Deadman Pass

A tour bus crashed through a guardrail on I-84 in eastern Oregon last Sunday.  I heard the news report and I knew exactly where the crash occurred. I have driven over that stretch of highway, sometimes called “the most dangerous road in Oregon.”

The first time I drove up to Deadman Pass on the western end of the Blue Mountains was in 2009.  I was in my little 2007 Ford Taurus and was tooling along at 65 mph on the wide-open interstate highway. (See map by clicking on the link)

As I approached the incline the highway divided and there were some warning signs that you usually see warning truckers to exercise caution and stay to the right hand lanes.  I, of course, ignored those warnings and kept my foot on the accelerator pedal.

The road got steeper and also had more curves.  I was suddenly in a sharp right turn that seemed to go on forever.  It is one of the only times I have ever felt like the car was going to roll over, yet I didn’t dare apply any brakes at that point in the curve. My heart rate was accelerating as I eased back on the gas pedal, and I was glad when I finally reached the straight road again.

I drove back over that same road the following year. Needless to say, I drove a lot slower the second time, especially since it was after dark and pitch black out there in rural Oregon.

On my way back to Portland I stopped at a scenic overlook up on Old Emigrant Hill Road and took the picture below looking west toward Pendleton, which is obscured by morning fog.  You can see the divided highway with some cars on it. What looks like three separate roads is actually only the two east and west lanes with some switchbacks.  In the far upper right side of the picture you can also see the joined interstate proceeding west.

Hint: You can depress and hold the ‘Ctrl’ key and move your scroll wheel on the mouse to enlarge or reduce the picture.

Interstate 84 follows the old track of the Oregon Trail most of the way across the state, so you can just imagine what the pioneers must have felt going down that steep slope in their wagons. I can’t imagine what it is like going down that grade in the winter or in the high winds common in that region.

If you ever get the chance to drive I-84 through eastern Oregon, make sure to visit the overlook and see the magnificent view from there without the morning mist.  Also, make certain to obey the speed signs and use a gear other than the overdrive one —the one with the circled D—on the hill.  Lower gears give better control so you won’t become a news story or statistic.