February 08, 2010
When faced with a deeply rutted trail, Steffens advises, “Ride the ridges:’ Ruts can be caused naturally—by erosion—or deliberately—by drivers who run the trails after wet weather. Either way, a trail that’s been chewed up will be pockmarked with deep gullies, any one of which can snag a 4×4. Most commonly you’ll high-center the vehicle, but sometimes the gully will trap the nose or the rear instead.
“If you can stay on top of the ridges, you’fl ride above the ruts,” Steffens says. This is demanding driving; if the vehicle slips off the ridge and into the rut, chances are you’ll be there awhile.
