Though fall colors cover much of Southwest Colorado, winter weather has arrived in the San Juan Mountains – something a father and son from Florida learned the hard way Thursday evening.
Hinsdale County Search and Rescue member Patrick Tubbs said the two attempted to drive over 12,800-foot Engineer Pass northwest of Silverton. As they neared the summit, rain turned to snow, which piled up into 1- to 2-foot drifts on the road.
Despite having a four-wheel drive Jeep with aggressive tires, the snow was too deep and loose to gain traction. They became stuck just below the summit. Night was falling, their phone battery was low and they had only a quarter tank of gas.
“These folks were lucky enough to have at least text capability through their phone, but their cellphone died shortly after they made the call,” Tubbs said.
Tubbs said Hinsdale search and rescue was dispatched after Ouray’s team was unable to make it up the pass. He and his partner geared up and headed out.
“It was raining down in Lake City, but we ran into snow shortly after we took off up the pass,” Tubbs said. “I wish I had my skis last night.”
Tubbs said they found the pair well after dark. The drifts became too deep to drive, so they hiked 0.2 miles to the Jeep.
“These folks were on a quarter tank and their plan was to start their engine every half hour for five minutes, just to warm up,” Tubbs said.
Tubbs and his partner led the father and son through snow to the rescue vehicle and drove them to safety. As of Friday, the Jeep remained on Engineer Pass, Tubbs said.
As winter approaches, Tubbs urged adventurers to check road conditions and be prepared with food, water, clothes and a full tank of gas.
“Pay attention to the warning signs and the weather,” Tubbs said. “Clearly these guys had many signs to turn around previously. Just look at the conditions. And if you have that kind of gut feeling that things aren’t going the way you anticipated them to, turn around.”
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
