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My Gifford National Forest Camping and 4x4 Trip: (photo HEAVY)
I had previously purchased a new tent, a lightweight and compact 3p backpacking style tent to replace my old one but after test setting it up, I decided I wanted something a bit bigger and with more headroom.
I returned it and purchased a 4 person Kodiak Canvas Tent (9x8 ā 6ft tall). After the Kodiakās 1st use, I am very happy with that decision! The added room was great for storage, and it was very roomy inside. The added height offered inside the tent was great. I am 6ā 1ā and while standing in it, my head did not touch the top.
I arrived in the area at about 9 AM as the start location for this trip is only about a 1-hour drive from my house.
I scouted the area maps before the trip, and I had identified a few potential spots for dispersed camping. I decided that due to the amount of recent rain in the area most of those dispersed sites would probably not be usable. I also wanted to get camp set up early so I could ditch the gear from the Bronco.
Based on that, I decided to just stay at Sunset Falls Campground. Itās a small and primitiveāish camp site and with my National Parks Access Pass it only cost $10 for the night. As a bonus, itās right on a river. There was only one other camper there and they were located on the other side of the campground from me.
I got everything set up at the camp site early and stashed all the loose gear inside the tent. After that, I went exploring the off-road areas.
Here is everything that fit into my topless 2dr. It all easily fit, and I had room for plenty more, even topless.
On the trails at about 10:30 AM. Most of the trails, and side trails, that I explored on day 1 would be rated as easy-moderate but there were a few Iād def rate as moderate. With the recent amount of rain, I assumed, and was correct, it was a semi-mud fest.
I backtracked on one side trail I took as the upcoming angles were too extreme for me to feel comfortable attempting with me being solo and with no spotter. I do not do sketchy trails or trails where I do not feel comfortable as a solo. In this case, a roll off would have sent me tumbling off a steep incline mountain and down several hundred feet.
I got back to camp at about 6PM and I cooked up some hotdogs for dinner along with some potato salad I had packed from home. Not the greatest grub on the planet but after a long day on the trail it was all super tasty.
As the sun went down, I started up my Firecan and sat in my chair by the fire relaxing while taking in all the sights and sounds of nature. It was awesome and very relaxing. I rarely drink alcohol, but I always bring one beer to drink at night when relaxing by the campfire. This one went down smooth and capped off a great day 1. I hit the sack about 10 PM.
Day 2 (explored lower portion of the map)
Woke up in the morning about 6 AM after a great nightās sleep and made some coffee (Life Support Juice). It was a bit chilly, so I started up the Firecan again and drank a few cups of coffee by the fire. Again, soaking in all the sights and sounds of nature.
Nothing better than sleeping next to a fast-flowing river where you can hear the water flowing and it crashing off the rocks.
Back on the trails about 8 AM and day 2 was just more exploring of the area, doing side trails Iād find and hitting a few walking tails I found. Most of the trails I hit on day 2 were moderate trails. The Axel Breaker Trail was an absolute blast and was my favorite for the trip. I got back to camp at about 3pm, broke camp down, packed up and headed home.
Overall, the trip was an absolute blast. The trails were fun, I had plenty of awesome views and took a few hikes on small foot trails I found along the way.
I didnāt get the chance to take a lot of photos on day 2 because the trails were nasty and I needed to focus on them. There were also far less areas where stopping for a cool photo was an option.
A few pieces of new gear to test out. The Kodiak Canvas Tent, which was phenomenal, and the Ignik Firecan. The Firecan was awesome, and I got almost 4 hours total from the 5lb growler tank.
I am coming back to this area in a few weeks as I have a ton left to explore. I did find and mark a few good dispersed camp sites so maybe in a few weeks they will be habitable.
The Bronco needs a bath after this one as itās absolutely filthy. I also had a fair amount of mud into the rear seating areas and cargo area. Iāll run it by one of those self-serve spay washes and call it a day.
Photo bomb time:
The Area Map:
Day 1 Images:
Short Video of Small Rocky Waterfall:
.
Day 2 Images:
If you made it this far, congrats! This was a long post!
I had previously purchased a new tent, a lightweight and compact 3p backpacking style tent to replace my old one but after test setting it up, I decided I wanted something a bit bigger and with more headroom.
I returned it and purchased a 4 person Kodiak Canvas Tent (9x8 ā 6ft tall). After the Kodiakās 1st use, I am very happy with that decision! The added room was great for storage, and it was very roomy inside. The added height offered inside the tent was great. I am 6ā 1ā and while standing in it, my head did not touch the top.
I arrived in the area at about 9 AM as the start location for this trip is only about a 1-hour drive from my house.
I scouted the area maps before the trip, and I had identified a few potential spots for dispersed camping. I decided that due to the amount of recent rain in the area most of those dispersed sites would probably not be usable. I also wanted to get camp set up early so I could ditch the gear from the Bronco.
Based on that, I decided to just stay at Sunset Falls Campground. Itās a small and primitiveāish camp site and with my National Parks Access Pass it only cost $10 for the night. As a bonus, itās right on a river. There was only one other camper there and they were located on the other side of the campground from me.
I got everything set up at the camp site early and stashed all the loose gear inside the tent. After that, I went exploring the off-road areas.
Here is everything that fit into my topless 2dr. It all easily fit, and I had room for plenty more, even topless.
- 4 Person Canvas Tent with poles
- Tent Footprint
- Sleeping Cot
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping Bag
- Camp Pillow
- Camp Chair
- 2 ea Camp Tables. 1 med size for outside and 1 small for inside tent
- Jetboil Minimo
- Frying pan, plate, bowl, cups, silverware etc.
- 2 100g propane tanks for the Minimo
- Yeti 18 cooler
- Ignik Fire Can
- 5lb Ignik Growler Propane Tank
- Rain Gear Trail Cover
- Lantern, shovel, axe, flashlight, headlamp
- Toiletries, dish washing soap, other small items
- Winch recovery gear
- Hoses etc. for Power Tank
- Ford 84pc tool kit
- Change of clothes
- 2-gallon water jug
- First aid kit
- Bear Spray
- 10lb Power Tank System
- Fire Extinguisher
- Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Rocky Talkie 5W GMRS Radio
On the trails at about 10:30 AM. Most of the trails, and side trails, that I explored on day 1 would be rated as easy-moderate but there were a few Iād def rate as moderate. With the recent amount of rain, I assumed, and was correct, it was a semi-mud fest.
I backtracked on one side trail I took as the upcoming angles were too extreme for me to feel comfortable attempting with me being solo and with no spotter. I do not do sketchy trails or trails where I do not feel comfortable as a solo. In this case, a roll off would have sent me tumbling off a steep incline mountain and down several hundred feet.
I got back to camp at about 6PM and I cooked up some hotdogs for dinner along with some potato salad I had packed from home. Not the greatest grub on the planet but after a long day on the trail it was all super tasty.
As the sun went down, I started up my Firecan and sat in my chair by the fire relaxing while taking in all the sights and sounds of nature. It was awesome and very relaxing. I rarely drink alcohol, but I always bring one beer to drink at night when relaxing by the campfire. This one went down smooth and capped off a great day 1. I hit the sack about 10 PM.
Day 2 (explored lower portion of the map)
Woke up in the morning about 6 AM after a great nightās sleep and made some coffee (Life Support Juice). It was a bit chilly, so I started up the Firecan again and drank a few cups of coffee by the fire. Again, soaking in all the sights and sounds of nature.
Nothing better than sleeping next to a fast-flowing river where you can hear the water flowing and it crashing off the rocks.
Back on the trails about 8 AM and day 2 was just more exploring of the area, doing side trails Iād find and hitting a few walking tails I found. Most of the trails I hit on day 2 were moderate trails. The Axel Breaker Trail was an absolute blast and was my favorite for the trip. I got back to camp at about 3pm, broke camp down, packed up and headed home.
Overall, the trip was an absolute blast. The trails were fun, I had plenty of awesome views and took a few hikes on small foot trails I found along the way.
I didnāt get the chance to take a lot of photos on day 2 because the trails were nasty and I needed to focus on them. There were also far less areas where stopping for a cool photo was an option.
A few pieces of new gear to test out. The Kodiak Canvas Tent, which was phenomenal, and the Ignik Firecan. The Firecan was awesome, and I got almost 4 hours total from the 5lb growler tank.
I am coming back to this area in a few weeks as I have a ton left to explore. I did find and mark a few good dispersed camp sites so maybe in a few weeks they will be habitable.
The Bronco needs a bath after this one as itās absolutely filthy. I also had a fair amount of mud into the rear seating areas and cargo area. Iāll run it by one of those self-serve spay washes and call it a day.
Photo bomb time:
The Area Map:
Day 1 Images:
Short Video of Small Rocky Waterfall:
.
Day 2 Images:
If you made it this far, congrats! This was a long post!
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