Stupidest Thing I’ve ever Done, in a Jeep

Posted: April 13, 2026 | Author: Rubicon Ronin | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: snow, STORM, Travel, winter |Leave a comment

Spring was here, but winter wanted one more shot. And it happened over the weekend.

The latest winter storm dropped several feet of snow over the Sierra. I wanted to know how much the Tahoe Side received.

Unable to rally any of my fellow wheelers, I went in alone. Not only single vehicle, but single person. But I had all the gear: “Go Bag”, sleeping bag, food, water, recovery gear, parts, communications (ham), etc. What tipped me off that it was a bad idea was while I was loading the snow shoes.

Traffic in Truckee was at a stop because of chain controls over the summit.

Traffic lightened again as people turned into Squaw Valley. But at 9am, if you’re still on the road, you’re late for the fresh powder.

The Tahoma neighborhood was half plowed. Ed Dorado County had been there and cleared their streets. Placer County had not yet made it through the neighborhood.

I didn’t slow much as I entered the trail, I just reached down and put it in 4wd. And I didn’t bother to air down.

There had been two rigs in before me but that was yesterday. I was making fresh tracks on the snow that fell overnight.

The tracks I was following were not helping. The snow was so soft that you really had to work to stay in the grove.

I had confidence because I knew that there was asphalt under all that snow.

I finally made the staging area. There were tracks going further up the trail but this was a far as I was willing to go.

Even on 35″ tires, I was dragging my diff almost the whole way in.

I was a little nervous that I’d encounter a group coming in on my way out, so I didn’t linger and headed out after a few pictures.

I did score first tracks for about 100 feet on my way out.

The bridge over McKinney Creek.

Very cool being out there alone.

Very quiet…

Except for the Southern Rock playing on my stereo.

Okay, so I was stupid. But I was a prepared for stupid, if something stupid had happened. Next time I’ll give my friends more warning that I’m headed out.

.

Rubicon Ronin

---