Stacie and I often talk about how the first settlers in the west must have seen this and said "Let's stop here."  When they experienced winter on the edge of the Rockies it must have been a relief to know that they had missed an extremely treacherous trip.  The drive through these passes can be difficult on paved roads but must have been just short of impossible on the un-beaten path laden with hidden dangers.  They must have spent a great deal of time back tracking when they found themselves in a canyon with no exit.  Would you have made a good pioneer?