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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Survived: ONE lane road, Steep Grades & Thin Mountain air (24% Grade...YES 24%!)
Survived: ONE lane road, Steep Grades & Thin Mountain air [message #93520] Tue, 27 July 2010 16:03 Go to previous message
1977Production#0001 is currently offline  1977Production#0001   United States
Messages: 197
Registered: January 2010
Location: Vallejo, California
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Senior Member
The trip to Pacific Valley was a success. The Drive to Pacific Grade Summit was mostly uneventful(had a tiny bit of vapor lock when outside temps were at 103) until the road became one lane and just after the pass at 8,050 ft we came into a sharp left turn with a precipitous cliff with no guardrails greeting us eastbound California 4 motorists upon leaving the summit. Ahead is a series of downhill, 24% grade switchbacks. Of course I had my right tires on the edge of the pavement when an oncoming van went into panic mode and she stopped in the road (Not fully to the side. I slowly squeaked by and sent a few pebbles off the cliff before tackling the steep switchbacks. Second gear all the way down (I could/should? have done 1st and saved some brakes). The brakes had a bit of a smell and squeak at the bottom, but we turned into Pacific Valley campsite (SO beautiful, another story).
Fast forward to the end of the trip...
Yesterday, a warm afternon, we started her up, warmed her up and attempted to drive down the campground to say bye to friends... LOW RPM...No brakes...then stall... no start...opening the carb we got her restarted... barely. Could not move her and putting air filter on caused her to stall. Without air filter she limped. Finally figured out that being in the mountains she was starving for air with the choke on. After warming up fully she was back to normal. Said our goodbyes(not final haha) and bothered a friend to follow us UP the 24% grade since we were worried about the lack of air and the steepness of the mountain. checked fluids/braked/nerves and then we got a running start that helped up the first of 15 switchbacks, dropped it to first gear and we sailed up that mountain at a constant 15 MPH not even slowing for the full crank switchbacks. Got to the top and pulled over...All systems normal! Success! I'd have to say this trip gave us confidence in the GMC for mountainous roads.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5552/STEEP_SIGN.jpg
YES it WAS that STEEP
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5552/STEEP_SIGN.jpg

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5552/medium/ca-004_eb_ebbetts_pass_069.jpg
A precipitous cliff with no guardrails?Ummm...ok..Bring it on!
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/5552/medium/ca-004_eb_ebbetts_pass_069.jpg

Giovanni(Carlo) 1977 GMC Kingsley 26ft "Carbon Footprint" Rear Twin, Dry Bath, Original Headliner

[Updated on: Tue, 27 July 2010 16:38]

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