‘Insane’ video shows what it’s like driving ice-covered mountain pass in Washington

BY MARK PRICE UPDATED DECEMBER 28, 2022 8:45 AM




Washington’s Department of Transportation shared video of what it’s like to drive on a mountain road covered in 6 inches of ice, and some people say it’s making them nauseated.

The video was recorded Sunday, Dec. 25 as a state avalanche supervisor investigated conditions at Stevens Pass on U.S. 2 through the Cascade Mountains.

“The road wasn’t even accessible with our WSDOT vehicles, so he (used) a Sno-Cat to evaluate conditions,” the state wrote.

“Status: excellent for hockey, not that great for driving.”

That looks scary. One of the reasons why I won't live in a place that gets weather like that. People underestimate the conditions and overestimate their driving ability.

Wow I would love to ice skate on that. No snow smooth as glass.

Is that drivable w/ studded snow tires? Or just not drivable at all?

I assume there is a guard rail under the snow but even still, that would be hard nope for me. Guard rails on a mountain slope seems like it would only serve as a suggestion, not a prevention.

Unless I'm being chased by death, there is no reason I would drive on that road.

I have driven over that pass numerous times - never saw conditions like that. Usually you could drive through with studded tires or chains.
They fail to mention that on the other side of the snowbank on the right is probably a 600 foot drop straight down.

This is God's way of saying "You should have stayed home."

I have gotten caught on, and/or hit patches of glare ice several times in my almost 60 years of driving. Nothing is scarier! No correcting, no control, you are a passenger to inertia, gravity, and slope.

I’ve played around on icy parking lots with sheets of ice on them. Control is almost completely out of the question.

I have driven in many winter driving conditions over mountain pass' etc. my whole life. That much ice is nuts. A thin layer of black ice is just as treacherous. Especially if you have no idea it is there.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Is that drivable w/ studded snow tires? Or just not drivable at all?

I assume there is a guard rail under the snow but even still, that would be hard nope for me. Guard rails on a mountain slope seems like it would only serve as a suggestion, not a prevention.

Unless I'm being chased by death, there is no reason I would drive on that road.

It sounded like a vehicle with tracks to me. Piece of cake with tracks. Probably dumping a bunch of salt to aid in melting and eventually helping traction for cars with tires. No way a car with tires is driving on that even if they are studded. If the ice is hard enough studded or chained tires with no snow is actually the worst combination.

Some conditions are nearly friction-less:



Better off flying in that case.

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
Some conditions are nearly friction-less:



Better off flying in that case.

^^^^^^^^^ Have experience with cutting donuts on frozen ground / frozen lakes / rivers with a M113 Armoned Personel Carrier.. At speed and out of total control.... Wheeeeeeeeeee. ................ drill sgt.

"If you don't have studs on the tires, make sure there is one behind the wheel."

OZ

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Oscar Zulu,

High School Drivers' Ed back in the early '60s wherre I grew up included time with a car on a frozen lake. Quickly gave you an appreciation for what icy roads do to you.

I've driven that pass in the summer pulling a 38' 5th wheel. No way in the winter. Friend lives in Wenatchee.

That's a sketchy piece of road when it's ice'd over like that.
Studded tires and 4WD for sure.

Bumper cars!

A Snow Cat is a tracked vehicle. Some are tracked like a tank, some have quad tracks on the four corners of the vehicle like tires. I would have been tempted to lace up a pair of skates.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Is that drivable w/ studded snow tires? Or just not drivable at all?

I assume there is a guard rail under the snow but even still, that would be hard nope for me. Guard rails on a mountain slope seems like it would only serve as a suggestion, not a prevention.

Unless I'm being chased by death, there is no reason I would drive on that road.

It sounded like a vehicle with tracks to me. Piece of cake with tracks. Probably dumping a bunch of salt to aid in melting and eventually helping traction for cars with tires. No way a car with tires is driving on that even if they are studded. If the ice is hard enough studded or chained tires with no snow is actually the worst combination.

The guard rail on that curve probably won’t stop much, especially with the frozen snow bank acting like a ramp over it. A motorcycle rider with a wing suit might make it.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:
A Snow Cat is a tracked vehicle. Some are tracked like a tank, some have quad tracks on the four corners of the vehicle like tires. I would have been tempted to lace up a pair of skates.

Growing up, we always referred to snowmobiles as "snow cats". I say that nowadays and nobody seems to know what I'm talking about. Not unlike clips vs. magazines. .