STUCK!! In Estacada

[H3slate]

Took my boys on a couple of trails Friday. There are some Forest service roads out past Estacada with some fun side trails and a gravel pit area. Got to drive in some fresh snow.









It had just snowed the day before. Pretty easy trail with some nice views.






Until we slide down this hill...


And couldn't make it up this one.







I have been on this trail 4 or 5 times, and this section has never been this bad. After trying to get unstuck with no success, we packed up our stuff and walked out. There is no cell service until the end of this trail, and Onstar couldn't connect. My boys were great troopers and I felt like an ass for getting us in this situation.

We finally made it out as it was getting dark and called my wife. She came and got us. On Saturday my brother-in-law took me back out there to get my truck. We had to move some large rocks and logs, and we got my truck unstuck but still needed to make it up the hill. So I lined it up, hooked up a strap to his truck and we made it up.



Damage to the H3 was bent rear bumper and broken fastener to plastic bumper section. Also a lot of brush rake from trees leaning over the road.

Lessons learned were to never be too comfortable about your vehicle or the trail you are on. Don't go alone!! Be better prepared with self-recovery equipment.