Mountain Directory - and other best towing adventures

[PKI]

The intent of this thread is to present the experiences of folks who have towed significant, fun and interesting roadways including and similar to those identified in the Mountain Directories. As those directories do not include every significant climb, the thread is an opportunity to report on the missing adventures.

This is the link to the Colorado Mountain Pass thread. It is considerable and includes some other grade and road configuration details.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f382...-152442-2.html

If you have posted or read similar prior threads, please link them so folks have that information easily available for reference.

Often folks reference different Tow Vehicle requirements for travel in the East vs the requirements of the Rockies and Western States. But a quick review of the East Directory identifies that there are many significant grades in the East, maybe more. Please, defer your tow vehicle reviews and recommendations to those threads.

Warninmg - caution - some roads are more prudent to not tow. No down side to an adventure with only the tow vehicle. It's less stress, wear and tear, and still quite an experience. In no way is it appropriate to tow a roadway that is beyond your skill and abilitiy or that does not safely accomodate your rig.

Mountain Directory link - http://www.mountaindirectory.com/

OK - here we go. Safety First. Pat

[PKI]

We just got the Mountain Directories, but have been intending to get them for some time. A lady at one of the NY campgrounds told us about the books.

One of our most interesting tows was through Smugglers Notch on HW 108 in Vermont. We rolled up 108 and noticed a number of strange looks from folks as we went by (maybe we were just self conscious). The MDE states "Road ahead unsafe for trailers, trucks, and buses." and "Tractor Trailers Prohibited." We remember a specification that limited the length of the rig and ours was less. So either we missed the MDE sign, or? Our rig is 24+17 or 41ft nose to tail and 8ft wide with 9ft mirror to mirror tip.

The trip up was fun and interesting. The trip down was, well - challenging. What the MDE does not tell you is that folks park their cars along the road at the top to hike the area. It gets very narrow. The bolder is as described. It certainly restricts the width to one lane and requires care to round it. If you don't feel comfortable doing an autocross course, this may not be your adventure. In any case go slow. We considered ourselves lucky and have modified our towing practice since.

Travel safe. Pat

[PKI]

The Bear Tooth Pass located NE of Yellowstone is worth the time to travel. We did not tow this route as it was a day trip out of Fishing Bridge Campground.

We had heard of the Bear Tooth from my brother and nephew who did it on their motorcycles a few months before we drove it. Really no major observations that differ from the MDW. We did see folks towing the pass and followed an Interstate down from the summit. We will do it again if we spend more time in Yellowstone.

Travel safe. Pat

Comfort stations are a welcome stop if you choose not to tow. Not too many. Don't miss this one near the summit.