Rescued

[Sawtooth]

I went up into North Park this week to take a young friend out on the ice at Seymour Lake, where I've always had good luck.  This little guy is a fishing fanatic, so I hoped to put him onto some heavy action. The weather forecast was a little understated about the conditions.  The lake is very remote, and accessed by a long two-track road, but I had a set of chains for my 4X4, so thought no problem.  The farther we got down the road the slower we got, so I put on chains in what looked to be about 8-10" of snow. Against the advice of one of the passengers (the dad of the young man), I pushed on until we could get no farther - still about 100 yards from the lake.  At this point, snow had drifted across the road up to knee-depth and was quite dense.  So we dragged the sled and gear through deep snow out to the lake and set up, leaving the truck where it was stuck.  We fished a few hours as a new snow storm moved in with high winds, and the little guy caught about 8 decent fat bows.  We ate a nice lunch cooked on my Buddy heater, and began thinking about making the trek out. 

Two other folks had showed up on the lake, parked behind our truck, and walked out to fish for about an hour, and we left at about the same time.  Back at the truck, we found it wouldn't back up very well (I should have put the chains on the front wheels so it could steer better).  These two wonderful guys stayed around and helped us for about an hour as we dug out snow that was high-centering the truck, and eventually they had to hook a tow rope from their truck to mine and then pulled us out.  By that time our original tracks made in the morning were totally drifted in.  Without the help of these two generous guys, we'd either have hand dug until dark, or walked miles to a ranch house in what was turning into a white-out blizzard.

Found out that our benefactor owns the Highland Tavern in N. Denver.  He inadvertently left his snow shovel in my truck, so I took it back to him today and we had a nice visit and ate Christmas Eve lunch.  Turns out his place was featured on Guy Feiri's Dives, Drive-Ins and Diners TV show - and for good reason - absolutely incredible food, no exaggeration.

All's well that ends well, I guess.  I learned a lot about the limits of my 4X4 yesterday, and hopefully won't make that mistake again. And I'm buying a second set of chains to use all the way around in the future. 

[Lip ripr]

I have an 06 tacoma and I can't put chains on the front wheels. not enough clearance on the upper control arm. Ymmv. Glad you got out safe we all have to look out for each other out there.

[Bigassbassman]

Well, it's an adventure the lad will remember for his entire life.  And as you said, all's well that ends well.  Glad you guys got out ok.

[Idahogator]

Nice adventure tale, Sawtooth.   

What doesn't kill ya makes ya tougher/smarter.       

[Sawtooth]

I have an 06 tacoma and I can't put chains on the front wheels. not enough clearance on the upper control arm. Ymmv. Glad you got out safe we all have to look out for each other out there.

Wow, Lip ripr.  I hadn't thought of not enough clearance.  I'll check that out.  You may have saved me a bunch of money on chains and repairs. 

It is nice to know that there are kind folks out there that are willing to help.  I forgot to mention that as we parted company after we got out to the plowed road, he gave me a big hug and wished me "Merry Christmas."

[_colorado]

Great story and tip about the restaurant.  Sounds like a situation you will immediately recognize when you see it again in the future. 

So how was the fishing?

[Sawtooth]

Great story and tip about the restaurant.  Sounds like a situation you will immediately recognize when you see it again in the future. 

So how was the fishing?

Seymouir was my go-to lake last winter.  50 fish days common - 12-15" bows and cutbows.  This was my first trip there this year, since John has slowed down a bit.  Only caught 8, so a little disappointed.  Also, they really responded to active jigging, not deadstick, like last year.  I'll probably try it again when the snow goes away or they plow the road in.  Otherwise, South Delaney seems to be producing the best up there.

And Highland Tavern has a to-die-for specialty that Guy also loved - their own tater tots handmade with shredded cheese in them.  I got two orders before I left.

[Idahogator]

Sawtooth, I just added Highland Tavern to me bucket list, 

[Sawtooth]

As fabulous as the food is there, not sure it can justify a drive from your neck of the woods.  Have to at least throw in an ice fishing expedition at the same time.

[Idahogator]

Yup, a bit more than a Sunday ride, ha.        I did it once ~ straight through to Aurora, yawn.