Once the snow is on the ground 'round here, side hills get scary. Narrow ledge trails often get glaciated overflow on them too.
The snow that Norm is picturing is unusual for that area at this time of year. Normally it is already snow machine only territory. It has been colder this yer than normal, but generally drier. That's why w've been payoing attention to that area. Normally, if it is frozen, it is deep with snow. Too deep for wheeled rigs. Our snow up here is light dry and fluffy. It doens't pack well and you don't ever plan on driving on top of it. Heck, a lot of times if you step off of a snow machine, you will sink to your waist right beside the sled. That's not gound level, just how deep you sink before you pack the snow under your feet enough to stop your descent.
Anyway, the hard freeze/light snowfall encouraged the attempt to reach Dollar Creek Lodge by the old route. This is a snowmachine/winter oly road/trail due to the swamps and marshes that it crosses. The "new" road access to the area washed out this fall in some particularly heavy rains. Unfortunately it was not only the road that wshed out. Sounds like Norm found some damage along the old route as well.
Mark...
