Rob Elliott Rob Elliott Poughkeepsie Wall Ouray CO 1
Designated route Johnson Valley-photo TAP
Responsible Wheeling, Responsible Overlanding….it’s the only way to go.
TAP is a proud member of Tread lightly and fully supports it’s philosophy. When we travel, it’s with the “Tread Lightly!” principles in mind. Many of our designated off-road trails are being closed. We can do our part to show others that we respect the trail, nature and do not want to inflict any “harm” on the environment or on ourselves. Here are some tips from TreadLightly on traveling responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas. DON’T STOP HERE. Even if you are a veteran wheeler, take a minute and review these “Tread Lightly!” principles.
-Travel only on areas designated to four-wheel vehicles
Valley of the Moon-Photo TAP
-For safety, travel straight up or down hills.
Valley of the Moon CA-photo TAP
-Know where the differential or the lowest point on your vehicle is. This will help in negotiating terrain and prevent vehicle damage resulting in oil and fluid spills on the trail.
Know the lowest points on your vehicle and pick your line accordingly- photo ARBKnow the lowest points of your undercarriage, front and back- photo Pelfreybilt
-Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle.
Mojave Road – Photo TAPTom Severin Badlands 4×4 Training at Johnson Valley CA- photo TAP
-Drive over not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.
Photo Jerry L’Ecuyer
-Cross streams only at designated fording. (TAP added: avoid splashing whenever possible)
Photo Rob Elliot
-When possible avoid mud. In soft terrain go easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting.
Mud tires, low throttle-photo Susan Bodner
-Stop frequently and reconnoiter (recon or scout) ahead on foot.
Be sure you know what’s on the other before going there…. photo TAP
-Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain, or unstable ground. Backup until you find a safe place to turn around.
Silver Stairs, Justin shown spotting. They were not turning around here, but the sharp turns required slow multipoint turns.- Photo Aaron Bodrog
-Maintain a reasonable distance between vehicles.
Valley of the Moon CA-photo TAP
-To help with traction, balance your load and lower tire pressure to where you see a bulge.
Hungry Valley CA-photo Bernard Leitner
-Comply with all signs and barriers.
photo TAP
-Always travel in a group of two or more vehicles. Driving solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation.
TAP at Death Valley going to Cerro Gordo ghost town from the east.-photo TAP
-Choose the appropriate winch for your vehicle size.
For trucks,take the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and multiply it by 1.5. For example, if you’ve got a new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon two door. A quick visit to Jeep’s website shows the vehicle’s GVWR is right about 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg). Multiply this by 1.5 and you’ll get your minimum capacity. In this case, it’s 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg).
This info is provided by Warn Industries. For more in-depth info, check the link : www.warn.com/blog/2011/01/20/how_to_choose_the_right_winch.shtml
This information has been provided by TreadLightly! 4×4 Tips. Let’s respect the trail and everything we enjoy around it.
Anything Else? Let us know in our FORUMS and TAP into Adventure!
The following photo journal of the Moose on the Loose Overland Expedition was submitted by Susan Bodnar, avid 4 wheeler and adventurer, EMT, Founder of Jeep Girls Rock! on FB and employee at OK4WD. She participated in the event this summer and passed this on to us to share with you. NorthEast Overland puts on the Moose on the Loose event every year and they are planning two in 2017. Read what Susan has to say about this epic overland journey and TAP into some East Coast Adventure!
Moose On The Loose is a four day, three night Navigational Land Challenge put on by NorthEast Overland that covers approximately between 270 and 400 miles. This was its 3rd Year and they had us traversing through Northern Maine and New Hampshire. We started the trip off at Pittston Farm in Rockwood ME with fifteen other Teams (2 vehicles per team) to meet, have dinner together and to be given a destination for the following day. This is how the entire expedition was structured. The staff would meet with each team in the evening to go over the next day’s journey. We were given a “suggested route” but many teams chose to map out their own. NorthEast Overland mandates that participants use (paper) maps, compasses and every bit of navigational expertise that they have at their disposal to make it to each days campsite. In addition to the destination point, we were also given “challenge locations” and scenic picture areas where, if we took pictures and presented them to staff at the end of the day, we were given a chance to win prizes at the end of the trip. Some teams rode alone. My team, which was Team 41, rode with two other teams, Team Discovery and Team Captain Black. My co-driver and navigator was Donna Burrell and our chief navigator, who lead our group, was my teammate Mike Kelly. Camping was point to point style every night.
The terrain was beautiful and the journey was amazing and extremely challenging. There was no cell phone service, no gas stations, stores or creature comforts along the way. We depended on our teams for everything. The vehicles that attended varied from Jeeps to Toyotas to Rovers all the way to a full-size F250. Due to the remoteness of this trip, we had carefully packed everything from camping supplies, spare parts, food, fuel, emergency items and recovery tools. From here on I’ll let the pictures tell the story. Enjoy and join us in 2017 for the next Moose On The Loose….
Some participants really got into the spirit.Our group of 3 teams at Holeb Pond in Maine. Team minimum is 2 vehicles on the trails. Some people go in packs. We all rode together the entire trip. Left to Right: Danny Miller- JK 2door, Jordan Handy- Toyota Tacoma, AJ Kania- Orange Disco with Alex Brown as co-driver, Pete Ferris with wife Ashley Ferris- 4 door JK, Susan Bodnar- 2 door 2011 JK with Donna Burrell as co-driver, Mike Kelly- 4 door JK. Murphy made sure the line-up looked good.Team 41 and Team Discovery (Jordan Handy’s Taco). James Baroud on my rig, Smittybuilt on the Taco and Oztent on the ground. Note the Maxtrax. Absolutely essential for this journey. The mud we encountered was epic.PJ Schembri and Carl Voltaggio crawling through a rock pile that was made when the road was cleared. Because of the nature of the pile, they had to run a specific path to avoid 4′ drops, trees and stumps. Carl and PJ spotted each other, with another participant spotting their trailers. Recovery straps were used on the trailers to keep them from rolling over the more extreme sections. Photo: Gregory AugerJordan Handy of team Discovery in Maine on a challenge trail.James Baroud Evasion rooftop tent. Supplied for the expedition by OK4WD.Me on a challenge trail in New Hampshire.
Assisting with a recovery. Deep mud caught the Disco.Deep in New Hampshire with Team Discovery behind me. AJ Kania in the Discovery and Jordan Handy in the Tacoma. This was a challenge trail.One of the “scenic picture areas”: A treasure along the way.Team work on a challenge trail.Part of the expedition was travelled on logging roads.Mud tires….literally. Danny Miller making his way through.MaineChallenge trail, Maine.
AJ Kania from team Discovery in MaineMike Kelly in Maine
Our campsite in Maine. Team 41. Mike Kelly’s JKU and my JK.
Instagram @NortheastOverland Facebook : Northeast Overland for the most up to date information on upcoming rides and events! email: NortheastOverland@gmail.com
Thanks to:
Chris Woodcock and Jareb Dyer: Founders of Northeast Overland MOTL staff: Niall Johnson, Jason Hunt (Muffin), Mike Brown, Adam Welch, Greg Auger, Steve Booth, Scott Ackley OK4WD: For providing the use of a James Baroud tent and their assist in upgrading the build on my rig for this expedition AEV ARB Front Runner Outfitters: For providing the sleek yet rugged and versatile roof rack James Baroud Mike Kelly: Teammate and Founder of Wheelers LLC
photo credits: Mike Kelly, Susan Bodnar, Danny Miller, Jordan Handy, AJ Kania, Alex Brown, Pete and Ashley Ferris
Want to share one of your epic adventures? Go to our forums and TAP into Adventure!
The following article is written by TAP’s contributing author Andrew Halsing. Check out his tips for streamlining your camp cooking kit, then go get ready for your next adventure!
Cooking and food prep items can take up a lot of room in our rigs. I have made serious efforts in streamlining my camp kitchen cooking kit. Currently I’m down to using a JetBoil Flash cook system for almost all of my needs.
Jetboil Flash cooking system with Jetboil utensil kit on the back of the Trailgater.
Jetboil fry pan and pot supporter
I love the versatility and compact approach this system takes. The addition of the JetBoil Fry Pan, and JetBoil Pot Support makes this a comprehensive single user system. A limitation this system has is that it takes finesse and attention when cooking, to ensure you don’t burn your food. I learned this the hard way making coffee. I had it on high, turned around and started talking to someone and it boiled over the top, getting coffee grounds and boiling hot water all over my Trailgator. I won’t do that again!
My Overland Kitchen consists of:
– JetBoil Flash
– JetBoil Pot Adapter
– JetBoil Fry Pan
– 2x JetBoil Fuel Canisters
– JetBoil Coffee Press
– Hand Sanitizer
– Can Opener
– Tin Foil
– Paper towels
– Dish Soap
– Sponge
– Steel Wool Pad
– Trash Bags
– Cleaning Wipes
– Small Bottle of Olive Oil
– Salt and Pepper
In addition to that I still have a Coleman Propane stove and pots on standby, depending on what people in the group are going to take out with them.
Something that goes with cooking like peanut butter goes with Jelly, is water. While on the trail, I generally carry between 6.5-11.5 gallons of potable water. I start my trip with two full Nalgene bottles, two 1 gallon water jugs, two 2 gallon Rotopax water cans and depending on the length of the trip, five gallons of water in my AEV Bumper Storage Tank. While having plenty of water on hand is important, I chose to carry equipment that filters or purifies water from other sources as well. There are many ways to accomplish this. Chemical treatments, bleaches, UV, and filters. After reading a number of reviews, articles, and doing some diligent personal research, I ended up purchasing an MSR Mini Works Filtration System. It’s easy to use, field maintainable, and moderately priced. It filters most things, however will not filter viruses. Most of the water here is snow melt run off, so this system suits my needs. What I truly enjoy about having a filter system is the peace of mind it provides. There aren’t many worse feelings than the anxiety that running low on water produces and having a filtration system helps alleviate that stress. I strongly suggest researching filtration systems to find the one that suits your needs. They are well worth the money.
The next thing I’d like to talk about is what to pack to ensure that you are able to make a fire in any sort of weather. I live in an extremely damp environment, so take many precautions not to be caught out without a way of starting a fire in challenging conditions. I always keep two long-stemmed lighters, pretty basic, I know. I test them before I go out and make sure that one is kept in a handy, easy to find location. I bring some more basics: newspaper and dry firewood gotten from the store. I can usually find plenty of wood where I camp, but there are many areas that prohibit collection of wood for fires. I always bring my own. A “last resort” fire starter item that is seldom thought of are road flares. I keep 6 in my Jeep for emergency use, however they can double as fire starters. I wouldn’t use one for starting a cooking fire as I’m sure their chemicals are toxic. When I’ve been cold and out of alternatives they have come in handy.
Flares-good in emergencies and can be used as a last resort fire starter.
Consider an alternative power source when running a refrigerator.
Since I run an ARB Freezer/Fridge, a concern of mine is always power. I keep a FM16-7200 120W Power Film Solar Panel in my kit bag. It’s not a water proof system, but it will fold up into a small package versus some of its water-tight counter parts. When unfolded and set up, it is about the size of my AEV roof rack plus about 6-8″ to the front or back. In case you’re wondering, yes, they do still work even when it’s cloudy. They just aren’t as efficient. And that about wraps it up for my cooking/kitchen kit.
Share your cooking/kitchen kit on TAP’s Forum and TAP into Adventure!
Photos and article: Andrew Halsing
Editor: Lori Palmer
Off-road trailers are always popular and you’ve probably checked out the TAP Off-Road Trailer Buyer’s Guide. Well, recently we were made aware of a new, light-weight trailer that Colorado Teardrops is manufacturing called the Summit. Weighing only 1630 lbs, it’s capable of sleeping two adults and two children and can be towed behind Jeeps, Subaru’s, crew cabs, or any “smaller” 4×4 vehicle.
The Summit with 35″ BF Goodrich Radial T/As and 3500lbs torsion axle, will exceed clearance of almost any off road vehicle. The fully insulated cabin provides under the floor storage, cabin shelving, a couch/bunkbed as well as a Queen Size mattress/sleeping area. It’s also got reinforced fenders to support your weight for access to the reinforced roof!
Colorado Teardrops is a family owned company that creates, sells and rents custom teardrop trailers out of Boulder Co. This company’s success is built upon their love of the product as well as their interest in what their customers want. All of Colorado Teardrops trailers are manufactured on site with a custom trailer taking between 80-200 hours to make.
I spoke to owner Dean Wiltshire to get some background info on his company Colorado Teardrops and how they came up with the Summit. Here’s what Dean told me.
This one has 20 gallons of fresh water over the axle and on demand, hot water shower in black box. It has the standard finish-clear anodized aluminum and diamond plate.
In the summer of 2011, my daughter and I went on a big camping adventure. Our third stop was at Yellowstone National Park and we camped next to a place that had a sign saying, “Danger, Bear Activity”. We were camping in a tent and, frankly, it was kind of scary. The morning we left, a hiker was killed by a grizzly bear in the park, which validated my fear and got me thinking. At the time I was driving a Honda Accord and I wondered how we could have a hard shell camper with our small car. That’s how our first teardrop trailer came to be. My father was a British carpenter with a passion for building boats, so I grew up taking part in his passion and learning from his craftsmanship. I built a teardrop for our family and when we were towing it, we felt like rockstars! We had people getting into our teardrop at places like Safeway parking lots! I’d come out of the grocery store and people would be waiting to ask me about it and, as I said, they’d want to get inside to check it out. The teardrops are so elegant and compressed, they truly are eye candy.
The Summit sleeps two adults and two children under 5 ft. in the cabin. The roof is reinforced and strong enough for an RTT if you want the kids upstairs!
So fast forward to today, we’ve made many teardrops. We live right at the base of the Rocky Mountains and there’s a lot of folks that like to enjoy what I call “our backyard”; the Rockies, Utah and into Nevada. These folks often have small children or large dogs. They have invested in vehicles that can take them into “their backyard” to explore, yet many of these vehicles don’t offer amenities to actually sleep in. Many of our customers own smaller vehicles that have four wheel drive, but not the capacity to tow lots of weight. One option they have is getting a rooftop tent and putting it on after reinforcing their roof, but then they have to break camp to go to the ridgeline or trailhead in their vehicle. This is where having a tough, off-road ready, light teardrop came from. Hence, The Summit was born!
Colorado Teardrops Summit Teardrop with diamond plate and black. Many colors available. This one’s got a front storage box for “dirty stuff” like fire wood and a porta potty.
With all of this back country play, we saw the need for a really rugged teardrop that was light, could be towed by a smaller vehicle and that would sleep four people. We created the Summit with that in mind. It sleeps two adults and two children under 5 feet tall. The roof is reinforced, so that you can mount an RTT to bring more people along or put the kids “upstairs” for privacy.
In couch mode. Just add cushions!In bunk Mode.
We have evolved from being a company that started in 2011 renting teardrops to a company that both rents and sells them. When we first began, every time a customer would return a teardrop, I would interview them to find out what worked for them and what they felt could be improved upon or added. For example, we provided solar panels to our customers, but they told us that because they had an inflexible aluminum frame, they could not be bolted down in order to secure them. So, we looked around and found AspectSolar that offers a soft sided foldable panel then we created a lockable plate for the panel on the trailer. This way, everything can be charging while our customer is out on the trails. Customer feedback has truly shaped the evolution of our teardrops. Now that we also sell them, we feel that we can offer our customer a really broad array of components to choose from when creating their ultimate custom build.
A custom item: steps to access the roof.Optional leather handles and pulls. The LED reading light and venting fan comes standard.
We believe that it takes a village to design a teardrop. We design and manufacture them here. We don’t keep stock. As I said earlier, we work directly with our clients discussing what they need and want, then design a teardrop to their specifications.
Queen sized bed.This galley is personalized to fit your gear. The bi-folding doors can have shelves to hold your camping stove and Yeti cooler. It is also fully insulated to prevent wildlife from sniffing around while you’re camping.
The Summit is “ruggedized” with full skid plates, nerf bars, corner protection, steel welded frame and torsion axils with replaceable spindles. The galley is described below.
Personalized galley with shelves, 8 drawers, pantry and slide out sink. It’s got shelving on bi-folding doors to support a cooler (on right) and Stove (on left).Lots of power options in the back. Inverter for AC 110V power, USB and 12V cigarette lighter, plus direct 110V and LED lights.
Options!
Ready to roll!
In closing, we are a family owned business that truly enjoys helping people get out and explore and who look at our customers as extended family. Happy Trails!
For more information on Colorado Teardrops and their variety of models and custom options, check the links below and TAP into Adventure!
TAP has published a Roof Top Tent Buyer’s Guide and an Off-road Trailer Buyers Guide. We thought we would add another camping option that might interest some of you; truck and SUV tents. The following is not a review as we have not used any of these products. It’s not an endorsement and we haven’t been paid for writing this. It is simply a guide to show you what we have seen out there and to pass the information on to you. All write-ups come directly from the companies, so check out these possible options and TAP into Adventure!
Napier Outdoors – Keeping You High and Dry for 25 Years. Napier Outdoors is the world’s largest developer and distributor of Vehicle Camping Tents. Since 1990, Napier has been changing the way people view camping, by reshaping and merging the automotive and outdoor industries together. We were the first to revolutionize the camping industry with our innovative and exciting vehicle tent concepts.Napier distributes Vehicle Camping Tents to automotive manufacturers and retailers across North America, Europe and Australia. Our vehicle tents are the number one selling Truck and SUV Tents in the World!
SUV and Minivan Tent Design Features
The Backroadz SUV Tent 13100 Series is a high quality, affordable alternative to other truck tents. The Backroadz SUV Tent allows you to create the ultimate camping oasis wherever life takes you. The vehicle sleeve provides a weather and bug proof access to the cargo area of your vehicle. No longer will you have to unpack or make unnecessary trips from the vehicle to the tent, as everything stays within arm’s reach. It’s perfect for any adventure such as: camping, tailgating, fishing, or even lounging at the beach. Check out Napier’s SUV and Minivan Tent SpecsHERE.
Backroadz SUV Tent Model 13100.
Features of the Backroadz SUV Tent Model 13100:
-The universal vehicle sleeve easily adjusts to your vehicle for a custom fit every time
-Spacious 9’ x 9’ tent boasts a towering 6.8’ of headroom and sleeps up to 5 guests
-This tent weighs 25lbs.
-Full rainfly provides ultimate weather protection
-Large door with storm flap for weather protection and privacy
-3 mesh windows offer optimal ventilation and accessibility
-Keep gear organized with the gear loft, 2 gear pockets, a built in lantern holder
-It includes a carrying bag for storage
-Quick and easy one person assembly, takes about 10 minutes to set-up
Truck Tent Design Features
Sportz Truck Tent 57 series.
Our Sportz Truck Tents allow you to create the ultimate camping oasis wherever your truck takes you. No need to search for a clean and
dry campsite, the Sportz Truck Tent assembles in an open-bed pickup truck, allowing you to camp anywhere. Napier’s exclusive floor design protects you from the elements while making the tent easy to set-up and secure to your truck. It’s perfect to keep behind the seat for any unexpected adventures such as: camping, tailgating, fishing, or even lounging at the beach. Join the camping revolution today! Check out Napier’s Truck tent sizing and Truck comparison charts for more information.
Stay true to your surroundings with the Sportz Camo Truck Tent in the Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity™ camouflage pattern.
Netted gear loftSewn in floor
Features of the Sportz Truck Tent 57 Series
-Napier offers the only truck tents on the market with a full floor, keeping you clean from your truck and dry from the elements
-Large interior area with over 5.7 feet of headroom
-Full rainfly provides ultimate weather protection
-Large 4’ x 4’ awning provides shade and a protected spot for bulky gear
-Rear access panel allows you to access the truck’s interior for additional storage and access to power outlets to charge your gear
-Color-coded pole and sleeve assembly, makes setup a breeze
-Built-in storm flaps in windows and door provide additional weather protection and privacy
-3 large windows and 2 ceiling vents offer optimal ventilation
-Keep your gear organized with a gear loft, gear pocket and a built in lantern holder
-Expandable carrying bag for easy storage
-Weight: 23-26lbs
The Rightline Gear Truck Tents let you experience camping in full comfort, up off the ground, without the complication of tarps, stakes, and guy lines. Camp wherever your truck can take you, no matter the weather. The Rightline Gear Truck Tent features a floorless design that allows you to set up and take down the tent without removing your gear from the bed and completely covers the tailgate of the truck, allowing you to use every inch of available space. You will appreciate the time savings when using your truck to get around for the day. If your truck bed is greasy or grimy, you will also appreciate keeping your tent away from that mess. The use of a standard tarp to cover the floor (that can be washed and kept separate from the tent) is a great idea if your truck bed is less than clean. Sleeps up to 2 adults, and all windows and doors have no-see-um mesh and storm covers. Special attention has been paid to achieve a highly water resistant design as it is our goal is to keep you dry. The tent is outfitted with (2) gear pockets, a lantern hanging hook, rain fly, glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls, and a sky view vent. For more info visit www.rightlinegear.com Check out Rightline’s photo rich Truck Tent step by step set up guideHERE and their truck tent specsHERE. To find the correct tent for your truck, measure the inside of your truck bed with the tailgate up and check the Truck Tent Sizing Guide.
Available Sizes:
Part No. 110710 Full Size Long Bed Truck Tent (8′)
Part No. 110730 Full Size Standard Bed Truck Tent (6.5′)
Part No. 110750 Full Size Short Bed Truck Tent (5.5′)
Part No. 110760 Mid Size Long Bed Truck Tent (6′)
Part No. 110765 Mid Size Short Bed Truck Tent (5′)
Part No. 110770 Compact Size Bed Truck Tent (6′)
SUV Tent Design Features
The Rightline Gear SUV Tent lets you camp without leaving all the luxuries of home behind. The adjustable nature of the vehicle sleeve allows the tent to connect to the back of any SUV, minivan, crossover, wagon, or pick-up truck with cap, WITH or WITHOUT a roof rack. The Rightline Gear SUV Tent works for vehicles with a rear hatch door or rear barn doors and easily disconnects from your vehicle, allowing you to go about the day’s adventures. Use the back of your vehicle as a sleeping area, for storage, or to power electronic devices, and the SUV Tent as a changing room or as a sleeping area for family or friends. This tent has room to spare and sleeps up to 4 adults, so invite everyone along on your next camping outing. The SUV Tent is outfitted with (2) gear pockets, a lantern hanging hook, rain fly, glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls, and a PE bathtub floor. Special attention has been paid to achieve a highly water resistant design – our goal is to keep you dry. See Rightline’s SUV Tent Specifications for more information.
SUV Tent Features:
-Dimensions: 8’ W x 8’ L x 7.2’ H
-Water resistant fabric with tape sealed seams
-Vehicle Sleeve seals around any size SUV, minivan, wagon, or pick-up truck with cap
-PE bathtub floor, no ground tarp is necessary
-Large windows and doors with no-see-um mesh and storm covers
-Easy access to vehicle power receptacles
-Tent sleeps (4) adults and vehicle cargo area sleeps (2) adults
-Includes: tent, rainfly, stakes, carry bag, and sewn-in set up guide
Exploring Canyonlands in off-road rigs: The following article comes from an interview I conducted with Nels Larson of Slumberjack. The commentary, photos and captions will take you on an extraordinary excursion through Canyonlands National Park. Check out this epic four day photo journal and… TAP into Adventure!
Our original plan was to go on an overlanding trip as a Slumberjack team event. I was eager to test a prototype shelter I had been working on that will be released in spring 2017. I had reservations booked in the Maze, but when push came to shove, work scheduling conflicts got in the way of a team’s offroad trip. So, it evolved into a personal trip with Justin Michael, from finance, his girlfriend Nikki, Dustin Miller and Aaron Bodrod both of whom are friends of Michaels. We decided to give up spots in the Maze in favor of a different route primarily through BLM land that skirts Canyonlands Maze district and goes through the Needles. We went with the non-booked over land sites to give us more freedom in our route finding and campsite selection. It also gave us creative control over where we would end up each night. This was going to be an epic Vehicle Supported Adventure!
Day 1: Moab to Chicken Corners. We all met in Boulder CO, rolled into Moab, took a right on Kane Creek Road then worked our way slowly through Kane Springs Canyon, to Chicken Corners. [It’s said that Moab area guides allow “chicken” passengers to walk, rather than ride, past the narrow sloping section of this route.] Chicken Corners is moderate wheeling, mixed sand, double track, sandy slickrock ledges, dry creek crossings with some moderate navigational challenges.
“The Crew” day 1 Chicken Corners. Dustin Miller’s V8 4Runner: Fox suspension lift, CBI rear bumper, Shrockworks front bumper, RCI Offroad belly skids, sliders, CVT RTT. Nels Larson’s Tacoma: CBI Moab 2.0, Aluminum front bumper, CBI Bushmaster 2.0 high clearance rear bumper, CBI front & Mid belly skids, Slee Sliders & Icon UCA skids, Fox 2.5 Factory coils, Fox performance rear shocks, Dakar rear leafs. Justin Michael’s V8 4Runner: Fox suspension lift, CBI rear bumper, Shrockwork front bumper, RCI Offroad belly skids, sliders photo: Nels Larson
Day 2: This was definitely a day that tested our navigational skills. We continued driving through Chicken Corners toward Lockheart Basin. Linking up to Lockheart Basin was a challenge and we ended up going in the wrong direction many times.
“Brief team meeting discussing our location and route finding in search of the climb up towards Lockhart Basin. As usual, Justin “the navigator” was suggesting the correct route, while I (Nels) was completely turned around.” photo: Dustin Miller
One of our attempts ended us up in a box canyon in Canyonlands. Another time we got turned around and had to go back up an obstacle to get on the right trail. Time and time again, Justin got us back on the right path. He became our chief navigator, he’s got the best head for it.
Even though there was a posted sign saying Lockhart Basin/Chicken Corners, about 1/2 mile down the turn, it was very difficult finding the correct route. The road seemed to split in 4 different directions. We picked the 3 wrong ways first! The correct route actually hairpins back to the NE, up a hill that is blind. In this picture, the road is right above the middle truck with the RTT. photo: Nels Larson
Justin Micheal spotting Dustin Miller as he nears the top of the climb in Lockhart. We had some intermittent rain and hail that day. It reduced traction on the slickrock slightly but nothing that a easy throttle couldn’t control. photo: Nels Larson
This was probably the most technical part of the entire trip because of the large rocks and loose material. The rain was actually a bit of a help, damping down the loose sand and dirt. Most of the obstacles were clearance based not traction based. We spotted each other to limit risk and help with visibility. Some of the Canyonlands ascents were at such steep angles that we couldn’t see the obstacles in front of us.
Photos don’t typically show technical terrain very well. This was the most technical section of trail. We all made it through on the first try without incident. Using a spotter was very helpful. photo: Nels Larson
For the average overlander, this would be advanced wheeling. To the average Jeeper or someone used to Moab, this is fairly easy stuff, considering how aggressive Moab can quickly become. That climb, working our way up and around the canyon in a loose loop, was a lot of fun. We had lunch at the top of Lockheart Canyon, then went on to Lockheart Basin.
Nikki, Justin and Aaron enjoy a brief lunch break while a beautiful thunderstorm grumbles. photo: Nels Larson
Here’s where the story of our recovery of a crippled Disco comes in. Towards the end of our loop around Lockhart Basin we encountered a Disco with two rear flats blocking the trail. The couple were in happy spirits, but in need of assistance. After a brief discussion, the owner agreed to let us help pull his crippled rig up onto flat ground and off the trail. We hooked up Justin’s winch, and pulled him up. To limit continued damage to his vehicle, we used Dustin’s Maxtrax to fill the gaps in the rocks for the rear wheels. It took some doing, but we were able to pull his disco up and out of the way. At this point, I asked them if they wanted to join us and ride in my truck for the next two days as we wandered back to Moab. They declined, he was going to ride his mountain bike into Moab, rent a Jeep and come back with tires while his wife held down the fort at the vehicle. They had ample food, water and camping gear. I asked them several times to join us, feeling guilty about leaving them there, but they were happy and comfortable with their plan. So with a handshake we said goodbye and continued on.
We used some soft shackel mounts and a tree strap to create a 3 point mount on the front of the Disco. We slowly marched him up the hill and pulled him off to the side. The Disco basically ended up where the towing vehicle is shown. photo: Dustin Miller
Then there’s the story of me loosing my fenders that same day. Before our Canyonlands overland trip, I had put on new, larger wheels, tires and put in a new front suspension, but because my rear suspension was old, the rear of the rig was sagging a bit….. so the wheels were basically chewing up the fender mounts.
My new suspension and tire combo decided to remove my fenders for me. Oh well…as we say, “Roll with it!” I have since remedied the situation. photo: Justin MillerThe beauty of Lockhart Basin. photo by: Nels Larson
We camped at Lockheart Basin for the night.
Lockhart Basin – Utah. You can see the Needles district in the far top left. photo: Nels Larson
Day 3- Needles District-Elephant Hill and Bobby’s Hole: We finished driving through Lockard Basin and hopped on the highway to the Needles District. We got a free day pass from the ranger station, then hit the Elephant Hill trail.
Needles District, Canyonlands National park. This is part of the Elephant Hill Trail. Backcountry permits are required for day use. The good news is that they’re free! Just stop in at the ranger station and make friends. photo: Nels Larson
Elephant Hill:
This is a challenging trial that starts with a very steep concrete reinforced slope of slick rock, then a series of short, tight switchbacks up to the top and down over a ridge.
Heading up the beginning of Elephant Hill. photo: Nels Larson
After the initial climb, the trail comes around a corner to a steep slickrock climb up a short, smooth hill (there is a bypass around it to the left, but this climb is a fun one). Soon you come to the top of a rock and it seems like the trail disappears off the edge. There is a sign with a picture of a Jeep with an arrow pointing down. This is a good place to get out and see what’s ahead of you. This is a very steep rocky downhill section, called Switchback Hill.
This is one of the obstacles along Switchback Hill [part of Elephant Hill]. The angle was 50 degrees down on slickrock. photo: Nels Larson
The first few turns after this are fairly easy to make, but when you get closer to the bottom, the switchbacks become a series of 120 degree hairpins with signs that instruct the drivers to pull forward then reverse down. We backed down the switchbacks, as regulated by the signs. There were also multiple hairpins that required 5 to 6 point turns
Elephant Hill Trail, Switchback Hill. photo: Nels Larson
Nels, navigating the last semi-technical section, tight left turn, of Elephant Hill. Aaron with the birds eye view. Photo: Dustin Miller
Silver Stairs, Elephant Hill Trail:
Sllver Stairs: Elephant Hill trail. Dustin bounces down as Justin spots. photo: Nels Larson
Here, pull your mirrors in, get a spotter, go slow and you’ll be fine if you are driving a mid-sized vehicle.
This is the infamous “squeeze” along the Elephant Hill Trail. To quote my grandfather Palmer,”If you don’t know what you’re doing….go slow.” photo: Justin Miller
This is one of my favorite images. Justin spots my rear quarter pannels, while Dustin holds the camera. photo: Dustin Miller
There was a group ahead of us towing a teardrop that actually got stuck in the squeeze because of a roof rack that was too wide to make it through. We had a short delay while they worked to remove their roof rack, then pull their equipment through. It worked out fine. In the squeeze, it’s helpful to have both front and rear spotters. It’s good to have someone watching not only your approach, but also your body roll. This is a phenomenal trail, I would go back and do it again in a heartbeat, if I didn’t have such a long list of other places I’d like to explore!
That night we camped in a super cool spot.
Campsite on day three just outside of the Needles District. Rad spot. This Image is looking down the valley towards Beef Basin and Bobby’s Hole. photo: Nels Larson
A bit to the right, there’s a slot canyon you can hike up. Having a fire ring under this nice overhand was a welcome reprieve because, as I said, we had steady rain off and on throughout the trip. photo: Nels Larson
DAY 4: Bobby’s Hole to Beef Basin Road
Bobby’s Hole is a short, 1/4 mile climb with very deep sand in spots. It ended up being a bit more challenging than expected, due to the erosion and loose soil. We spotted each other, not because of the technical nature of the obstacle, but because of the angle involved. Driving up, all you could see was your hood! Thankfully, the recent rainfall improved our traction through the soft sand.
Bobby’s Hole. The climb up to Beef Basin Road. photo: Nels Larson
Traveling up Bobby’s Hole photo: Dustin Miller
photo: Dustin Miller
Beef Basin:
Beef Basin is a mellow, double track, flat, sandy and compressed clay road, that goes from 5,233 feet to 8,262 feet. It wraps up and around the mountains and exits at a river valley.
Beef Basin…not sure how they came up with that name. photo: Nels Larson
Along Beef Basin road we explored several ruins of Anastasi dwellings, they were very cool. As these sites are unregulated, everyone is free to wander amongst them and take in the magic. This privilege comes with personal responsibility, please respect these ruins and leave them just as you found them.
I believe this is an Anasazi Ruin called the “Tower Ruin”, located on Beef Basin Road. There are many excellent ruins in the area. photo: Nels Larson
We had some interesting descents that day, the recent rains and light snowfall quickly turned the hard packed clay road, classic to Utah, slick as grease. Mind the road warnings, this mellow road can turn nasty very quickly.
The conditions went from hard pack to grease in a heartbeat. I slid a bit down one section of the trail. The mud here was literally pulling my shoes off. photo: Nels Larson
Indian Creek crossing heading south. This creek is approximately 10 miles from Highway 211 if heading north. photo: Nels Larson
Bodge sets up camp on our last evening. The coyotes sang us to sleep. photo: Nels Larson
On our final night we camped by the river. The night sky was clear and we were happy. We’d had an amazing trip through beautiful country with some fun obstacles along the way. The next day, we headed back through the Needles district to Moab, then home. It had truly been an epic adventure!
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