PNW Natural Off-road

[gp1058]

This is going to be a strange topic/question that some may find amusing or just plain silly. At the risk of advertising my ignorance, I would like to get more info.
Let me begin by asking a short version of this question.

Short version:
Does anyone know anyone with private land in PNW that has a few acres of land and a small mild obstacle course?
Ideally, it is a field/meadow with some uneven terrain and trails formed naturally by driving over in a vehicle.
Of course, this would be for a fee, and hopefully there is a tractor on premises to pull out stuck vehicles.

Long Version:

Here in PNW, especially in forested areas service roads or logging roads are usually of very high quality, I would say they are often much better than maintained public roads in some of 3rd world countries that I've visited.

Forest roads are usually smooth enough for a Toyota Camry to drive through.
So we have Forest roads here and then we got "Jeep trails".
To define a "Jeep trail", I would say pre-JK, 2 door TJ on 33" tires. This means the trail is usually narrow and with some tight turns.
Sure, JK/JL Unlimited can drive through no issue, but at some point a 3 point turn is required to make a turn with a longer wheelbase.

During a rainy season as the trail erodes and sees a lot of action from more experienced drivers, side by side SxS, the ruts get deeper and deeper, making it suitable for only proper 4x4 vehicles with high clearance on 35" tires and above.

There are many "off road vehicles" out there, almost every car manufacture is making some "trail rated" version of the family hauler. I am thinking of RAV4 TRD offroad, Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, Honda Trailsport and Subaru Wilderness. Many will agree that those vehicles don't belong on Jeep Trails and some states (Utah?) are even trying to ban those cars from going on trails. Regardless, for those who have friends with such vehicles it would be nice to take them to a safe environment and let them experience first hand.

I can totally see someone setting up a field with some mild obstacles, usually just enough bumps to get a vehicle on two wheels and challenge that suspension articulation.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are many 1/2 ton trucks that are off-road rated, and some are even quite capable with front and rear lockers. However, the long wheelbase is not a great match for forest Jeep trails made for 2 door jeeps with sub 100" WB.


I am curious what everyone will comment, thank you in advance!

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[21JLURDG]

All these vehicles and stock JL/JTs with no lockers can make it through most of the trails on Tahuya State Forest (near Belfair, WA) without damage. All the more difficult obstacles have bypasses. But one caveat is that the trails there are constantly changing as the weather gets wetter, then extremely dry and dusty. Periodically, the trails are groomed for additional challenges. But I understand the challenges on some of the local "Jeep" trails as JLs have difficulty fitting at Evans Creek and Elbe.

I've done Tahuya in my stock JL. Evans and Elbe I only visited after larger tires and suspension lift, but the biggest challenge there were the tight turns in my 4-door. I think a stock 2-door JL would find all these places easier but still challenging. I would recommend an experience guide to keep you away from the harder trails. This is where clubs come in handy.

And no, I don't know anyone with a large track of land that would be willing to turn it into an off-road park. You're better off trying to convince the land managers for Washington and USFS to make the trails wider.

 

[skyeyes]

I've taken my JLUR out to Walker. It's a stock Rubicon with 33" KO2s. I had trouble with the gatekeeper (it was a beginner's run so the folks I was out with winched me through both directions); once I was inside the park everything I went after was fine. But the length does pose additional challenges particularly (IMO) with both gatekeepers. I might try again when it isn't wet, less chances of slipping off the rocks like what happened before.

Tahuya is a lot of fun and I want to go back. No problems with the rig out there.

Finding a club would be useful so you can go places with an experienced crowd to guide you on spots you aren't used to, or plan some stuff with a small pack of acquaintances. (I wouldn't mind a fellow diesel runner occasionally.) Just don't go alone.

 

[21JLURDG]

Good point on the gatekeepers. It seems like in several PNW parks they design them to fit the old 2-door Wranglers. I went to Sadie Creek ORV (west of Pt Angeles) when I was stock and struggled through the gatekeeper just because of my length. Now once inside, I did have a difficult time because the deep, muddy ruts was a little too much for my 33s. I don't recommend Sadie Creek ORV for stock 4x4s.

 

[21JLURDG]

BTW, here is a list of state land maps that might be handy for finding nearby trails:
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/go/#trail_maps

 

[mikel45]

i'm a total Jeep newbie.

retired 2 years ago and 3 months ago decided to get an RV and bought a new 24' Rubicon 4-door w/35" tires to tow behind. my plans are to RV to Alaska this coming summer and figured the Jeep would be good for that. never thought i would get the Jeep off road bug but can see it might be fun to get dirty a little. was driving the RV w/jeep in tow back to Seattle with my son from where i picked it up back east and ended up in Las Vegas and my son convinced me to do a little trail rock crawling on a trail there, and it was fun.

looking for some entry level trail experiences around here with some hand holding. live in North Bend. any recommendations would be appreciated. i realize my Rubicon has more capability than i do. one agenda is to acquire enough knowledge so i know what i don't know and don't get my dear wife and i into off road issues i cannot deal with.

i am curious whether i should replace my plastic front bumper with a steel one and add a winch. when i bought my Jeep i did not really consider i might get too crazy and need one. i do have the Blue Ox tow hitch bar and connections below the plastic bumper and realize that will compromise my degree of entry/approach.

 

[21JLURDG]

i'm a total Jeep newbie.

Mike,

Welcome to the community. I'm familiar with Las Vegas and you will not find the WA trails anything like those. Your Rubicon on 35s is overkill for RV life but you'll find it capable (after sufficient driver experience) to accomplish 90% of local trails. You don't need to plan on breaking things like axles. However, you will find the trail more enjoyable if you're willing to accept the occasional "trail rash," i.e. brush marks, bumps against trees, etc.

I'd recommend joining a local group that can introduce you to some basic trail skills. At the Pacific NorthWest 4 Wheel Drive Assoc. website you can find local clubs. There is a small one right there in North Bend, WA: https://www.pnw4wda.org/clubs . You can also find this same club at https://www.facebook.com/groups/354202199916632

There is a good variety of forest trails in your area, but unfortunately you're 1-2 hours from the popular 4x4 ORV parks. As mentioned before, Tahuya SF is a great training area and there are constantly having organized runs for new drivers. I'd recommend joining https://www.facebook.com/groups/Washington4x4funruns

As for the bumper and winch, it depends how much you're going to be pushing your 4x4 limits. For most easy trails, a 2d vehicle can give you a tug with a snatch strap if you get a little stuck. For this, I recommend you have a snatch strap (NOT tow rope with steel hooks) and soft shackles, plus a means of changing your tire off-road. If you find that you're regularly getting stuck or bumping your bumper on rocks and trees, then you'll probably have a better idea of what kind you need/want.

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