i got stuck today, but then got unstuck

i was on some random trail off vasquez canyon in santa clarita (taking the "scenic" route home after buying some amsoil air filter oil) and i noticed it was pretty rutted from a recent rain storm. i go up a litle ways, staying to the right of a fairly deep rut and i see that around the bend the trail is just too bad - too many deep ruts for me to want to deal with. maybe i could have taken it on, i just didn't feel like dealing with it at the time, i wanted to get home sooner than later. anyway, so then i have to back down this kinda narrow trail. i'm almost at the end, where i can get back to the main trail to the main road, when i start to slide into that rut on the right side. i tried to avoid it while backing up, but miscalcuated and didn't go far let enough. so there i am, stuck, tilting to the passenger side with my two passenger side tires up against the side of the soft dirt rut about 14 inches deep. the rear center diff was about an inch off the ground. both tires don't have much earth beneth them, but plenty on the interior side. i try giving it some gas, but the tires don't even spin.

i think "great, my first stuck situation". backin up further is not an option because it only gets deeper and wider. i then suddenly remember "ooooh yeah, this thing has 4 lo" :pat: duh. anyway, after i threw the runner in 4lo i climb right out without much trouble.

i just wish i had some pictures, it would seem more impressive that it sounds. anyway, just wanted to comment that 4lo is a good thing and you might not always be stuck when you think you are at first.