WA BDR - Section 1 Advice? (stock truck? no experience?)

Howdy folks,

I'm new here and new to owning a Tacoma. I got a '22 TRD Off-road and I found a topper for it but that's the only mod to speak of

I'm based in Portland, OR and I'm meeting up with some friends near Packwood, WA soon so I'm intrigued by taking the truck on the first section of the WA BDR.

My Tacoma is bone stock and I don't have a ton of experience and I'd be doing it solo. Is it perfectly manageable if taken slow? It kinda seems like mostly gravel and windy? Or is there technical terrain and I'd be setting myself up for true misery?

How many hours should I plan for it to take me if it's a good idea to give it a shot?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

I did section 1 a couple years ago and frankly it was mostly dirt roads and some pavement, very easily doable in a stock rig. I do remember a few "skinny" parts where the roadside brush made the trail fairly narrow so there might be a bit of trail pinstriping. I was in a hurry to get home after a blown out fishing trip and the weather was misty/foggy so there was no scenery and it just took 'too long" to do, but I cant really recalll the actual amount of time it took, (maybe 4-5 hours but dont quote me on that). I have also done section 3 and the first part of section 4 and those were awesome and took the better part of a day each to drive.

 

We've done it in a stock Jeep Wrangler Sahara. ZERO issues. You'll be fine. Take your time on some spots with big ruts, but otherwise an easy drive.

 

really appreciate the responses, sounds like I'm gonna start early and send it no prob! I'll post pics if I get anything good.

 

This is so cool! I'm planning on doing part of the trail soon, likely section 2, and love to see reports from others who have made the voyage!

 

I don't expect that you'll have any trouble but a generally good group to join before you need help is WORN.

 

nice, joined the group in advance thanks for the heads up!

 

I'm really curious about section two, I've heard it's harder? I'm from Eburg so I hope to take this route someday

 

I'm doing it right now, just finished up section three this morning. The beginning of the route was pretty easy, there were a few spots on two and three that get a little technical. Stock should be fine, a good spotter would be great.

From this morning.

 

wow! great shot!

 

That's the best part of a good spotter!

 

anyone know if I need a WA state discover pass for the first section? Website says you do for a whole run, but are they assuming camping in state parks or is it just simply driving on forest roads requires it?

 

I think technically you need it just to be driving on it. We made it through sections 1-5 in a stock wrangler. A few spots needed a spotter, but you can take easier routes or harder routes, for many of the technical spots. For what it's worth, we were never stopped or really saw anybody.

 

The only truly technical section in Sections 1-3 is the Beehive Washout @E.J. posted a pic of above. Before that, at most you get some rutted/potholed trails and some narrow sections with brush.

I think my only real concern with a bone stock truck would be the larger rocks all over the road on the way up to Bethel Ridge. With a lower ply street biased tire I feel like you might have an increased chance of a puncture.

 

I watched a 1/2 Dodge drive through the washout today on YouTube. The Dirt Lifestyle crew stacked rocks and widened it.