Left Hand 2/11

[Kory]

Jeff (Beefy) and I decided to head up to Left Hand Canyon and see how far we could get. I figured we would get up there go 100 yards and turn around because the snow would be too deep but we did pretty well IMO considering it's winter.

We got on the trail at roughly 5pm and headed up. First thing we came across was an older cherokee with 4 people in it at the shooting area and we were surprised to see how well traveled the trail was this time of year. We were able to make it past the entrance and exit of big momma hill and continued up to 5 points. When we hit 5 points we got out and talked over which of the routes to take. We decided on 286E which I believe is the upper carnage route. We were able to make it a few hundred yards up 286E before we both started having issues with traction and turned around. I pulled a really big bone headed move and got off the trail when I was backing down a hill when we were trying to leave. The recovery went excellent thanks to Jeff's winch. There was a few minutes there where we were both worried I was going to flop my Jeep. Needless to say for awhile there I was crapping my pants.

When we were up at 5 points we saw two UTV's that were raging around having a good time and I must admit was a bit jealous at how well they were doing up there in the snow.

Before five points I would estimate there was 6 or so inches of snow with small patches that were dry. Once we got up to 5 points I would estimate there was 12-18" of snow.

All said and done it was a great time and I learned a lot. I only got two pictures but I will post them below.




Jeff climbing a steep hill.





This is where we ended up turning around and very close to where I got off the trail.

[Kory]

mattzj98 previously posted:

[Heather]

Even though you only got a couple photos, they're awesome! Sounds like a great time. Glad you could go do some recon for the rest of us... So glad Jeff got to get out and play, too!

[Michael4rnr]

Looked like lots of fun.

[Beefy]

It was definitely a 10 minute planning type of a deal. I got out of training early (unexpected) and we almost went straight there. It was pretty fun. I really wish we would have taken pictures of where Kory's Jeep was and the recovery. It took a while and it was pretty hairy. His front driver's side tire was about 2 inches from being completely off the edge which would have sent him into the bottom of the "riverbed" and most likely sideways. Easily could have flopped. Also fairly easily could have taken me down there with him. Had to make a snatch block basically with the stuff that we had. One of those is definitely being ordered ASAP. Either way, it worked and we got down safe and sound.

[Funrover]

Thanks for the report and the pics!

[Gossamer]

Nice! Its good you all got home safe