RISKS: A 4WD jackknifes on the slopes of Mt Canobolas, the nose of the car close to the edge.
THE State Emergency Service took more than an hour to retrieve a four-wheel drive from a snow-bound Mount Canobolas road after its driver ignored roadblocks on the weekend.
The rescue, which saw the vehicle and its trailer winched back from the edge of a 50-metre drop, was one of several the SES undertook after sightseers ignored roadblocks and took back roads to try and reach the summit.
In the wake of snowfalls, which coated the mountain on Saturday, the SES blocked off steep roads on Saturday afternoon and 15 volunteers manned the roadblocks. However, while the SES estimates about 1000 cars voluntarily turned back at roadblocks, some drivers took back roads up the mountain, only to run into difficulties.
"For the most part, people were sensible," SES unit rescue officer Rob Stevens said.
"But a lot of the time they wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Many cars were going through the back roads and got into difficulty."
The four-wheel drive pulling the trailer had the driver and a passenger on board when it jackknifed in icy conditions on Mitchell Way between the summit and Cargo Road, Mr Stevens said.
The SES said the vehicle had to be first secured by tying it to trees further up the mountain slope. Then, three SES vehicles were used to winch and tow the car to safety.
About 20 cars had to be helped by SES crews after they slid on icy roads around the mountain during the weekend.
Orange SES Controller Kim Stevens said a number of motorists made the trip from Dubbo to experience the snow on Mount Canobolas.
"Obviously they were disappointed when they were turned back," Mr Stevens said.
However he said the SES tried to give travellers other options where they could enjoy the snow with safety.
The SES is expecting the roads on the mountain to remain closed for some time.
Low overnight temperatures have turned snowy patches on the southern side of the mountain into "solid sheets of ice", Rob Stevens said.
The weekend saw the lowest temperatures in Orange so far this month. Saturday's top of 3.7 degrees was the lowest maximum for July.
