in our Class A, sometimes in our Jeep while traveling. This is a new issue for me. Being from a flat part of the East, I had no idea I even had a phobia this bad until we got to some areas in South Dakota. I thought I would just grin and bear it over the pass, but after having a horrible hour going over the Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone yesterday, I'd like to not put my family through that again.

Any ideas would be appreciated! Love seeing this beautiful country, just going to have to be careful how I do it. (And see it from below, not above!) 🙂

Thank you!

[memtb]

I posted these sights recently, on a different portion of this site....maybe be of some help in your route planning. Good Luck with your phobia.....maybe, in time it will ease some!




flattestroute.com - Pick your route, and get the elevation changes and the % grade. Very informative for those traveling the mountain states!

www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/ - a government website that gives state by state - road info ( road closures, construction, etc.), and weather info. From the home page, merely click on National Traffic and Road Clusure Information. A US map will open, then.....pick your state of interest.

[nikoregon]

Never realized how much I did not like mountain roads until I drove from Silverton to Put at on the million dollar hwy, no guard rails.

[CA_Traveler]

I would not recommend route 22 as it has long 10% grades in both directions. A route that most should avoid.

In Wilson you'll find the sign - Free coffee and popcorn while we repair your brakes :B

[CA_Traveler]

dedmiston wrote:

jplante4 wrote:
This might help.

No! Bad website, bad. Go to your room.

Flattest route is an excellent resource. It displays the grades and elevations along the route. And if you don't like the default route just drag the route to alternate roads.

[ppine]

Not everyone is cut out for traveling on the back roads in the West. Most people can build on their skills and confidence over time. Some can't.

[Don___Barb_Bogu]

I concentrate on a part of the road, I'm usually the driver. Example, going over a hi bridge or over pass, Look mainly at the pavement lines and the rear of the vehicle in front of us. It can still be rough....

[dodge_guy]

Beartooth Highway. Good luck!!!!

Beartooth highway

[jenhere]

There’s very good examples on their website. It seems they have an app as well. I’m considering getting them however, for me the focus is not so much on the grades but a combination of what elevation, width and view. It may be helpful to know what to look up though. Thank you for the suggestion.

[2gypsies1]

Paulj: The directory doesn't really cover as much on interstates; mostly secondary highways. Yes, there are descriptions in Yellowstone: Craig Pass, Dunraven Pass, Sylvan Pass.

There's usually too much description to directly quote a highway out of the directory. In describing routes I just pick the main grades. I'm sure many do the same without directly quoting word for word.

It's well worth purchasing if you drive mountain areas a lot. Even though we drove the same highways many times we still referred to the directory to refresh our mind on what's ahead.

[doxiemom11]

The directory has notations for roads other than interstates. US and State Hwys and some notes regarding roads off from them. Here is an example for NM where we are - NM Hwy 15 (between Silver City and Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat'l Monument. (Shortening it) 5 mi north of silver city is town of Pinos Altos. Hwy 15 good to this point. beyond signs warn trailers over 20' unsafe - caution sharp curves next 18 miles. The road is extremely narrow with many very sharp turns and little or no shoulder in places. The grade rolls up and down in the 4-7% range. Near the end of the 18 mile stretch there is a descent of almost 3 miles with hairpin turns and 6-10% grades - and the description goes on for a couple more paragrahs for additional area of Hwy 15 including some 9-10% descents with 20 mph curves. Very helpful to anyone who doesn't know the roads in the area.

[paulj]

2gypsies wrote:

Purchase the Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers and you can read all about the roads before you drive them.....

I've seen a lot of recommendations for the Directory, but no one quotes it for the routes under discussion. Is there some sort of non-disclosure agreement that you have to sign when you buy it?

I've seen the sample for Arizona. It seems to mainly warn about grades, the kinds of things that truckers would want to know. They aren't afraid of heights or big views, but do want to know about grades that would be difficult for their big rigs, or would require extra attention to brakes, etc.

I also suspect most of the notes apply to Interstates and major highways that interstate commerce uses. Roads in and out of Victor might too minor or out of the way to have notes. Are there notes for roads in Yellowstone which are closed to commercial truck traffic?

[ReneeG]

jenhere wrote:
Thank you both! Very helpful!

Btw- we were in Island Park. Took 20 to 33 and it’s been nice so far. (We’re on 33 now, about 45 min from Victor)

You're on the Teton Scenic Byway between Ashton and Driggs/Victor.

Don't take 47 out of Ashton to Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. That road is NARROW and right on the edge! Even for seasoned drivers it's a little nerve wracking in one area.

If you want to see Mesa Falls, you're better off going to the end of 47 where it reconnects with 20 then coming back to the Falls.

[jenhere]

Thank you both! Very helpful!

Btw- we were in Island Park. Took 20 to 33 and it’s been nice so far. (We’re on 33 now, about 45 min from Victor)

[ReneeG]

jenhere wrote:

ReneeG wrote:
One other thing, to get from Victor to GTNP and Yellowstone, the closest route is over Hwy 31, Pine Creek Pass to Swan Valley, Hwy 26, over to Alpine and up through the Snake River Canyon - low elevation - and into Jackson. We've driven that route and it's not bad. Your other option is to take the Teton Scenic Byway up to Ashton, then get on Hwy 20 and into West Yellowstone. If you're in a Class A, does it help to sit in the back?

Hi Renee! - Can you speak to HWY 31? Seems that is the most unknown to everyone about this route? Thank you for your help.

Yes, Lori, we've been over it. It is a climb, ups and downs, with some curves and two lane, but when I say a climb it's not like Teton Pass climb. The terrain is fairly level with the highway if that helps and lots of trees and underbrush. You don't feel like you are up high and there are no sudden drop-offs. Here is a video I found on YouTube showing Hwy 31 from Swan Valley to Victor.This video is in reverse, Swan Valley to Victor, but it will give you an idea. The road has since been widened and as a passenger heading SW, you will be on the mountainside of the road. You can find just a video on just about any Hwy or road on YouTube. Hope this helps.

[2gypsies1]

…. just wondering how you got to Victor.

31 to 26 to Alpine is the best way out. It's an easy drive - no drop offs. Ask the park office where you're at about the route out. You could also drive the 31 to 26 route with just your car to see how it is before taking the RV.

Purchase the Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers and you can read all about the roads before you drive them. Have you tried putting on a sleep mask and getting comfy on these drives? Perhaps if you don't see the gorgeous views they won't bother you. I hope you can overcome this because all the scenery is on these types of roads. You don't have to drive extreme routes to see the beauty. Hwy 22 (Teton Pass) is what I would consider extreme. Good luck!