One thiing that I learned, is hills NEVER look as steep in pictures or on film as they are in real life.
I took pictures of a friend coming down a very steep hill once. When I developed the film, it looked just like any other hill you ever seen, nothing big at all.
When you see a steep hill in the magazines, take a look at the background. Most times they tilt the camera to make the hill look steeper in the picture. It look funny, makes the tree in the background look like they are growing sideways.

 

I've seen at least one exception to this rule. Go to *********.com and look at the viewer photos (or Wallpapers). There's a shot of a Honda 250 dropping down of a ledge, and it looks steep, high and scary.