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Group for people in New England to talk, show off, and go off roading
ThesePretzels
Anyone able to provide some guidance regarding Hutchinson Hill Road Trail in Brookline NH?

Background.. I am a novice at off roading, attended Off Roadeo at Gunstock in 2022, Non-SAS OBX with stock 33” Badlands wheels and tires..

Last weekend I took what I thought was the HHR trail from north to south getting on where Osgood Road turns into Hutchinson. I had watched a few videos posted here about the trail and felt like I could maybe handle it. It hasn’t really rained in weeks, so figured it should also be pretty dry. My son came with me (who has never been off road) and was my spotter. I brought shovels, tow rope, saw, and some 2” thick boards. Not thinking I would really need any of these things, I ended up having to need to be in 4L the majority of the time and about 6 or so times had to get out and make my lines to crawl over some good size rocks. I would not have cleared these rocks if we hadn’t lined out a path and in some cases moved some rocks in case I slid off of one side. Used the board as plank to clear some rocks twice, and encountered a downed tree across the trail (saw didn’t work with my available power in the Bronco, so had to lift and move it).

My confusion is that the videos I watched looked like a completely different trail.. Mine was mostly closed in, single track, sides were trees and rocks, lot of erosion, tons of rocks. So while, that was fun and was happy I got out without any damage, I’d also like to get to speeds above 5mph and looks like I may have missed some turns out to where the trail opens up under/along the power lines.

Does anyone know what I did wrong, besides almost getting in over my head, and how I may be able to find some more open area in/along that trail area? Thinking about heading back this weekend and would like to try to plan my route a bit more.. entry point, exit point, etc…
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SeptuagenerianSasquatch
For starters, search Facebook (there are two New England Bronco Facebook groups,) this, and the other site for group activities. Offroading alone is always risky, especially since you're new at this. Consider Jeep clubs, too. Sure, we joke about each others' rigs, but out on a trail there is genuine comradery. You want company if you're in some kind of a jam.
Ask people about their upgrades and accessories, good times and problem runs, learn from them.
You might look into runs with professional expeditions. Check out
https://www.northeastadventurecompany.com/
I went with them on a Canadian junket, had fun, and we didn't hit anything a non-Sas OBX couldn't handle. (Mention Randy/Bronco.) Also,
the-pilgrimage.com
has a humdinger of a jamboree (Vermont) first weekend in October each year. You missed 2024, but they might have other events.
The right gear counts. Wood planks won't do: you want traction boards, and don't go cheap.
Where are you? If you're planning anything else in southern NH/VT, let DM me, I might be interested.
SeptuagenerianSasquatch
Northeast Bronco Nation -- Facebook group -- is having a breakfast and Class IV road excursion (Green-rated) on Sunday November 10, meeting at the Alamo Grill in Brookline NH. Could be just what you're looking for, ThesePretzels. Organizer says a few obstacles and water, but non-Sas trucks should handle it, maybe with a little guidance. With ten signed up, there's plenty of guidance and help on hand.
Where in Mass are you?
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ThesePretzels
ThesePretzels
Yes, thanks for letting me know, definitely interested! I just requested to join that fb group to get more info. I'm in Reading MA.. Just had lunch at the Alamo BBQ place with my son last weekend... amazing..
SeptuagenerianSasquatch
@ThesePretzels Let me know if you're definitely going. Probably no problem if you just show up. The Class IV road is described as "green" with no problems for a lifted truck, others should manage with spotting. I'm in Boston proper.
SeptuagenerianSasquatch
Turns out I can't make it. If you can't connect on Facebook, DM me and I'll connect you in some way. Judging by the FB post, a stock Badlands should fit in okay.
ThesePretzels
ThesePretzels
@SeptuagenerianSasquatch So, hoping to go up on Saturday, and I can see now they are doing the Hutchinson trail 'area'.. so having done some similar parts to the video he posted (plus my son and I went up last weekend, but took our bikes to explore instead), there were parts where I thought would be pretty difficult on my 33's (stock badlands takeoffs), plus some steep descents on loose rock that i explored on my bike that seems to be the only way the guys in video arrived where they did. But with a group, I'd like to learn, while not banging it up... Sucks you cant make it...
SeptuagenerianSasquatch
@ThesePretzels DM me if you come across a good trail or backroad. I drive a Sas, and have a winch and full recovery gear if you'd like to try something more ambitious. If you have the time and money, you might check northeastadventures for a November outing (cold weather camping). They're pros--I've wheeled with them--and a phone call will tell you weather your truck can make it.
https://www.northeastadventurecompany.com/trips-and-adventures/p/turkey-trek-black-83dxm
Oh--just noticed I referenced them, above. Oh, well.

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