First Time To Seattle

I got a load heading to Seattle, Washington as the title says and it was my first time up in Washington period. I just wanted to throw a word of warning out to any new drivers like myself, I've been through the mountains and in the snow in several places, if you've been through West Virginia in winter then you know it gets sobering really fast under full load. But nothing I've been through prepared me for this morning. 90W through the mountains, which is basically all of Washington from my experience, will not only sober you; It will put you in your place. This is the first time I've been legitimately scared, and I don't mean like spooked. The only time I can remember being more fightened was boarding a helicopter to go in country. I'm not trying to scare anyone, you will see alot of trucks on this route and I have no idea how some of them were doing the speeds they were but please take it slow your first time. I don't know the name of this particular section, but their is an area where your only warning if a steep grade is a small yellow sign, their is no mention of the actual grade. You come around a bend and it's just a straight shot down with a sharp left hook at the bottom where it runs to a cliff wall. A more experienced person than myself probably knows what I am talking about. If you are prepared for it isn't that bad I'm sure, probably still a little scary but not what I came to considering I'm a calm guy who keeps his head cool under most stress. Thank you for your time.

You got chains? Also how are you getting up there? (As in which interstates). Parking is non-existent over there unless you get lucky or have a company terminal nearby. Take it easy, watch the weather, and enjoy Washington's beauty!

Nevermind was lazy and just scanned thru haha. 90 is pretty scary when it is dry. Good to hear you made it through!

If you want scary try to park at the Loves in Tacoma!

There's some pretty spots up there, I always liked running over to Wenatchee to load apples in the winter.

It can get kind of hairy in a blizzard though. They usually take pretty good care of 90, but when Snoqualmie gets 10 feet of snow in a week not a lot can be done.

Chains aren't necesarry right now in this area (still in Oregon right now on my way back with a gravy run) cause their isn't snow on the road. The ice was there and it was like a random land mine waiting to ruin your day. But their is absolutely no doubt to the beauty of the state, none. I got a couple good photos, but it is gorgeous. Just whoever planned that interstate was drunk I'm certain.

Just whoever planned that interstate was drunk I'm certain.

I'm certain "they", the design engineers were NOT drunk.

They run the highways through mountain passes taking the path of least resistance looking for natural cuts and valleys. Just look at the geography in that area...the route you were on was the optimal path. Same approach and process for cutting roads through any mountain passes.

Problem is these roads were designed in the 40s and 50s when gross weights were lower and trailers were less than 40' long.

I guarantee, faced with the exact same road a year from now, it won't appear as daunting.

Iron Emu, I'm curious as to which company you're driving for?

Also, this time of year if you're running out West, you need chains on your truck. I think that's why Gladhand asked you that question. You can get a ticket in several of those Western states just for not having them on your truck during the winter months.

It's great having some new flat bedders in here. I can still remember the days when I was the only crazy fool in this forum!

G-town, while I know you are right about the time frame differences and optimal path given the geography, at the very least some gradient signs would be nice. I'm sure you are right that as I, hopefully, spend more time in the northwest I will become more comfortable and accustomed to the combination of weather and terrain. The only way to be more okay with it is to keep working it. Old School, I run with Western Express and I do indeed have chains in my possession. I had misunderstood the question. I love it though, a couple of other guys I knew who were Marine/Navy started doing it and it seemed a great way to keep in shape and drive a rig. Still have a workout routine aside from the work but it helps.

IronEmu; in your first post you mentioned a small yellow sign indicating a grade. Your above reply leads me to believe there were none. Doesn't matter either way. Here's why...

Not sure if you have ever been on I-90 through western WA and the infamous Snoqualmie Pass. I assume from your initial post, probably not. My suggestion in the future, use a trucker's road Atlas whenever routed through unfamiliar territory. The Atlas provides information on road, highway or Interstate that is not obvious on a GPS. Using the RM Road Atlas in conjunction with a GPS should be a regular part of your trip-plan.

If you look at I-90 headed West towards Seattle in the Atlas two things are obvious;

- the circuitous nature of the path of the road, and the surrounding mountain elevations clearly marked indicating mountainous terrain. Expect grades that require care when descending. Don't rely on signage, especially in the winter. Signs get taken out by plows and out of control vehicles.

It's also advisable to Google a particular stretch of Interstate or Highway through mountaneous terrain. Lots of valuable information are contained especially if it's DOT website site.

Not trying to be mean or cold here, trying to help you better prepare for this sort of thing.

G-town even if you were being mean it would be understandable, a failure of planning can be (and was) dangerous. I believe that was the name of the pass I was on though, and going back now and looking at it on a map it should have been indicative of the nature of the road. This goes further to prove my point in my initial post about being careful in the area, well not just in that particular area as you have pointed out and I now have to amend, but in any area you really don't know.