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For this trip I once again returned to the Gifford Forest area as I still had a lot I wanted to explore, and I wanted a close’ish to home area for this trip.
The Area Map:
I only mark trails ahead of time that I know I want to explore. I always leave side-trails as an unknow and just explore them as I go.
The trails marked in red are the new trails I knew that I wanted to explore.
My next trip will be at the end of the month for Overland Expo PNW, but I might sneak another trip in-between now and then.
*I received a Wolfbox 39-Quart Car Fridge for free from the manufacturer with the only requirement being that I post a review of it. I get to keep the fridge no matter what I have to say about it. This is not the review of it, and I only mention this for transparency as it’s a new item on my list.
You can see my review of the Wolfbox car fridge here:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/wolfbox-car-fridge-2nd-gen-review.95342/
I got to camp at about 8AM and got everything set up and all the loose gear stored inside the tent. I kept the Wolfbox Car Fridge in the rear of the Bronco for some cold water and lunch while on the trail.
New mods and gear I tested on this trip:
Camping Gear:
I got on the trails at about 9:30AM and started on the top portion of the map. I spent the day checking out some of the same trails from my last trip, and some new ones that I had wanted to explore on my last trip but didn’t.
The old and new trials didn’t disappoint, and it was a blast!
The red trail that’s above the Hunters Bluff trail on the map would probably at least be a 5, maybe a 6 rated trail. I did not find any trail reports on it before hand and it looked like it's not often traveled.
It takes you into the deep forest. The trail is narrow and portions of it are seriously overgrown with low overhanging limbs and branches. There were also deep washouts, with some being off camber along with deep ruts that were filled with water and mud. The trail is also eroded in some areas of it.
This was a very fun trail, and I am glad I investigated it.
There was another trail that I attempted (Pelvy Creek / Road 3810000), but had to abandon as it was seriously narrow and overgrown. I got about a mile down it and the trail just kept getting narrower and more overgrown. There were very limited options to turn around and the options that were there would still require at 4,000-point turn-a-round. I got out and walked the trail for a bit to investigate but it did not get any better. I decided to just scrap it and turn around.
My 4000-point turn around on this trail probably looked something like this.
That trail is listed as high clearance 4x4 but I am skeptical. I’ll call the Rangers office next week and ask them about the trail. If they say it does eventually clear, then I might try it again another time. It did not look like anyone had been down it in a very long time.
I got back to camp at about 6PM and I cooked up some food for dinner. After dinner I relaxed for a few then pulled out my Firecan and fired it up. I sat by the fire just zoning out. I also decided now was a good time to wolf down some Ice Cream that I had packed in the freezer area of the car fridge. Yum!
Prior to going to bed, I put the car fridge back in the Bronco and plugged it into my portable power supply. I put the Rain Gear Trail Cover on and went to bed at about 9:00PM
Day 2
Woke up in the morning at about 5AM and made some coffee. I removed the rain gear cover and checked the status of the car fridge; it was still going strong and had kept everything nice and cold / frozen overnight. With the assistance of the battery power pack of course.
Cranked up the Firecan and drank a few cups by the fire.
Back on the trails about 8:00AM and day 2 was just more exploring of the area, doing a few new trails that I wanted to. Day 2 was spent on the bottom areas of the map.
I stopped for lunch about noon and after eating a PBJ from the fridge and grabbing another ice-cold water, I headed back out. I found, and went down, a nice hiking trail I found in the area.
I got back to camp about 2PM, packed everything up and headed home.
The Wolfbox car fridge was great, and while I can keep it forever, I think I am going to look for a smaller sized option for future trips. Nothing wrong with the car fridge, it was awesome and worked great, it just takes up more space than I want. If I were not a solo and/or if I were going on longer trips, then I’d probably keep using it.
No issues at all with the 74Weld Stage 1 Steering Rack kit nor with the Icon Tie Rods. I guess the installation was clean and solid as the rack didn’t fall off nor did the Tie Rods go bouncing down the trail.
Photo bomb time: (even more in next post)
The Area Map:
I only mark trails ahead of time that I know I want to explore. I always leave side-trails as an unknow and just explore them as I go.
The trails marked in red are the new trails I knew that I wanted to explore.
My next trip will be at the end of the month for Overland Expo PNW, but I might sneak another trip in-between now and then.
*I received a Wolfbox 39-Quart Car Fridge for free from the manufacturer with the only requirement being that I post a review of it. I get to keep the fridge no matter what I have to say about it. This is not the review of it, and I only mention this for transparency as it’s a new item on my list.
You can see my review of the Wolfbox car fridge here:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/wolfbox-car-fridge-2nd-gen-review.95342/
I got to camp at about 8AM and got everything set up and all the loose gear stored inside the tent. I kept the Wolfbox Car Fridge in the rear of the Bronco for some cold water and lunch while on the trail.
New mods and gear I tested on this trip:
- *Wolfbox 39-quart Car Fridge
- 74Weld Stage 1 Steering Rack Kit
- Icon XD Forged Tie Rods
- Leatherman Arc Multitool (didn’t really use it, but I had it)
Camping Gear:
- 4 Person Kodiak Canvas Tent with poles
- Sleeping Cot
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping Bag
- Camp Pillow
- Camp Chair
- Camp Table
- Jetboil Minimo
- Frying pan, plate, bowl, cups, silverware etc.
- 2 100g propane tanks for the Minimo
- *Wolfbox 39-quart Car Fridge
- Bluetti AC70 Power Station
- 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
- Maxtrax Mini Traction Boards
- 10lb Power Tank System
- Hoses etc. for Power Tank
- Ford 84pc tool kit
- Change of clothes
- 2-gallon water jug
- First aid kit
- Bear Spray
- Fire Extinguisher
- Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Rocky Talkie 5W GMRS Radio
I got on the trails at about 9:30AM and started on the top portion of the map. I spent the day checking out some of the same trails from my last trip, and some new ones that I had wanted to explore on my last trip but didn’t.
The old and new trials didn’t disappoint, and it was a blast!
The red trail that’s above the Hunters Bluff trail on the map would probably at least be a 5, maybe a 6 rated trail. I did not find any trail reports on it before hand and it looked like it's not often traveled.
It takes you into the deep forest. The trail is narrow and portions of it are seriously overgrown with low overhanging limbs and branches. There were also deep washouts, with some being off camber along with deep ruts that were filled with water and mud. The trail is also eroded in some areas of it.
This was a very fun trail, and I am glad I investigated it.
There was another trail that I attempted (Pelvy Creek / Road 3810000), but had to abandon as it was seriously narrow and overgrown. I got about a mile down it and the trail just kept getting narrower and more overgrown. There were very limited options to turn around and the options that were there would still require at 4,000-point turn-a-round. I got out and walked the trail for a bit to investigate but it did not get any better. I decided to just scrap it and turn around.
My 4000-point turn around on this trail probably looked something like this.
That trail is listed as high clearance 4x4 but I am skeptical. I’ll call the Rangers office next week and ask them about the trail. If they say it does eventually clear, then I might try it again another time. It did not look like anyone had been down it in a very long time.
I got back to camp at about 6PM and I cooked up some food for dinner. After dinner I relaxed for a few then pulled out my Firecan and fired it up. I sat by the fire just zoning out. I also decided now was a good time to wolf down some Ice Cream that I had packed in the freezer area of the car fridge. Yum!
Prior to going to bed, I put the car fridge back in the Bronco and plugged it into my portable power supply. I put the Rain Gear Trail Cover on and went to bed at about 9:00PM
Day 2
Woke up in the morning at about 5AM and made some coffee. I removed the rain gear cover and checked the status of the car fridge; it was still going strong and had kept everything nice and cold / frozen overnight. With the assistance of the battery power pack of course.
Cranked up the Firecan and drank a few cups by the fire.
Back on the trails about 8:00AM and day 2 was just more exploring of the area, doing a few new trails that I wanted to. Day 2 was spent on the bottom areas of the map.
I stopped for lunch about noon and after eating a PBJ from the fridge and grabbing another ice-cold water, I headed back out. I found, and went down, a nice hiking trail I found in the area.
I got back to camp about 2PM, packed everything up and headed home.
The Wolfbox car fridge was great, and while I can keep it forever, I think I am going to look for a smaller sized option for future trips. Nothing wrong with the car fridge, it was awesome and worked great, it just takes up more space than I want. If I were not a solo and/or if I were going on longer trips, then I’d probably keep using it.
No issues at all with the 74Weld Stage 1 Steering Rack kit nor with the Icon Tie Rods. I guess the installation was clean and solid as the rack didn’t fall off nor did the Tie Rods go bouncing down the trail.
Photo bomb time: (even more in next post)
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