To Plow or not To Plow

[NorthwoodsLife]

I have a long driveway in the forest. In a couple spots, one 30 yards long and the other about 100 yards long, it's moderatly sloped.
I get the best traction on the sloped areas in unplowed snow. Snow is about 7 to 8" deep now and my SuperDuty is tall and glides over it with it no problem. 35" mud terrain tires and leveling lift. I figure that I can drive thru snow up to about 15". Just less than 1/2 diameter of the tire/wheel.

Dirt and some gravel driveway. Not paved.

My question is, will I regret it if I don't plow the snow now?

It seems that when I plow the snow I'm just driving on ice. If I plow it and salt it, I get mud. Neither are good for traction.

My first time wintering it up here in the forest in North Wisconsin.

I know eventually I will have to plow it if it gets too deep.

 

[RCW]

I would plow it, then sand if/when needed. Wood or coal stove ashes are a good substitute.

Salt is useless on a gravel drive IMO. You get ice with salt holes in it at lower application rates, and if you apply a lot, get mud.

 

[ken erickson]

What county are you located? I live in Waupaca County with my land in Waushara County which is central Wi. I am real familiar with Forest county , the Crandon area in particular. There is a big difference in snow fall per winter between where I live and Forest county for example.

If it was me I think I would drive your driveways initially in the season to build up a base, and then plow leaving that base if possible. I have found my Jeep Cherokee gets the best traction on my two track trails at my land when I have that base and it is well below 32 degrees F.
The downside to leaving a base is spring break up. You end up with a lot of slush/ice with thawing/ freezing spring temps.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin north woods!

 

[DustyRusty]

Move to a warmer climate and leave the snow and trails to the deer!

 

[Roadworthy]

Living in the north country I'm sure you know if you don't plow it will pack. Virgin snow is only virgin the first time you cross it. After snow packs it tends to form an ice like coat over time. You need to make your own choices on this one.

 

[Biker1mike]

Compressed snow becomes ice !.

Worst case: Ice on top of gravel and UNDER light snow cover. Slip , fall and ouch. 100% quadrecip tear and crawl on your elbows to the house. Find surgeon and do not wait. Months in a brace and over a year of therapy.
I now plow as low as I can go and then salt like crazy.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

What county are you located? I live in Waupaca County with my land in Waushara County which is central Wi. I am real familiar with Forest county , the Crandon area in particular. There is a big difference in snow fall per winter between where I live and Forest county for example.

If it was me I think I would drive your driveways initially in the season to build up a base, and then plow leaving that base if possible. I have found my Jeep Cherokee gets the best traction on my two track trails at my land when I have that base and it is well below 32 degrees F.
The downside to leaving a base is spring break up. You end up with a lot of slush/ice with thawing/ freezing spring temps.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin north woods!

I live in Burnett County. 20 mike's or so Northwest from Rice Lake.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Move to a warmer climate and leave the snow and trails to the deer!

Got a place in CA. Selling it. I'll take the 4 seasons, snow, blizzards, rain in the summer.... in Wisconsin, over insane CA politics Anyday.

Thanks tho.

 

[ve9aa]

Plow ! (snowblow is even better)

If I didn't snowblow, I'd be able to "get away" with what you're doing maybe twice (I drive a car as a DD, not a truck) . After that it would be fighting with ice, ruts, bumps, lost mufflers and many curse words would ensue.

I watch the young fella across the street go through this EVERY winter. He's real lax and doesn't snowblow on a regular basis whatsoever, so is constantly getting cars stuck, breaking equipment, hacking at his driveway, calling tow trucks--you name it etc. The first winter it was kind of curious or even funny. Now in his 4th or 5th year across the street from me, it's just sad. Slow learner I guess.

Keep on top of it and you'll rarely go wrong.

 

[jyoutz]

I like to remove as much snow as possible because snowmelt into the road bed softens it too much. I like to keep the gravel road as dry as possible.

 

[windy city]

Got a place in CA. Selling it. I'll take the 4 seasons, snow, blizzards, rain in the summer.... in Wisconsin, over insane CA politics Anyday.

Thanks tho.

Glad to hear your head is in the right place, politically.

You should stay on top of moving the white stuff, you never know what the weather is going to do.
It just becomes a PITA if you dont.

I'm a bit North of you in Iron county, we get a fair amount more of it.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Like others have said, Plow it before you compact it, or you'll severely regret it in the spring.
Spring breakup is amplified by heavy packed snow turning to sloppy slush!

 

[DustyRusty]

Got a place in CA. Selling it. I'll take the 4 seasons, snow, blizzards, rain in the summer.... in Wisconsin, over insane CA politics Anyday.

Thanks tho.

I suggested South, not West. South would be Alabama, North or South Carolina, or Georgia, you get my snow drift?

 

[jimh406]

I don't think there is "one" answer. Sometimes, ours melts pretty easily after plowing. Sometimes, it just melts and turns to ice. I think a lot has to do with expected temperatures and what kind of tires you have. I have 3 peak tires on our SUVs and truck. They are a lot better in colder temperatures.

 

[Biker1mike]

Sunlight helps ALOT.

 

[The Evil Twin]

We plow it. However, here, once the snow is off (mostly) the sun will take care of the rest and it'll be gravel in short order. Been there with just driving on it. Once compacted, the ice on the driveway will be there long after the snow in the yard melts. Then it becomes a sloppy mess.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

It seems that when I plow the snow I'm just driving on ice. If I plow it and salt it, I get mud.

Salt and gravel driveways are a very bad mix. The salt causes the melted ice to penetrate down into the soil and make mush. Over the years, it builds up and makes for a mushy substrate.

 

[DustyRusty]

It also helps to accelerate the rust on your car or truck.

 

[MOOTS]

I suggested South, not West. South would be Alabama, North or South Carolina, or Georgia, you get my snow drift?

He can't come to Georgia, we're full.

 

[jimh406]

He can't come to Georgia, we're full.

I don't know about full, but if you go that far, might as well go into Florida.