Notify the desk clerk in camps or hotels, or a ranger, or National Park Headquarters, before starting on these trips, so that in case of trouble you can be sure of receiving help. It is imperative that you give notice of your return. It is well for cars to travel in pairs on some trips so that in case of a sudden breakdown there will be transportation for the party. If you are descending and are near a turnout when you see or hear another car coming on a narrow road, draw to one side and wait till the car passes. Do not count on finding another passing place.
Grades are often more easily driven in second.
During the warm weather, steep grades should be ascended in the morning. A following wind blows up canyons and slopes during the afternoon, making it difficult to keep engines cool in the still air that surrounds a car traveling in such a wind. If wheels sink into the sand and the car will not move, clear away the sand and throw a canvas tarpaulin or brush in front of the wheels to obtain traction. Be careful in crossing dry lakes. The surface clay sometimes looks dry when it is very soft just below the crust.