Let us go for a cruise!: Driving the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel Pass, Interstate-70, Colorado.

YouTube ^ | August, 2011 | The HighwayMan

[Voption]

When you just need to get on a highway, and drive! (I'm in Michigan, we have a massive Bridge & a Tunnel to Canada, but we don't have anything like the geography of Colorado!)

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

In a little over 2 weeks, the next FReepathon will begin.

We need to finish this one first.

Come on FReepers, let’s do this!!!

[dynachrome]

heh. Go over Berthoud pass instead of the tunnel.

[dynachrome]

Or Loveland

[gas_dr]

Ummmmmm that would be Loveland pass. Not berthoud. And US-6 over Loveland is not for the acrophobic

[dynachrome]

Yah. I screwed up

[gas_dr]

My dad of whom I am enormously proud worked for the nbc affiliate in Denver for 30 years. Back at that time it was KOA tv. He was there the day that the east and west bore teams met. The day the tunnel connected. It was a historic day and I enjoy to this day his view of that, and many other days

[OrangeHoof]

I remember the Eisenhower Tunnel when I lived in Colorado. Who is Johnson and how did his name get attached to this?

[bigbob]

How fast was this guy going, passing every car on the road?

[Mom MD]

Except it’s Loveland pass

[Mom MD]

Eisenhower is westbound and Johnson eastbound or vice verse not sure which is which

[gas_dr]

Although my Colorado history is somewhat rusty I believe that Edwin C Johnson was the governor at the time the tunnel opened bearing his name. Originally the tunnel was a single bore and two lanes. It alternated direction based on time of the hour. Carrying interstate traffic to two lanes became a non starter as summit county boomed because of the easy access with the tunnel so a second bore was constructed parallel and immediately south to the original bore. The westbound lanes retain the name Eisenhower (I believe in deference to the Eisenhower interstate system) and the eastbound lanes were named the Edwin C Johnson tunnel.

[Mom MD]

It is a beautiful drive however Every once in a while I go over the pass just for the scenery

[gas_dr]

Lovely to see you back in these parts.

[OrangeHoof]

Whole different story going through there in a snowstorm. Not as picturesque but a lot more accidents, particularly on the downhill side.

[gas_dr]

Well your acrophobic brother has no need to ever traverse US 6 Loveland pass again. Thank you very much.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Been there. The air is thin. Absolutely beautiful. A 5 degree or 7 even is not what you would think. They are steep climbs or descents. It is nice they have the viewing/parking area at the top.

You had best educate yourself on engine braking before coming down.

[libertylover]

How fast was this guy going, passing every car on the road?

About 90 I would say.

[gas_dr]

There are scarier roads in Colorado but for me the sheer pucker factor of Loveland pass particularly the mile traversing the top is a thing of nightmares. Like i said there are worse roads that don’t bother me too much but for some reason good old Loveland pass had my number

[Voption]

very cool!