What’s the formula for Wyoming mud?

[undercover]

Leaving this Saturday for my first western hunt for Wyoming. An Antelope hunt near Buffalo and will be a day and a half of travel. Wanted to spend Sunday afternoon to “sort it out” but looks like 70% chance of rain. Also rain/snow in forecast for Wednesday. So my question: how much moisture does it take to make the dirt roads turn to mud/snot/grease? A half inch of rain? An inch? 2” of snow with a quick thaw? Small passing cloud burst to what normally would knock the dust down? This is really about my only concern! I’m not one to add depths to ruts and I haven’t maxed out the capabilities of my 4Runner and don’t really want to. Thanks for your replies

Blessings

Brian

 

[Bob-WY]

Given how dry it is here, I wouldn't worry to much. Forecast is chance of showers, so probably in under a day all will be dry and solid again

 

[wytex]

We've got a heavy snow watch, possible heavv snow, for the Snowies so I would check that forecast.
Perhaps it is not supposed to hit up there.
You'll know if it's too muddy as soon as you hit the 2 tracks roads.

Bob probably knows more than me for his forecast though.

 

[reallyoldman]

A set of chains is always, always a very good investment. Even better if you never use them

 

[Bob-WY]

Saturday night showers, less than 1/2 inch
Sunday could be more interesting. Colder, possible snow. But not much

 

[BRoth82]

We were hunting around Douglas area a couple weeks ago and they got 1/4" of rain both days out there. The dirt roads were greasy but not bad, and they dried out fairly quick. The worst part was the fog the mornings after it rained, it wouldn't burn off until 9 or 10.

 

[Bob-WY]

You said driving Saturday and Sunday, so hunt Monday? Might be a slick morning but should dry fast and youllbe good is my guess

 

[Huntkook]

It doesn't take much

 

[WYWINCHESTER]

Bentinite

 

[.270Rem]

Gaiters aren't a bad addition to your gear either.

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

FAFO

 

[LuketheDog]

Frustration and despair are the most common ingredients of Wyoming mud...good luck

 

[jpcoll01]

A couple weeks ago in SE Wy we got a sudden hail storm. Lasted 5 minutes. The dirt roads we were on (not gravel county roads) turned to the slimiest substance I have ever seen 4wd didn’t matter just went sideways and could barely go forward. Waited 20 minutes for the sun to burn it off and things were back to normal. It was the craziest thing I have seen in terms of roads turning to slop and then quickly burning off/soaking in. Chains would have gotten us out if it were sustained rain/hail.

 

[antlerradar]

Chains would have gotten us out if it were sustained rain/hail.

Don't bet on it. In very bad gumbo you may just pack your wheel wells so full the tires will not turn.

 

[undercover]

Gaiters aren't a bad addition to your gear either.

Gaiters packed

 

[thusby]

The worst is getting way back there on a frozen road and having it thaw on you.

 

[bullbugle307]

A couple weeks ago in SE Wy we got a sudden hail storm. Lasted 5 minutes. The dirt roads we were on (not gravel county roads) turned to the slimiest substance I have ever seen 4wd didn’t matter just went sideways and could barely go forward. Waited 20 minutes for the sun to burn it off and things were back to normal. It was the craziest thing I have seen in terms of roads turning to slop and then quickly burning off/soaking in. Chains would have gotten us out if it were sustained rain/hail.

I got nailed by a hailstorm in SE Wyoming this year well away from the truck in the middle of helping my buddy field dress his pronghorn. That was after getting nailed by a hard rainstorm the day before while field dressing mine.

Not fun.

 

[homers]

Grease your tires. Grease repels water so you’re good to go. Keep the speed up.

 

[bullbugle307]

Leaving this Saturday for my first western hunt for Wyoming. An Antelope hunt near Buffalo and will be a day and a half of travel. Wanted to spend Sunday afternoon to “sort it out” but looks like 70% chance of rain. Also rain/snow in forecast for Wednesday. So my question: how much moisture does it take to make the dirt roads turn to mud/snot/grease? A half inch of rain? An inch? 2” of snow with a quick thaw? Small passing cloud burst to what normally would knock the dust down? This is really about my only concern! I’m not one to add depths to ruts and I haven’t maxed out the capabilities of my 4Runner and don’t really want to. Thanks for your replies

Blessings

Brian

It’s really hard to say man. I’ve got a road going into my property, the upper part is fine when wet and the lower part is slick as snot with a little moisture. It’s only like 5 miles long so conditions change quickly.

 

[undercover]

Thanks all for the replies. Rolled into town today around 1. Some good hard rain between Gillette and Buffalo and the mud was all I could think about. Headed out to spot #1. Actually didn’t seem to be a huge mess, spot #2 a little more mushy but I expect with the gusts to 50 will have that dried out by morning. Spot #3 two track was perfect.