The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

Next time you can come and lead the way

 

The owner at Landcruiser NW invited me out to Brown's Saturday to bounce around the woods and explore some rock climbing (with-your-body-not-your-truck kind). He was going to show up in his 70 Series, but his kiddo wanted to take the other rig...ended up in STRANGE company for the duration of the day, but these guys are awesome. Made it up all sections of Firebreak 5, camper kissed a tree on some of the tight stuff but frankly that stuff is TIGHT. One fender kiss, diffed out once (barely), but honestly only spun my tires once or twice. Stoked to not take any bypasses, it was a fun jaunt.

Found decent bouldering potential, cleaned thousands of years of lichen and dirt off one and squeezed a few lines out of it, be back for more. Solid day in the woods.

Here's a few, posting the rest @lightnfast on the gram sometime this morning.

 

Hell yeah! You were runnin with the big boys. That's awesome. 1st gen did great, I see.

It does look tight, but I wouldn't expect anything less at Brown's. Those buggies look wider than your Taco, so I'm sure a 2nd and 3rd gen would fit on the trail. If only my tires were bigger.

Camper ok, no damage?

 

Yeah without the camper it would have been way less stressful, but my truck bed had an inch or so of clearance on a few of the tighter turns, super fun trail. Just dinged the edge of the roof skin, adds a nice touch if you ask me!

Here's a video of the last rocky section before you get into the twisty tree-scootin' fun, the "hardest" little section, way steeper, and gnarlier than it looks, but all good! Definitely used the sliders here and there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpKjnSIp2q8

 

Looks like a blast! It’s amazing how the Tacos just climb up and over rocks.

 

Went back out and finished up bates road yesterday. It was super fun, will definitely do again. The hard sections mostly consisted of steep ups and downs and it’s pretty cool following the ridge line. There aren’t any super tight sections like Cedar Tree or Hogsback. It’s also pretty brushy so probably not the best choice I’d you’re worried about pinstripes (which we weren’t).

When you come up the gravel road from hwy 6 you’ll come to a 3 way junction (1 left, 2 rights), the gravel to the left is the continuation of the main trail but there is a short ~1/4 mile section of trail to the far right (almost a u turn) marked with a Bates Road trail sign - circled on the gps screenshot. This section is pretty representative of the rest of the trail, honestly it’s probably the trickiest section and after running it you can come back to the junction on the gravel Road. This is how we limped back last time after my buddy blew his airbags. It’s a good feeler to see if you want to continue with the rest of the trail, if you’re comfortable with that you’ll be fine with the rest of the trail, if not it’s and easy point to bail from back to the highway.



Bates Rd didn’t take us too long, probably about 45 min so we ended up going out and running hogsback as well.

Sorry for the crappy pics, I didn’t take any and most of the ones my buddy took were blurry. Guess we were too busy driving.

 

Thanks for the update! Sounds fun!
Curious, what would make someone uncomfortable? It looked like the hill climbs needed momentum and a picking a good line. Beyond that, are there rocks or stumps that would cause damage If you rolled a little? I guess I just need to get out there and check it out.

 

No that’s about it. Mostly Hill climbs and steep descents that require a good line and decent tires are the main challenge. We both aired down to about 15psi and had no traction issues. There were a few ledges where you’ll teeter on 2 wheels. Otherwise It’s pretty straight forward. I’m sure it’s a lot more challenging in the rainy season because it does get pretty steep in some spots.

Body damage risk is pretty minimal other than pin striping. No super tight squeezes like a lot of the other trails out there.

 

Thank you! That is kind of what I was imagining. Also, that partially why I’m hoping to get out while it’s dry still. Might be fun to retry in the rain later on.

 

I was thinking the same once I get some new tires this fall. Mine are pretty toast

 

I can’t remember are you sitting stock or on a lift?

As a side note, we got to get another group run in before the fall.

 

Lifted - OME with 885s in the front and Dakars along with Archive hammer hangers in the rear.

Would love to get in on a group run sooner than later!

 

Not sure how I haven't seen this thread.

Sub'd for future meetups.

 

Not yet certain, but I am shooting for next meet up to be next Saturday the 12th. Browns camp area. Will finalize my plans by Monday night and get back to you all.

 

i would like to go but I’m out because I’m working my first OT since covid started

 

I’d love to, but it’s my son’s birthday party. Super bummed. Next two Saturdays are shot for me.

 

Could do Sunday most likely if it works better for peeps?

 

I work Sunday...every Sunday.

At this point in the game, I'm rolling on nearly bald factory tires and don't feel smart attempting fate with the rocks at Browns Camp.

Currently waiting on Marie from Headstrong to get back to me on my lift parts and Discount Tires with my wheel tire order. Hopefully I'll get these upgrades completed in the next month or so.

Then 4:88 gears!

Beer, meat, and some tire kicking wouldn't be outta the question though.

 

Based on the lack of response so far, perhaps the 19th or 20th would be better?

That is probably smart. Even if you managed not to blow a tire the lack of traction could be unsafe. Heard discount tire had some good labor day sales. Maybe we will catch you next time.

 

Just an FYI... someone posted that browns and TSF closes tomorrow on FB