The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

That second picture looks like the bottom of the parking lot that is the 26 access and snow park. I don't believe there is any access down to the lake loop for vehicles in any roundabout way. It is a heavily trafficked by snowshoe and x-country skiers... Maybe I'll learn something new today.

 

I am curious as well; I believe last year someone posted on Facebook that they made it close to the lake in their Tacoma. So wondering if I missed a road.
Could be the parking lot though.

 

This is the parking lot where the gate is. Yes kids sledded for hours.

 

Awesome! The picture looks so different from what I remember. Thanks.

 

@RavenTechnik - I echo @Superhulk LB sentiment, don't be too discouraged... I have video of me trying to get out of sand while leaving traction control on, and video of me going through mud without 4WD; @YF_Ryan was there for both, so I blame him for not teaching me (jk bro)... It's all about learning your truck man!

Keep at it

 

yeah... you know what they say about ASSuming things... I should never have assumed you'd know to put your truck in 4wd when hitting the mud, lmao.

@RavenTechnik time for some MAXTRAX!!!

A pound (or 1000) in the bed help, too.

Edit: just not with the stopping part...

 

I recently realized how much better 4 traction boards help vs only having 2 when it comes to being stuck in snow. I need to get a couple more Maxtrax myself.

 

You can never have too many MaxTrax

 

same goes for in the sand.

Here's a pic from a couple years back. they were laid roughly in line with the rut that was pretty much solid compact snow/ice. The left rut had way better traction.

 

we used 8 of them awhile back to help my buddy get his Raptor towing a Travel Trailer outta the dunes

 

I was specifically referencing Bethel Ridge, when we were traversing that short stint of mud, and I hit the puddle that was like 3 inches deep and the back started to spin loose a little bit, and you had yelled at me "hey dude, put it in 4 wheel" even though I had already made the previous 400 feet in 2wd

And then referencing Florence, when we pulled traction boards and couldn't get my truck to move, I reckon it was traction control refusing to let wheels spin; you eventually just yanked me out, lol

But for reals, get boards! @RavenTechnik - even if they're the cheaper x-bulls from Amazon; having something is better than nothin!

Also a good time to shamelessly plug, @YF_Ryan usually volunteers for Avants Offroad, a good opportunity to test your gear and your rig (plus, meet people)

 

Yeah, that looks fun. What a mess. lol

 

Was totally worth it for the camping spot. I was the first person up there for the year. About an hour later we heard someone else trying to come up. took them a good 40 minutes to make the top (they did NOT have maxtrax), saw us, cursed, and headed back down. We woulda been happy to have them camp with us (tons of space) but apparently they wanted privacy?

 

Lol not this Tesla.... 7:36 mark https://youtu.be/v8q5C4MqpXE

 

thise are definitely on the list but I have a hard time swallowing a $300-$400 piece of plastic

i first plan on getting some tow straps, a hitch recovery point and probably some demon brackets on the fron, if I don’t buy a nee bumper first.

i really want to get the lift and new tires though. Already started saving for an Ironman 3” lift kit.

 

Straps and hitch recovery point will do you no good if you aren't with other folks. Lift kit and new tires will just help you get stuck even worse, lol. If you actually plan on offroading semi-regularly, buy the maxtrax, at least one set. If it's gonna be SUPER-rare that you go out, just a cheap set of recovery boards will work at least 1 time to get you out.

 

I have used the X bull numerous times. They were like 90 when I bought them a few years ago. Costco has a brand as well that they carry that is priced better than Max Trax. Definitely worth it. But going with a buddy is by far the best way to go. Most of the time a shovel has been more helpful then the traction boards(for what it’s worth).

 

The best reason to buy a set of cheap recovery boards: You won't cringe when you use them for someone else and they spin the tires on them. I've used the X bulls more for others than for me. At about 6 uses by others they now have several studs that have been destroyed but things continue to work well enough. They really are incredibly effective for most basic versions of 'stuck'. But you can't trust random Joe on the beach or snow to treat your $300 investment carefully. They got stuck the same way they expect to get out: Gun it! (it melts/thrashes the studs on the boards)

Max Trax do stack so much better than the cheapo versions. So, if space is your concern, you can carry $600 worth of maxtracks in the space my pair of xbulls occupies.

(edit: The reason I use beach parking and snow parks as an example is because there isn't always a good angle or the space to get a good tug on someone. Traction boards are the most adaptable solution for getting unstuck that I can think of)

 

I have a set of xbulls my buddy gave me when he got free arb boards with his Ironman lift. they are pretty handy in the sand and snow.

first time I tried them I was very unimpressed and ripped some nubs off. Admittedly I had bald tires and was using them for traction on a slick rooty trail where I kept spinning and getting stuck. Good tires would’ve gotten me right through but I ended up turning around and bailing that day.

First time I used them successfully was when I buried my rear end late night at the dunes. Called my buddy to come pull me out and he asked if I had tried the boards. Alittle digging and 2 boards got me right out. This sold me on their usefulness

second time they got substantial use was getting my buddy and sister in law’s Subarus out of ditches in government camp last week. I hate subis in the snow, they immediately cut power as soon as they loose traction (even with traction control “off”) Had to use the boards several times to get them unstuck and parked in town. I was glad to have them because it was easier than pulling them out with my truck.

 

This is so true!