Snow Wheeling

[MutantNinjaTJ]

So the club went snow wheeling yesterday and let's just say it didn't go well. 34 Jeeps attended and we had to recover about half of them on the way up the mountain. That took so long we had to abandon our planned route of up and over and try to get them all turned around and get off the mountain before dark, which we were successful doing. Let's just say there were some operators and some equipment that should not have been on that mountain yesterday. And when at the drivers meeting they tell you. " when we stop, air down" DO IT! We knew there were some noobs going, but Damn, they need to know that installing all the pricey new fangled gadgets on their Jeep works fine at the Mall, but in the mountains' you still need to know how to drive the damn thing a little bit. And dress accordingly, Nike's and Jeans were a real NO GO up there yesterday, but then they know that now. I'm going to suggest next years snow run be Invitation Only! Snow depth was about 24" in some spots but not really the show stopper it turned out to be. There will be a lot of Jeepin stories being told at work next Monday that's for sure!

 

[Halfstock]

snow wheeling is great fun, provided everyone comes prepared, knows their limitations, and comes with some basic native skill sets.

The fun can quickly disappear playing nurse-maid and recovery tech!

Have any photos?

 

[Chris]

I've always found playing in the snow to be fun. Of course after a while, it gets old just due to the cold.

 

[reddvltj]

The PNW club I used to belong to had a few annual snow runs that had very specific requirements to be able to go. One in particular was, depending on how bad the conditions were, a 2 to 3 day event. It required a minimum of 33x12.50s, lockers front and rear, 8k# winch, at least one open hook style recovery point front and rear, 20' tow strap, tree saver, snatch block, and any other recovery gear you might have. It was not for the faint of heart or inexperienced driver by any means.

 

[Vinman]

Winter snow runs are the best. All our “horrible” wheeling experiences come from Winter runs.
Always look forward to them

 

[AndyG]

That would have been fun to watch. It’s when things don’t go as planned things get interesting.

We love to take hot shot teens on 40+ mile dirt bike rides just for laughs. They’d be crying for momma before it was over, bikes overheating, crashing . ...but they’d talked so much smack they couldn’t whine. It was great.

 

[derekmac]

Snow wheeling is probably my favourite type of wheeling! I always love the looks on the faces of the folks that won't air down low that get stuck, but then a lot of times drive right out once properly aired down. All part of the learning experience though!

 

[ejay]

I try to avoid driving in the snow. #1 because I have mud terrains and they are notoriously bad in the snow and #2 I just can't justify paying $350 on chains that I'll get one use out of every five or so years. If I move to Wyoming or Montana...that'll change.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I found a little snow to play in yesterday, had to chain up though. Snow was super icy but not very deep. I want to go back with a couple vehicles next time and explore a little farther down the trail.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

Love me some snow wheeling and I am very experienced wheeling in it. You do get those that see the white stuff and think because they own a JEEP they can go anywhere. They find out fast how bad that decision was. Especially not being prepared with recovery gear, food, water, blankets, emergency equipment IF shit goes bad.

I try and get out every 2nd weekend IF we get a fresh dump. Still looking for that elusive POWDER this year
Yesterday was some baby snow...hahaha

 

[derekmac]

This is what I'm waiting for now. Snow was up to my chest in spots (I'm 6'4"), and I was breaking trail. Such a fun day out!

The pics are from a few years ago now.

 

[xxdabroxx]

There wasn't a ton of snow but there were some redwoods. Good time for sure though. I helped an older guy with a flat tire on his Dakota on the way back down. He didn't chain up and cut a tire on a rock. 99% sure I know what rock did it, pizza slice shaped and about 8" tall with the point towards the middle of the road and fresh tracks over it when I was headed down.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

View attachment 132839

There wasn't a ton of snow but there were some redwoods. Good time for sure though. I helped an older guy with a flat tire on his Dakota on the way back down. He didn't chain up and cut a tire on a rock. 99% sure I know what rock did it, pizza slice shaped and about 8" tall with the point towards the middle of the road and fresh tracks over it when I was headed down.

I have never needed to use chains? A ton of guys up here ask every time I post pics of snow wheeling in 2ft plus IF anyone used chains. We try and stay on top of the snow @ 3-6psi. Chains will only get you to the bottom. If it is too icy, we just turn around, because even with chains, ICE can be a game changer especially on steep hills.

 

[steelhd]

It's up to the tail leader to make sure everyone is informed and prepared in advance. And to turn them around before starting if they aren't prepared. If a number of participants weren't properly equipped the problem occurred before the club ever left town for the trailhead.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

It's up to the tail leader to make sure everyone is informed and prepared in advance. And to turn them around before starting if they aren't prepared. If a number of participants weren't properly equipped the problem occurred before the club ever left town for the trailhead.

It is funny because up here I will make snow wheeling invites BUT I will put out minimum requirements for the trip.

I get some haters (who usually don't meet the requirements) and a ton of praise from the majority of wheelers. I usually say 35s+, at least one locker, winch, tow points, FULL recovery gear and tools AND experience wheeling in snow/ice (this is most important one!). I then also limit it to about 4 -5 rigs max. Any more and it makes for a painfully long day lol

 

[steelhd]

Snacks, water, and warm clothes sufficient for a very late night or even an overnight stay. That's always a possibility snow wheeling in the mountains.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I have never needed to use chains? A ton of guys up here ask every time I post pics of snow wheeling in 2ft plus IF anyone used chains. We try and stay on top of the snow @ 3-6psi. Chains will only get you to the bottom. If it is too icy, we just turn around, because even with chains, ICE can be a game change especially on steep hills.

FWIW I wouldn't have chained up for snow like what is in the picture I posted. There was one decent hill that was pretty icy and being alone (I had 3 passengers but only 1 vehicle) I didn't want to risk getting into trouble.

I really only needed the chains for a couple slick spots early in the day but I left them on for the duration. The road was pretty well traveled until I got a little deeper into the woods. I want to go back when we get some fresh powder though. I'm slowly finding the roads around here that are open in the winter. USFS likes to close everything down in the winter around here unless you have a snowmobile.

I've been airing down to 8psi in the snow but next time I think I'll go down to 6 or so and see how that works. For the most part our roads are pretty well groomed so I don't expect to run into rocks at speed. I've only spent a little time in the snow but I've learned a lot so far. Snow is definitely different that other terrain types. Momentum seems to be key. If you stop making forward progress back up and get a run at it seems to be my key takeaway so far. Letting your tires dig gets you into trouble.

 

[InOmaha]

Here's us snow wheeling in the mini van a few years back.



We brought a recovery vehicle though.



The snow plow eventually gave up in one spot and plowed the ditch because it wasn't as deep as the on road to the left. Nice and clean after a couple days. I can't wait to try it with a more capable setup then a Christmas present loaded down Honda Odyssey.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

FWIW I wouldn't have chained up for snow like what is in the picture I posted. There was one decent hill that was pretty icy and being alone (I had 3 passengers but only 1 vehicle) I didn't want to risk getting into trouble.

I really only needed the chains for a couple slick spots early in the day but I left them on for the duration. The road was pretty well traveled until I got a little deeper into the woods. I want to go back when we get some fresh powder though. I'm slowly finding the roads around here that are open in the winter. USFS likes to close everything down in the winter around here unless you have a snowmobile.

I've been airing down to 8psi in the snow but next time I think I'll go down to 6 or so and see how that works. For the most part our roads are pretty well groomed so I don't expect to run into rocks at speed. I've only spent a little time in the snow but I've learned a lot so far. Snow is definitely different that other terrain types. Momentum seems to be key. If you stop making forward progress back up and get a run at it seems to be my key takeaway so far. Letting your tires dig gets you into trouble.

Yeah I try to crawl without lockers first so I can really just get on top of the snow. I will then try with the lockers IF I can't get on top (lockers seem to dig down too). Last resort is V8 power plowing for 5-10ft at a time, back up, then repeat lol

We are lucky here as every trail is on crown (public) land and free to use for everyone. So I get a lot of practice in the snow, in the winter.

 

[derekmac]

We are lucky here as every trail is on crown (public) land and free to use for everyone.

Oh how I love Crown land!!