Drove WV FR18 yesterday in stock 18' Forester with only upgrade being continental terrain contact A/T tires. A few inches of snow on the road and temps around 20*, much of the road had deep mud under a thick crust of ice and snow. Two stream crossings were bamked by ice on each side, water depth at crossing points maxed at 7".
This was a good drive, 7 miles of heavily rutted and potholed Forest road with moderate rocks, narrow path and numerous mud holes. The Forester did more than admirably and I think this road was about the limit of what I would attempt at stock. My biggest concerns were ground clearance and as such choosing a careful line was paramount. I passed a Tundra that turned around before the first water crossing likely due to unknown conditions of the rest of the road, my tracks after that point were the only recent evidence of vehicle traffic.
A big advantage of the Forester was the good visibility and narrow track allowinge to aim for the best path when choices were limited by steep uphill on the left and steep drop off the the right.
Due to large rocks and possibility to become mired in ruts i believe this road would have been more difficult without frozen ground and snow to "soften" the road.
I did have any problems or even become close to getting stuck but I would hesitate to recommend this route to other fozzies without provisions for recovery and another vehicle.
Overall i was very impressed with the car and thankful for the loads of off-road driving training and experience from the army.
I am now looking at skid plates for insurance next time.
This was a good drive, 7 miles of heavily rutted and potholed Forest road with moderate rocks, narrow path and numerous mud holes. The Forester did more than admirably and I think this road was about the limit of what I would attempt at stock. My biggest concerns were ground clearance and as such choosing a careful line was paramount. I passed a Tundra that turned around before the first water crossing likely due to unknown conditions of the rest of the road, my tracks after that point were the only recent evidence of vehicle traffic.
A big advantage of the Forester was the good visibility and narrow track allowinge to aim for the best path when choices were limited by steep uphill on the left and steep drop off the the right.
Due to large rocks and possibility to become mired in ruts i believe this road would have been more difficult without frozen ground and snow to "soften" the road.
I did have any problems or even become close to getting stuck but I would hesitate to recommend this route to other fozzies without provisions for recovery and another vehicle.
Overall i was very impressed with the car and thankful for the loads of off-road driving training and experience from the army.
I am now looking at skid plates for insurance next time.
