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.

[RazM]

You really don't have the tires for those conditions. The farm I used to live on had areas exactly like that, and the only time I got stuck was when I reversed too far into a ditch that had about 4 feet of snow where half of it was frozen from a previous snowfall. Snow and ice were jammed up into the body, surrounding the frame and rear axle, had to digg it all out before the truck would move.

There really is nothing worse than snow and mud combined, but some mudders would have helped you there big time.

[Dave92270]

nice pics! and you had some fun too

BTW OnStar phone won't connect in the areas that are out of cellular coverage. While the radio signal is from the satellite, the phone is cellular - or at least I think so. I never get onStar phone to work in such places either.

[DRTYFN]

You should go back there now.

[H3slate]

Originally Posted by DRTYFN

You should go back there now.

I am sure the layer of snow will make it much easier.

Rox and I did go up that road a couple of weeks ago, but did not go as far I did.

[frenzy1]

great pics !!!

[wpage]

On Star is cellular service connection

[ChiHummer3]

Very cool pics! Beautiful!!!

[ROX]

Sorry I couldn't help you out of that one Slate, but next time I'll be in town. Glad you made it okay.

Have you purchased a winch yet?

[H3slate]

Originally Posted by ROX

Have you purchased a winch yet?

Not yet. I will hopefully get a winch and tires this spring.

Did you enjoy playing in all the snow we had a week ago? We had fun, went sledding a lot with the boys. Had fun driving in it too!

[TA8088]

Well the damage sounds reasonably minor. Better tires would of made all the difference. Can't wait to see what tires you end up going with. Cool pics though.