Hi everyone!
We just joined and are super excited to start overlanding. Let me start off by saying that as excited as we are, we have no experience in overlanding yet! The scheduled Group Trips look amazing, but a bit daunting since we have never done an overnight trip before. We were wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a short trip like 1-2 days that we could get our feet wet before doing a longer 5 days plus trip. We drive a 2020 4 Runner TRD Pro and are putting together some initial camping gear for a first trip but we would love the opportunity to learn from seasoned overlanders what works best. We live in the North Seattle area. Any thoughts / suggestions on this would be awesome😀
Thanks!
Dean and Kathy
Welcome! There are lots of options, what kind of overlanding are you looking for? There are some great trips like Babyshoe pass by Mt Adams that are dirt roads that a high clearance 2WD car could do , or entry level off roading in places like Gallagher Head Lake.
Thank you Paul!
What you suggested is just what we are looking for. Beginning off-road trails to start as we get to know our vehicle and get our off-pavement driving skills ramped up for more challenges. We are also new to camping so introductory off roading trails with camping opportunities would be an ideal start. We are going to look up your suggestions tonight. Can’t wait to get started!
Thanks again!
Dean and Kathy
Welcome Dean and Kathy. This years been kind of rough for the weekend trips but keep your eyes out as one might pop up. Gallaher head lake was my first real outing with NWOL back in the day. I've been a couple of times and every time it's more amazing. You can stay up at the lake but its pretty remote or make a day trip and camp along the river or Salmon la sac campground. It's a fairly easy trail but if you're not comfortable with the capabilities of your rig, it might be better to go along with someone.
Another tip is hit up YouTube and search something like Overland western WA and see what pops up.
Hi Byron,
Thank you for the tips! We just down loaded GAIA and going to look up Gallaher Head Lake. We would love to do it with someone as well rather than solo. We are going to reach out to the group if anyone is interested in joining us in an easy day trip or over nighter like this sometime soon. We are just learning our TRD Pro and have only been on gravel roads so far and want to take it to the next step...Our last 4x4 was some years back , an old stock 1969 Toyota FJ40 3 -speed , so things have changed a bit since then😎
Nice to hear from you and thanks again for the tips.
Dean and Kathy
Welcome aboard, guys! Like our members have stated above, there are literally thousands of miles of forest access roads in the PNW. Sometime the best adventures are winging it and going to explore a side road. Lot's of options for us all!
Dan