Not everyone likes snow. For most 4x4 enthusiasts, winter usually means the end of the trail season, and in some parts of the country an end to outdoor activity altogether. For others, however, winter is a welcome relief to summer's sweltering heat and just another challenge to conquer. To these hardy few, snow is an exciting change in trail conditions and makes some of the summer's easiest trails the toughest.
This is where snow bashing...
This is where snow bashing gets its name. To make progress on the trail, drivers must pick up as much speed as possible and plow into the snow in front of them until it stops their vehicle, then back up and floor it again. In heavy snow, trail distance is made foot by foot. It's a long and slow process, but fun. Running this trail without snow would have taken about an hour.
High-speed runs in fresh powder...
High-speed runs in fresh powder are a blast. Remember to air down your tires. This gives the tires a wider footprint and better flotation. It's also important to stay on the trail, even though the ground may seem protected by snow. Off-trail travel will destroy vegetation and leave its mark long after the snow is gone.
When the buildup of a Jeep...
When the buildup of a Jeep is completed in the dead of winter, sometimes this is the only way to take it for a test spin. Dane Trail (yes, his last name really is Trail!) found our day in the snow a perfect way to work the bugs out of his new suspension and axles.
If you haven't experienced...
If you haven't experienced it, when there's snow on the trail it's hard to stay on track. We don't recommend snow wheeling in extreme terrain with dangerous drop-offs. Slaughterhouse Creek Trail is a mild trail in the dry season. With snow on the ground, the trail's tilt and gravity continually tried to pull the Jeeps into the frozen creek bed below. This may not look like a very compromising position for the vehicle, but with every inch of forward movement the Jeep slid closer to the edge of the trail.
There's no reason to stop appreciating off-highway adventure in winter, just make sure your vehicle is well prepared and that you have plenty of able-bodied help following along. A trail that usually takes an hour or so to complete can take an entire day when it's covered with snow and ice. Before wheeling, make sure your winch is working properly, that you have plenty of tree-savers, recovery and tow straps, and snatch blocks, and that your vehicle is in perfect running condition. A little common sense goes a long way when preparing for a snow run.
We hooked up with Jeff and Dave from Rokmen Jeep Accessories and some local club members to hit a few trails in the mountains surrounding Conifer, Colorado. This small Rocky Mountain town is an easy drive southwest from Denver on Highway 285. In the summer the trails there are mild and relaxing and wind their way through heavily wooded forests. The first part of this winter, Colorado received an unusual amount of snow. To the locals, it was a welcome relief to the previous years of drought. To us, these conditions were perfect for a frozen adventure.
The last vehicle in our pack...
The last vehicle in our pack slid off the trail and started its way down toward a frozen creek bed. By properly using straps and two snatch-block points, the Wrangler was easily pulled back on the trail. Properly using a snatch block multiplies the amount of leverage, force, and pulling power. Without a winch, these three guys were easily able to pull the Jeep back on the trail.
Jeff from Rokmen takes this...
Jeff from Rokmen takes this descent slow and steady. It's very easy to lose traction. Notice the driver-side front tire is turned hard right. While on this section of trail he actually lost all steering control and kept the wheel to the right, hoping the tire would catch and keep the vehicle on the trail.
Bill Stephanie waits patiently...
Bill Stephanie waits patiently as the slack in the winch rope is taken up. In deep snow, progress is always slowed by continual winching of vehicles. In cases when the snow is deep enough, winching points are from tree to tree.