In January 2017 we did an area familiarization exercise in Brunswick Canyon. One of the primary goals of the day was to explore new routes from Brunswick Canyon over to El Dorado Canyon.
We were surprised at the new big washouts from the flooding at the beginning of the year. Whole sections of road were gone in Brunswick Canyon, with big culvert pipes pushed off to the side.
We explored the side roads, but soon learned that there would be way too much snow to go much further up the mountain. This became a good opportunity to practice chaining up our Cherokees.
We continued on to the Sunrise Pass area, and the snow got deeper the further we got in. Before reaching El Dorado Canyon, we made the decision to turn around before we got stuck. But perhaps a little too late… Before getting back over the pass, we had a few hours extra of unanticipated vehicle recovery training. We all got some good practice with tow straps, winches, and shovels! We were all thankful to get home before the big snowstorm came in that evening. Further exploration of the mountain routes will have to wait until Spring.
Carson City Sheriff's Search and Rescue 