Need recommendations for California, Oregon, and Washington off roading/overlanding

Hey all,

Once again I am coming to the community here on TW in search of some trails/routes to hit this summer.

I am planning a long road trip this summer through the West. A large portion of the trip will be coming into California in Death Valley, traveling up through the Sierra Nevadas to Oregon to hit Crater Lake, Mount Hood, Portland, and then go to Washington for the wilderness around Mount Rainier.
The trip details are located here: https://maps.roadtrippers.com/?a2=t...ium=share&utm_source=copy&z=3.939362017758445
Will also be posting a thread on the rig transformation in the spring.

Looking for some recommendations for scenic routes through these areas that I may want to try as a day trip or a through route. Prefer routes that also have available dispersed camping as much of the trip in these parts will be overlanding-style

Thanks in advance!

 

Check these out. They are made by motorcycle riders but there are plenty of reviews on YouTube of full size vehicles on them. I hope to hit a few next summer.

https://ridebdr.com/

 

Subd... curious for Oregon, I will be doing a similar portion of your trip from Walla Wall WA to Tahoe area and planning to go through Mt Hood, Bend and Klamath.

 

Smithsonian Butte byway when you're going to Zion is a short and fun drive and it's BLM so you can post up where ever you want, really.

When you're in the ORV go to wild willies hotspring instead of crowley. I'd say go to Alabama hills, but it'll probably be super hot when you're there.

I'm not too familiar with the offroading in Humboldt, but I went to HSU so depending on how long you wanna stay up there I can give you some things to do.

 

Noted on the hot spring, glad to know as this is my first time in that area. Still welcoming plenty of recommendations for routes in OR and MT, found some good routes in CA and WA. Will definitely take you up on some recommendations in Humboldt.

Also an update: the iOverlander app has been a great resource planning for areas to post up for the night, where to get groceries, laundry, fuel, etc. for any future overlanding trip needs.

 

Not sure how technical you’re looking for but along your route you could check out parts of the Barlow Road right near Mt Hood in Oregon. I’ve never been there myself but I’ve heard it’s a crazy thing to see ruts from the Oregon trail still there today. Some portions are pristine and have ruts up to six feet deep.

I’ve heard there can be quite technical trails to get there, but I’m not sure if that’s all parts. You’d have to do some research if you’re interested.

Sounds like a fun overall trip! Have fun!

 

You’re probably used to hot weather in Texas, but be aware that Death Valley, and even Moab, will probably be over 100F in summer, with some very remote areas and no water. Be careful. Oh, and there are better (less crowded) hot springs than Willie’s/Crowley (they’re actually the same), but you have to find them

 

Thanks for the info! Hooking up a 20gal water tank in the bed for these areas, don't want to take any chances of running out. Also have a note for toyota service in vegas before heading to DV. Looks like I'll have to keep an eye peeled for some more springs

 

I would check out Saline Valley Hot Springs in Death Valley! There's also some nice hot springs near Mammoth. There's some nice waterfalls and hidden gems around Crater Lake and Bend as well. Sounds like a fun trip!

 

Stay east in Oregon! Steens Mtn and the Alvord Desert below it is awesomeness!!!

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-...eas/a-trip-to-steens-oregons-secret-mountain/

Here’s my trip post - do something like this in reverse and end up on the westernmost point of land in the continental US in Olympic National Park, WA:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/washington’s-pacific-coast-to-backcountry-eastern-oregon.560915/

 

Been to em All and plan is to go back! Just crossed the border, sadly i’m short a few sceptre fuel cans as the local dealers only had 10l (2.5gal ines). Damn.

What I am thinking right now is my usual aka third trip to DV, mohave trail, joshua tree, maybe anza maybe, scoot over to AZ head north on the backroads to the GV from crown king. Back up through Nevada and Oregon, need my milkshake fix at fields (3 C’s is amazing) then hit up a bunch more hot springs/hike. Thinking i may be down here for 3-4wks. I am in byw jobs and the next one doesn’t start until Mar.

Was going to drive to the east coast to see the folks but it’ll be a 5 day drive with the puppers instead of my usual 3.

 

This is an area I’d like to explore more and probably will on my way back north.

 

Ah crap, I thought this was in response to a thread I started, my bad, still solid advise and something i will follow up on .

 

Have a look through my build I did a pretty detailed trip report on this exact trip just starting from Canada. Do the coast road it's gorgeous and a wonderful drive.. in Oregon I did crater lake, the dunes and Tillamook Forrest all are musts imo. Wahsington we hit the Gorge and ,my st Helens area, California went as far south as Sequoia National park, spent too much time on Rubicon which meant we had to skip some stuff. Hwy 395 is cool mammoth was awesome we camped just outside Yosemite on the river we hit pretty much every National park between Columbia and San Francisco lol