Where Have You Off-Roaded Today? 3rd Gen

Lol…good times for sure! I had a 2wd Ranger with no AC once too. That little truck can maneuver through tight spots

 

soggy dry lake bed, Johnson valley

 

From Monument Colorado to the Garden of the Gods.



Pikes Peak in the background.

 

Medano Primitive Pass Road

 

Yesterday drove 100 miles of off road trying to get access to a good fishing lake. A beautiful area to drive, but a few too many bumper dragging washouts.

Could not get to this one lake despite trying to build a little bridge through a washout. That was late in the day and I had to stop.

It was only a 5 foot wide gap with 4 foot deep water holes on either side. Purpose built to keep trucks out.

I built it out by piling in 2 foot round boulders and logs and dirt on the one side, and my maxtrax on top, and got it to barely 6 foot wide. So truck width with no room to spare.

No one travels these trails. That late in day and no rescue coming to this spot so I called it quits. My lower back was also suggesting I stop.

One slip and drop a tire into one of those holes and no getting out. I do carry a 14,000 lb cable puller but no spot to attach it.

I will go back there with the proper building supplies so I can get in. There are a couple more similar washouts further along so a bit more work, but a lake no one fishes with good size trout.

I did find one other very nice small lake on a 4x4 trail that I plan to go back and fish.

 

that is why roads are deactivated

 

Not deactivated. In this case blocked by an individual who wanted private access.

Forty years of driving thousands of KMs of actual deactivated roads, no issues. No skills or knowledge or equipment, for sure stay off them.

 

Nice, looks like fun at the same time!!!

 

It was fine until it wasn’t.

 

CRAWL Control.

 

Burns canyon to big bear. Somewhere in the middle, there’s Two big boulder barely allow a vehicle to pass thru.

I’m trying to blend in….

 

One of the hill climb sections at Pickle Gulch….

 

Yeah have used it a few times, and once it got me out of a snow spot. Two other times in snow it failed but some hours of shovelling did the trick.

It would never have got me out of those holes. You have to know when to stop. When you are remote solo like I am, gotta use your head. My makeshift bridge was not stable enough to risk it.

 

It was a really nice day, for sure fun. For me though it is never about what the truck can or can’t do. They all can do the same within reason.

Too old to care about that stuff any more, although truth be told never was a thing for me.

For me, my trucks are just the means to get me into remote nature for quiet, solitude, the wildlife and just soak it in. Go for nice long walks on game trails and enjoy the quiet.

I have fished hundreds of lakes in BC, but even the fishing is just something to do while rowing small lakes and exploring the surroundings. Love to find new lakes, row and fish, but then beach it and get out and walk.

Like this lake. Far end of this lake is a great spot to beach it, and walk this huge marsh into the woods. Lots of moose and deer, and a few bears to be aware of. They all come to feed on the long grass at the marsh.

 

I can agree with not fully testing the capabilities of the truck. I have modified my truck to allow for more access to remote areas, however it is my daily and I’m not trying to break it when out on the trail.

For me, it is the exploration and getting away from the masses to try to connect with an energy/ spirituality/ something bigger, through different means and perspectives. The unintended benefit of having a blast while doing it is a bonus! Bringing folks along allows for interesting conversation topics and spreads the benefit of that connection to something bigger to others, but the solitude of going alone is equally fulfilling and amazing.

 

I’m guessing the rock sliders were preventing some damage here

 

I went off road'n today down a dirt road today. Does that count . Oh. Wait. I live on a dirt road

 

Fishing, little lake 45 minutes from home, last 2km is rough 4L access, skids recommended.

 

Went to Silver Lake sand dunes today and had a blast! https://youtu.be/ChSq-V4L7a8?si=5-s0gvV5-WdrIOT8

 

If only there was a way to convert those to on demand pontoon floats...