A new SUV in the Winter is no Substitute for Common Sense

By Michael Hermann; Lizard Tracks, Centre Daily Times, January 1999

During winter weather there are many safe places to explore the outdoors. The easiest way is to visit State Parks like Black Moshannon, Greenwood Furnace or Whipple Dam. You can also explore the Stone Valley Recreation Area. They are immediately accessible from well traveled and well maintained paved roads. You can drive into a parking lot and explore on foot or ski’s with relative safety.

Traveling the dirt roads within state forests or game lands is another matter entirely. These roads are not designed, or maintained, for winter use. It can become a dangerous situation when the road is iced and snow covered.

I don’t want to give driving lessons through the newspaper but here is a tip. When you see cross country skiers and snowmobiles on the forest roads you should seriously question if you want to drive after them. Remember Clint Eastwood’s famous line; “A man’s got to know his limitations.” It applies to Sport Utility Vehicles also.

The rise in popularity of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has increased the number of weekend adventurers in the forest. These comfortable vehicles are perfect for exploring the miles of dirt roads throughout public lands. However, winter weather can make these dirt roads a dangerous place. Contrary to the manufacturers advertisements SUV’s are not invincible.

The folks who were hopelessly stuck in the Shingletown Gap parking lot couldn’t understand why their new SUV couldn’t get over a small snowdrift. They were doing a good job of wearing out the transmission as they rocked back and forth between reverse and drive, going nowhere. They were quite mad at the manufacturer of the SUV.

When I showed them how to engage the 4wd system the truck had no problem pulling out. I hope they know enough to disengage it before spring.

I come from the old school of four wheel drive. I’m not used to pressing a button and looking at a dashboard light that informs me I’ve activated the computerized four wheel drive system. I have to stop my truck and lock in the hubs manually. There is a certain ritualistic rite in that act that says “OK, now we’re going somewhere fun.” I like fighting with the transfer case to engage the front differential, and when I’m in 4wd I feel it, without any bells or whistles to remind me. But that doesn’t mean the truck can go anywhere I point it.

Ice is a great equalizer. It renders the most powerful SUV helpless, the equivalent reaction that kryptonite had on Superman. I don’t have to remind anyone in central Pennsylvania that we frequently get ice storms. 4wd or not, ice will stop you. Or, sometimes, accelerate you off the road.

Most of the forest roads develop a one lane set of tracks that get very slippery. The snow also hides the ditches that usually flank the road. It’s very easy to drop a wheel into these hidden ditches when you pull over to let oncoming traffic pass. Some sections of road are too narrow and one vehicle will have to back up and find a place to pull over.

The forest service closes about half of the forest roads for the winter. This serves two purposes; it allows animals to migrate without the boundaries that roads impose, and it keeps humans from wrecking their vehicles on the snowy roads.

I find people stuck in the woods all the time. Usually a quick tug with my tow strap will pull them free. But I always wonder what would happen if nobody came by? Usually they are wearing sneakers which would be inappropriate to hike out in. They may have a cell phone, but do they know where they are?

Here are some basics everyone should have in the car when they head out on winter roads in the forests. My rule of thumb is this: be prepared to sleep in the car overnight. My minimal care package includes a sleeping bag for each person, extra gloves and hats, a propane stove with a simple selection of tea, hot chocolate and instant soup. A jug of water is recommended but snow and ice melt just fine.

A full tank of gas and a map should go without saying, but a lot of people end up lost and subsequently out of gas in the middle of nowhere. In winter weather this can become life threatening. Don’t forget the cardinal rule: tell someone else your plans so they can tell the authorities if you fail to return.

The winter weather offers a chance to see the forest under a beautiful blanket of white, but please respect the increased risk that comes with the season.