Back in the late 1970s, my Dad hauled a trailer house out to the Farmington area, and it being spring break for me, I went with him. We came back a different route deadheading and went across Wolf Creek Pass. Dad told me a few stories he had heard, and showed me where a trailer house driver he knew had got in trouble and basically side swiped his trailer and truck on the side of the mountain to slow down. He was able to get stopped, but left pretty much everything but the frame of that trailer scattered along the road. It had just happened a couple of weeks earlier and pieces of it were still there. Dad taught me how to drive in the mountains, and I agree with the adage, "you can go down a hill too slow, but you will go too fast only once".
I really dont buy into the suicide bit. But I'm sure some have. But most are just going way way too fast ! And it's not just the rookies now days. I see guys that have been out here years tailgating, speeding far far too fast, and driving stupid. It's a new world now days as compared to when I started driving in the 90s. But Speed kills ! It did then and it does now !
You can see the tire tracks right before the cliff drop off. They were trying to turn away from going over the cliff. Not a suicide. Just going way to fast to correct in time for that next turn.
Amen Ran raw gypsum out a invermere BC (RADIUM HOT SPRINGS) into Calgary AB for a few years back in the late seventies ! Loved it ! Best truckin years of my life bar none ! Hard long pull out of invermere , and radium up 93A always followed a few cardinal rules or I would not be here tellin you this, started down from the top ten miles or so out of Radium third fourth fifth most of the way to the top then started down after walk around !Retarder on from second gear brakin light all the way down to the valley ! Hairpin or two as we’ll shells were hot at the bottom the 3 or 4 hrs to climb Storm mountain up to Fireweed look out then down slow to Eisenhower junction then easy roll easy to Calgary n ! Moral : follow your learned rules or wreck and Die woooohooo !!!!
I went down Wolf Creek Pass back in the early 1990's. I had 44,000 pounds on and I had been driving about 4 months. I adjusted my brakes at the top of the hill, then went down very slowly. Can't remember if I took it out of low range or not. Got to the bottom, didn't smoke my brakes. That was an "interesting" drive.
Just like airline pilots must remember the mantra that, "Take-offs are optional, but landings are always going to be mandatory", truck drivers must remember that you go down a hill about as fast as you can get up it.
@@Adrian_Nel But always remember,the gear you were in at the top,will not hold you going down.Need to drop at least two,more likely three gears to get down safely.
First of all, rest in peace to the truck driver. It's horrific. I was about to soil my britches when the camera went over the edge there. Yikes!! On a side note, it is absolutely stunningly beautiful there. Bless all the truckers out there every day and night, burning the asphalt, to keep this country running!!
Thank you for sharing . This has got to be some of the most beautiful scenery ever !! I live in Georgia and we dont have mountains in my area so yeah I really enjoyed your video very much. My heart goes out to the trucker and his family that lost his life there. He sure picked a beautiful place to leave his spirit. When his family comes to visit I hope they feel his love and presence of peace. God be with them and all who have passed thru the veil here. Blessings to you my friend as you travel this land and it's amazing wonders.
I first ran over WC in '73... last time around 2000. Big improvements have been made. Wider and straighter. The last time i came over the pass the road was gravel in places before all the. road work had been done. I had a second driver with me that I had hired... he had no fear until he came over the top and smoked the brakes. I made him stop and I drove the rest of the way to Durango...
Outtuh all the passes ive trucked up n over, Wolf creek Pass has always been my favorite mtn to run, day & night, good or bad/snowy weather!!! Truck safe driver. I also helped pave this pass hauling many a load of asphalt back in 2003
As I looked at the distance he would have gaining speed he would be going. Oh no! Oh God no! No, no, No!!!!..... the whole way; knowing the breaks were gone.
Sorry to hear of yet another driver that didn't make it home. We all count on the things y'all bring, and often the drivers are taken for granted. So I want to take the time to say thank you to all the drivers. Y'all please keep it safe, your family's love and need each and every one of you. Thank you for the work ya'll do day in and day out. God bless and be safe.
@@51502 it gets better Bro. Most trucker are just trying to make a living, but it only takes one bad trucker having a bad day to mess up the reputation for everyone. I used to be otr, but I am not on the road anymore. I am glad to be home, but I do salute all truckers. Much love to y'all.
Thats one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Maybe 12 years ago I worked on the truck escape ramps, hauling ashalt. I loved that job! I stood at that spot many times!
I had a friend whose dad a truck driver. He picked up this hitch hiker who was apparently also a truck driver he got to talking how bad the passes are back east. His father said he had never driven back East but he said when we get to the top of pass (Wolf Creek) we are about to go over I will pull over and let you have a look and see what you think. Which he did when he got to the top, the guy opened his door and the first thing the guy saw was a thousand foot drop. The guy slammed the door and moved to the middle of the cap and didn't say another word. When they got to Alamosa, he told the guy there was another pass they had to go over but it was just a minor one. The guy would not go with him. About the only way you can get out of the San Luis Valley is going south, so I guess that is the way he went
Woohooo! I live just right over the hill! Hubby makes that run often and I hate it! Legit make him call me as soon as he’s off that pass. This summer they had State Patrol doing safety meetings at the top with every truck..... My last ride along we had a run to Durango.....being in the passenger side and seeing over the edge..... was not cool! Those railings felt so tiny! Be safe out there y’all 🥰
That was a heavy load you had strapped down! Like your sense of humor, HA! I've always enjoyed crossing this pass but its unforgiving if not driven cautiously. That's still a dangerous curve. First time I went over Wolf Creek Pass was back in 1968 when it was a two-lane highway with extremely tight switchbacks. I clearly remember on that particular switchback, the CODOT had placed a sign indicating the number of people that had lost their lives plunging over the side.
Never been on Wolf Creek Pass, heard about it through the old truckin songs, had some drivers tell me about it. Ive been on many 8 and 9% grades in Canada but they weren't as long as Wolf Creek. If i ever drive it, it'll be on a bike or in a hlf ton, retired after 45 yrs out there, be safe driver.
I took that route many times in the early 80s... no jake.. It was a challenge loaded with oilfield pipe from Pueblo to Farmington, NM usually. Composed a little poem back then: "Smoked my brakes, came down too fast, but still survived, Wolf Creek Pass.."
I remember going thru Wolf Creek pass in the winter '60 or '61 we slid into the snow berm on the out side of the road downhill was next. I believe how dangerous that road is.!
Put some snow on it and I will ski it. I used to ski Shutes like that around Alta Utah. I have skied at many Ski Mountains but never Wolf Creek. I heard it's a great place to ski . Here in MI I have a 1986 Freightliner Michigan Special .. 44 rears 18,000 set back front axle .. It pulled Double dump trailers @ 160,000# 11 axles all it's life and No Engine Brake. Jake Brakes are the way to go save on your brakes and keep them cool .. The Truck needs new brakes at the moment.. I am guessing maybe it's an issue of noise with so much residential everywhere in MI. Seems every time you get on a Hill steep enough to need the engine brake East of the Mississippi River there will be a sign that so No Engine brakes allowed.. I use them anyway much of the time. Through a muffler they are not that loud like they are with straight pipes..
I have driven that road several times, but usually on my motorcycle. I have seen several cars and trucks pull into that area with the brakes smoking. I only drove it about 4 times in the big truck, and I was lucky in that I had the twin turbo Cat engine, and it had about the best Jakes on it I have ever used. I had 2 loads that were quite heavy and 2 that were light. Still probably took it too slow, but I'd rather go slower and be able to tell about it. If the driver had fell out of the cab somehow, there are a lot of bears, scavengers and the like up there. They could have carted off the corpse. The beauty of that area is second to none, and on the Eastern side there is the last natural hot spring that isn't commercialized in Colorado. Love that area.
@@allamericantruckerrob9777 Actually, my daughters live in Colorado, they rarely show me pictures, but I don't get to travel so any where is great.. Thank you for asking. Just surprise each trip.
@@crazyman8472 [Verse 15] Well, we shot that tunnel at a 110 like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen... Those lyrics are with me forever!! So glad to have grown up in those times!
I have a class "A" CDL. I have gone over that road at least once a decade since 1973. With all the improvements in the road. It is possibly more danderous now than back in the 70's. A driver in any type of vehicle cannot completely understand the road the first time at night. I was taught that whatever speed the yellow advisory sign says. Take the curve at HALF the posted speed. In July of 2017 I was driving Westbound in my personal vehicle. A Ram 1500 quadcab 4wd Ecodiesel pickup truck. I had my daughter, and 3 grandkids with all our vacation gear for several weeks. Earlier in the trip we went eastbound on Tioga Pass. Which reminds you all the way down the hill. It is a nasty hill. Wolf Creek and many others give a driver easy spots. And at night they get complacent or tired. Then gravity gets you! And will never let you go!!! Twice I have seen out of control vehicles already at high speed. The driver tries to rub against the mountain. The vehicle rolls over and breaks apart. And just leaves a debris field down the road. The Northbound I-5 in Kern County. Just before the Grapevine rd exit. Has a sign dedicating the road to a CHP that had died when his patrol vehicle tumbled at speed on the hill. I now work for a water utility. And drive work trucks within the City when needed. But Wolf Creek and many other mountain roads are more dangerous now than in the early years. Because the improvements fool people into letting gravity get them. Even the Highway Patrol!!!
Great coverage of this - such a terrible event, I can’t imagine what such an experience would be like for the driver as well as the emergency service people and the police. I happened to see a drone presentation of this site but somehow your coverage completes this very uneasy event. Drive safely!
Lack of experience and or not understanding the forces your dealing with, coming off these mountains. You might be right about suicide. I don't know. Want to say thanks for the ride on Wolf Creek. Came off the road 2 years ago after 30 so it is good seeing it again. Do wish it could have been under better circumstances. Also, 'Nice Hood'.👍
thanks for the clip...* like the TONKA, just like mine its brand new sitting in my closet, my father bought in about 68 wouldnt let us take it outside to play with it...* thanks to all truckers out there besafe...*
There's a reason for all the signs warning of curves, I never went too fast down hill, occasionally other drivers would ask why I went too slow I told them I can go slow all the time, too fast just once, be safe, just found your channel, Pull toy said so.
Nice looking Pete you have and looks like a nice scenic pass. Screw going over that edge though, that must have been freaky as hell for the few seconds till he died. Poor bastard. RIP
I drove that pass a few times in the early 90s. Looks way different now. I think what happens is the drivers are going too fast at the top and lose their brakes, or in this case all brakes but one. By the time they reach this curve they are going way too fast to make the turn and they think that little gap is some kind of option, maybe end up out in a field or in some bushes or something. Especially at night, they've never been on this road, they can see lights down there and just hope it works somehow. Taking a truck ramp is usually followed by losing your job and a huge fine. So they think maybe that dark little gap there can get me out of this. It can, just not the way you thought.
Typically you get fined for improper pre trip or improper brake adjustment or failure to maintain brakes in proper working order or something of that nature but you will also have a pretty hefty bill from a tow truck company to remove the truck from the ramp. And if you leave it there too long you'll get a fine for blocking the ramp.
@@cameronturner7475 running costs starts at $10,000 for any colorado runaway truck ramps from what ive been told. Dillon towing and recovery make a killing with this!
I'm a retired independent O/O, Married to a freight broker no less. Finally found one that learned how to take all the money. Anyway, I live in Del Norte and I've been over Wolf Creek more times then I can remember. Getting to watch your video running east on 160 brought back a lot of memories. If your Pete was red it would have been deja vu.
Wow hopefully you had all the right permits for that lil truck on the trailer.. that’s real cute, haven’t seen anyone doing that lately,made my night, keep on trucking.
I-40 in North Carolina, wrecks, rocks falling in the Great Smokie Mountains and the wrecks are more than the other freeways, I drive it, but am always more alert and cautious than with the others. All be carefull and safe out there and always say a little prayer.
I read your first response to ne...some of it does make sense, however, being a driver myself, I make this quick assumption. We both know how hot the brakes get going down any steep hill. ( my experience is in the Northeast tri-state area ) the only hills I had to contend with was a 6% incline on Rt.280 in NJ. with that said...it's obvious he was inexperienced, but too many variables come into play. The Weather, the temperature, time of day..was it foggy/misty? If that was the case, did his wipers suck. Was he being blinded by an idiot blasting him with highbeams? Was he over weight? Was he sleep deprived? Was he on meds, or possibly drinking? Etc. Way too many reasons for this accident. As far as the skid marks go...I ask you this. If it were suicide, I personally don't believe you would see any skid marks....those skid marks tell a sad story of quick decision making. Regardless of the out come. Peace brother
Damn, i cant tell ya how much i miss driving. (24yrs in a fuel tanker) My veiw was the same as yours, lookin out over the extended hood of that beautiful Petercar...Except my truck was Blue. Great lookin truck brother. Motor Easy.
Went down part of this road backward and sideways on the ice one winter. What was really scary was I was in the sleeper listening to the codriver yelling "WAKE UP RON. WE'RE GONNA CRASH!!"
I can't do the sleeper thing when we're going down a pass, not a slick one anyway. I recall one time I was in the buddy seat out west on I-90, Snoqualmie maybe, we were pretty heavy and had to pay some guys to chain us up a bit so we could come down on snow pack at night. I could see the the speedometer and I said Steve, if I see the speed get over 15mph, I'm jumping out. And I meant it!
I have no experence driving a truck larger than a F150 with an 20' trailer, However I think that at 6:40 if I had no brakes, Cutting the wheel hard right and running up that embankment and rolling over would be a hell of a lot better than flying off a litteral cliff.
I've been over Wolf Creek Pass so many times in a trucks at my family owned and on vacay Sugarloaf I've been all up and down mountain roads and it is scary
when heavy, I purposely pick a low, low gear, Jake brake on , and stay below 25 mph, just to survive the downhill grade, it gets hairy, but you can do it
It was not easy. Especially back then. But I felt so proud of myself. Taught myself to back up too. I respect drivers like you too Randy. Be safe out there. 👍👍😂😅👍
@@barbarasakatos3150 That was my way too~~. Born and raised in Oregon, drove 5 western states first 3 out of the 19 years I drove, and let me tell ya all, them mountains will kill ya in a heartbeat! *There are no second chances!* You get lazy and don't bother to check your brakes at the top of the grade, or you think you have your big boy pants on so you don't bother to gear down as you crest the top of the pass thinking you'll slow down as it steepens up? That's all the kind of thinking that will get you and the trucks around you very *dead* very quickly as you lose control of your truck as you blow by the escape ramp thinking you've got it under control...
i'm sitting on my sofa watching this and getting so dizzy , i almost fell off the sofa leaning with the vehicle......LOL!.......good job i'm not trying to drive it EVER !
That pass was only Two lane back in the 60s. Some drivers dont heed the grade signs and the warning to Gear down thinking the johnson brake will hadle the incline.Ha ha , yeah right. Been over that pass many times. Grew up in Grand Junction. Good vid!
I've been up and down this pass several times heading from Durango to Denver and back, also skiing the WCP area. It's a nasty pass. It can be sunny at the bottom and snowing like hell as you go up it. The old carburetor setup on cars have trouble going up it because of the altitude change. We had to make carb adjustments to get over it.
I remember seeing a video of a semi shooting straight off that curve. Definitely dangerous. You never know what was going through someone’s mind when it happened. It does make you wonder if it were intentional or accidental. Beautiful scenery. Safe travels brother. 🙏🏼🦅🇺🇸
If you are not a professional truck driver, don't bother with making yourself look silly with a ignorant comment about the operation of a tractor-trailer rig. The guy posting this video does know what he is talking about. This dead trucker had no PROFESSIONAL reason for allowing this to ACCIDENTLY happen....... When these things happen, IT'S *NEVER* A ACCIDENT. It's either on purpose or as the result of serious negligence in driving technique or the pre inspection of the truck/trailer/load. Braking systems on modern tractor-trailers do NOT SUDDENLY FAIL......But, drivers do...........
Dear Bob they fail all the time.... they're junk piles big pieces of junk... Probably picked up Coors in Golden probably dropping off Pepsi Farmington no reason to use Wolf Creek for going to California...
Guess again. I had all of my brakes fail within a minute on a Freightliner. Luckily, I was going down an entrance ramp and was able to stop the truck on time. Freight liners have a gizmo in the dash that controls every brake in the truck. If it fails, all brakes fail. It was a 2005.
It's beautiful up there. Not a suicide, loss of brakes. Poor guy. May he rest in peace and love for his family and friends. Just last September 2021, another trucker lost his brakes and flew off the same cliff. Caught on video. May he too RIP and love and prayers for his family and friends. What a horrible terrifying way to die. I think they should name that corner Dead Truckers Curve, it would fit it.
Where all those cones are as you were going up wolf creek a man ran out of brakes in his rv carrying his boat on the back and he didn't make it. It also happens to trucks too. So it's better to gear down and come off her slow.
Drove up hill in a pick up...poring rain cascading of the rocks to the left and a white line to the right with the drop off a ft. away from the line...except where the line just dissapeared... My wife layed across the seat and wouldn't look out the window..
Been down that route ....only in summer...you got to be a mad man to travel it come snow. I picked up a loat of bulk carrots in Monte Vista headed to Bakersfield
He was probably trying to screw the fully illuminated knob back on the shift lever when the ash fell off his cigar and lit the cuff of his pants on fire.
ive stopped here passing through on my way home in cali thats one beautiful view in the winter even in clear weather but holy moly this was my fear something like this happening on that turn
Good video, and information. Do you know anything about the Semi that hit the jersey barrier wall, and crased over it? As a local driver, any information as to what caused the crash, or any other info about it! Thanks.
The driver is or was probably in the tree canopy if he was thrown from his rig when it bounced off the rock face. I lived there for 4 years in the 90s. Back then we didn't have all of the barriers up. Even in a 4 wheeler it could get scary.
It’s not an easy drive, even in a car!! I used to live out there and it got hard to even go for a drive to enjoy the beauty god gave us cause my hands hurt so bad from having a death grip on the wheel! If you don’t have respect for a trucker then you need to drive 20 miles thru these cuts and you’ll have a much different outlook and new found respect for every one of our truckers!! And that’s a guarantee!!!!!
Looks like a suicide to me. Steered right past the jersey wall going full tilt. Those marks are from the hard turmoil forces on the tires . How come the highway depth doesn't put a barrier across that area? No cars need to access that overlook. Parking is across the road.
They have since this video was made. Check out Google maps. Way different now, and dude are still flying off and you definitely HAVE to try now to thread the needle
Yeah there's no validity to saying that driver thought he or she was in a car. These drivers have training in this area of expertise. They know what is ahead, they know to pull off and adjust brakes if needed,etc. Some of the things this guy is saying makes more sense than not.
Honestly... a lot of these drivers have no idea to even speak english. This is my experience talking. I pull into scales, shippers, recievers, and these dudes cant even understand basic directions! I have to park drivers' trucks for them because they got their licences through family/friends of family. Its a loophole that needs to be closed!
Spectacular scenery, nice road, then seeing the obliterated wreckage of what was once a commercial cargo trailer, with no signs of the tractor unit was quite a contrast! That has to be the most unforgiving location to wreck, the probability of the Commercial Driver being ejected from the truck cab on impact and thrown down into the forest may explain why his body was never located.
I haul livestock thru that pass with my 1 ton. Buddy of mine burned his breaks out and had to emergency maneuver to the shoulder then unload right on the highway. That was pretty western I tell ya!
"There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the chute, Intestines were a-dangling from his paratroopers suit, He was a mess, they picked him up, and poured him from his boots, And he ain't gonna jump no moreeee! " Shit gives me chills hearing the original play through my head now
![Tragic ! 30 Horrifying Moments of Animals Colliding with Trains [Part2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/G6SMtN1VaCE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Back in the late 1970s, my Dad hauled a trailer house out to the Farmington area, and it being spring break for me, I went with him. We came back a different route deadheading and went across Wolf Creek Pass. Dad told me a few stories he had heard, and showed me where a trailer house driver he knew had got in trouble and basically side swiped his trailer and truck on the side of the mountain to slow down. He was able to get stopped, but left pretty much everything but the frame of that trailer scattered along the road. It had just happened a couple of weeks earlier and pieces of it were still there.
Dad taught me how to drive in the mountains, and I agree with the adage, "you can go down a hill too slow, but you will go too fast only once".
I really dont buy into the suicide bit. But I'm sure some have. But most are just going way way too fast ! And it's not just the rookies now days. I see guys that have been out here years tailgating, speeding far far too fast, and driving stupid. It's a new world now days as compared to when I started driving in the 90s. But Speed kills ! It did then and it does now !
The suicide rate for truck drivers and going over the side of a mountain is very clear and concise it happens more than you know
@@ywnh5385 I doubt that
You can see the tire tracks right before the cliff drop off. They were trying to turn away from going over the cliff. Not a suicide. Just going way to fast to correct in time for that next turn.
This guy said a " suicide mission " but I don't think there will be long skid marks if that was true.
Amen Ran raw gypsum out a invermere BC (RADIUM HOT SPRINGS) into Calgary AB for a few years back in the late seventies ! Loved it ! Best truckin years of my life bar none ! Hard long pull out of invermere , and radium up 93A always followed a few cardinal rules or I would not be here tellin you this, started down from the top ten miles or so out of Radium third fourth fifth most of the way to the top then started down after walk around !Retarder on from second gear brakin light all the way down to the valley ! Hairpin or two as we’ll shells were hot at the bottom the 3 or 4 hrs to climb Storm mountain up to Fireweed look out then down slow to Eisenhower junction then easy roll easy to Calgary n ! Moral : follow your learned rules or wreck and Die woooohooo !!!!
I went down Wolf Creek Pass back in the early 1990's. I had 44,000 pounds on and I had been driving about 4 months. I adjusted my brakes at the top of the hill, then went down very slowly. Can't remember if I took it out of low range or not. Got to the bottom, didn't smoke my brakes. That was an "interesting" drive.
When I learned to drive, I was told you can go down the mountain too slow as many times as you want, but you can go too fast only once.
You are absolutely correct! Good rule to live by
I was told on the top of Wolf Creek ,that if I was caught going any faster than 25 I would definitely get a ticket👮
Just like airline pilots must remember the mantra that, "Take-offs are optional, but landings are always going to be mandatory", truck drivers must remember that you go down a hill about as fast as you can get up it.
@@Adrian_Nel But always remember,the gear you were in at the top,will not hold you going down.Need to drop at least two,more likely three gears to get down safely.
Exactly!
First of all, rest in peace to the truck driver. It's horrific. I was about to soil my britches when the camera went over the edge there. Yikes!! On a side note, it is absolutely stunningly beautiful there. Bless all the truckers out there every day and night, burning the asphalt, to keep this country running!!
Wolves got the driver..
Dam, it's scary just to look down there, and I am not even physically there. Thanks for showing us this incident. Safe driving friend.
Thank you for sharing . This has got to be some of the most beautiful scenery ever !! I live in Georgia and we dont have mountains in my area so yeah I really enjoyed your video very much. My heart goes out to the trucker and his family that lost his life there. He sure picked a beautiful place to leave his spirit. When his family comes to visit I hope they feel his love and presence of peace. God be with them and all who have passed thru the veil here. Blessings to you my friend as you travel this land and it's amazing wonders.
One of my scariest moments as a truckdriver. Driving wolfcreek a few times. C.B. comes in handy on this pass...
I first ran over WC in '73... last time around 2000. Big improvements have been made. Wider and straighter. The last time i came over the pass the road was gravel in places before all the. road work had been done. I had a second driver with me that I had hired... he had no fear until he came over the top and smoked the brakes. I made him stop and I drove the rest of the way to Durango...
Outtuh all the passes ive trucked up n over, Wolf creek Pass has always been my favorite mtn to run, day & night, good or bad/snowy weather!!! Truck safe driver. I also helped pave this pass hauling many a load of asphalt back in 2003
Thank you so much for the video. Beautiful scenery! I have heard of Wolf Creek Pass most of my life, per the song. Always wondered about it!
...thanks for stopping by and show us...very cool to see how deep of the valley there and high mountain road...👌👌👌👌😀😄😃👍👍👍🤩🤘
I can't imagine the panic that poor guy lived through in his last seconds. Really really sad.
As I looked at the distance he would have gaining speed he would be going. Oh no! Oh God no! No, no, No!!!!..... the whole way; knowing the breaks were gone.
Oh wow. I am going to drive Wolf Creek Pass this summer. This view was so awesome ! Thank you for your video. 👍
Sorry to hear of yet another driver that didn't make it home. We all count on the things y'all bring, and often the drivers are taken for granted. So I want to take the time to say thank you to all the drivers. Y'all please keep it safe, your family's love and need each and every one of you. Thank you for the work ya'll do day in and day out. God bless and be safe.
I didn't mean any disrespect. But the title of the video is basically why I viewed.
I'm an otr driver as well
@@51502 it gets better Bro. Most trucker are just trying to make a living, but it only takes one bad trucker having a bad day to mess up the reputation for everyone. I used to be otr, but I am not on the road anymore. I am glad to be home, but I do salute all truckers. Much love to y'all.
Thats one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Maybe 12 years ago I worked on the truck escape ramps, hauling ashalt. I loved that job! I stood at that spot many times!
I had a friend whose dad a truck driver. He picked up this hitch hiker who was apparently also a truck driver he got to talking how bad the passes are back east. His father said he had never driven back East but he said when we get to the top of pass (Wolf Creek) we are about to go over I will pull over and let you have a look and see what you think. Which he did when he got to the top, the guy opened his door and the first thing the guy saw was a thousand foot drop. The guy slammed the door and moved to the middle of the cap and didn't say another word. When they got to Alamosa, he told the guy there was another pass they had to go over but it was just a minor one. The guy would not go with him. About the only way you can get out of the San Luis Valley is going south, so I guess that is the way he went
Woohooo! I live just right over the hill! Hubby makes that run often and I hate it! Legit make him call me as soon as he’s off that pass. This summer they had State Patrol doing safety meetings at the top with every truck..... My last ride along we had a run to Durango.....being in the passenger side and seeing over the edge..... was not cool! Those railings felt so tiny! Be safe out there y’all 🥰
Sherrie Mutz What heck! We're they passing out cannibus cigs, and was it was 420 pm in the afternoon? Lol!
Darren Kastl haha I wish! Maybe then I wouldn’t have been freaking out so bad......
That was a heavy load you had strapped down! Like your sense of humor, HA! I've always enjoyed crossing this pass but its unforgiving if not driven cautiously. That's still a dangerous curve. First time I went over Wolf Creek Pass was back in 1968 when it was a two-lane highway with extremely tight switchbacks. I clearly remember on that particular switchback, the CODOT had placed a sign indicating the number of people that had lost their lives plunging over the side.
“One of looks like a can full of worms. Another looks like Malaria germs.” -CW McCall “Wolf’s Creek Pass”
Never been on Wolf Creek Pass, heard about it through the old truckin songs, had some drivers tell me about it. Ive been on many 8 and 9% grades in Canada but they weren't as long as Wolf Creek. If i ever drive it, it'll be on a bike or in a hlf ton, retired after 45 yrs out there, be safe driver.
I took that route many times in the early 80s... no jake.. It was a challenge loaded with oilfield pipe from Pueblo to Farmington, NM usually. Composed a little poem back then: "Smoked my brakes, came down too fast, but still survived, Wolf Creek Pass.."
I love the Tonka truck on the trailer.... I used to haul one around on my flatbed when i was empty as well!!!
Bad loading though, if he moved the Tonka truck forward a few few he might have got two on there.
I remember going thru Wolf Creek pass in the winter '60 or '61 we slid into the snow berm on the out side of the road downhill was next. I believe how dangerous that road is.!
Put some snow on it and I will ski it. I used to ski Shutes like that around Alta Utah. I have skied at many Ski Mountains but never Wolf Creek. I heard it's a great place to ski .
Here in MI I have a 1986 Freightliner Michigan Special .. 44 rears 18,000 set back front axle .. It pulled Double dump trailers @ 160,000# 11 axles all it's life and No Engine Brake.
Jake Brakes are the way to go save on your brakes and keep them cool .. The Truck needs new brakes at the moment..
I am guessing maybe it's an issue of noise with so much residential everywhere in MI.
Seems every time you get on a Hill steep enough to need the engine brake East of the Mississippi River there will be a sign that so No Engine brakes allowed.. I use them anyway much of the time. Through a muffler they are not that loud like they are with straight pipes..
Caught how shiny your truck was, and that HUGE payload on your trailer.
Thank you for the footage, bless the drivers soul
I have driven that road several times, but usually on my motorcycle. I have seen several cars and trucks pull into that area with the brakes smoking.
I only drove it about 4 times in the big truck, and I was lucky in that I had the twin turbo Cat engine, and it had about the best Jakes on it I have ever used. I had 2 loads that were quite heavy and 2 that were light. Still probably took it too slow, but I'd rather go slower and be able to tell about it.
If the driver had fell out of the cab somehow, there are a lot of bears, scavengers and the like up there. They could have carted off the corpse.
The beauty of that area is second to none, and on the Eastern side there is the last natural hot spring that isn't commercialized in Colorado. Love that area.
You can always come down a hill to slow,you don't get to many chances doing it to fast.
I live in Florida and don't get to see mountains as these, beautiful scenery.
Thanks for sharing.
Any place youd like to see next??
@@allamericantruckerrob9777
Actually, my daughters live in Colorado, they rarely show me pictures, but I don't get to travel so any where is great..
Thank you for asking. Just surprise each trip.
Been down there a few times. 15mph max. Touch the brake a couple times but never got out of my comfort zone. That hill ain't no joke.
That is some absolutely beautiful country
Does this end bashing into the side of a feed store in downtown Pagosa Springs?
The sign said clearance to the twelve-foot line, but the chickens was stacked to thirteen-nine... 😜
@@crazyman8472 [Verse 15]
Well, we shot that tunnel at a 110 like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen...
Those lyrics are with me forever!! So glad to have grown up in those times!
Beautiful Pass driven it many times. Coming down going south bound is an incredible view of the Valley below.
REal nice looking Pete there driver. Love the Tonka Toy as well.
I have a class "A" CDL. I have gone over that road at least once a decade since 1973. With all the improvements in the road. It is possibly more danderous now than back in the 70's. A driver in any type of vehicle cannot completely understand the road the first time at night. I was taught that whatever speed the yellow advisory sign says. Take the curve at HALF the posted speed. In July of 2017 I was driving Westbound in my personal vehicle. A Ram 1500 quadcab 4wd Ecodiesel pickup truck. I had my daughter, and 3 grandkids with all our vacation gear for several weeks. Earlier in the trip we went eastbound on Tioga Pass. Which reminds you all the way down the hill. It is a nasty hill. Wolf Creek and many others give a driver easy spots. And at night they get complacent or tired. Then gravity gets you! And will never let you go!!!
Twice I have seen out of control vehicles already at high speed. The driver tries to rub against the mountain. The vehicle rolls over and breaks apart. And just leaves a debris field down the road. The Northbound I-5 in Kern County. Just before the Grapevine rd exit. Has a sign dedicating the road to a CHP that had died when his patrol vehicle tumbled at speed on the hill.
I now work for a water utility. And drive work trucks within the City when needed. But Wolf Creek and many other mountain roads are more dangerous now than in the early years. Because the improvements fool people into letting gravity get them. Even the Highway Patrol!!!
Great coverage of this - such a terrible event, I can’t imagine what such an experience would be like for the driver as well as the emergency service people and the police. I happened to see a drone presentation of this site but somehow your coverage completes this very uneasy event. Drive safely!
DAYUM! What a fucked up way to go! Man, that's enough to make me quit if I were a trucker and saw that.
Lack of experience and or not understanding the forces your dealing with, coming off these mountains.
You might be right about suicide. I don't know.
Want to say thanks for the ride on Wolf Creek. Came off the road 2 years ago after 30 so it is good seeing it again. Do wish it could have been under better circumstances.
Also, 'Nice Hood'.👍
thanks for the clip...* like the TONKA, just like mine its brand new sitting in my closet, my father bought in about 68 wouldnt let us take it outside to play with it...* thanks to all truckers out there besafe...*
There's a reason for all the signs warning of curves, I never went too fast down hill, occasionally other drivers would ask why I went too slow I told them I can go slow all the time, too fast just once, be safe, just found your channel, Pull toy said so.
Nice looking Pete you have and looks like a nice scenic pass. Screw going over that edge though, that must have been freaky as hell for the few seconds till he died. Poor bastard. RIP
I drove that pass a few times in the early 90s. Looks way different now.
I think what happens is the drivers are going too fast at the top and lose their brakes, or in this case all brakes but one. By the time they reach this curve they are going way too fast to make the turn and they think that little gap is some kind of option, maybe end up out in a field or in some bushes or something. Especially at night, they've never been on this road, they can see lights down there and just hope it works somehow.
Taking a truck ramp is usually followed by losing your job and a huge fine. So they think maybe that dark little gap there can get me out of this. It can, just not the way you thought.
I almost think that to.
Truck ramp? Ramp for runaway vehicles? You can get points and a fine for that?
Typically you get fined for improper pre trip or improper brake adjustment or failure to maintain brakes in proper working order or something of that nature but you will also have a pretty hefty bill from a tow truck company to remove the truck from the ramp. And if you leave it there too long you'll get a fine for blocking the ramp.
@@cameronturner7475 running costs starts at $10,000 for any colorado runaway truck ramps from what ive been told. Dillon towing and recovery make a killing with this!
I had that feeling too.
I'm a retired independent O/O, Married to a freight broker no less. Finally found one that learned how to take all the money. Anyway, I live in Del Norte and I've been over Wolf Creek more times then I can remember. Getting to watch your video running east on 160 brought back a lot of memories. If your Pete was red it would have been deja vu.
I wish i could go back to the rockies more. Thats my stomping grounds, and those memories are starting to fade with time. Glad you found a keeper 😎
WOW! You were hauling a heavy load. LOL!
LoL..yea saw that too...wonder how many permits it took just to get it legal..lol
I think that you need a couple more axles
At least it has shoulders now. Use to be on the 96 inch wide truck the outside duel was hanging off in the grass when you meet someone.
Wow hopefully you had all the right permits for that lil truck on the trailer.. that’s real cute, haven’t seen anyone doing that lately,made my night, keep on trucking.
I-40 in North Carolina, wrecks, rocks falling in the Great Smokie Mountains and the wrecks are more than the other freeways, I drive it, but am always more alert and cautious than with the others. All be carefull and safe out there and always say a little prayer.
Been running that pass for years, never once had a problem. Hell i remember when it was a narrow two lane, its a damn super highway these days.
I read your first response to ne...some of it does make sense, however, being a driver myself, I make this quick assumption.
We both know how hot the brakes get going down any steep hill.
( my experience is in the Northeast tri-state area ) the only hills I had to contend with was a 6% incline on Rt.280 in NJ.
with that said...it's obvious he was inexperienced, but too many variables come into play.
The Weather, the temperature, time of day..was it foggy/misty?
If that was the case, did his wipers suck.
Was he being blinded by an idiot blasting him with highbeams? Was he over weight? Was he sleep deprived? Was he on meds, or possibly drinking? Etc.
Way too many reasons for this accident.
As far as the skid marks go...I ask you this.
If it were suicide, I personally don't believe you would see any skid marks....those skid marks tell a sad story of quick decision making.
Regardless of the out come. Peace brother
Ivan Ferguson yup
Billy big rigger
Lived around here years ago, nice ride up the West side, thanks.
I drive that pass a lot...beautiful but deadly!!!
Damn, i cant tell ya how much i miss driving. (24yrs in a fuel tanker) My veiw was the same as yours, lookin out over the extended hood of that beautiful Petercar...Except my truck was Blue. Great lookin truck brother. Motor Easy.
Went down part of this road backward and sideways on the ice one winter. What was really scary was I was in the sleeper listening to the codriver yelling "WAKE UP RON. WE'RE GONNA CRASH!!"
I can't do the sleeper thing when we're going down a pass, not a slick one anyway. I recall one time I was in the buddy seat out west on I-90, Snoqualmie maybe, we were pretty heavy and had to pay some guys to chain us up a bit so we could come down on snow pack at night. I could see the the speedometer and I said Steve, if I see the speed get over 15mph, I'm jumping out. And I meant it!
I have no experence driving a truck larger than a F150 with an 20' trailer, However I think that at 6:40 if I had no brakes, Cutting the wheel hard right and running up that embankment and rolling over would be a hell of a lot better than flying off a litteral cliff.
That was always my plan if I lost brakes. I've down this mountain many times even without Jake's in a daycab. 2mph was my max
I've been over Wolf Creek Pass so many times in a trucks at my family owned and on vacay Sugarloaf I've been all up and down mountain roads and it is scary
It is a beautiful area!
I used to drive for Werner in 2005. I do not recall being on Wolf Creek.
But just looking at the depth makes me quesy
That's a very steep pass and a mean pass
Awesome! I need to visit the US one day. I'd love to do some truck driving there to see all the cool places. Nice Pete too 👌👌👌 thanks for the vid 👍👍
when heavy, I purposely pick a low, low gear, Jake brake on , and stay below 25 mph, just to survive the downhill grade, it gets hairy, but you can do it
I drove since 1984. Always geared down, Jake brake too, flashers on too to give other drivers fair warning.
Barbara Sakatos I respect drivers like you
It was not easy. Especially back then. But I felt so proud of myself. Taught myself to back up too. I respect drivers like you too Randy. Be safe out there. 👍👍😂😅👍
@@randyhutchinson9910 Great English. That's an oops. Have a great night or day wherever you are Randy.
@@barbarasakatos3150 That was my way too~~. Born and raised in Oregon, drove 5 western states first 3 out of the 19 years I drove, and let me tell ya all, them mountains will kill ya in a heartbeat! *There are no second chances!*
You get lazy and don't bother to check your brakes at the top of the grade, or you think you have your big boy pants on so you don't bother to gear down as you crest the top of the pass thinking you'll slow down as it steepens up? That's all the kind of thinking that will get you and the trucks around you very *dead* very quickly as you lose control of your truck as you blow by the escape ramp thinking you've got it under control...
One of the prettiest spots I've been to. It also blows my mind how much of that wooden fence there is down in the valley back towards pagosa.
Brakes are so hot it wont lock up the brakes, thus no skidmarks.
May have pulled the air brakes
I was gonna a say that to.. and that previous bend means he took it wide to keep from flipping over but that last curve no bueno..
i'm sitting on my sofa watching this and getting so dizzy , i almost fell off the sofa leaning with the vehicle......LOL!.......good job i'm not trying to drive it EVER !
Don't ever stick a truck into grandaddy low on Wolf Creek pass. Hey at least the song's great.
That pass was only Two lane back in the 60s.
Some drivers dont heed the grade signs and the warning to Gear down thinking the johnson brake will hadle the incline.Ha ha , yeah right.
Been over that pass many times.
Grew up in Grand Junction.
Good vid!
I've been up and down this pass several times heading from Durango to Denver and back, also skiing the WCP area. It's a nasty pass. It can be sunny at the bottom and snowing like hell as you go up it. The old carburetor setup on cars have trouble going up it because of the altitude change. We had to make carb adjustments to get over it.
This looks identical to Mc Donald pass between helena and Missoula, mt.
Bears, elk, cliffs and boulders, I sure do miss Colorado. I lived in Durango for a few years not far from Wolf Creek Pass..
I used to live there back in the 70s Wolf Creek Pass is no joke driving it
I remember seeing a video of a semi shooting straight off that curve. Definitely dangerous. You never know what was going through someone’s mind when it happened. It does make you wonder if it were intentional or accidental.
Beautiful scenery. Safe travels brother. 🙏🏼🦅🇺🇸
beautiful country - but scary when you got close to that edge, my goodness!
Holy cow batman !! That is so beautiful ( not the accident ) the landscape, the View.. just breathtaking..
That’s a hell of a load you have in that flat bed stay safe out there sir ..
Me 'n' Earl was houlin' chickens on a flatbed out of Wiggins, down 37 miles of hell called Wolf Creek Pass, which is up on the Great Divide.
If you are not a professional truck driver, don't bother with making yourself look silly with a ignorant comment about the operation of a tractor-trailer rig.
The guy posting this video does know what he is talking about. This dead trucker had no PROFESSIONAL reason for allowing this to ACCIDENTLY happen....... When these things happen, IT'S *NEVER* A ACCIDENT. It's either on purpose or as the result of serious negligence in driving technique or the pre inspection of the truck/trailer/load.
Braking systems on modern tractor-trailers do NOT SUDDENLY FAIL......But, drivers do...........
Yes thank you! Someone gets it!
Bob Sullivan I have had 3million accident free miles. So fuck you
Dear Bob they fail all the time.... they're junk piles big pieces of junk...
Probably picked up Coors in Golden probably dropping off Pepsi Farmington no reason to use Wolf Creek for going to California...
i saw a sign on a steam engine video ...... this machine has no brain use yours!!!!!
Guess again. I had all of my brakes fail within a minute on a Freightliner. Luckily, I was going down an entrance ramp and was able to stop the truck on time. Freight liners have a gizmo in the dash that controls every brake in the truck. If it fails, all brakes fail. It was a 2005.
It's beautiful up there. Not a suicide, loss of brakes. Poor guy. May he rest in peace and love for his family and friends. Just last September 2021, another trucker lost his brakes and flew off the same cliff. Caught on video. May he too RIP and love and prayers for his family and friends. What a horrible terrifying way to die. I think they should name that corner Dead Truckers Curve, it would fit it.
Thats how I found this one from the footage of the truck going over
Where all those cones are as you were going up wolf creek a man ran out of brakes in his rv carrying his boat on the back and he didn't make it. It also happens to trucks too. So it's better to gear down and come off her slow.
Kool always wanted to see the place CW McCall made famous in his song when I was just a lad! Beautiful scenery!
What camera do you have, vey good picture quality, i got my cdl class a yesterday and want some high quality cameras like yours
Just my galaxy s8 stuck to the windshield. 😀
Drove up hill in a pick up...poring rain cascading of the rocks to the left and a white line to the right with the drop off a ft. away from the line...except where the line just dissapeared...
My wife layed across the seat and wouldn't look out the window..
Have to respect them mountain roads.
Been down that route ....only in summer...you got to be a mad man to travel it come snow. I picked up a loat of bulk carrots in Monte Vista headed to Bakersfield
I think your drop deck is overloaded with that big rock truck!
Looks like you were hauling one heck of a load on the trailer. #TonkaPower
Yessir, always loaded!
He was probably trying to screw the fully illuminated knob back on the shift lever when the ash fell off his cigar and lit the cuff of his pants on fire.
Great song
Also in a peterbilt!
I was countin phone poles goin by at 4 to the 7th power.....
Lines on the road looked like dots!
@@TonyB08 🤔🤔😄😄😃😃😃🙃
What kind of wildlife is in the area. I might be wrong but I figure if a bear or mountain lion smells blood they're going for it.
Lots of moose, black bears, mountain lions, elk, plenty of deer. Maybe a rabid chipmunk or squirrel here and there😂
Damn, you've got a beautiful Pete. BTW, did you need a permit for that load? Looks oversize from here.
Probably should have had an escort.
I grew up in Durango!! Woot Creek pass is a beautiful place!! I remember the trucker don't about it!! Crazy!!
WHATEVER......
ive stopped here passing through on my way home in cali thats one beautiful view in the winter even in clear weather but holy moly this was my fear something like this happening on that turn
Good video, and information. Do you know anything about the Semi that hit the jersey barrier wall, and crased over it? As a local driver, any information as to what caused the crash, or any other info about it! Thanks.
6x4 Trans twin stick no Jake and they had a oil tank full of water with copper lines run to the drums and you run water over them to cool brakes
Danged stream obscured the road too.
My Pete had other a 5x3 had an exhaust brake. Basically a valve in the exhaust that blocked the exhaust and was supposed to slow the engine.
Pagosa springs is down the road. I come up from Sante Fe route. Wolf Creek Pass is no joke. Very steep
Wow. That’s a hell of a load you got on that step deck, driver. Can ya “axle” that thing? Lmao 😂
I knew a trucker who would not drive MT! thus the Tonka.
Carrying a load of sailboat fuel
The driver is or was probably in the tree canopy if he was thrown from his rig when it bounced off the rock face.
I lived there for 4 years in the 90s. Back then we didn't have all of the barriers up. Even in a 4 wheeler it could get scary.
They seem to update that embankment more and more it seems. I'm out of the game now, no more trucking for free for me!
As beautiful as the scenery is, for the life of me I could never ever drive that highway 😳
It’s not an easy drive, even in a car!! I used to live out there and it got hard to even go for a drive to enjoy the beauty god gave us cause my hands hurt so bad from having a death grip on the wheel! If you don’t have respect for a trucker then you need to drive 20 miles thru these cuts and you’ll have a much different outlook and new found respect for every one of our truckers!!
And that’s a guarantee!!!!!
Yes, but did they wind up bashing a wall of a feed store in downtown Pagosa springs?
Was that a thing that happened before?
@@allamericantruckerrob9777 lyric from "wolf creek pass" a song by C.W. McCall.
ua-cam.com/video/X6LzWZYWpOU/v-deo.html
Hauled furniture there many times ...single axle cool vid
Yeah i still cant figure out why a werner truck with bud would go that way either
Looks like a suicide to me. Steered right past the jersey wall going full tilt. Those marks are from the hard turmoil forces on the tires . How come the highway depth doesn't put a barrier across that area? No cars need to access that overlook. Parking is across the road.
They have since this video was made. Check out Google maps. Way different now, and dude are still flying off and you definitely HAVE to try now to thread the needle
Yeah there's no validity to saying that driver thought he or she was in a car. These drivers have training in this area of expertise. They know what is ahead, they know to pull off and adjust brakes if needed,etc. Some of the things this guy is saying makes more sense than not.
Honestly... a lot of these drivers have no idea to even speak english. This is my experience talking. I pull into scales, shippers, recievers, and these dudes cant even understand basic directions! I have to park drivers' trucks for them because they got their licences through family/friends of family. Its a loophole that needs to be closed!
It's a Beautiful bike ride through there. Amazing views....
Spectacular scenery, nice road, then seeing the obliterated wreckage of what was once a commercial cargo trailer, with no signs of the tractor unit was quite a contrast!
That has to be the most unforgiving location to wreck, the probability of the Commercial Driver being ejected from the truck cab on impact and thrown down into the forest may explain why his body was never located.
I haul livestock thru that pass with my 1 ton. Buddy of mine burned his breaks out and had to emergency maneuver to the shoulder then unload right on the highway. That was pretty western I tell ya!
Reminds me of the old Army jump song:
Gory Gory, what a hell of a way to die!
And he ain't gonna jump no more.
We used to drink to that song when we'd go out in groups too 🤣🤦♂️
"There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the chute,
Intestines were a-dangling from his paratroopers suit,
He was a mess, they picked him up, and poured him from his boots,
And he ain't gonna jump no moreeee! "
Shit gives me chills hearing the original play through my head now
Beautiful scenery 💖