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So today I topped off my gas tank, loaded my ATV in the back of my truck, and decided to head out and do some exploring.
I headed to Eureka first to check on the snow depth and gauge an idea as to what mines might still be accessible. Not many, the snow was pretty deep. So, I headed on down south on 6, to take the Jericho-Callao road into the west desert. When I got to the intersection of the Erickson Pass Rd, I decided to try and take that back up north back to Dugway. I got about 6 miles down it and the snow got to deep. I got stuck turning around, but it was easy to get out. So, I figure I'll head back south, take the Riverbed Ranch Rd to the Pony Express and head back through Simpson Springs since I figured the Death Canyon Rd would have alot of snow on it as well. Anyway, things were going good until I got about 8 miles west of Simpson Springs and the drifts were getting pretty deep. I shot over off the road and onto the desert floor and drove a couple miles that way. I came to a small ditch about 3' deep. I found what I thought was a good solid way to get over it. I know I should of gotten out and walked it first to make sure, but I didn't. That's where the "I'm and idiot" comes into play. I've pulled people out of the ditch out there before for doing the same thing so I should really know better. Anyway, I started driving across it and suddenly my entire front end just dropped and my truck came to a sudden stop. Put it in 4L, but that didn't help at all, wheels were just spinning. Got my shovel out, dug for a bit to no avail. So, since I'm sans cell service at this point, I unload my ATV, grab some water, my hat, gloves, and jacket and hit the road. Thankfully I ran into to chicks at Simpson Springs who were able to pull me out, otherwise I would of ended driving about 10 more miles to cell service range and call a buddy back at Dugway. It took about 6 good jolts to get my truck out of there. It was hung up pretty good on the frame. I still am shaking my head as to why I even thought about driving there. Oh well, all turned out well. Just a good lesson to always be prepared. I never go anywhere without the ATV, as it's a good backup if something does happen. Anyway, thought I'd share a good (but bad) west desert experience with ya'll.
I headed to Eureka first to check on the snow depth and gauge an idea as to what mines might still be accessible. Not many, the snow was pretty deep. So, I headed on down south on 6, to take the Jericho-Callao road into the west desert. When I got to the intersection of the Erickson Pass Rd, I decided to try and take that back up north back to Dugway. I got about 6 miles down it and the snow got to deep. I got stuck turning around, but it was easy to get out. So, I figure I'll head back south, take the Riverbed Ranch Rd to the Pony Express and head back through Simpson Springs since I figured the Death Canyon Rd would have alot of snow on it as well. Anyway, things were going good until I got about 8 miles west of Simpson Springs and the drifts were getting pretty deep. I shot over off the road and onto the desert floor and drove a couple miles that way. I came to a small ditch about 3' deep. I found what I thought was a good solid way to get over it. I know I should of gotten out and walked it first to make sure, but I didn't. That's where the "I'm and idiot" comes into play. I've pulled people out of the ditch out there before for doing the same thing so I should really know better. Anyway, I started driving across it and suddenly my entire front end just dropped and my truck came to a sudden stop. Put it in 4L, but that didn't help at all, wheels were just spinning. Got my shovel out, dug for a bit to no avail. So, since I'm sans cell service at this point, I unload my ATV, grab some water, my hat, gloves, and jacket and hit the road. Thankfully I ran into to chicks at Simpson Springs who were able to pull me out, otherwise I would of ended driving about 10 more miles to cell service range and call a buddy back at Dugway. It took about 6 good jolts to get my truck out of there. It was hung up pretty good on the frame. I still am shaking my head as to why I even thought about driving there. Oh well, all turned out well. Just a good lesson to always be prepared. I never go anywhere without the ATV, as it's a good backup if something does happen. Anyway, thought I'd share a good (but bad) west desert experience with ya'll.
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