Road conditions in the Colorado backcountry are no joke right now, with many routes covered in either deep snow or thick mud, making travel difficult to impossible. One family found that out the hard way over the weekend, but thankfully, a team of volunteer rescuers were able to save the day.

Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse crew members were “called into action” on Saturday night after this volunteer search and rescue team received a report of a family that got stranded in the Dry Creek area after their vehicle broke down in the rough terrain. Images from the scene show a lot of mud and snow in the surrounding area.

The volunteer crew mobilized and eventually reached the parents and two children, who were stranded in the backcountry along with their three dogs. The mission to bring the family to safety was successful, with the mission completed just before sunrise.

Following the mission, the volunteer team urged caution when it came to exploring the backcountry amid current conditions: “The backcountry is a mess and people are advised not to venture off-road. What isn’t buried in snow is terribly muddy. Best to wait until warmer weather arrives before taking a road trip in the hills.”

As Colorado makes the transition into spring this week, poor driving conditions on unpaved roads and in off-road areas can be expected. Deep mud and snow can trap vehicles, even those designed for four-wheel-drive situations.

Many Coloradans are likely eager to start scoping out their spring and summer adventures, but being aware of changing conditions is essential for safety. Big temperature swings can mean snow melts during the day, creating thick mud, with frigid chills still expected overnight.

To increase your chances of survival if stranding is a possibility, bring along a GPS communication device for your backcountry adventures and keep winter safety gear packed in your vehicle until summer conditions are present.

Thanks goes out to the volunteers who responded to this rescue scenario.

If you’re interested in supporting Colorado’s volunteer-powered search and rescue operation, one way to do so is through the purchase of a CORSAR card. It’s cheap, at only $5 per year.

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