Narrow Mtn Road Etiquette

[lyingflatlander]

I didn’t know there was an actual etiquette. I always pay attention to where there is a place to pull over and back up to that spot if I encounter anyone. Found myself backing up for everyone and getting annoyed this past year as some guys were literally next to places where they could of did the same.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Uphill bound has the right of way may serve well as a general rule of thumb, but the specific location of the encounter matters a lot.

I vacation in CO frequently. I don't drive on overly technical roads, but some are narrow with rough patches. I was driving my 2WD truck down a mountain in a bit of a rough spot when I rounded a bend and encountered an uphill bound small SUV. I was aware of the rule of thumb but my truck being light on the back end couldn't get traction in the rutted loose gravel that I stopped in.

I got out and told the other driver what was going on. They understood and offered to back up a few hundred feet to a place where the road was wider and they could pull over. Sometimes a friendly conversation helps.

If I am uphill bound and I encounter another vehicle, I don't mind backing into a passing location if I have one at my disposal. I find backing uphill in narrow, technical terrain to be more difficult than tackling the same terrain going forward.

It seems to me that the rule of thumb is fine, but there would be too many variables to codify it into law. I can say that empathy, patience, communication and cooperation go a long way.

 

[Oregon]

This is great advice for anyone hunting around an active logging op. Dudes are working and you’re not….. you yield to them

The reason all mainline logging roads have mile markers on them. Log trucks announce their mile marker and whether heading up or down as they pass them. Saved my bacon a few times.

 

[Poser]

Driver's side. You always want to have a driver's side on the side of the drop off when passing. Particularly if both driver's are solo.
This may mean that 2 vehicles will pass each other in opposite "lanes" than on 2 lane roads, but it keeps eyes directly on the drop-off. When you don't have a passenger and you are forced to pass with the passenger side near the drop-off, it can get hairy real quick.


I agree with the others that every situation is different, but you just don't have great braking power backing downhill. Your front brakes are where your stopping power is.

 

[Poser]

Where we hunt in SW Colorado you can take the long way and stay on nice paved roads, or cut off a bunch of distance by cutting through on a forest service road. We've opted for the short cut a couple times and it barely fits one vehicle, let alone two and is a super tight switch back affair, that has some pretty intimidating drop offs if you were ever to venture too close to the edge. We were taking the short cut one time and came face-to face with a big wrecker (the kind they use on semi's) coming down the road. We are wondering what the heck he was doing running that huge rig on that road - I guess he knew the area and also opted for the short cut. We both had a heck of a time maneuvering our vehicles to pass each other - fortunately there was a spot in the road that widened a bit, and we were able to make it work.

Ophir Pass?

 

[Steve300xcw]

. Log trucks announce their mile marker and whether heading up or down as they pass them.

Most of the time...LOL an the crummies are runnin stealth mode

 

[Steve300xcw]

Driver's side. You always want to have a driver's side on the side of the drop off when passing. Particularly if both driver's are solo.
This may mean that 2 vehicles will pass each other in opposite "lanes" than on 2 lane roads, but it keeps eyes directly on the drop-off. When you don't have a passenger and you are forced to pass with the passenger side near the drop-off, it can get hairy real quick.

Never heard that one before..

 

[Weldor]

I maintain one of those fine narrow roads, can't tell you how many times I've almost had people in my bucket. I also have had people pass almost head on opposing traffic. It's like a circus, a guy ran over my steel drag. I had to laugh 2 flats immediately. the look of bewilderment was hilarious.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I maintain one of those fine narrow roads, can't tell you how many times I've almost had people in my bucket. I also have had people pass almost head on opposing traffic. It's like a circus, a guy ran over my steel drag. I had to laugh 2 flats immediately. the look of bewilderment was hilarious.

I had signs up, a decent windrow down the middle of the road. And still about got 5 or so forest circus rigs that were hauling ass. Was white dodges flying everywhere trying to get outta the way

 

[CMF]

Uphill bound has the right of way may serve well as a general rule of thumb, but the specific location of the encounter matters a lot.

I vacation in CO frequently. I don't drive on overly technical roads, but some are narrow with rough patches. I was driving my 2WD truck down a mountain in a bit of a rough spot when I rounded a bend and encountered an uphill bound small SUV. I was aware of the rule of thumb but my truck being light on the back end couldn't get traction in the rutted loose gravel that I stopped in.I

I got out and told the other driver what was going on. They understood and offered to back up a few hundred feet to a place where the road was wider and they could pull over. Sometimes a friendly conversation helps.

If I am uphill bound and I encounter another vehicle, I don't mind backing into a passing location if I have one at my disposal. I find backing uphill in narrow, technical terrain to be more difficult than tackling the same terrain going forward.

It seems to me that the rule of thumb is fine, but there would be too many variables to codify it into law. I can say that empathy, patience, communication and cooperation go a long way.

I agree, I'm usually in a long bed and it's really light in the back end. I almost got stuck trying to back up a mild grade in MT with some snow/ice on the road, luckily I had 4x4.

One thing I do when I'm on sketchy narrow roads is mark the wide spots and turnouts on OnX so if I do encounter someone, I know how far back I might have to go.

 

[Burnsie]

Ophir Pass?

No - I believe it is Road 38, north of Rico. It comes off Rt 145 and it cuts NW across the Willow Divide, then south and comes out near Black Mesa.