101 Places to Wheel B4 you die...

[Desertcrawler]

http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0804_101_places_to_wheel_far_west/index.html

Saw reference to this article, thought I'd check out the "Far West" section -- 29 places listed -- and I've only done 7 of em.. Still got a lot of exploring to do over the summers to come.. Anybody done more?


1. Arroyo Seco del Diablo, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California (never been there, but I hear the SCLR boys do this pretty regular)

2.Black Rock Desert, Nevada (Gonna do it with Will this year)

3. Brooklyn Jeep Trail, Joshua Tree National Park - think I may have done it, but not sure. Gotta return

4. Burns and Rattlesnake Canyon, Big Bear, California - never done this, but I hear rumours RR8 may move here..

5. Charouleau Gap, AZ - may have to look this oneup

6. County Road 3N34, "Dishpan Trail," near Big Bear, California --- hmm another one I haven't tried..

7. Dalton Highway, aka "The Haul Road", near Fairbanks, Alaska -- even though I grew up there, never did take this one on...

8. Diamond Creek Road, Grand Canyon, Arizona - this looks fun too -- never tried it though..

9. Dusy-Ershim Trail, Northern California -- I still have to hit this one as well. Whens our club run?

10. Florence Junction, AZ -- nope, never did this Phoenix are trail either

11. Imperial Sand Dunes, Glamis, CA -- never heard of this place.

12. Jarbridge Road, Jarbidge, Nevada - never did it...

13. Jemez Mountains, New Mexico - more to explore

14. Lippencott Mine Road, Death Valley National Park, California
Location: On the western side of Death Valley at the end of Racetrack Road. - Oh yeah, been there, done that

15. Mana Road, near Hilo, Hawaii -- now this looks fun!

16. Mengel Pass, Death Valley National Park, California - oh yeah, lots of fun!

17. Mojave Road Southern California - 3 times now!

18. Old Coast Road, Near Big Sur, California - huh? Thats my back yard!

19. Pismo Dunes, California -- done it 3 times

20. Rubicon Trail, Lake Tahoe, California - oh yeah -- this summer!


21. Sand Mountain, Nevada - drove by it -- never wheeled it...

22. Santiago Peak, Cleveland National Forest, California -- hmm never tried this one either


23. Stoneyford, California Stoneyford, Little Indian Valley, Northern California
(can you say Mendo?)


24. Superstition Mountain, near Brawley, California --- hmm, another interesting spot I never tried..

25. Tank Trap, Hollister Hills, California - the only thing not attempted..


26. The Magnificent Seven at Johnson Valley, California - hmm what is this.. Looks challenging..

27. Tillamook State Forest, Northern Oregon --- part of Oregon trail? Gotta do this sometime!


28.Truckhaven Hills, Near Salton City, California -- nope, never tried it


29. Waipi'o Valley, Big Island, Hawaii -- ahh, another reason to rent a jeep

[Desertcrawler]

Of the seven listed there, I would suppose the Rubicon, Mojave and Mengel pass would be my favorites.

The three I really am itching to do are Dusy , the Tank Trap, and Oregon.

The three that they don't list, but should be on the list in my opinion are:

1. Snake Lake Trail (near Gold Lake)
2. Saline Pass (near Death Valley)
3. Defense Mine (Death Valley)

How bout you guys? Any nominations?

[PCRover]

Hey Chuck, lets pick some of those and plan some trips!

[RON CT110]

Chuck and others, if an NCLR trip to Hawaii comes up in the future, would you go or be interested? :D

# 15 from your list Chuck 101 Places to Wheel Before You Die: Mana Road - Hilo, Hawaii!

That's the ticket for me!

I checked-out Mana Road Feb this year (but didn't finish the whole route) and would be great to be able to complete the entire route among Land Rovers friends.

Enough people interested; I can put togehther draft plans for a family Hawaii vacation and 4wheeling trip in Hilo, HI in 2009 or 10.

I know when you think Hawaii; it's beach, surfing and cocktails in mind - and not 4wheeling. True! But while in the Big Island, why not do both!

Let's brain storm a lil bit here. 1) Perhaps get sponsorship to help offset the cost of shipping a few vehicles. All participants do not necessarily need to ship their vehicles; just need min 2-3 vehicles to carry 4-6 people and gears! I will bring my CT1102) Perhaps magazine coverage, and 3) mix family vacation and 4wheeling.

Just think 7 days fun in the sun/beach in the Big Island of Hawaii with the wife and kids; then take 2 out of the 7 (while the non-wheelers aka city slicker wife/kids bask in the sun/beach if not interested) to meet up with Land Rover brothers and wheel Mana Road, Mauna Kea peak and perhaps Waipio Valley! And then back to the beach!

Worse case scenario if we can't get accomodation, we can pitch tents on my land in Hilo, HI. :D

Think about it!

[HMBRover]

I'm ready to go back. We had a great time with our little rental house in Kapoho. We did Mauna Kea peak in - of all things - a Ford Expedition. My son wrangled a tour of a couple of the telescopes there: Gemini North and Subaru (Japanese National Telescope). Really neat hardware!

I did chat with one guy who had a 1965 (Series II?) 109 which he used to tow a hot dog stand to the warm pools in Kapoho for the weekend crowds. Not sure he'd be into wheeling but I do know where to find him. :)

[RON CT110]

Welcome back Brian!

I saw that same Series when I was leaving Kapoho during my visit, and I was headed to Pahoa (grocery shopping). Neat!

What did you think of the heated pond? And how was your stay in Kapoho!

I know limited choice in 4x4 vehicles! Did drive on Mana Road?


I'm ready to go back. We had a great time with our little rental house in Kapoho. We did Mauna Kea peak in - of all things - a Ford Expedition. My son wrangled a tour of a couple of the telescopes there: Gemini North and Subaru (Japanese National Telescope). Really neat hardware!

I did chat with one guy who had a 1965 (Series II?) 109 which he used to tow a hot dog stand to the warm pools in Kapoho for the weekend crowds. Not sure he'd be into wheeling but I do know where to find him. :)

[HMBRover]

We really liked the Pahoa/Kapoho area. Much better than downtown Hilo or Kona side. The heated ponds were nice and warm but not clean enough that I'd want to go in. We went to the Champaign Ponds out on the point which were cleaner but not as warm due to high tides. We had great weather with rain every day but not enough to get you wet unless you were unlucky. Nice to wear shorts and sandals all the time. The little house we rented was 2 BR/2 BA with one bedroom in the main cottage and an ohana out back next to the lanai. Just perfect for the four of us. Oh, and the Mexican restaurant in Pahoa rivals Mexxi's for good food and Island beer!

We only went up the mountain since we had an appointment for the tours. Harper Rentals is the only game in town as far as authorized off-roading. Their POS Expedition blew a tire sitting in the parking lot at the telescopes. We discovered it when we came out. Getting that changed killed off the rest of the day on top. Missed going to the Keck building. :mad:

[Desertcrawler]

Hey Chuck, lets pick some of those and plan some trips!

Gary,

Hopefully, I can be just a participant in Dusy, Tank Trap, and Oregon trail.

I am now settling into a routine where my trip leader skills will be put to the test at:


a)Gold Lake/Snake Lake -- really want this year to come off with better weather and the ability to take eveyone back into the incredible wheeling we planned, but couldn't do, last year..


b)One organized event per year (ie RR9) where I lead a trail.


c)One expedition style trip (such as Mojave Trail). If you are asking the three I am itching to try out, it's a toss-up right now between:

-Canyon de Chelle (in Arizona) -- really want to do a 2 -3 camping/hiking expedition inside Canyon walls, using the Navajo guide we met while we were there last time (we can camp in a cave near his ranch).

-El Camino Diablo -- the Devils Highway -- requires a lot of pre-trip planning due to border crossing, etc..

-Death Valley -- expedition style. Steele Pass, Lippencott Grade, Racetrack, hot springs, Cerro Gordo.. the places they don't take you as part of RR8...

Too busy rest of year -- but will want to start planning for 2009 soon...