Where Have You Off-Roaded Today? 3rd Gen

Did you do the whole loop from the lower Hwy 4 entrance around to the OHV trailhead just east of the Alpine County line? I ran that whole loop several times in the ‘90’s with my stock Ford Ranger and later a stock Land Cruiser 80 with all-season tires. Then I rode the eastern section from near the top down to the OHV trailhead a few weeks ago on my mountain bike, and it seemed much tougher than 25 years ago. Lots of big rock “gatekeepers” near the bottom … not sure I’d take my stock Taco through there. Same with Slick Rock … it used to be challenging, but doable, at least in the 80 Series (again, bone stock at the time), but seems much tougher now.

 

Took the taco over Mosquito pass today. It's definitely changed since I was last out there.

 

Yes, I started just past the alpine county sign. And finished by the Cabbage Patch maintenance station. There were only 3-4 sketchy parts. But I just walked them first and picked my line. I did slide into a rock on one of them. Which is why I didn’t want to try it until I had sliders installed. My Taco has just a 2 in level lift with the stock tires and wheels. And never felt out of place. It was a fun day!!!
I have been riding the bike park and trails all summer. Think I’m gonna head up this weekend and ride then camp out on the trail.

 

Thanks. Maybe I’ll try it … my truck is stock except for KO2’s and sliders. We rode the bike park a few times, but that’s not really our thing so after the last lift ride up, we rode out to Corral Ridge then Elusive and down to the top of AT&T (called Upper Tamarack now I think), then back up AT&T to the village and took the shuttle back. First time on those trails since 2006. The local trail group has done some good stuff!

 

Lol… while out camping, once spotted, it is usually followed by shouts of “what the hell is that!” by the uninitiated. Just a spruce sawyer.

 

Oh wow! Sounds like your Dad was quite the fellow! Being that active in his 70’s up to his 80’s. Reminds me of the Alone in the wilderness fellow Dick Proenneke. Oh to be that spry when I reach that age.

Thanks for the Ross Lake suggestion. I looked it up and it looks quite interesting to definitely check out. Especially in the shoulder season when there are less people and mosquitoes! I’d like to get my little guy fishing the Skagit as you suggested. Sounds awesome. Just some spin casting to start. I think just a simple wedding ring and I’m assuming there’s a bait ban so just lures. I’ll have to definitely check the fishing regs before we go. Thanks for all your sharing here and on other threads. Happy trails to you!

 

Yeah my dad was like Dick Proenneke, except pretty aggressive and took no shit from anyone. An amateur boxing champ in Finland in his youth. He could scare the crap out of anyone when he got angry.

He was though a really caring guy. Helped anyone who needed help with anything.

There was really nothing he could not build or fix on his own. If he did not have tool for the job, he would custom make the tools. I remember at age 80, he put a huge leaf pack on his F250, laying under the truck and doing it alone of course. I show up and he cursing like a son of a bitch under the truck, but he got it done.

Commercial fishing he rammed another boat and we were about 75 miles off the west coast of Vancouver island. Other guy all day long was pushing us off our tack, and he finally had enough. What a mess that was, end of that story. I could easily relate another 200 true stories like that.

For the Skagit, fishing is closed November 1st to June 30, catch and release only, single barbless hook, and bait ban. Be prepared to walk, but once on the river you will be blown away. Plan to walk several miles per day, the draw is incredible.

I flycast (I am no expert flycaster though). If you do not flyfish, buy some Panther Martin lures and swap the hook to a small single barbless. Or cut off the 2 extra hooks and really pinch the third barb. Make sure to make it neat so you don’t kill the trout.

These are the only 2 you need for small BC streams. Skip all the other colors.

Use a 6-8 pound test, and no weights. Just tie a tiny quick change release to the line, and attach the lure to that so you can easily swap lures. Cast, and let it sink deep into a pool before a slow retrieve. Or cast across the river at the head of a current run, and let it drift across the river bottom bouncing with a slow retrieve.

A favorite pic I took of my dad many years ago on a hunting trip up northern BC. Up Dawson Creek area.

 

Trader Joe’s … I actually went to Tillamook State Forest but didn’t grab any pics.

 

@ppat4 That's awesome. Quite the character & very resourceful I see. Also, sounds like he adjusted very easily to life in Canada. Lots of similarities here. Nice Moose! Thanks again for the details on the Skagit. Very kind of you as majority of rec fishermen don't like to part with any info or tips. I'm very rusty after all these years. Safe travels!

 

If you go to the Skagit, bring 2 bear sprays. Not to scare anyone , but there is a healthy black bear population in the area. Lots of mosquitos in the woods as September will be a bit cooler and they will thrive again. That area is notorious for mosquitos. Does not bother me, I just spray up heavy with the repellent. You cannot go there without the repellent, trust me on that one. Once on the shorbanks, if it is sunny they head back into the woods.

 

Last weekend, the wife and I went out to some local trails near Bulldog Canyon. Nothing crazy but nice to get out for a couple of hours.

 

What calendar?

 

Fort fisher state park

 

Damn, didn't get first tire tracks after the excavator had to do with second tracks.

 

The yearly TacomaWorld calendar.

 

Technically yesterday but on Cape Cod

 

4 day camping trip just south of Cantwell Alaska. We posted up on a river bed and had a blast. Also had a great view of Denali even from about 70 miles away.

 

Broken Arrow and Cliff Hanger in Sedona.

 

More mucking about yesterday. This time trying to find some game trails to hike into a couple of lakes that have no road access.

At one lake, I found a game trail through dense forest. Loaded up my backpack, machete and saw and headed in. Made it a short ways and a thunderstorm rolled in fast. Got out quick. I hate overhead lightning. We have had over 5,000 lightning strikes in the Okanagan in the last week. Crazy storms. Hiking in a dense forest under lightning is not a good spot to be.

About 30 washouts like the one in the pic. Typical deactivated roads. I hate those because they really slow you down and zero fun. One bumper dragger seriously bent my trailer hitch side flange where you hook up your chain. Fortunately the welds are still in good shape.

 

Nice looking pictures. How is Cliffhanger? I have done some other trails in Sedona but not that one yet.