JEEP RUTS Sno*Blind

Sno*Blind Expedition

The Sno*Blind Expedition, is an annual snow and ice run at West Branch, Michigan, put on since 1994 by the Mudchuggers of suburban Detroit. Sno*Blind has become a very popular event in the Midwest and has begun to attract national coverage in the off-road magazines. The demand for Sno*Blind reservations is so high for the limited number of slots that the registration form must be postmarked on the first possible date (usually the first Monday in November) in order to be assured a slot. Second day and you don't go.

Quite a few Wolverines attend Sno*Blind every year, and Wolverine Paul is a trail leader. Wolverine Al has attended every one.

Sno*Blind Expedition - February, 2000 The first day Lee was on the trail with several of the Wolverine. Since Lee had an empty seat he was asked to give a ride to Ken Brubaker, a freelance writer for several national magazines and websites. (See Truckworld for an article on the event--a photo of Lee's Jeep is on the first page). At the recommendation of the trail leader, Lee aired down to 10 PSI, which was a new record low for him. As a result Lee lined up just behind the trail leader, which placed him in a position to look bad first. Actually, it went very well, and the TJ performed admirably, taking one hill that several others could not negotiate without winching. We ended up in a sand bowl with several slippery trails up the sides. After a few failures, Lee caught on and was able to negotiate them with lots of spinning tires. On Sunday Lee went on the "Gilligan Run" with all the attending Wolverines. The Gilligan's Run refers to the theme song from the classic television sitcom in which Gilligan's long shipwreck on a desert island started out as a "three hour tour." The Gilligan's Run has often started out as a three hour tour that turned in to an all day struggle. Fortunately, Sunday's Run was a three hour tour. Snow had fallen Saturday night and was still falling early Sunday. The trees were draped with a blanket of snow which created a winter wonderland effect. Absolutely beautiful. We slid down one long steep hill, and some of the group tackled a couple of very difficult icy hills. Failure to reach the top always led to a scary reverse slide all the way to the bottom. Fortunately there were no mishaps. Driving in the snow proved to be great fun. Lee learned a few new driving techniques. Now if I can only remember to register on the first day next year! Even though Lee had a great time, he still does not like snow in his driveway.
	Al and Mike set off in Mike's white Nissan. Good thing he has that design on the door so we could see him in the snow!
	Kristen, Eric and Kathy are set for the trail. Note that snow was still falling.
	Bill readies to ride as Lee's passenger on the Sunday run. Note the spiffy new snow suit. Bill said he chose black to warm him up in the sunlight.
	Kathy, Tom, and Paul ready to go on Sunday's Gilligan Run.
	Paul, Tom, and Lee all in line on the trail.
	Tom decided to explore off-trail areas and had to get a winch to get back on track.
	Tom, Kathy and Lee enjoy a moment in the snowy woods.
	Lee's TJ sits on the trail while others trip to climb the slick hill to the right out of the picture.
	Tom, Kathy, Paul and Bill test their cold weather gear while hanging out on the trail.
	Wolverine Four Wheelers can always be found where there is something free, such as air. Here Tom Mueller airs up his Bronco for the trip home from West Branch. Lee was in line right behind Tom.
Wolverines Snoblind Expedition Pre-Run, West Branch, MI - January 2003
	Wolverines pause for a rest stop.
	Trail talk.
	Even Wolverine pooches practice Tread Lightly.
Sno*Blind Expeditions - February, 2002
	Lee articulates through a slush hole at Sno*Blind 2002 pre-run.
	The slickest hill at Sno*Blind.
	TJ pauses on the trail.