Where is the lowest altitude Pass in the Rocky Mountains?
By Mike on November 23, 2009, 12:50 pmI’m planning to drive from Iowa to San Francisco later this year. I’d like to know the name and location for the lowest Pass in the Rocky Mountains. Also, the one that’s the least steep on the Western side if it’s not the same as the lowest one.
I’m planning to drive from Iowa to San Francisco later this year. I’d like to know the name and location for the lowest Pass in the Rocky Mountains. Also, the one that’s the least steep on the Western side if it’s not the same as the lowest one. I don’t want to take I-80 or any of the major Interstates. I-80 is not the least scary route. I don’t want to drive on the Interstate any more than absolutely necessary. If that’s the only way over a Pass, that’s fine, but I’ll be getting back off as soon as possible.
Can’t fly or do the bus or Amtrak because I have stuff I need to take with me and they charge for extra luggage.
Lookout Pass is in the Bitterroot Mountains
The lowest pass in the US is Lookout Pass between Montana and Idaho, on I90. The pass with the gentlest slope, both East and West is South Pass in Wyoming, on I80.
edit:
Correction—Lookout Pass is in the Bitterroot Mountains.
From Google Earth:
"Marias Pass (el. 5213 ft./1588 m.) is a high mountain pass near Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana in the United States. The pass traverses the continental divide in the Lewis Range, along the boundary between the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Flathead National Forest. The pass forms the southern limit of the Continental Ranges, a major grouping of the Rocky Mountains which extends as far north as McGregor Pass in the Northern Rockies of the Canadian province of British Columbia."
US Hwy 2 crosses this pass.
This is a long ways out of the way for a trip from Iowa to San Francisco. I80 is the least scary route as well as the most direct. The steepest inclines are Sherman Pass between Cheyenne and Laramie, WY, and Donner Pass, near Lake Tahoe.
References :
http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=48.316565999999995&lon=-113.35401999999999&scale=24000&zoom=100&type=1&icon=0&searchscope=dom&CFID=1906387&CFTOKEN=81532983&scriptfile=http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS
Google Earth
Not to be a smarty-boots, but fly to Sanny then rent a car.
References :
Lookout Pass is in the Bitterroot Mountains
References :
Hi guys,
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