Pathfinder R51 stuck in sand.

On a trail near Barstow. 4 hi all the way. Never went into 4 low and 2 wheel drive was getting stuck near the beginning of the trail when it starts to get sandy. The blue trail is rated 4 and I've found that my stock pathfiner LE is really only good for trails rated 3 or less. I should have made a right turn onto the easier Cady Mountain trail which is rated less than 4 but I decided to push my luck and keep going on the trail that is rated 4. I could feel parts of the trail where the pathfinder was struggling to find traction and sliding around which just made the experience more fun even though I knew I was pressing my luck. My luck didn't last long when I tried to ride on top of a sandy rut, like an idiot, and sliped off the right side of the rut and got stuck.
This road felt like driving in snow but my snow chains aren't much help in sand. Traction boards got me out without much issue.
I was surprised how it took full throttle, petal to the floor in 4 hi with VDC traction control off, reverse gear to get out. Felt like I was going to burn a clutch with how I had the pedal to the floor and the vehicle was barely moving. Would 4Lo in reverse have given me more power? I was afraid to put it into 4Lo as you're not really supposed to do that unless you are on a level surface with the gear train unloaded.

[@fastfordman1965]

Those traction aids are a life saver!

[@philcarr7015]

I'm guessing that you probably didn't air down your tires.

[@plorks445]

True. I didn't air down before I got stuck. I aired down 10 psi after I got stuck and before putting the traction boards under the tires. Too little too late.

[@philcarr7015]

@@plorks445 Live and learn. 10 psi should work pretty well.