CW McCall - Wolf Creek Pass

[@tootall11211]

This was shot AFTER the pass was widened back in the eighties. Before that, when this song was written, it was barely two lanes, with no shoulder at all. Rock face or sheer drop off, that was your choices if you couldn't hold it. I was asked to work the job at night, in a rig with no jake brake. So was my runnin' buddy. We told that company to take flying leap, and went to find other work.

[@SamMaass-s5h]

I hauled some equipment for the first part of the widening. I had a 270 Cat with a set of sticks. Lots of fun going to Durango.

[@ollierobinson4339]

I also came down that highway many times without a jake not to many trucks had jakes

[@patriciajrs46]

I love that.

[@twylaferwerda9395]

This is our family road trip song. Has been for as long as I can remember...My father and sister can quote the song no matter where or when from beginning to end-or anywhere in the middle! I just shared this with them, I am sure they will enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks for the ride! (for our part, we always played the1975 version)

[@johnallen5996]

Just returned from a 4000 mile motorcycle trip and wolf creek pass was probably the highlight of the trip. Grew up in the 70’s listening to the song and wanting to travel it. Only took 45 + years to live the dream. Great song!

[@user208351]

I thought my life was over after I was shot in the chest and had nerve damage. Find some thing to get involved in. I got this K5 and started restoring it for a bucket list trip. It gave me a reason to push my self each day. I have seen the places CW McCall and Chip Davis wrote about and now live in Ouray Colorado. Each day we have is a blessing. Not many get a chance to make up for lost time or to do what we wished we had done. To coin a phrase "Just Do It!".

[@jimmymartin9264]

Great video

[@doriscampbell9775]

"Just Do It!" gave way to "Get-er done. You should do some videos of the restoration, might earn a few extra bucks.

[@ken12269]

Ouray is beautiful…hope you are enjoying it and doing well.

[@theplaylistguy9465]

Happy 800 subscribers!

[@Mojo_Jojo_001]

Inspiring words ...thank you! I been wanting to drive Wolf Creek Pass for years and I'm going to donut this summer plus visit Ouray

[@LoyalRaiderFan]

my father had all of CW McCall's records when I was a kid...grew up on this stuff....great memories

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Funny how you love the records your father had. I grew up on jazz and this is great stuff, too.

[@cheried4747]

My family drove it back in '67. Sheer terror. This video is almost unrecognizabe!

[@sharonwalsh7840]

This song never fails to make me laugh. So glad I got to see Wolf Creek Pass before my trucking days were over.

[@D40acres48]

I have been over Wolf Creek Pass, both Westbound and Eastbound, and even during a snow storm about 3 hours before they closed it for about a week. Some of those canyons are so narrow that they fill up with snow and it takes days to clear it out. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL in the fall, with the aspens turning gold.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I have to watch this again from time to time. Looks like some roads here but just more of it. Bill Fries was a true American hero!

[@Casper1tfg]

This is an awesome drive. For anyone that has never made the trip I highly recommend it. As Earl say "My ain't this pretty up here." And YES it is!! I just made this trip with my son back in July..and all can say is AWESOME. The top of the world...Wolf Creek Pass!!!

[@nascargas]

Great Video! and the music speaks for its self....This has to be one of the funniest trucker songs out there. Your visual made it real...Thanks

[@richardstart1571]

It is great to find these old songs here. I know I have this one on an album or tape some where but I lost track of it or it grew legs one day and left for greener audio fields, still is nice to hear it again. Now I will have to inflict this on my other, I mean share this with her. Some times I'm not certain if she enjoys my music.

[@alexandarwright6043]

Having driven over Wolf Creek Pass driving an 18 + wheeler, in the 70's and 80's, this song is as much fun as it is almost true. Your video made memories which made me smile. And in watching...even let me feel that Peterbilt and the jake brake. Thanks for the good time and C. W.'s music.

[@TheForby]

Ok here's a dumb question where is it? Mind you I'm from Minnesota

[@MTLNCK52]

Tim Forbrook COLORADO ROCKIES!

[@TheForby]

MTLNCK52 thanks

[@MTLNCK52]

Tim Forbrook You're welcome

[@Carolyn665]

My friend and I went over that road in '76 after we first heard this song,..but we did it on motorcycles. Not quite as exciting as doing it in a runaway truck, but a whole lot more enjoyable.

[@lloydmarihugh6117]

Been there, done that. First time was winter 1972-73 on snow pack. I remember the tunnel, the switchbacks and etc. The improvements in the late 70's-early 80's made the road a lot faster. I wouldn't trade the experience but glad I don't still need to drive the old road.

[@siriusstarchild325]

This is awesome! This song came out when I was a kid. My parents had it on an LP. My dad would often put it on the stereo. He, my mom, and I would be laughing so hard we nearly wet our pants! I would often try to imagine what the place really looks like.

[@mervjb809]

Traveled this road in 1977. Was very surprised when I saw the sign for Wolf Creek Pass. Thought it was just a song. Love it... the Pass and the song!!!

[@googacct]

This brings back memories of riding with my dad in the late 70's hauling mobile homes over wolf creek.

[@jayhamilton2915]

Y'all move a bunch?

[@allaussietraveller9879]

@@jayhamilton2915 no they moved mobile homes.

[@covid-mx9ng]

Did u guys do it in a 1972 Chevy longbox pickup like this???

[@ignatz962]

I was a new driver and Wolf Creek Pass was my first experience driving in snow and ice. When I left Farmington, NM and headed to pickup a load in Denver, they closed the road behind me as I started up Wolf Creek. Another driver probably saved my life when he hollered over the CB, "TURN THAT DAMN JAKE BRAKE OFF!"

[@bobbofly]

Ahh... the original version - that's the stuff. Used to listen "CW MCall's greatest hits" just over & over on the 8track while working at my mom's mexican restaurant. I knew every word of each & every song by heart. Still do.

[@COfl44]

We went back and forth between Del Norte and Durango all the time when I was a kid; it was "only" a two-lane road then. My dad would always stop to help truckers chain up during snow season.

[@johnwaalkes1836]

Yep. That's how I remember it too. This is the first time I've seen the new road. Kinda takes most of the fun out of it.

[@ladonnad.steele2470]

THANK YOU, AS BEAUTIFUL AS I REMEMBER IT!!! Like the 75 version...grew up with it! You be safe out there...

[@peasweet22]

Never heard this Masterpiece until a couple weeks ago when a lovely & well traveled lady named Valerie mentioned it to me at a wedding in Sedona. I put 2,000 miles on my rental car over those 5 incredible days while driving through the entire state of Arizona. Although the highways were shit, it was still the most beautifully unique and awe inspiring part of this Country I’ve ever seen. The fact is that there’s no other place on earth like Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.

[@vjbrown44]

Thanks for posting this video!!! Brings back fantastic memories of a trip we took,,

[@lindaboughton4471]

Me too !

[@SageWhite-Rose]

My husband and I went through here last summer and one of the road signs really does look like Malaria germs. I played this song for my husband and he loved it. Thank you for posting this. ❤

[@lindaboughton4471]

My parents took us up the Rabbit Ears and Wolf Creek passes pass, my Daddy had driven on it many times when he was a trucker. Higjlight og outr trip was singing this song as loud as we could gping up and coming down, and we saw the side of that feed store, or maybe it was a grocery store. How hard my sister and I laughed. Daddy drove to a campsite in Pagosa Springs beside a River. Got our Pop up camper trailer and camp stove set up, and left him at the camp, and went to town to buy food for supper. Delicious grilled steak and fresh locally grown vegetables and a fresh cantaloupe for dinner. Woke up at 2am, stepped out to go to the bathroom, and stepped into 6" of water. Rain upstream was flooding the campground, but it only got about 6 " deep, and next morning that water was gone. Loved Pagosa Springs !

[@richardknack968]

My dad has the original version on LP. I grew up listening to CW McCall on vinyl in the 1970's.

[@gareyscott3638]

You gotta listen to Mannheim Steamroller. The group created by the CW McCall team.

[@tiffw3314]

I really liked this video. I've loved this song since I was a little kid and always tried to picture Wolf Creek Pass, so thank you for this! :) I go over a much smaller version of this called Wolf Creek Pass in Oregon, headed to California, and always think of this song. Anyway, thanks again!

[@davesalisbury1820]

Great video. Lots of cool memories driving truck crisscrossing America listening to all the ol’ truck driving songs!

[@pointingdog7235]

My dad was a trucker running into Wheeling WV in the 50's and has told me stories of going for your brakes and to find you have no air, there are places out there that will make you wonder why am I doing this and I imagine the old Wolf Creek Pass is like that or worse. Great video though it was a treat to see the video shot done in a classic K5 Blazer too. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@kencummings953]

Drove over this pass at sunrise earlier this summer. Breathtaking at sunrise. And about 47 degrees.

[@snackler6102]

Thats not that hot wha- *realises its celcius* 😅

[@laura-ann.0726]

I've loved this album since I bought it as a teenager way back when, but never had the opportunity to drive any of the roads in this part of Colorado. Thanks for making this video - it was wonderful to listen to Bill's great song while watching the actual road pass by!

[@user208351]

Thanks the SW area of Colorado is gorgeous. I am getting ready to go up on Red Mountain pass and a little of Black Bear road to the summit Thursday. If you ever get a chance to visit the Ouray area you have to do a Jeep tour.

[@laura-ann.0726]

user208351 The Black Bear Road!?! You don't have to be crazy to drive that road, but it helps! Are you going to rent your jeep from a fella by the name of Kuboski? for 50 bucks a day, buy your gas along the way? Take a rabbit's foot and leave a pint a' blood for a dee-posit? :) Oh yeah, one more thing: if you have to chock the wheels on that jeep for any reason, make sure it's a rock bigger than a grapefruit!

[@robertfleming387]

TY, for the tri down an old friend...."WOLF CREEK PASS" great roed, great area, great music...Wonderful video...👊

[@nicholastalamante8420]

i grew up in pagosa springs so i got to go to wolf creek every year i loved drivin down it in the snow and watch people freak out over it

[@tenshnspn1]

Perfect motorcycle road, fantastic vid, don't think I would want to run it in a Peterbilt ! Thanks for the great work ...

[@fish19616]

TY user208351 for posting this video. Most of CW Mccalls songs I throw on the headphones, close my eyes and let my imagination kick in to the story. This video, I wasnt missing a thing, the scenery was beautiful, but the road was a different story...double solid on the left and road signs on the right showing you whats coming.and in places a goat path in between. .TY also to Mr and Mrs Fries for letting you use the song. Kudos to both, a great song and a great video.

[@walterdavis4808]

Great video. Thanks for taking us along for the ride

[@ouovr-sigma]

My mom sang this song to us kids in the car everyone we went somewhere. We'd beg her every time to sing "the chicken song" I didn't know what it was really called until recently. Haven't heard this song in 15+ years since my mom passed. Does my heart good :-)

[@tiffw3314]

Aw I love that :) I grew up listening to this song too but my mom didn't sing it.

[@jayhamilton2915]

Awe, I think I remember her too, think she use to work the Wofl Creek glory hole.

[@abbiebeast]

Great Video - I had the Album "Truckin' on" this song was my favorite when I was just 9 years old - THANKS for the POST!!

[@user208351]

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Ouray, We have had some great weather even though we did have a few windy days. You should see the colors in the fall! Thanks for visiting and viewing the video.

[@jimfletcher3670]

Went up this pass in 73 in a rv holy shit scariest road I have ever been on sheer cliff walls or sheer drop off never forget that drive

[@obbm2232]

Great video!! This our FAVORITE trucker song, and I love music from trucker songs to opera, and everything in between. We have never been to Colorado. Video makes it real.

[@jamesjarmon7383]

+obbm Best month in CO, July. They still get snow, but only in good locations. Don't even try it in the winter.

[@user208351]

+obbm Part of the 6,600 mile road trip was to see the place Bill and Chip wrote about. Old 30 going west still had the small towns, friendly people and what America used to look like. Bill and Chip painted some darn good pictures with their words. Bill grew up in SW Iowa and the house he grew up in was still standing two years ago. Bill lives in Ouray Colorado now. Drop him a line for his Birthday he was born November 15, 1928. He is still moving around and a darn nice guy. Bill Fries P.O. Box E Ouray, CO 81427 Drop him a card and say thanks for the music. If he influenced you tell him. He gave a young mid west boy dreams and a love for the wilderness!

[@obiwan2112]

Wolf Creek Pass is a dangerous road. Well, of course it's dangerous. That's what makes it memorable and a fun, magnificent drive. Right turn at Durango and on to Red Mountain Pass! Thanks, Mr. McCall!

[@thomasphetteplace117]

obiwan2112 doing red mountain in June!

[@user208351]

@crazymandan59 Yea it was my first time too. I wondered how they went that far into town from the map too. CDOT did a lot of road work on the highway a year or two earlier. Bill said an old trucker related the tail to him and that is how the song came to be. Was still fun driving it and seeing the area. Thanks for looking and comment.

[@davidbarts6144]

Of course, that's the new Wolf Creek Pass Road, the one after they significantly widened and straightened it in the 1980s. It was significantly more "interesting" when that song was written.

[@deliwhomble8252]

It still sucks. The million dallor highway lol

[@michealmacwilliams4247]

I went across the 1st Wolf Creek Pass at night and it was snowing like a mother, What an experience for a trainee, but the extensive training by a family friend and a little luck I made it without killing anyone. Surprisingly the 2nd trip across dod not seem so bad

[@johntolley2137]

Been down Wolf Creek Pass back in the early 70's. exciting ride

[@skuula]

I like how the music goes out of whack as things start to go downhill in the 1948 Peterbilt...

[@W2IRT]

We drove this in 2008 (as well as a trip down Black Bear and a ride on the Silverton) and it was one of the highlights of my life.There actually *was* a feedstore in Pagosa Springs but it was on the west side of town. And there were no phone poles to go by at the rate of 4^7! I can only imagine what that road was like before it was reconstructed!. BTW, the scenic overlook off to the right at 5:38 is utterly breathtaking. We shot 300 pics from there and still could hardly believe our eyes!

[@johnnyp8979]

Yes, now there is a feed store in west side of town but "back in the day" of this song..., only one about half a mile+/- from Pagosah in the east side. There was a lumber mill at intersection of 84 n 160, no longer been there for a long time !

[@Dozguyz314]

This is awesome. Great job Thanks.

[@bigdave55b2]

That dash cam is very cool. I've been thinking about some setup like that for when I go on vacation. I usually wind up in the west and I like to share what I see on the road with my friends and family here in the east. Most of them never travel anywhere by road and they miss a lot of the country. I like those old US routes better than the interstates for traveling through the mountains.

[@user208351]

BOTH songs are CW McCall! I checked your comments that you leave and almost 90% are negative. Stop trolling! FYI The old K5s are disc brakes in front and drum in the back. Load it with food and gear for three people, truck parts and extra fuel pushes it to a 1612 pay load with two people in truck. The truck weighs 4670 lbs curb wt. GVW rating is 6100 with the value of a drag coefficient, estimated by a-c, is Cd = 0.6 If you've drove a sports car you know straightening a curve is best!

[@edzeiser6640]

Loved it! I've been over a few passes with over 40,000 pounds but not Wolf Creek.

[@user208351]

Thanks yes when you have a load on an old heavy loaded vehicle it can ALL make it interesting. Thanks for viewing and check out my other CW McCall videos Bill is getting up in years and it has been a year since I have seen him but his music lives in my heart.

[@user208351]

This is my first video attempt. I hope you like it. Bill Fries has given express permission for use of this music.

[@Bill-n7e]

I have never heard the 2008 version! Gotta love when you find new CW stuff

[@ninatiels]

Love this song. Great tune. Looks like they are heading down in an old Scottsdale.

[@rosemarie443]

Been there and that road is a bunch of s's and i was not to happy to be there, but we made it, and we didn't hit any feed store, thank god, keep the songs coming Ray

[@goyeabuddy]

I finally got to ride my Harley over wolfcreek pass a few years back.. weather got bad, middle of august, but my ol hog didn't let me down & got me thru it...

[@vickielynne9493]

jumps down and says thank you for the ride Mister ....you drive safe now ....

[@user208351]

According to Bill the song is based on what an old trucker from Wiggins, CO told him. I am sure Bill and chip took a little liberties. Here in Ouray every summer we have flat landers come down off Red Mountain Pass and if your on main street you can smell the brakes on cars that heated em up! Saw a semi do that on Love land pass and catch fire it blew his air bags right after we got him stopped. He must of been "it sure is purttey up here". Thanks for sharing.

[@TimeaAdministrare]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥Thank you for your upload, blessing on you all. ♥

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Back again and its still good, even better!

[@moyer1969]

Thank You this was a great project!! Thanks for giving us insight into what Wolf Creek Pass really is. I played the song on the radio for years and remember it as an 8 track as a kid.

[@lisagelvin9995]

I just took Wolf Creek Pass on my way to Ouray CO, and then back through upon my return home to AR. I returned home last night... It was absolutely a beautiful drive but yet a tad bit scary...OK, ALOT scary...but beautiful!

[@apex_ventures]

Wow this was a while ago. Nice to see older footage. I just did this drive 2 weeks ago and posted my video. Thanks for sharing.

[@user208351]

@simonellson As stated in the description: The First song is from The Real McCall: An American Storyteller. The second is from Wolf Creek Pass.

[@k.r.v.4219]

I had a very good idea that was a K 5 Blazer hood we were looking over! I figured that out by deducting 5 by the 22nd power carrying 12 and 5 ........

[@user-KrackerJack]

I remember this song when i was kid

[@grtoutdoors62]

Drove that road with a '79 Chevy k-20 and 5 horses in a trailer. Bout have way down, the trailer brakes ....anyhow we were in 2nd and made it. I had this song in my head when everyone else was worried!

[@grtoutdoors62]

Went over this in 1995. 1979 c-20 and 5 horses on the trailer. At the bottom, brake smell and a good ride. PS Glad we made it home.

[@samheidirockwell]

No mistaking that square body hood ornament. Brings back great memories.

[@jerrydefenderfer6820]

Sam Rockwell

[@southerncross3638]

easy driving, you should have tried it in the 60s and 70 s.

[@pittlogger]

great video, done very well i just went over wolf creek for the first time today came from I-25 dropping of polaris atvs in pagosa springs in the am

[@RoosterMclaren]

That brought back memories. Thx

[@reedr1659]

Not sure if they redid the road at some point, but there is no tunnel at the bottom going into Pagosa Springs. But, at 80k lbs, I remember doing 15mph coming down part of that hill to get the Jakes alone to hold the truck back. I'm glad I didn't have to drive it in the winter!

[@krisb4623]

LOL...I'm sure glad you weren't driving that way down in an 18 wheeler! Whoa! Little fast and quick lane changing there. LOL enjoyed the video. I was on the Pass one time and it's beautiful. Hubby was driving though...which I'm glad for...I got to enjoy the scenery.

[@user208351]

to get the video in to the time frame it was sped up a few more frames per second.

[@silvanamodugno4239]

My wish is to see some of these places before Im too old thanks for the video

[@russellnewcomb8542]

This vid made me home sick. Been a few years since I,ve been on WC pass.

[@folkflying2]

And thanks to the men and women who drive this every day to bring us all the products we use!!

[@user208351]

Well it was filmed in a Chevy Truck a Blazer (M1009) and it was loaded! We were on a 6,600 mile road trip across the USA in thirty days. At the time fuel was selling for $4.30 a gallon and we got 12 mpg (in four wheel drive) and 17 mpg on highway. Thanks for watching.

[@molnya2]

Loved those dual skid marks on the road, and the downgrade warning signs. Beautiful state...Colorado.

[@chrisort5183]

can smell the brakes,good thing that 4 wheeler wasn't to slow or they might have got a push

[@mcjohnsonsgirl]

Brings back memories .

[@raysoffroadvideos1121]

awesome view,,been over wolf creek a few times......

[@deejayg5753]

Love this !!!

[@citizenschallengeYT]

about 1:45+ to the left is Albert Park Location of the infamous VillageAtWolfCreek land preservation battles. Mind you this video was taken a number of years ago, before the impacts of the Bark Beetle invasion were visible. But that's another sad story… cheers, fun video, thanks

[@doubled5982]

So, this type of cornering is called: Apexing. Using the Apex of the corner in order to travel faster through it. Great explanation in the information section for this video. Honestly, it takes a lot of practice to perform correctly, and it’s not really worth using in anything other than a sports car, or type of sports car. A sports car has the ability to recover from an error easier. You must also make concessions for any gravel used during winter because if you get caught up in it, you can very easily, and quickly roll your vehicle. Use it as a tool only, and leave expert driving to the experts. Speed Safely!!

[@user208351]

@bigdave55b2 Drove Old US 30 in 2008 and again in 2010 and it is changing they are upgrading these roads and soon like Rt 66 they will be only a memory. As CW wrote "Now the Interstate goes screamin’ through the backyard of her life. But it just don’t send those shivers down my spine. So before I take that exit, To the Highway In The Sky. I’m gonna take Old 30 one more time". Thanks for viewing.

[@user208351]

@TBWdracula2003 Here are clues Wolf Creek Pass. Which is up on the Great Divide on a flatbed out of Wiggins downtown Pagosa Springs. It is in Colorado! Thanks for viewing.

[@BgMsDangerus]

I was on one road out of Ouray that turned into a "dried up creek bed" just wide enough for one and an half cars. Met a tourist on our way back down who didn't pull into the mountain side far enough and the outside of our tires on the passenger side were riding the edge ready to go over. I couldn't see bottom, only the tops of trees descending down what I figured was at least a mile. Gotta love them tourists who think they know how to drive any road and got their license mail order from Sears.

[@GrigoriZhukov]

I did this in '78/'79 when they were widening it. That old 60's Delta 88 handled it with aplomb and style.

[@dougtowns4926]

just remember one thing roads was built for trucks and military vehicles before there was a lot cars on the roads and a trucker can save a life faster then it can take a life I drive all over the United states I will stop and help someone if I see they need help if your broke down in the middle of the desert I have all the safety gear I need to help someone but like I said I will take my life to save a life

[@JimDean002]

Doug, that's the way trucking actually is, not like the movies...thanks for all you do.

[@DesiRush1]

You are shepherds of the highways and have saved my life. Thanks for being professionals in a sea of amateurs!

[@denniswalker8879]

Doug,CW Was the best in trucking songs ever. My be even better then old Red .

[@cgmakery9650]

yea ten roger that pilgrim, sept fer those steering wheel holders that wont even tune into 19 and you yell at them and say "DRIVER! you have two loose straps on your back spool ....

[@alexandarwright6043]

John Wallkes: You musta been there when I was. Two lane mostly and narrow. Chain up was only a minor inconvenience for the ice and snow on that road. Still bless the state road crews that braved the weather just to keep us trucking.

[@brazilobsessedone]

One of the few if only the Colorado pass with an avalanche shed to my knowledge. Yeah better put it in second going down!

[@danielpaluscsak608]

Had to have been a hell of a ride!

[@user208351]

It was a great adventure seeing the places CW (Bill) sang about. I now live in Ouray and have meet CW many times. Chip and Bill had a way of painting a vivid picture with their music. Thanks for watching.

[@danielpaluscsak608]

user208351 I've been a fan of Bill's ever since the 70's. A lot of his music really fleshed out the sentiments and feeling of the National Bicentenial in '76. I'd have loved to have traveled in the footsteps of C.W. Mcall's music. LOL! Who'd have ever imagined the link between C.W. McCall and Manheim Steamroller?

[@TheCorezero00]

Wasn't there a restaurant called "the feed store" out about where the song would have put it? I think I remember reading something about it in a CW trivia article long ago.... I just last week drove from towaoc to Monte Vista across WCP in my t-6 KW......still a beautiful road!! For real chills tho do Loveland (us-6) now THAT'S top of the world.....no guard rails.....avalanches.....the works....monarch is nice too..... Living in Palisade I get to see all Colorado had to offer......

[@alexandarwright6043]

Wolf Creek Pass is in the south western part of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains. And Minnesota is a neat state. I owned property in Pine River for a few years.

[@redtaylor2281]

My wife and I went down this pass many times, ice,snow blizzards, cabover GMC

[@Celadondriver01]

Been there done that in December, that's fun!

[@MandalaFractalMusic]

♪ ♪I know music can't speak or talk in words, but if you listen close enough, you can hear and understand its meaning, just beautiful ♪

[@jamesjarmon7383]

I haven't been down that hill in ten years, but I don't remember the road being that straight.

[@WDLKD]

+James Jarmon Yeah, i coulda sworn there was at least three dog legs...

[@jayhamilton2915]

I don't remember you being straight either.