We took a trip last month to Yosemite from San Diego up HW 395, visiting Glacier Lodge at Big Pine (8,000ft up in the Eastern Sierras) on the way. Our trip went from HW 395 over HW 108 up over the infamous Sonora Pass. Sonora pass is a steep climb of 10 to 15% grade, with sections of 26% going up and down from the summit at 9624 feet!

The FEH did very well. I was very impressed with L and how well the FEH held it's speed going up and down steep grades. Going up engine rpms were often around 2,000rpm doing between 20 and 35mph depending on the switchbacks. Likewise going down the long grade, L kept speeds down around 25mph, and I rarely had to brake for the sharper corners. Most times I feathered the gas to keep my speed up around 30 to 35mph on the steep decent.

All in all, the FEH ran beautifully and handled well. Our FEH is AWD, and gave us 30.5mpg for the entire 1084 mile round trip.

ps - Yosemite was awesome! Never saw so much water at the falls before. Just amazing vistas everywhere.

 

Hi Ron - I made that same climb - except was coming from Yosemite towards Reno. Plus it was a long time ago in 1959 and I was about 13, the road was a 2 lane then both going up and down. If I remember correctly they were widening it at that very time so the downhill - eastern side - was very tricky. Running on dirt and gravel with what seemed one wheel off the road and a mile straight down - . We stayed at a lodge at the very top - was thinking it was 'The Senora Pass Lodge' - very primitive even at that time. What a wild ride.