Marauder in the Mountains

[jayro]

This weekend I'm on a run from near Milwaukee out to Grand Junction Colorado. I hear I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska is beautiful!:bs: So I'll let my wife drive that part while I get some sleep.

I'm aiming for I-76 then I-70 across Colorado. But once I get past Denver, the atlas says Vale Pass is Elev. 10,666 feet. Should I be concerned about my '03 running poorly at that elevation?

Also, the trip is for a family function, so I don't have a lot of time for side trips, but if anyone is familiar with some quickie *must see* stops near to I-70 in Colorado let me know. This will be my first time driving in the Rockies.

I'm aiming to be in Denver fairly early Friday morning, so that I have the daylight to get across the mountains. Yahoo maps says 14.8 hours, but I'm guessing if I leave Milwaukee about 6pm and drive thru the night I'll be in Denver by 6am if not earlier (gaining an hour with the time zone change).

No snow tires or traction control on my Marauder, it gets parked for the /salty season/ in Wisconsin, so I'm praying for no snow going through the mountains. I've driven in the German/Swiss Alps, if that's anything like the Rocky's that would be suicide to attempt with any snow on the road. So far, the weather channel says I'm clear going out, but the return trip on Sunday is getting iffy.

Dare I ask, how painful to find a way around the higher elevations for the return trip if it's snowing?

Thanks in advance!

[gpfarrell]

I-70 west of Denver is a blast.

I got to drive it one time while taking a 1999 Mercedes S600 sedan (not mine) from Pittsburgh to San Diego. The 369hp V12 would just hammer the climb out of Denver, and I think you'll have great fun in the MM there too.

Just once, lean to the left lane and get it wide open. I'm sure the thin air will cost a few hp, but modern electronics must make up for alot because that big arse Benz did 70 - 110 mph up hill like the back bumper was on fire.

Going down the other side was some of the most humbling driving I've ever had though. Here I was in the autobahn machine and I couldn't keep up with the locals in their dually 1-ton trucks!

There are sections of westbound i-70 that are over the eastbound lanes... you can practically look straight down and see... nothing! The highway really twists and winds... and those local boys know it like the backs of their hands. I really wouldn't recommend trying to keep up!

If it snows, I'd take the alternate route of a hotel parking lot. Wait it out and you'll be fine, and it will be much quicker than trying to drive around anything.

Have great fun in the MM... they're an incredible highway flyer and you are headed for some incredible highways.

[00 Aggie]

It does fine in the mountains, however there still is a lot of snow up there (from last week, heck my front yard still has about a 2 foot pile on it), I would be careful, especially on the parts of the road where the sun never reaches to melt the snow.

Be careful!

[jayro]

I-70 west of Denver is a blast.....

Just once, lean to the left lane and get it wide open. .....

Have great fun in the MM... they're an incredible highway flyer and you are headed for some incredible highways.

Thx gpfarrell, I had a hunch there would be some fun stretches. I've done the run out the other side of St. Louis on I-44, which was a blast, winding, hilly, miminal traffic. I'm not afraid to open 'er up quite a bit, especially if cars are blasting past me. (I've driven Germany's autobahn a couple times now, that can be humbling!). But some areas the LEO's will give you a free night's stay for more than 20 over. And then I hear some states will just give a *token* fine for speeding major.


It does fine in the mountains, however there still is a lot of snow up there (from last week, heck my front yard still has about a 2 foot pile on it), I would be careful, especially on the parts of the road where the sun never reaches to melt the snow.

Be careful!

Thx Aggie! Advice taken. I suppose this is what I really needed to hear. I've already done the wild ride where the snow melted on the road during the day and then goes to glare ice (black ice) at night. I was VERY fortunate my '77 Firebird just skated across the top of the snow out into the field. I figure the penalty will be much stiffer (or even game over) if I come around a bend in the mountains and find some black ice.

Usually running with the locals is smartest, as gpfarrell said they'll know the roads and conditions well.

I'll just go slow and careful, as fast as I can!

[DeadVic]

I had mine at 9500 foot last month. no problems.

[fairlane347]

This weekend I'm on a run from near Milwaukee out to Grand Junction Colorado. I hear I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska is beautiful!:bs: So I'll let my wife drive that part while I get some sleep.

I'm aiming for I-76 then I-70 across Colorado. But once I get past Denver, the atlas says Vale Pass is Elev. 10,666 feet. Should I be concerned about my '03 running poorly at that elevation?

Also, the trip is for a family function, so I don't have a lot of time for side trips, but if anyone is familiar with some quickie *must see* stops near to I-70 in Colorado let me know. This will be my first time driving in the Rockies.

I'm aiming to be in Denver fairly early Friday morning, so that I have the daylight to get across the mountains. Yahoo maps says 14.8 hours, but I'm guessing if I leave Milwaukee about 6pm and drive thru the night I'll be in Denver by 6am if not earlier (gaining an hour with the time zone change).

No snow tires or traction control on my Marauder, it gets parked for the /salty season/ in Wisconsin, so I'm praying for no snow going through the mountains. I've driven in the German/Swiss Alps, if that's anything like the Rocky's that would be suicide to attempt with any snow on the road. So far, the weather channel says I'm clear going out, but the return trip on Sunday is getting iffy.

Dare I ask, how painful to find a way around the higher elevations for the return trip if it's snowing?

Thanks in advance!

Have I meet you? Were you at the Waukesha meet this spring? You are close to me and another MM guy by my house. i don't remember names, just curious. Take some pictures in the mountains, they would look good. Sound like a fun trip!:D

[chrish]

must see the biggest cotton BALLS in the WORLD
probably can see them from the road..........these are some LARGE BALLS
O' ya did I mention the DAM tour?????

[jayro]

Have I meet you? Were you at the Waukesha meet this spring? You are close to me and another MM guy...

Sorry Ryan, I haven't attended any meets, local or otherwise. Though Waukesha is so close I would have made that one if timing permitted. First half of year was very busy, so no free time to browse forums.

Keep me posted, I'd like to make some meets. And I'll share a couple pics when I get back.

[MdnightMarauder]

Yeah I might have to be going out to comerce city for a job interview. So not sure if I sould take a different car becides the MM. Also if I move out there I might need to get a 4x4. Dont want to part with the MM though. Have to stay a couple of extra days for some great Skiing.

[fairlane347]

Sorry Ryan, I haven't attended any meets, local or otherwise. Though Waukesha is so close I would have made that one if timing permitted. First half of year was very busy, so no free time to browse forums.

Keep me posted, I'd like to make some meets. And I'll share a couple pics when I get back.

Sounds good I think I will try for a spring meet in 07, I will post it here.:D

[jayro]

A couple pics, getting up to Loveland Pass Elev. 11,990 ft. and Rocky Mountain High Marauder.

Marauder ran fine, though above 7,000 ft. the power was noticebly missing. And above 9,000 forget about overdrive, and even then acceleration was more proposition than reality.

[jayro]

I guess there's a limit for image size, so here's the quickie thumbnails. Sorry to tease.

[00 Aggie]

You want some more mountian pics?

here you go--->http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29245