Oregon and Washington Truck Spotting

Man, those Dakar wheels haunt me. WANT WANT WANT.

 

Snow was non-existent near the trail, just on the distant peaks. My brother was up there a month ago and the situation was very different, that heat wave must have done the last of the snow in. In the evening the mosquitoes are atrocious. We had a portable propane campfire (statewide burn ban for the rest of the season) surrounded ourselves with mosquito repelling torches, covered ourselves in bug spray and it was still rough. High winds through the valley after dusk ended up bringing relief. Beautiful area but bring lots of bug spray and protective clothing. There is a pretty good rut to get down to the sites by the water, but it is easily doable. If you plan on camping, be sure to get there early enough. The 4-5 sites around the lake were full by 3pm, and the good ones taken a couple hours earlier.

A guy in a newer stock Rav4 tried to get up the trail and got stuck. A few Jeeps in a group in front of ours pulled him out and he turned around. On his way out through a small stream covert across the trail he dropped the rocker on a large boulder and fubared his rocker, then dropped the rear bumper on the same rock and broke off the passenger side of his bumper. Everyone was in shock that this guy had tried to take a Rav4 up this trail.

 

Super clean pre-Tacoma in DT Bothell



A little odd, with 4Runner 17" 20" wheels...

 

Yeah, I think our recent heat wave took care of a LOT of the remaining snow. Wife and I will prolly hide out in our screen shelter. Saved us this last weekend at Lost lake, for sure.

That's too bad on the Rav4. Sounds like they bit off more than they could chew. Good on them for trying, I guess?

 

A screen shelter is exactly what we were commenting that we needed at the time.

 

Used to have the ARB Deluxe Awning room on our 2500x2500 awning. That thing was great. Don't have the Habitat or Awning anymore, so we bought the Gazelle G5. If you've got the room, the G6 has a lot more space, we just wanted the smaller form factor for the wife and I. Setup is SUPER fast and easy, FAR easier than the ARB Awning. Stakes even go inside, so you can pound them in while still protected. Would only need to go outside if you need to use the guylines. We have a propane fire pit, too, we just sit in there and it warms it up nicely, even on low flame. The screens keep in more heat than you'd expect, and we bought a set of 3 walls too, for added privacy/sun block/heat retention.

 

prius would've probably made it up

 

You sure those aren't 4Runner Limited 20" wheels?

 

Missing its tailgate so not that clean.

 

Bike pad? not missing tailgate.

 

I think you're right... that's why it looked so goofy to me.

Correct again. It's a camo tailgate pad... but maybe that was @BudFriendguy's joke, as the camo is hiding the tailgate...

 

Haha! if that is the case then he's got my "wit award" vote for the morning!

 

would’ve made it if it was a TRD off-road rav4.

…still can’t believe that’s an options package these days hahaha

 

Something to consider for sure, usually we don't camp in areas mosquitos are that bad. I hate adding more gear though, I always try to travel as light as possible. But if it is necessary it is better to have it than not. I'd be concerned with heat running the campfire in the tent, does the roof get hot at all?

 

Warm, but never hot. But we aren't cranking the fire up. We have a lil red campfire, and it can have 2+ foot flames, but we usually have it more like 3-4 inches. We are just going for ambiance and some warmth. It's more than enough to keep the space comfortable.

 

Only pic I could find. This was in the ARB Awning room.

 

Is that considered legal during a burn ban? Not trying to call you out, but asking for an upcoming camping trip...

 

YUP! That's why we have it. Way easier than hauling firewood, too.

Usually as long as you have the ability to turn a valve to shut off the fire, you are all good. During extreme fire danger though, I've heard of them banning ALL flame, including any stoves. But that's crazy rare.

The FS actually came out on both Friday and Saturday this last weekend at Lost Lake to educate folks and remind them. They said ours was perfect. I really wanted to go talk to the people next to us who were burning Friday night, but my wife was afraid of them messing with our stuff the next day while we were out kayaking or something. You never know how people will react... I was pretty P.O.'d at them, but whatever... luckily nothing happened.

 

Yes it is currently legal, which is why I got one as well. It is currently a Level 3 burn ban, which permits portable gas stoves and gas fire pits. Burning anything that emits embers is prohibited. Level 4 bans everything.
https://www.king5.com/article/news/...rces/281-289cc877-c19f-4b04-bb1f-66f070797ba4

 

$200 Camco 58031 Little Red Campfire Compact Outdoor Portable Tabletop Propane Heater Fire Pit Bowl for Camping, Tailgating, and Patios, 11.25"

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Campf...+campfire&qid=1626122932&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4

I'm pretty sure we didn't pay that much for it! DANG.

Also, if you have the choice between the BIG red campfire, and the LITTLE red campfire, I highly suggest the LITTLE. it is the exact same burner in both. The big one is just physically bigger. No point if you ask me, and takes up more space. I like that it has storage for the hose wrapped around the base inside the can. Also, the base keeps the hot part higher up in the air. I could see it melting the floor of the ARB room if it didn't have the base.