# Whiskey 7 Backroads - Blog > Join us on our overlanding and camping adventures on the backroads of America. Follow along on our blog as we explore the great outdoors in our Earthcruiser Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Contact Whiskey 7 Backroads — Drop Us a Line URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/contact/ Last updated: 2022-06-12T04:59:22.000Z Hello, my name is Brent Conklin and I am the owner of Whiskey 7 Backroads. My wife Cheryl and I travel around the United States with our 2 dogs. We have an EarthCruiser EXP which takes us to some amazing places that are off the grid. ### Access all areas By [signing up](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/signup/), you'll get access to the full archive of everything that's been published before and everything that's still to come. Your very own private library. ### Fresh content, delivered Stay up to date with new content sent straight to your inbox! No more worrying about whether you missed something because of a pesky algorithm or news feed. ### Membership Tiers There is something here for everyone. In addition to the Weekly Newsletter, we also have a couple of tiers that offer some additional benefits. You can take a look at them under the [Membership](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/membership/) tab at the top of the page ### Meet people like you Join a community of other subscribers who share the same interests. We look forward to sharing all the amazing places we travel with you. We will also have guest authors that will share their experiences as well. --- ### Contact me Enjoying the experience? Get started for free and set up your very own subscription business using [Ghost](https://ghost.org), the same platform that powers this website. ### Meet Riley and Ranger — Our Navigators URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-navigators/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:37.000Z We have 2 Australian Shepard's that I refer to as The Navigators. They go everywhere with us in the [EarthCruiser EXP](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-earthcruiser/). Many times when its just me and the dogs we will drive until we get to a T in the road, flip a coin and go that way. The dogs have gotten us 'lost' many times but what adventures we have had! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20210117_112536_Bokeh.jpg) Riley the Navigator Riley is a black tri Australian Shepard. We got him at 4 months and he has been the best dog a family could own. He loves to fetch a frisbee, ball or stick and won't stop for hours. He also loves to travel to fun and adventurous places where we do a lot of hiking and exploring. Riley has been to about half the states in the US and I am hoping to get him to all of them. --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20210117_112536_Bokeh.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20200604_082611.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/A-dogs-thoughts.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Rusty-the-Red-Tri-1.webp) Rusty the Assistant Navigator Rusty is a red tri Australian Shepard. We got him at 9 weeks old and he is a great companion to Riley. He does like to roam and is truly a 'red head'. He is the funniest dog and has lots of personality. He likes to explore, chase after Riley and have fun. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/The-twins-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/cute-Australian-Shepard-puppy--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20191113_143657388_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200530_094000085_HDR.webp) Rusty trying to wedge into front seat If you see us out exploring, please wave us down and say hi. You can also find more of our adventures and the places we camp by subscribing to our YouTube Channel at : [Whiskey 7 Backroads Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kJuShJYE3r8Z0IHPUXFAQ?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) Thanks for checking out our website, Brent ### 2026 Rendezvous URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/2026-rendezvous-2/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:36.000Z If you can't log in and see the page below this sign, you are not a paod member and will need to sign up and pay your membership to attend this year's Rendezvous. If you think you have paid but can't access the page below, please email [get in touch](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/contact/) and we will get it worked out. All funds (and more) go toward food, refreshments and porta potty's for the event. _This page is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ham Radio URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/ham-radio/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T02:46:45.000Z I began my Ham Radio journey in 2018\. It was not my intention to become a ham for the hobby, it was to have emergency communications while out in the EarthCruiser. I took my Technician License on 10/23/2108 and soon began my addiction. On 2/19/2019 I graduated to General and on 6/25/2019 I graduated to Extra. Then on 8/20/2019, I was lucky enough to be granted my W7BR call sign. (previously KK7BHN). See my QRZ page here -—>>> Recently we helped install 2 new Dstar Repeaters, one at BawFaw Peak outside of Chehalis Washington [(KK7DFM)](https://wiki.whiskey7.site/) and also at South Mountain Peak outside of Shelton Washington [(KK7DFL)](https://wiki.whiskey7.site/). These are run with Icom G3 equipment and really get out. If you do Dstar, stop by and say Hi anytime. ## Baw Faw DStar Repeater ### ****KK7DFM 444.4500 +5.00 Module B** ## South Mountain DStar Repeater ### ****KK7DFL 145.2750 -0.6000 Module C** These repeaters were made possible by the supporters of the South Puget Sound Repeater Club. The bylaws can be downloaded here —>>> [South Sound DStar bylawsSouth Sound DStar bylaws.pdf121 KBdownload-circle](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/files/2023/05/South-Sound-DStar-bylaws.pdf "Download") ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/bawfaw--1-.webp) BawFaw Peak repeater [D-StarUsers.org Your Source for D-Star Digital Amateur Radio Information!D-Star Amateur Radio Systems, your source for D-Star Digital Amateur Radio![](https://dstarusers.org/favicon.ico)![](https://dstarusers.org/images/dstaruserlogo_new.jpg)](https://dstarusers.org/viewrepeater.php?system=KK7DFM) KK7DFM Link [D-StarUsers.org Your Source for D-Star Digital Amateur Radio Information!D-Star Amateur Radio Systems, your source for D-Star Digital Amateur Radio![](https://dstarusers.org/favicon.ico)![](https://dstarusers.org/images/dstaruserlogo_new.jpg)](https://dstarusers.org/viewrepeater.php?system=KK7DFL) KK7DFL Link I am an active participant and member of the Old Man International Sideband Society Net also known as [OMISS](https://www.omiss.net/Facelift/memberProfile.php?OMNum=12198). I can be found mainly on the 20, 40, and 80 meters nets when I am at the home QTH. Come say hello [Open W7BR QRZ Logbook](https://logbook.qrz.com/lbstat/W7BR/) [![](https://www.hamqsl.com/solar101vhf.php)](https://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html "Click to add Solar-Terrestrial Data to your website!") ### Welcome to our Membership (free) URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/welcome-to-whiskey-7-backroads/ Last updated: 2022-06-08T02:15:56.000Z _This page is for subscribers only._ ### Whiskey 7 Backroads Video Playlists URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/videos/ Last updated: 2022-06-04T16:53:45.000Z ## **2022 Spring Desert Playlist** --- ## **2021 Fall Foilage Playlist** --- ## **2021 Spring Desert Playlist** --- ## Single Headliner Trips ### Shot Glass Membership — Quarterly Zoom Access URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/shot-glass-membership-tier/ Last updated: 2022-06-05T15:06:44.000Z _This page is for subscribers on the Shot Glass Membership (1-2 people) and Shot Glass Membership (family) tiers only._ ### Welcome to Shot Glass Membership (1-2 people) URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/welcome-shot-glass-membership/ Last updated: 2022-06-08T02:06:04.000Z _This page is for subscribers on the Shot Glass Membership (1-2 people) tier only._ ### Contribute a Guest Post to Whiskey 7 Backroads URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/contribute/ Last updated: 2022-06-12T23:13:37.000Z We are looking for adventurers, wanderers, campers, bloggers, etc to contribute to our Blog. Please submit an article with pictures to the form below and we will reach out to you to handle the details. [contact form](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/contact/) Subjects of Interest are: - Great Camping Sites - National Park visits - Adventure Rigs - Hiking - Camp cooking - Product reviews - Ham Radio adventures ![IMG_20160828_142554591](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20160828_142554591.jpg) Thanks Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ### Welcome to Tumbler Membership (family) URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/welcome-to-tumbler-membership/ Last updated: 2022-06-13T02:33:58.000Z _This page is for subscribers on the Shot Glass Membership (family) tier only._ ### Topics — Overlanding, Camping, Ham Radio, Montana Ranch URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/tags/ Last updated: 2026-06-12T21:40:39.000Z _No content available._ ### Whiskey 7 Backroads Membership Tiers URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/membership/ Last updated: 2022-06-21T12:51:20.000Z _No content available._ ### Whiskey 7 Backroads Writers and Contributors URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/authors/ Last updated: 2022-06-21T12:58:02.000Z _No content available._ ### Whiskey 7 Backroads YouTube Channel URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/youtube/ Last updated: 2022-06-25T03:59:59.000Z [Whiskey 7 Backroads Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kJuShJYE3r8Z0IHPUXFAQ?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) ### Store URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/store/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T13:07:00.000Z _No content available._ ### All Whiskey 7 Backroads Posts by Date URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/archive/ Last updated: 2022-08-03T04:39:53.000Z _No content available._ ### Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome Discounts URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/harvest-host-boon/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T19:41:30.000Z **Get 15% off your Harvest Host or Boondockers Welecome membership by being a Whiskey 7 Backroads member. Click on the link below to get your special discount today!!** ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Winter---300x250.jpg) **Harvest Host** --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW300x250.jpg) **Boondockers Welcome** --- ### Coffee with Brent — Monthly Member Zoom URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/coffee-with-brent-2/ Last updated: 2022-08-12T14:02:59.000Z Monthly Zoom meeting with Brent. Question and Answers or just come by to say Hi. Bring your favorite beverage and have a chat with Brent and other members that love Overlanding, Hiking and Camping. _This page is for subscribers on the Shot Glass Membership (1-2 people) and Shot Glass Membership (family) tiers only._ ## Posts ### The 10,000th SOS: What a Garmin inReach Rescue Actually Looks Like, and What I Carry URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/10000th-inreach-sos-what-a-garmin-rescue-actually-looks-like/ Last updated: 2026-09-05T16:00:06.000Z The number is round enough that it sticks in your head. [Garmin crossed 10,000 SOS incidents](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/outdoor/the-10000th-inreach-sos/) in October 2022, and they have been telling the story of the 10,000th one ever since. It is the story of a 33-year-old Pacific Northwest dirt biker named Kyle McKillop, who rode out for a 60 to 70 mile loop ride he had done many times before, lost his balance on a rooted switchback, and walked out of the hospital ten hours later with a broken tibia, fibula, and dislocated ankle. The reason he walked out, and not got carried out eight hours later by a foot team, is that five other riders in his group all carried Garmin inReach devices, and one of them pressed the SOS button. ![An injured Pacific Northwest dirt bike rider lying on the ground after an inReach SOS incident, holding his helmet.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/garmin_10000_feature_image_crop.jpg) The 10,000th inReach SOS subject on the trail in fall 2022\. (Photo: Garmin) ## What a Garmin inReach SOS Rescue Actually Looks Like If you have never read the [full Kyle McKillop story on Garmin's outdoor blog](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/outdoor/the-10000th-inreach-sos/), it is worth the four minutes. The short version of the timeline reads like a punch list for why two-way satellite messengers have replaced one-way SPOT-style beacons on every serious overland and backcountry rig I run across. 11:30 a.m.: Kyle's foot catches in a root on a switchback he has cleared before. He does not fall off the hill. The bike stays. His foot does not. He hops one-legged to a flat spot on the trail and lies down. He tells his friends to push the SOS button on one of the inReach devices in the group, because he already knows two things about the next ten hours: they are more than 10 miles from the nearest forest road, and the terrain will not let a ground team ride him out. He needs a helicopter. ![A mountain biker on a Pacific Northwest dirt trail holding an orange Garmin inReach satellite messenger, after stopping during a group ride.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/garmin_10000_image_3_crop_1024x576.jpg) One of the riders in the McKillop group using an inReach to coordinate with Garmin Response. (Photo: Garmin) In a matter of minutes, Garmin Response, the 24/7 staffed coordination center that owns the SOS side of every inReach subscription, lets the group know that emergency services have been contacted and dispatched. The coordinator tells them the rescue helicopter does not have a transport basket. Without a basket, a ground extraction would have taken eight hours by foot. So the group has to do three things while the helicopter flies in. - Build a stretcher from paracord and branches. They get Kyle loaded onto it. - Carry him to a ridgeline where the helicopter has a chance of landing. - Stack rocks on the ridgeline to flatten a landing zone. The pilot calls it "one of the sketchier rescues" he has ever done. ![A rescue helicopter hovering above a Pacific Northwest alpine ridge during a backcountry extraction.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/garmin_10000_image_4_crop_1024x576.jpg) The helicopter arrives at the improvised ridgeline LZ. (Photo: Garmin) 9:30 p.m.: Kyle is home. Ten hours. Forty-five-minute helicopter flight, then forty-five more in the ambulance, then the rest at the hospital with the broken leg and the dislocated ankle. He says it in the Garmin interview exactly the way I would say it, and exactly the way anyone who has actually used an inReach in anger would say it: knowing the rescue team was responding with his exact GPS location helped him stay calm through the worst ten hours of his life. ![A high-elevation dirt trail along a ridge in the Pacific Northwest Cascades in autumn colors, the kind of terrain where an inReach SOS rescue becomes the only practical extraction.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/garmin_10000_image_5_crop_1024x577.jpg) The kind of PNW ridge terrain where an inReach SOS becomes the only practical extraction. (Photo: Garmin) That is the chain. That is what an inReach SOS rescue actually looks like when it works. It is not a phone call. It is a button press on a small orange device, a coordination conversation with a human at Garmin Response, and a helicopter that knows exactly where you are because the Iridium satellite network behind the device has been pinging your GPS position every few minutes for the last ten miles of trail. ## Why the Layered Comms Stack Matters If you have read any of the Whiskey7backroads comms pieces, including the onX SOS review, the Starlink Mini era post, and the adventure mobile HF ham radio guide, you know I think of off-grid communications as a layered stack, not a single device. The McKillop story is the clearest reason why. ![Misty Pacific Northwest old-growth forest with sunbeams filtering through tall conifers, the kind of dense canopy where cell and GMRS radio signals die first.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/pnw_forest_road.jpg) Dense PNW canopy. Cell and GMRS die first. The Iridium constellation behind an inReach does not care. (Photo: Unsplash) On a typical PNW weekend trip, I run four communication layers, in order of how often they matter. - Cell phone with onX and Gaia for navigation. Works at the trailhead, works at most established Forest Service campgrounds, dies the second the road dips into a canyon or the trees close in. Useful for 80% of trip communication and useless for the 20% that gets you hurt. - GMRS radio for vehicle-to-vehicle in a convoy. Per the FCC's GMRS definition, GMRS handhelds push 5 watts and mobile units up to 50 watts, and you need a license to transmit. Range is one to five miles in real PNW terrain, sometimes fifteen on a clear ridge. Great for keeping two trucks together on a tight forest road. Useless the moment the trail forks or someone gets hurt out of earshot. - Amateur (ham) radio for repeater-linked regional comms. Per the Ham Radio Prep range comparison, CB tops out at three to five miles, GMRS at five to twenty-five in good conditions, and ham on VHF/UHF through a repeater can be hundreds of miles. With HF and good propagation, it is thousands. The license is $35 to take the Technician exam, the gear starts at $35 for a Baofeng handheld, and you can run APRS to broadcast your GPS position over ham without paying Garmin a subscription. - Garmin inReach (or equivalent two-way satellite messenger) for the SOS chain, check-ins, and short text where nothing else works. This is the layer McKillop needed and the layer most overlanders skip. If you want a deeper dive on the radio side, the XOverland layered comms guide is the cleanest public articulation of the multi-device philosophy I have read, and Brent's W7BR ham radio page is where I keep my own setup notes including APRS digipeater coverage in the Cascades. ## What's Actually in My Pack: The Comms Stack I Run ![View from inside an orange backpacking tent looking out at a campfire ring in a Pacific Northwest pine forest at dusk.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/backcountry_camping.jpg) Camped somewhere with no cell signal. The orange inReach stays clipped to the pack strap the whole time. (Photo: Unsplash) I am not going to bury the lede: every PNW trip I run, no matter how short, has a Garmin inReach in it. That is not an aspirational gear list. That is what is in the pack right now. Here is what is in it and why. - Garmin inReach Mini 2 (or Mini 3 Plus if I am carrying a heavier kit). The Mini 2 weighs 3.5 oz and lives on my pack strap. The Mini 3 Plus is the new top pick per GearJunkie's 2026 satellite messenger roundup, with multi-band GNSS, a 1,600-character message limit, and the ability to send a 30-second voice memo or photo via satellite for $500\. For most of my trips the Mini 2 with the late-2024 Consumer: Essential plan ($14.99 a month, 50 messages) is the right balance of weight, cost, and capability. - The Iridium constellation behind every inReach. This matters more than people realize. Iridium is a 66-satellite low-Earth-orbit constellation that gives true global coverage including the poles, and the inReach is one of a handful of consumer devices that uses it. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 product page walks through the hardware. - GMRS mobile (Midland MXT275 or equivalent) in the truck for convoy comms. License cost is $35 for ten years, and I keep the FCC paperwork in the glove box. - Yaesu FTM-400XDR ham mobile for VHF/UHF, plus a 50-watt amp for repeater work. I run APRS in the truck so my wife can see my dot moving up the highway on aprs.fi. Per Ham Radio Prep's mobile radio list, the FTM-400XDR is one of the better touchscreen dual-band APRS rigs in the under-$500 bracket. - Starlink Mini for connected remote work weeks, not for safety. Per the W7BR Starlink Mini era post, the Mini is the missing internet layer, not the missing SOS layer. If you press the SOS button on a Starlink Mini you get nothing. If you press it on an inReach, you get a helicopter. ## Where a Two-Way Messenger Sits vs. GMRS vs. Ham vs. Starlink ![A satellite trail crossing a vivid purple Milky Way night sky above a dark mountain horizon.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/night_sky_satellite.jpg) The Iridium constellation overhead, somewhere over the Cascades. (Photo: Unsplash) People argue about which of these four is enough. The honest answer is that they cover four different failure modes, and any one of them can be the layer that fails on the day you need it. Here is how I think about each layer, and where each one breaks first. ### Cell and onX SOS The newest layer is the onX SOS button, which I covered in detail in the W7BR onX SOS review. It is $49.99 a year, powered by Overwatch x Rescue, no new device to charge, and it shows up in the same app you already use to plan routes. The catch is that onX SOS still depends on your phone being functional and charged, and the only satellite fallback is one of three pre-registered hardware messengers (inReach, SPOT X, or ZOLEO). I run both layers: onX SOS as the primary if my phone is alive, inReach as the always-on hardware backup. ### GMRS radio GMRS is the right answer for talking to the truck behind you. It is the wrong answer for talking to a helicopter. Range tops out in the five to twenty-five mile band in real terrain, and that is generous. If you fall off the trail and your buddy is in the truck half a mile below you on the same road, GMRS works. If you fall off the trail and the truck is twelve miles of forest away, GMRS is silent. ### Ham radio (VHF/UHF and HF) Ham is the answer for the middle distance: talking to other hams across a region through a repeater, or across a continent on HF when the bands cooperate. The W7BR POTA activation piece I wrote is the practical version of how this works on a real trip. Ham is also the only layer where you do not pay a subscription to anyone for the privilege of using the network. The trade-off is the license, the antenna install, and the fact that ham repeaters are owned and maintained by other volunteers. In a real emergency on a backcountry trail, your ham signal is not what brings the helicopter. It might bring another ham who can relay to a sheriff's frequency, but that is two hops and three things that have to go right. ### Starlink Mini Starlink Mini is the answer for a remote work week or a family movie night at camp. Per the W7BR Starlink Mini era post, the 1.10 kg USB-C PD-powered dish is the moment off-grid internet became useful, not a novelty. What Starlink Mini is not, is a safety layer. There is no SOS button. There is no two-way text to a coordinator. If you mash the Starlink Mini and ask for help you get the open internet, which is wonderful and also exactly the wrong thing when you are bleeding on a mountainside. The Starlink Mini is layer three or four. It is not layer one. ![A rocket launch arc traced across a twilight sky over a coastal launch pad, the trail of light bending with the curvature of the Earth.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/satellite_dish_sky.jpg) Every satellite constellation starts with an arc like this. Iridium, Starlink, GPS. (Photo: NASA/Unsplash) ## What 10,000 SOS Incidents Taught Garmin (and What I Took From It) The McKillop story is one of ten thousand. Garmin has been quietly publishing the post-incident interviews and the field data since they crossed the milestone, and the pattern that emerges from reading a dozen of them is the same every time. The device works. The human coordination works. The thing that varies is the terrain and the time between SOS press and rescue arrival. ![Two hikers with backpacks walking a dirt trail into a rugged mountain landscape under overcast skies.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/hiker_mountain.jpg) Every backcountry mile is a chance for the plan to need a real communications backup. (Photo: Unsplash) Three things I took from reading the McKillop post and the rest of Garmin's SOS writeups, applied to my own pack: - Two-way is non-negotiable. SPOT-style one-way beacons tell someone you need help, but they cannot tell you the helicopter ETA, cannot tell you the LZ is too rough, cannot let you text back that the patient has deteriorated. Every credible review of the segment now says the same thing, including GearJunkie's 2026 satellite messenger roundup. Two-way wins. - Subscription tier matters less than you think. The cheapest Iridium plan still gives you unlimited SOS and 10 free messages. You can pay $14.99 a month for the late-2024 Consumer: Essential plan and get 50 messages, or step up to inReach Plus for voice memos and photos. For most weekend trips, the basic plan is enough. What is not enough is no subscription at all. - The button is not the hard part. The hard part is having charged batteries, knowing the device is on, and having practiced the message you would send. Most people buy an inReach, leave it off for six months, and discover it is dead when they need it. The fix is boring: charge it the day before, leave it on, and send a check-in message on every trip even when nothing is wrong. Treat it like the fire extinguisher in the truck. ## A Practical Comms Checklist Before the Next Trip This is the actual checklist I run through the morning of every overland trip, copied from the laminated card in my truck. Print it. Tape it to the dash. Edit it for your own rig. - inReach charged to 100% the night before. Subscription active. Preset messages set (one for "checking in, all good," one for "running late but fine," one for "turning around"). Two contacts set as emergency with their phone numbers, not just email. - Phone at 100%. onX downloaded the region. Gaia downloaded the region as backup. Battery case charged. Car charger in the truck. - GMRS radio on, channel set, volume audible from the driver's seat. Repeater channel programmed if the area has one. License in the glove box. - Ham radio on, simplex calling frequency set, repeater frequency set if there is one in range. APRS beacon running so my position is broadcasting. If the trip is HF, antenna tuned and band conditions checked. - Starlink Mini stowed, cable checked, router charged. The Mini is layer three, not layer one, so it does not need to be live before departure, but it needs to be ready if I plan to stop for a remote work block. - Trip plan filed. Not on a phone app that might be dead. On paper, in the truck, with the route, the expected return time, and the bail-out plan written down. The person who is not on the trip gets a copy. Per the W7BR onX SOS review, this is the single most useful thing you can do, and most overlanders skip it. ![Layers of mountain ridges fading into the horizon at sunset, with a single small hiker silhouette on a rocky ridge.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/rescue_chain_hero.jpg) The layers of an overland trip. The layers of a comms stack. Both fail if you only brought one. (Photo: Unsplash) ## FAQ: Off-Grid Comms for Overlanders **Do I really need an inReach if I have a cell phone and onX SOS?** Yes. Cell phones die, get wet, fall off the truck, run out of battery, and lose signal in canyons. onX SOS depends on the phone being alive. The inReach is a separate piece of hardware with its own battery and its own Iridium satellite link. The two layers are not redundant. They are backups of each other, and you want both in the truck on every trip. **Is a $150 SPOT Gen4 enough?** If all you want is the big red SOS button and an occasional "I am OK" ping, yes. SPOT Gen4 is a one-way device, which means the SOS goes out but no two-way text comes back. Per GearJunkie's 2026 roundup, that is the budget answer. If you want to negotiate an LZ, ask about patient condition, or coordinate with a friend on a different route, you need two-way. That is inReach, ZOLEO, or SPOT X. **How much does Garmin inReach cost per month?** The current Consumer: Essential plan is $14.99 a month with 50 messages and unlimited SOS. The step-up Consumer: Standard plan is higher with more messages and the inReach Plus features. Annual commitments are cheaper than month-to-month, but the late-2024 update made month-to-month viable. See the current Garmin inReach subscription page for the live numbers. **Is Starlink Mini a substitute for inReach?** No. Starlink Mini has no SOS button, no two-way text to a human coordinator, and no equivalent of Garmin Response. It is a brilliant connected-camp device and a useless safety device. Carry both, or carry inReach and skip the Starlink until you have a real comms stack in place. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/IMG_8547.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. **Can I use ham radio instead of inReach?** Technically, no. Ham radio cannot page a professional emergency coordination center the way an inReach can. Practically, sometimes. A ham operator on a repeater can relay to a 911 center, and ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) groups do real search-and-rescue liaison work. But that is two hops through volunteers and depends on someone being at the other end of the repeater. The inReach is one hop to a paid coordinator. They are different tools. The W7BR ham radio page has my notes on the actual setup. **What about Apple iPhone satellite SOS or T-Mobile Starlink?** Both are real and both work. Both also depend on your phone being alive. Apple iPhone satellite SOS is free for the next two years with every new iPhone, and T-Mobile Starlink text is rolling out across the US. Both are excellent secondary layers. Neither replaces a hardware satellite messenger with its own battery. Carry one of the hardware devices regardless. ![A quadcopter drone hovering above a dense evergreen forest canopy with landing lights active, illustrating the modern era of backcountry aviation.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/helicopter_night.jpg) The modern era: helicopters for extraction, drones for scouting. The inReach still ties it together. (Photo: Unsplash) ![Steven Marty](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/Copilot_20260623_160750-1.png) ### About the Author Steven Marty My name is Steven Marty, I am a guest contributor to the Whiskey 7 Backroads blog. [View all posts by Steven →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/steven/) ### Aqua Verde, Baja California Sur: the road in and the spit around the corner URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/aqua-verde-original/ Last updated: 2026-08-29T16:00:53.000Z When we started planning the Baja trip with the group, one place that everybody knew they wanted to visit was Aqua Verde. It's one of those places that is off the beaten path. The turnoff sits quietly off Highway 1, and the pavement disappears fast. By the time the Sea of Cortez came back into view, the road had made the point: this is not a place you stumble into by accident. Aqua Verde is the kind of Baja stop that rewards patience. The drive is slow, the beach has no polished infrastructure, and the practical details matter more than a glossy itinerary. We went for two nights, camped on the water, paddled the bay, watched the dogs work the sand, and left wishing we had built more time into the trip. This was not a solo run. We made the trip with Gary and Gretchen, both authors here on the site, along with Mike and Karen. Both couples traveled in trucks fitted with Four Wheel Campers, while we brought the EarthCruiser. Traveling with that mix of rigs made the road more interesting because we could compare how different setups handled the same turns, rocks, and beach conditions. It also made camp better. There was somebody to talk with while coffee was brewing, another set of eyes when the road got narrow, and enough room for everyone to have their own space at the end of the day. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-15-2.jpg) On the road in ## Where Aqua Verde is ## Before leaving the highway The turnoff is the point where the trip changes from a drive across Baja to a small expedition of its own. On the highway, a missed turn costs a few minutes. Out here, a missed turn or a bad assumption can cost daylight, fuel, or a tire. We stopped at Santa Rosalía to handle the things that are easy to postpone when the road is still smooth: fuel, water, cash, ice, and a quick check of the tires and undercarriage. That stop also gave us a chance to reset our expectations. Aqua Verde is not a resort with a rough access road. It is a coastal village and working bay reached by a road that gets little help from signs or schedules. There is no front desk waiting for a late arrival, and there is no convenient store around the corner if dinner falls into the sand. Once we accepted that, the planning became simple. Carry what we need, leave room for the road to take longer than expected, and make decisions while there is still plenty of light. We kept the navigation running on downloaded maps and treated every fork as a reason to slow down. Tracks can split, fade, or lead toward a private property entrance rather than the beach. A route that looks obvious on a screen is less obvious when the ground is covered in the same pale dust and dark rock. I would rather stop, compare the map with the terrain, and ask locally than spend an hour trying to rescue a wrong turn. Puerto Agua Verde is on the Sea of Cortez side of Baja California Sur, south of Loreto. The route leaves Highway 1 and works through the mountains toward the coast. The last part of the approach is unpaved, and the condition can change with weather, use, and grading. Treat any mileage or travel-time estimate you find online as a starting point, not a promise. For current trail information, check [onX Offroad’s Agua Verde trail page](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/mx/baja-california-sur/agua-verde-trail-52eqr84pjz0w) and talk with people who have been down recently. The nearby Bahía de Loreto National Park is worth understanding before a boat day; [CONANP’s official park page](https://descubreanp.conanp.gob.mx/en/conanp/ANP?suri=7) has the current visitor information and regulations. ![Aqua Verde bay on the Sea of Cortez, viewed from the campsite.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-11-1.jpg) The bay at Aqua Verde ## The road in with a heavy 4x4 We were in our 2014 EarthCruiser EXP on a Fuso FG 4x4 chassis, a tall and heavy rig for a road with washboard, embedded rock, arroyos, and loose patches. We did not race it. We stopped when the surface changed, watched the line through the dips, and let the suspension do its job instead of trying to beat the road. Having Gary, Gretchen, Mike, and Karen along gave us a useful comparison without turning the trip into a contest. The Four Wheel Camper trucks had a smaller footprint and could choose lines that required more care in the EarthCruiser. Our heavier rig brought more living space, but its weight made slow throttle control and tire awareness even more important. We watched one another, stopped when needed, and treated the group as a reason to be conservative rather than a reason to push farther. The approach began as a graded dirt road, then narrowed and got rougher. We kept more pressure in the tires where the rocks were sharp, aired down for the softer sand near the coast, and accepted that the final miles would be slow. That tradeoff is part of the deal. A capable vehicle helps, but patience and good tire judgment matter just as much. ![The steep, unpaved road descending toward Aqua Verde on Baja California Sur.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-20250828-v2-1.jpg) The road down to Aqua Verde I would not turn this into a hard rule about which vehicle can or cannot make it. Conditions change, rigs vary, and a driver who is careful with a modest 4x4 can make better decisions than someone trying to prove something in a built truck. What I would insist on is real clearance, good tires, a full-size spare, and enough recovery gear to solve a small problem without turning it into a long day. ![A mule standing on the rough road near Aqua Verde.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-16-1.jpg) Watch out for mules in the road ## The beach spit around the corner After we set camp and the dogs had their run, I walked east along the shoreline toward a low rocky point. From camp, it looked like the coast simply ended there. It did not. Beyond the point, the shoreline opened into a smaller cove with a pale sand spit curling back toward shore. At the tide we caught, the spit was dry enough to walk end to end. One side had shallow, quiet water; the other dropped away a little faster and held more life. Gary and Gretchen put the kayaks in the water and spent the better part of the morning in the cove. The shape of that little spit is not a permanent feature. Storms and tides will keep working on it. That is why I am not posting a precise GPS pin. The better part of a place like Aqua Verde is still finding your own way around the corner. ![EarthCruiser campsite beside the beach at Aqua Verde.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-10-1.jpg) Our campsite for 2 nights ## A slower way to plan the trip The best Aqua Verde plan starts with a loose calendar. We watched the weather, gave ourselves an arrival window instead of a hard check-in time, and kept enough daylight in reserve to turn around if the road stopped making sense. That is the right mindset for a route like this. The goal is not to prove that a vehicle can get somewhere. The goal is to arrive with enough energy to enjoy the place. We also kept the easy decisions easy before leaving pavement: water topped off, fuel handled, cash put aside, offline maps loaded, and the first night's meal ready to make. Little preparation matters more when the next supply run is an afternoon rather than a few minutes. It lets you camp where the day ends instead of driving tired because one small thing was forgotten. If you are traveling with another rig, agree on the pace before the road gets rough. We prefer the slowest reasonable vehicle to set the pace, stop before somebody needs a rescue, and keep enough separation that dust does not hide the next washout. It sounds basic. It keeps a good Baja day from turning into a repair story. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-02-1.jpg) ## Camping, water, fuel, and communication We planned for the beach as if there would be no services. That meant arriving with water, fuel, food, a tire plan, and a way to communicate outside the cell network. The village may have basics and fresh fish when the boats are in, but that is a bonus, not a resupply strategy. - Carry more water than your normal overnight estimate, plus a reserve day. - Fuel up before leaving the highway and do not count on a station or card reader farther down the route. - Bring a full-size spare, tire plugs, a jack that works on your rig, and an air source. - Tell someone your plan before you lose signal. We use our HF setup; a satellite communicator is a sensible alternative. - Keep the beach clean. Pack out everything, give working pangas room, and do not publish exact spots that cannot handle a crowd. ![Small fishing boats anchored in Aqua Verde bay.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-01-1.jpg) Lots of boats in the bay The bay is still a working place. Panga traffic starts early, and local fishing is part of the rhythm rather than scenery for visitors. If you want to arrange a fishing trip or buy a catch, ask locally and be ready to work around weather and the fishermen’s schedule. ## A day at the bay The first morning made the slow drive worthwhile. Before the sun climbed high, the beach was cool enough for the dogs to run without immediately looking for shade. The bay changed by the hour. Early water held the reflections of the hills, then the breeze roughened the surface and pushed small waves against the sand. A panga heading out gave us a useful reminder that the bay belongs to people who work it, not only to people who arrive with kayaks and cameras. We never tried to force a full schedule onto the day. We walked the shore, checked the kayaks, watched the tide, and went back to camp when the heat built. That approach matters at a place without a marina, rental counter, or marked launch. You use the conditions you get. If the wind comes up, fishing or paddling can wait. If the tide makes the spit easy to reach in the morning, that is when you go. The landscape sets the timetable more reliably than a printed itinerary. The quiet also changes how you think about camp. A generator that seems harmless in a crowded campground would carry across this bay. Bright lights would be visible from a long way off. We kept our setup small, stored food carefully, and left the beach looking as close as possible to how we found it. That is not a difficult standard, but it is one worth taking seriously when a place has so little infrastructure to absorb mistakes. By afternoon, we were doing ordinary camp things: rinsing salt from gear, making something cold to drink, and sitting under the awning while the dogs slept. Those hours are easy to overlook when a trip report lists only roads, distances, and attractions. They were the part we remembered most clearly on the drive home. ## What the beach gives you The payoff for the road is not a checklist attraction. It is the ordinary stuff you only notice when there is nowhere else to be: coffee before the breeze comes up, dogs following the same line of wet sand over and over, the sound of a panga leaving before daylight, and a long stretch of afternoon with nothing asking for a schedule. We spent more time sitting outside than we expected to. That was the point. ## Choosing the route and the timing The route deserves more attention than a simple distance estimate because the same road can feel like two different roads on different days. Recent rain can cut channels across an arroyo, move rocks onto the track, or leave soft sand where a firm surface was there the week before. A road report from last month may still help you understand the general character, but it cannot tell you exactly what is waiting around the next bend. We planned around that uncertainty instead of treating it as a nuisance. Our preference is to leave the highway early enough that the roughest part of the approach happens with the sun up and plenty of time left. That sounds obvious, but Baja travel has a way of turning a quick stop into a long one. A fuel line, a conversation, a tire check, or a wrong turn can use up an hour without feeling like a delay. I would rather arrive at the beach with time to look around than race the last miles because camp was supposed to happen at a particular hour. The road also rewards a driver who is willing to get out and look. At a wash crossing, we checked the exit as well as the entry. The few minutes spent looking cost less than a damaged tire or a vehicle sitting crosswise in a place where another truck cannot get around. There is no prize for making a difficult section look easy from the cab. If you are traveling in a group, keep the group small enough that everyone can make decisions without pressure. The lead vehicle should stop where the last vehicle can safely catch up, not disappear over the next ridge. Dust makes following too closely unpleasant and hides rocks that are easy to see when there is some distance between vehicles. We also prefer to discuss recovery plans before anyone needs one: who has the compressor, who carries boards, and where the safe place is to turn around. ## Reading the weather, tide, and shoreline Aqua Verde is a place where weather and tide affect more than comfort. Wind can make an otherwise pleasant paddle a tiring return trip, and the beach offers little protection from a strong afternoon blow. We paid attention to the water before launching instead of assuming the calm surface at breakfast would last all day. A short paddle close to shore is a better outing than a longer one that leaves you fighting wind with no easy landing point. The tide changes the way the coast can be used. The sand spit that was easy to walk during our visit may be cut off, narrowed, or reshaped at another stage of the tide. That matters if you are carrying a kayak, walking with dogs, or trying to reach the calmer water on the far side. We watched how quickly the water moved across the low sand and kept our gear above the highest wet line we could see. A beach can look motionless while the edge is steadily moving inland. The sun deserves the same practical respect as the road. Shade on the beach is limited, and the light bouncing off sand and water makes it easy to underestimate how much heat you are taking on. We arranged the day so the harder walking and paddling happened early, then used the awning and the cooler parts of camp in the afternoon. Long sleeves, a hat, drinking water, and a place to get out of the direct sun are more useful than a heroic plan. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-01-2.jpg) The small village is behind the boats in the distance ## Living beside a working village Aqua Verde is not empty, even when the beach looks empty. The village and the bay have their own schedule, and fishing boats may be moving before visitors are awake. We tried to camp in a way that left room for local traffic and kept our gear from spreading across the beach. A panga coming through the shallows is not an interruption to the trip. It is part of the reason the bay is there and a reminder that we are guests in a working place. That changes how I think about photographs and location information too. A quiet campsite can become less quiet when an exact pin travels widely online. I am happy to describe the road, the beach, and the experience, but I am not going to publish a precise location for the little spit or suggest that every open patch of sand is available for a large group. Leave the place enough room to remain useful to the people who live there and to the travelers who come with some care. When we buy something locally or ask about the road, we try to be patient and flexible. Store hours, supplies, weather, and fishing schedules do not operate like a city timetable. Cash is useful. A few words of Spanish help. So does accepting that the answer may be tomorrow, later, or not this time. The best interaction is usually the one that does not begin with a demand for the exact service we imagined before arriving. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/20250404_105154.jpg) Camping next to the water, on both sides ## What to carry for a self-supported stay A short list of equipment does not replace judgment, but it helps prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones. We carried enough water for the planned stay plus a reserve, food that did not depend on refrigeration for every meal, and a way to keep basic tools organized. The vehicle had its normal recovery and tire equipment, and we checked that the jack, compressor, and spare could actually be used on the ground we expected to find. A tool in a storage compartment is not much help if nobody knows how to reach it. - Download maps before leaving dependable cell service and carry a paper backup or written route notes. - Keep drinking water separate from the water used for washing and dishes so the reserve is easy to track. - Carry sun protection, basic first aid, spare batteries, and a communication plan that does not depend on a phone tower. - Secure loose camp gear before the wind comes up and keep food, trash, and fishing scraps away from dogs and wildlife. - Leave enough fuel and daylight for the return route rather than spending every reserve on the way in. The point is not to turn a beach trip into a military exercise. It is to remove the avoidable problems so the trip can stay relaxed. We want to spend our attention on the bay, the dogs, and the changing light, not on discovering that the only flashlight has dead batteries or that the spare tire cannot be lowered with the tools in the truck. ![Calm Sea of Cortez water at Aqua Verde.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-09-1.jpg) The water is so calm ## What we would do differently next time Two nights was enough to understand why people return, but not enough to settle into the place. Next time, we would leave more room in the calendar, arrive earlier in the day, and carry a tide chart before deciding where to walk or launch the kayaks. - Stay longer than two nights if the weather window is good. - Check the road report immediately before leaving Highway 1. - Carry less duplicate food and more flexible water capacity. - Build a turnaround margin into the day instead of arriving at the coast after dark. - Leave the exact beach pin off the internet and let the place keep some of its quiet. ## The drive out The drive out is not a victory lap. The same rocks, washes, and off-camber sections that got you in are waiting in reverse, usually when you are tempted to hurry because the highway feels close. We took our time, stopped at the viewpoint, and left with dust on everything and a clear plan to come back. ![Viewpoint above Aqua Verde during the drive out.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/aqua-verde-bottom-13-1.jpg) A viewpoint from the road out ## Why we will return Aqua Verde worked because it did not try to entertain us. We had a beach, kayaks, dogs, a few good meals, and enough time to notice the water change through the day. That was plenty. Baja still has places where the road keeps the crowds down and the pace honest. Aqua Verde is one of them. — Brent ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/brent-author-portrait-optimized.jpg) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 37 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ## Planning links and source notes For current road conditions and route mapping, start with [onX Offroad’s Agua Verde trail listing](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/mx/baja-california-sur/agua-verde-trail-52eqr84pjz0w). For park rules and entry information if your plans include the islands or waters of Loreto Bay National Park, use [CONANP’s official Bahía de Loreto page](https://descubreanp.conanp.gob.mx/en/conanp/ANP?suri=7). Conditions, fees, and access details can change; verify them immediately before your trip. ### 28,254 Miles in a Stock Grenadier: What Becky Kim's Cape-to-Cape Run Teaches a Weekend Overlander URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/becky-kim-cape-to-cape-grenadier-28254-miles/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T13:06:42.000Z When Kenyan adventurer **Becky Kim** finished her 28,254-mile Cape-to-Cape drive outside The Grenadier pub in London on June 12, 2026, she walked 122 days backward through six deserts, two oceans, and every latitude between the southern tip of Africa and the Arctic Circle. Her co-driver and navigator was **Bonnie Koko**. Her vehicle was a stock INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster — not a one-off expedition build, not a factory-backed race truck. The same four-wheel-drive you or I could order through a dealer this afternoon. It is, depending on your point of view, either the most audacious stock-vehicle expedition in recent memory, or the most reasonable argument that overlanders who already own a Grenadier — and that is a growing crowd in the Pacific Northwest — have been carrying the right tool for years and didn't know it. ![The Grenadier Trialmaster's rear glass covered in country flags from the Cape-to-Cape expedition.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/compressed-becky-kim-rear-flags.jpg) The country-flags rear glass at the finish line. Photo via Overland Expo Compass. ## The Route: Cape Agulhas to London Kim and Koko departed Nairobi on February 13, 2026\. They didn't drive straight north. Their route first carried them south to [Cape Agulhas, South Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape%5FAgulhas)— the southernmost point on the African continent and the conventional starting line for Cape-to-Cape expeditions. From there they turned north, followed Africa's western coast, crossed into Europe, and continued to [Nordkapp, Norway](https://www.nordkapp.com/), the northernmost point in Europe accessible by road. That southern detour is not a quirk. It is the convention. The Cape-to-Cape is defined as Cape Agulhas (the African southernmost) to Nordkapp (the European northernmost), and the route is bound by the geography. A direct line from Nairobi to Nordkapp is not a Cape-to-Cape. The route has to touch both capes or it does not count, which is why Kim drove 12,000 miles south before she drove 16,000 miles north. ![Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, where the Cape-to-Cape route begins.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/broll-w7br-broll-cape-agulhas-aster-1.jpg) Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent. Where the Cape-to-Cape begins. Image: NASA Earth Observatory ASTER satellite image, via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain). After reaching the Arctic Circle, the travelers pointed the Grenadier south once more. Their final destination was outside [The Grenadier pub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%5FGrenadier) in London — a small, real-world acknowledgment of the brand that built the truck. The pub is named after a different Grenadier (the Duke of Wellington's regiment), but the brand chose it anyway, and Kim's finish-line photo is one of the more honest product-marketing images I have seen in a long time. Each country visited on the expedition was marked with a flag on the rear glass. The final ensemble, photographed at the finish line, is the most honest record of the trip that any photographer could have made. ## The Rig: A Stock INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster This is where the story gets interesting for the rest of us. The Grenadier Kim drove is not a one-off factory special. According to [Overland Expo Compass](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/grenadier-completes-cape-to-cape/), the truck was "largely the same vehicle customers can purchase from a dealership." The relevant list of what it had on board from the factory: - Three locking differentials (center, front, rear) - Raised air intake for dust and water fording - BMW B57 diesel engine - BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires That is it. No portal axles. No long-range fuel tank. No roof rack with a spare tire carrier welded on by the dealer. No expedition-grade communications stack. No winch on the front. The truck that crossed the Sahara and the Arctic Circle in 122 days is what you would get if you walked into a [Grenadier dealership](https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/us/the-vehicle/vehicle-configurator) and ordered the [Trialmaster](https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/us/the-vehicle/vehicle-configurator) trim. If that paragraph above sounds like a stock-spec checklist, that is the point. Every one of those four items maps to a real off-road requirement in the [Pacific Northwest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/), not just a Sahara crossing. The three locking differentials matter as much on a wet Two Track in the [Ochoco National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco) as they do in the Namib. The raised air intake is the difference between a dusty Cascade summer trip and a stranded vehicle when the caravan ahead kicks up a wall of silt on the road to [Crater Lake National Park](https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm). The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires are the same tire you would want on a truck that commutes through Seattle and does the [Mount Hood National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood) on weekends. ![Stock INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster with country flags, parked at The Grenadier pub in London.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/compressed-becky-kim-grenadier-side.jpg) The Trialmaster at the finish. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s are the most common wear item on a stock Grenadier expedition. Photo via Overland Expo Compass. ## What the Grenadier Actually Did ### On the road It is worth pausing on what a "stock" expedition vehicle means in practice, because the answer is more interesting than the marketing copy suggests. Overland Expo Compass described the run this way: > "Rather than relying on an extensive support crew or heavily modified vehicle, Kim and Koko navigated using traditional maps and completed the drive without expert intervention. Their Grenadier Trialmaster was also largely the same vehicle customers can purchase from a dealership." The route crossed environments ranging from the Kalahari, Namib, and Sahara deserts to the cold conditions of northern Scandinavia. That is not a single climate challenge. It is a continuous mix of heat-soak dust loading, sand ingestion risk, sub-zero oil viscosity, and arctic-grade fuel quality issues. The stock raised air intake on the Trialmaster is the single most important feature on the truck for that reason — it puts the engine air source above the wheel-line in deep sand, which is the difference between crossing a dune face and stopping on it with a sanded engine. ![Sand dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the three deserts Kim crossed.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/broll-w7br-broll-namib-dunes.jpg) Namib-Naukluft sand dunes, Namibia. One of the three deserts Kim crossed. Image: Sara&Joachim via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Three locking differentials on a stock vehicle is also unusual. Most factory off-road vehicles sold in the United States give you a rear locker and call it a day. The center diff lock is the one that matters on a long expedition — it forces the front and rear axles to turn at the same speed regardless of surface grip, which is what lets a heavy vehicle pull away from a soft stop in a desert wash without the electronic nannies deciding for the driver. ### In Kim's words Kim's own summary, in her words from the Overland Expo interview: > "I can truly testify that INEOS have built the Grenadier to last a lifetime of adventure. I like to call it 'The Wagon of Wonder'. From the BFGoodrich tyres to its overall capability, it copes tremendously. The car draws interest wherever it goes and I'm very grateful for the support from Jack at Wootton Automotive in Kenya (the supplying dealer) and Gilles (INEOS Automotive's Business Manager in Africa)." The Wootton Automotive and INEOS shout-out is not filler. It is an honest acknowledgment that on a 122-day run through more than 60 countries, the dealer network that can pick up a phone and route a part or a service is part of the rig. That is also true of every overland rig you have ever owned, even at weekend scale: the reason a Tacoma or 4Runner holds its value better than a comparable SUV is not the truck; it is the dealer network. Kim and Koko leaned on [Wootton Automotive](https://www.google.com/maps/search/Wootton+Automotive+Kenya) and INEOS for the same reason. ![Stock INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster crossing a sand dune in the Sahara desert.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/compressed-becky-kim-desert-crossing.jpg) A Sahara crossing on stock BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s. Photo via Overland Expo Compass. ## The Numbers: Cape-to-Cape by the Data Some context for what Kim and Koko actually did, because the numbers help: - {Distance:} 28,254 miles, end to end, with the south-then-north route that doubles the trip back through Europe to a celebratory pint at The Grenadier pub. - {Time:} 122 days, February 13 to June 12, 2026. - {Countries:} 60+. - {Deserts crossed:} Kalahari, Namib, Sahara. - {Vehicle:} Stock INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster, dealer-delivered, no factory modifications. - {Co-driver:} Bonnie Koko, navigator. - {Navigation:} Traditional paper maps. No satellite messenger reporting. No published fleet support. By comparison, the longest amateur overland route in the lower 48 — the TransAmerica Trail — runs 7,163 miles end to end. Kim's run is roughly four **TransAmerica Trails back to back**, and most of it on surfaces that are not a US Forest Service 5000 road. What is interesting is the average speed. The TransAmerica Trail, with the softest possible off-pavement targets a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness can handle at 11 to 12 hours a day, averaged about 25 mph for the trip. Kim's run, with the Grenadier's 282 hp BMW diesel running two-up with full supplies through six deserts, was almost certainly faster on road sections but slower through deep sand and rocky high-altitude passes. A rough estimate puts the trip's average somewhere between 30 and 40 mph including stops — which means the truck spent roughly **800 hours on the move** 122 days. ![The Grenadier Trialmaster in northern Scandinavia on the way to Nordkapp.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/compressed-becky-kim-scandinavia.jpg) Northern Scandinavia, near the end of the run to Nordkapp. Photo via Overland Expo Compass. ## The First-of: Kim as First Kenyan Woman to Drive the Route ### Why it matters Kim is believed to be the first Kenyan woman to drive the route from Cape Agulhas to Nordkapp. That is a record that does not show up on a spec sheet, but it is the one that matters when the next generation of African overlanders is researching what is possible. The Cape-to-Cape has been driven before, but not by a Kenyan woman, on a stock truck, with a female co-driver navigating with paper maps. It is worth saying this plainly because it does not need to be hedged. The point of Cape-to-Cape expeditions, and the reason the [Overland Expo Compass](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/) editorial team reached out for the interview, is that the route keeps producing new records as the overland community grows globally. The "stock vehicle" angle is what makes this one special. Previous Cape-to-Cape runs have used heavily modified trucks, sometimes with manufacturer support. Kim used what the [Kenyan INEOS dealer](https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/us/the-vehicle/vehicle-configurator) gave her. If you read the overland press with any regularity, you will recognize the shape of the records. First woman from country X to cross country Y by truck. First father-daughter team on the Pan-American. First solo crossing of the Sahara in a fully electric vehicle. The records matter because each one opens a door that the next person walks through. Kim and Koko just opened one. ![Overland rig on a Pacific Northwest forest service road, dusty trail, late afternoon.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/compressed-pnw-ochoco-overland.jpg) A weekend overlanding rig on a Central Oregon two-track. The same vehicle philosophy that got Kim across the Sahara works on the Ochocos. ## What This Means for a PNW Weekend Overlander This is the part of the story I am interested in, and it is why it is worth a Whiskey 7 Backroads post rather than a Compass cross-link. If you live in the Pacific Northwest and you already own or are considering a Grenadier, Kim's run is not aspirational. It is *instructive*. Three things the Cape-to-Cape tells you about weekend overlanding in the Methow, the Ochocos, or the Wallowas: **One: the spec sheet is more honest than you think.** The features that matter for an expedition vehicle — locking differentials, raised intake, diesel torque at altitude, a body-on-frame chassis that does not give up after 80,000 miles — are also the features that matter on a wet weekend on a Forest Service 5000 road in October. The Grenadier is built like a Land Rover Discovery 1 because that build pattern works in 2026, not because it is nostalgia. **Two: the dealer network is part of the vehicle.** Kim named her supplying dealer and the INEOS Africa business manager by name in her published interview. On a Cape-to-Cape run, that matters because the truck is going to see things the dealer has never seen. The dealer picking up the phone is what makes the next leg possible. That logic applies to a PNW overlander too — the difference between a brand with a service network and a brand without one is the difference between a weekend trip that gets back and one that does not. ![The cliffs at Nordkapp, Norway, the northernmost point in Europe accessible by road.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/broll-w7br-broll-nordkapp-cliffs-1.jpg) The cliffs at Nordkapp, Norway, the European endpoint of the Cape-to-Cape. Image: Diego Delso via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. **Three: the route is the message.** Kim chose Cape-to-Cape because the geography is the point. Cape Agulhas to Nordkapp is roughly 12,000 miles as the crow flies, and roughly 28,000 on the road because the route has to actually be possible in a stock 4x4\. That is the same constraint a PNW overlander faces when planning a trip up the South Fork of the Hoh, or through the Badger Creek Two Track, or across the Blue Mountains. The geography decides. The vehicle has to fit the geography, not the other way around. The geography-first rule plays out in the actual W7BR archives. The 7,163-mile [TransAmerica Trail](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/transamerica-trail-subaru-crosstrek-7163-miles/) piece that we published in June is the soft-road version of the same principle. Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal drove a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness the slowest, longest way across the country because the geography had to come first, then the rig. The [Backcountry Offroad Expo La Pine](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/backcountry-offroad-expo-sisters-oregon-august-2026/) recap from July is the practical PNW companion: which rigs to walk up to at an Expo booth, and which ones do not need a conversation. Kim's run is the same idea, with more zero, and a Stock Grenadier instead of a soft-roader Subaru. ## The Lesson: Stock Rigs Still Work ### The PNW weekend version The clearest lesson from Kim's run is not about the Grenadier. It is about the standard American overland tendency to overbuild a vehicle before it has earned a single trail mile. Most PNW overlanders I know have at least one aftermarket part on their rig that was bought before the rig had its first flat tire. A roof rack with a light bar. A winch that has never been winched. A suspension lift with shocks that get used twice a year. Those are not bad purchases on their own. But the pattern they fit into —*build the rig first, drive the rig later*— is the opposite of what Kim did. Kim bought the rig, loaded the maps, pointed the truck south, and resolved the rest along the way. ![Landscape of Masai Mara, Kenya at sunset, anchoring the First-of: Kim as first Kenyan woman to drive Cape-to-Cape.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/broll-w7br-broll-kenya-masai-mara.jpg) Masai Mara, Kenya, at sunset. Kim departed from Nairobi for the Cape-to-Cape on February 13, 2026\. Image: Yusuf Otaru via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. If you want to take the Cape-to-Cape lesson home, here is the version that works on a weekend trip. Take your rig out as it sits. Drive it somewhere you have never been. Use paper maps. Find out what breaks. Fix what breaks. Repeat. You do not need a $5,000 lift to learn what your truck can do, and you do not need a six-month expedition to find out what your camping setup is missing. Becky Kim and Bonnie Koko made it from Cape Agulhas to the Grenadier pub in 122 days, in a stock truck, on traditional paper maps, without expert intervention, without a manufacturer support team, and without a fleet of chase vehicles. The route is not repeatable for most of us — your boss probably will not give you four months off — but the principle is. **Take the rig you have, drive it as far as you can, and see what is left to fix when you get home.** If Kim and Koko are invited to [Overland Expo Mountain West](https://www.overlandexpo.com/) in Loveland, Colorado the weekend of August 21 to 23, the live version of this story will be on the main stage. If they are not, the second best version is this one: the story of a stock truck, a paper map, and a route that the dealership never saw coming. And if you read this in the PNW this weekend, the third best version is the one you take out of your own driveway tomorrow morning. What a great adventure. Get out there and enjoy the backroads..... ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 37 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### The Starlink Mini Era: How a 1.10 kg Dish Rewrote Off-Grid Connectivity for Overlanders, Campers, and Remote Workers URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/starlink-mini-era-how-1kg-dish-rewrote-off-grid-connectivity/ Last updated: 2026-08-28T23:34:05.000Z The moment Brent Conklin pulled the Starlink Mini out of its shipping box, he knew something had shifted. Not in a dramatic, clouds-parting way. More like the quiet click of a puzzle piece finding its home after years of forcing the wrong shapes into place. The dish weighed 1.10 kilograms. He could hold it in one hand while pouring coffee with the other. The dimensions read 298.5 by 259 millimeters according to the [Verge's hands-on review](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/21/24182970/starlink-mini-usb-power-specs-price), which meant the thing was smaller than his laptop bag. And it ran on USB-C power delivery. The same port that charged his phone. For years, the off-grid connectivity problem had two bad answers. Option one: cell boosters like WeBoost units strapped to roof racks, which worked great until the road wandered beyond carrier coverage, which in the backcountry of Idaho or Montana or anywhere worth going happened about thirty miles from the trailhead. Option two: the full Starlink Standard setup, which delivered broadband speeds but demanded a seven-kilogram dish, a separate power brick, fifty to one hundred watts of draw, and an inverter to convert 12V vehicle power to 120V AC. That setup worked for RV parks with shore power. It did not work for a dispersed camp in the Alabama Hills or a convoy grinding through central Idaho's Brewer Creek Road. The Mini changed the math. At a typical draw of 25 to 40 watts, according to [US Mobile's comparison guide](https://www.usmobile.com/blog/starlink-mini-vs-standard/), it runs directly from a USB-C power delivery source. A 100 Wh USB-C PD power bank. A 12V-to-USB-C PD 100 W buck converter wired to the house battery. No inverter. No separate router box, because the Mini has Wi-Fi 5 built into the dish itself, covering up to 112 square meters per [Starlink's Mini specification page](https://starlink.com/support/article/93709b47-83f7-feb7-965b-fad63e264929). The question stopped being "can I bring internet?" and became "why wouldn't I?" What follows is not a product review. Brent has those bookmarked, and the links are woven throughout. This is a behavior-change story. Five use cases. Five groups of people who do things differently now than they did before the Mini existed. Overlanders. Dispersed campers. Section hikers. Remote workers. Families who want their kids to stop asking "are we there yet?" Each section follows the same structure: a scene, the stats that matter, the kit that makes it work, and the gotchas that nobody mentions until you're fifty miles from pavement with a dead dish. ## Overlanding: When the Convoy Needs Weather Radar at Mile Sixty ![Standard (left) vs Mini (right) - the size delta is what makes the Mini work for overlanding where a Standard wouldn't.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/starlink-mini-era-2026-08-11/starlink-mini-era-section1-overlanding-size.jpg) **Compare that to the Standard at roughly seven kilograms. The size is what makes the Mini work for overlanding.* Day two of a five-day loop through central Idaho's backcountry. Three trucks. The Magruder Trail. The cell signal died somewhere around mile twelve, and now the convoy is sixty miles deep with a mountain pass crossing scheduled for tomorrow morning. The lead truck, a built-out overland rig with a rooftop tent and a MAXTRAX recovery board strapped to the roof rack, has the Mini mounted flat against the board's surface. The driver is pulling NOAA weather radar on a tablet while the other two trucks idle behind, waiting for the verdict on tomorrow's weather window. This scene was not possible two years ago. Not without a satellite phone at three to five dollars per minute, or a Garmin inReach sending one-way text messages to someone back home who could relay the forecast. The Mini rewrote the logistics. The weight matters most for overlanders. At 1.10 kilograms for the dish alone, or 1.16 kilograms with the integrated kickstand per the [Starlink's Mini specification page](https://starlink.com/support/article/93709b47-83f7-feb7-965b-fad63e264929), the Mini does not tip the balance of a loaded roof rack. Compare that to the Standard dish at roughly seven kilograms with mount and cable, and the difference is not incremental. It is categorical. The Mini fits inside a standard Pelican-style case, in the side pocket of a rooftop tent, or strapped flat to a MAXTRAX board. [CTMods' overlanding clamp mount guide](https://www.ctmods.com/blogs/news/starlink-mini-roof-rack-overlanding-clamp-mount-checklist) explicitly positions the Mini as the "fits on roof rack" choice versus the Standard's "needs its own mount and a fifty-watt inverter." Power draw seals the deal. The Mini pulls 25 to 40 watts under typical load, which means a 100-watt USB-C power delivery bank can run it for roughly three hours. For longer trips, a 12V-to-USB-C power delivery buck converter wired to the vehicle's auxiliary battery provides indefinite runtime while driving. [Montana Motor Stables' disaster communications ](https://mtmotorstables.blogspot.com/2025/01/starlink-mini-setup-field-test-disaster.html)write-up documented power consumption across multiple battery sources and confirmed that the 25 to 40-watt range holds even in field conditions. The kit list is short. The Mini dish itself. A USB-C power delivery source rated for 100 watts minimum at 20 volts and 5 amps, whether that is a battery bank, a 12V buck converter, or AC power at camp. And a mount: a small tripod, a MAXTRAX-mounted bracket, or a suction-cup roof mount for the truly minimalist. The gotchas are less obvious. Line of sight to the sky is non-negotiable. The Mini's 110-degree field of view per the SpaceX spec sheet sounds generous until you park under a tree canopy or in a canyon. Place the dish on the roof or the MAXTRAX, not inside the cab, not in the bed of the truck under a tonneau cover. The Mini also runs warm in direct sun. Leave airflow around the housing, or it will thermal-throttle to slower speeds, a behavior D[ishytech's six-month review](https://www.dishytech.com/starlink-mini-review/) documented during summer field tests. And the 12V-to-USB-C buck converter must be rated for 100 watts. Sixty-watt converters cause the Mini to drop connection under load, because the dish's peak draw hits 60 to 80 watts during heavy use. Before the Mini, overlanders chose between connectivity and weight. Now they choose neither. The dish goes on the roof, the power comes from the battery, and the convoy gets weather radar at mile sixty. ## Dispersed Camping: Three Rigs, One Dish, Zero Cell Signal ![The Mini next to a portable power station - what 500 Wh of battery looks like for off-grid internet.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/starlink-mini-era-2026-08-11/starlink-mini-era-section2-dispersed-power.jpg) **500 watt-hours of battery gives the Mini roughly 16 hours of always-on internet at a dispersed camp.* Two couples and a solo driver. Three rigs spread across a dispersed site in the Alabama Hills outside Lone Pine, California. The cell signal reads one bar on AT&T, nothing on Verizon, and the carrier handoff keeps dropping. The lead truck has the Mini mounted on a MAXTRAX board, and the dish is providing Wi-Fi to all three vehicles via the built-in router. One couple is streaming a movie in their camper shell. The solo driver is uploading photos to a cloud backup. The other couple is video-calling family back home. Nobody is fighting over bandwidth. Dispersed camping on BLM or National Forest land means no infrastructure. No power hookups. No Wi-Fi. Often no cell signal for thirty miles in any direction. Before the Mini, dispersed campers either went dark for the trip, relying on a SPOT or inReach for emergencies only, or they rented satellite phones at Iridium rates: three to five dollars per minute, a thousand dollars or more for the hardware. The Mini collapsed that gap. The bandwidth numbers hold up in the field. [Dishytech's six-month review](https://www.dishytech.com/starlink-mini-review/) documented 50 to 200 megabits per second down and 10 to 20 megabits per second up even in obstructed-sky conditions like mountain valleys and partial tree cover. That is more than enough for streaming, video calls, and file syncing across three vehicles. Latency runs 25 to 50 milliseconds typical, which is usable for video calls and voice chat. Not gaming-tier, but nobody is playing competitive shooters at a dispersed camp in the Alabama Hills. Power math is where dispersed camping gets interesting. The Mini draws roughly 30 watts at typical load. A 500 watt-hour portable battery gives approximately 16 hours of always-on internet. That is enough for a three-day dispersed camp with intermittent recharges from a small solar panel. Dishytech's review specifically called out the use case: "lower power consumption and DC input meant I could power it from my Scamp's battery or a power bank." That sentence describes Brent's audience exactly. The kit for dispersed camping adds one item to the overlanding list: an in-vehicle Wi-Fi rebroadcast. The Mini's built-in router covers 112 square meters, but if the three rigs are spread across a dispersed site, range becomes an issue. A phone in hotspot mode works. A dedicated travel router like the GL.iNet Slate works better. The power station needs to be 500 watt-hours or larger for multi-day trips without solar. Gotchas multiply in dispersed settings. The Mini needs unobstructed sky view, and tight dispersed sites with canyon walls or heavy tree canopy degrade speeds and cause intermittent drops. Sharing Wi-Fi across rigs means bandwidth per user drops. For three rigs streaming video simultaneously, expect 30 megabits per second per rig at best. And BLM dispersed camping has no shore power, so battery sizing matters. Bring twice what you think you need. The difference between a 500 watt-hour pack and a 300 watt-hour pack is the difference between internet for three days and internet for one. Before the Mini, dispersed camping meant disconnection by default. Now it means disconnection by choice. ## Section Hiking: When the Sierra Needs a Bail-Out Option ![The Mini rides in the outer sleeve of a backpack on a North Cascades alpine trail - real-world section-hike bail-out option.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/starlink-mini-era-2026-08-11-extras/starlink-mini-era-section-hiker-backpack.jpg) **Section hike on a North Cascades ridge - the Mini rides in the outer sleeve of a backpack, sized like a laptop, drawing \~3 minutes for satellite lock.* Fourteen days into a 260-mile Sierra section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Five days from the next resupply town. Cell signal has been nonexistent since day three. The section hiker, a forty-something weekend warrior with a bear canister and five days of food in the pack, is carrying something unusual: a Starlink Mini in a hard case, plus a 100 watt-hour USB-C battery. Total added weight: roughly 1.6 kilograms. The Mini is not for daily use. It is for the rare "I need to call my mom" moment, the rare "weather just turned bad, and I need a forecast" moment, the rare "I'm injured and need more than an SOS beacon" moment. The weight penalty is real. A Garmin inReach Mini 2 weighs 100 grams. The Mini dish alone weighs 1.10 kilograms. That is not a rounding error. That is the difference between a thru-hiker's ultralight philosophy and a section hiker's "I'm already carrying a bear can" pragmatism. [Yahoo Tech's coverage of the Verge's wilderness test](https://tech.yahoo.com/transportation/articles/learned-testing-starlink-mini-deep-120000202.html) documented a reporter strapping the Mini to a backpack for a ten-mile Cutthroat Pass hike in Washington. The use case is section hiking, not thru-hiking. The Mini makes sense for five- to fourteen-day trips, not continuous 1,500-mile hikes. The performance numbers justify the weight for the right user. Setup time runs three to five minutes from "off in the pack" to "streaming," per the [Verge's hands-on review](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/21/24182970/starlink-mini-usb-power-specs-price). Warm starts from the same position take roughly thirty seconds. A 100 watt-hour USB-C battery provides approximately six hours of standby at the Mini's idle draw of 15 to 20 watts, per [dishytech's review](https://www.dishytech.com/starlink-mini-review/). That is enough for emergency-only use across a week-long section, with careful power management. The kit for section hiking is minimal. The Mini dish. A 100 watt-hour USB-C power delivery battery from Anker, Jackery, or similar. A small folding tripod or a flat rock to serve as a natural surface mount. The total weight with dish, battery, and minimal accessories runs roughly 1.6 kilograms, or 3.5 pounds. That is heavy for a thru-hiker but reasonable for a section hiker already carrying a bear canister and five days of food. Compare that to the current satellite communicator market. [Adventure Alan's satellite communicator guide](https://www.adventurealan.com/best-satellite-communicator-zoleo-vs-inreach/) covers the options: Zoleo, inReach Mini 2, ACR Bivystick. Hardware runs $200 to $400\. Service runs $15 to $65 per month. Those devices provide two-way text and SOS capability. The Mini provides broadband. Different categories, different use cases. For section hikers who want both, carrying both makes sense. The inReach for daily check-ins and SOS. The Mini for the rare moment when a text message is not enough. Gotchas for section hiking are weight-driven. Carrying the Mini means packing it in something protective. A hard case adds weight but protects the panel from a fall onto granite. A Mini in the pack at the start of a fourteen-day section will drain a 100 Wh battery in roughly six hours of idle, and how often that battery gets drained depends on usage. Battery sizing is critical. And the Mini is not a replacement for a dedicated SOS device. It requires power, setup time, and sky view. An inReach works when you are injured and cannot stand up to position a dish. Before the Mini, section hikers chose between text-only satellite communicators and going dark. Now they can carry broadband into the backcountry, if they are willing to carry the weight. ## Remote Work: The Full Workday from a Harvest Hosts Spot ![The Mini mounted on a van roof next to solar panels - work-from-anywhere install.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/starlink-mini-era-2026-08-11/starlink-mini-era-section4-remote-work-van.jpg) **Roof-mounted Mini on a 2018 Ford Transit, fed by a 12V-to-USB-C PD 100 W buck converter on the house battery.* A 2018 Ford Transit conversion van parked at a Harvest Hosts spot outside Sedona, Arizona. The remote worker inside is seven hours into an eight-hour workday. Video calls with clients. File uploads to cloud drives. Slack threads. Screen-share design reviews. The Mini is mounted to the van roof with a suction-cup mount, fed via a 12V-to-USB-C power delivery buck converter wired to the 200 amp-hour lithium house battery. The engine has not run since morning. The solar panels on the roof are topping off the battery. The workday is proceeding as if the van were parked in a suburban driveway with fiber internet. This is the use case that sells the Mini to the vanlife and RV crowd. Before the Mini, remote work from a van meant relying on RV park Wi-Fi, which is slow, shared, and insecure, or cell boosters, which fail outside carrier coverage. The Mini at 100 to 250 megabits per second down under full sky view, per [dishytech's review](https://www.dishytech.com/starlink-mini-review/), is faster than most RV park Wi-Fi and most cell-based hotspots. The [Outfitter Satellite review](https://www.outfittersatellite.com/blogs/news/starlink-mini-review) called out the key integration: "compact satellite internet terminal with the router integrated into the hardware." No separate Wi-Fi router box. No extra cables. The dish is the router. Power math for remote work is straightforward. The Mini idles at roughly 20 watts, peaks at 60 to 80 watts under heavy load. A full eight-hour workday at typical load burns roughly 200 to 320 watt-hours, or about twenty times less than the energy a 200 amp-hour lithium house battery at 12 volts holds (2,400 watt-hours total). The Mini consumes less than fifteen percent of that capacity over a full workday. No need to idle the engine. No need to plug into shore power. The math works. [Verge's hands-on field notes](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/21/24182970/starlink-mini-usb-power-specs-price) specifically examined remote work during driving. The Mini maintained usable connectivity during highway travel, though with reduced speeds and increased latency compared to stationary use. For the remote worker who needs to take a call while the van is moving between campsites, the Mini delivers. Not perfectly, but usably. The kit for van-based remote work includes the Mini dish, a roof mount rated for highway speeds, and a 12V-to-USB-C power delivery buck converter. The most common installation uses a Victron or Renogy buck converter wired to the house battery. Suction-cup mounts work for stationary use but are unreliable at highway speeds. Magnetic or through-bolt mounts are more reliable for vans that move daily. Gotchas for remote work center on power and position. Idle power at 20 watts means a full workday burns about 160 watt-hours in light-duty use, while a continuous video-call session at typical 25–40 W load burns roughly 200 to 320 watt-hours. Either way, the Mini is fine for a 200-amp-hour lithium van but not fine for a smaller RV battery without solar. If the van is parked under heavy tree cover, whether forest or urban canyon, the Mini's performance degrades significantly. A fixed-mount RV internet solution with a tall mast may be required for full-time remote workers who cannot always park in open sky. And video calls are latency-sensitive. The Mini's 25 to 50 milliseconds of latency is usable, but not as crisp as fiber. Clients may notice a slight delay. Before the Mini, remote work from a van meant compromises. Cell dead zones. Slow RV park Wi-Fi. Driving to town for a coffee shop with decent internet. Now the remote worker parks where the view is good, and the work happens anyway. ## Recreation and Family Camping: When the Kids Need Streaming and the Parents Need Weather Radar ![The Mini on a picnic table next to USB-C PD power banks - the family camping setup.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/starlink-mini-era-2026-08-11/starlink-mini-era-section5-recreation-family.jpg) **200 Wh USB-C PD power bank gives the Mini about 6 hours of family-friendly use with intermittent streaming.* A family of four with two teenagers. Established campsite in the Mount Hood National Forest. Saturday afternoon. The Mini is set up on the picnic table, angled toward the clearest patch of sky visible through the tree canopy. One teenager is streaming video in the back of the truck. The other is playing an online tablet game. The parents are checking weather radar for tomorrow's hike and occasionally glancing at work email. The cell signal at this campsite is nonexistent. Has been for years. The family used to bring board games and accept the screen-free weekend. Now they bring the Mini and accept that the kids will be happier, which means the parents will be happier, which means the hike tomorrow will happen without complaints. This is not a survival use case. It is a recreation use case. The kind that did not exist at this price point before the Mini. The [Verge's review](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/21/24182970/starlink-mini-usb-power-specs-price) framed the Mini explicitly around the "take it anywhere" recreation market. Brent's own story. His kids, his wife, and his truck. That is the kind of family the Mini was built for. Campers who go deep want their kids to have screen time and a way to check the weather without driving back to town. For them, the Mini is the difference between a connected family weekend and one spent in the dark. The Mini is the device that makes both non-negotiable work. Setup time for non-technical users runs roughly ten minutes from box to streaming. That is longer than the three to five minutes for experienced users, because the Mini requires understanding USB-C power delivery, which is not intuitive for everyone. But the Mini's app-based setup, using a phone to configure the Wi-Fi network, makes the process manageable for parents who are not network engineers. A single connection from the phone to the dish, a few taps, and the family is online. Bandwidth shared across four devices runs approximately 50 megabits per second per device at typical obstruction levels. That is plenty for streaming one video, running a tablet game, and checking weather radar simultaneously. The math works for a family of four. It starts to strain for larger groups or heavy simultaneous use. Power on a single 200-watt-hour power bank gives approximately six hours of family-friendly use with intermittent streaming. A 500 watt-hour pack extends that to roughly sixteen hours, which covers most family weekends. The [Starlink's Mini specification page](https://starlink.com/support/article/93709b47-83f7-feb7-965b-fad63e264929) confirms the power draw numbers that make this math possible. The kit for family camping is simple. The Mini dish. A 200 to 500 watt-hour USB-C power delivery power bank, depending on trip length. A simple mount, whether a picnic-table tripod, a MAXTRAX-style bracket, or the dish laid flat on a stump with the integrated kickstand deployed. Gotchas for family camping are orientation-driven. The Mini's performance degrades significantly with even a thirty-degree tilt away from vertical. Non-technical family members need to understand that the dish must "see the sky," not point at the trees, not sit at an angle because the picnic table is uneven. Streaming video chews power fast. A 200 watt-hour battery gives about six hours of family use, which is fine for an afternoon but not for a full weekend. And tree cover at family-camping-friendly sites, the kind with picnic tables and fire rings and flat tent pads, is the number one speed killer. Pick the most open spot in the campsite for the dish, even if it is not the most aesthetic spot. Before the Mini, family camping meant choosing between screens and wilderness. Now it means choosing both, if the family wants both. The kids get their streaming. The parents get their weather radar. The hike tomorrow happens without the "I'm bored" complaints that used to start at hour three. ## Remote Cabins and Homesteads: The Quiet, Fixed-Mount Use Case A 14x24-foot log cabin at 6,400 feet elevation in the Sawtooth Range of central Idaho. The owner built it himself, runs on off-grid solar, has a 1,200-gallon cistern for water, and three walls of south-facing windows. For the first eight years of living there, he made do with a cell booster that worked about half the time and an Iridium sat phone for emergencies. The Mini changed the math. He mounted it to the south wall of the cabin with a 2-inch pipe standoff, ran the USB-C power cable through the wall into a 12V-to-USB-C PD converter wired to his solar battery bank, and configured the dish's Wi-Fi as a fixed network for the cabin. The dish points at the same patch of sky every day. The converter stays on 24/7\. The Mini consumes roughly 20 W idle, 60 to 80 W peak, and runs $3 to $5 worth of solar recharge per week at his latitude. That is less than the Iridium sat phone used to cost him per month, with broadband instead of 3- to 5-dollar-per-minute voice. The use case is different from every other section in this post. Overlanders, dispersed campers, section hikers, remote workers, and family campers all benefit from the Mini because it travels. The remote cabin case is the inverse: the Mini stays put. It is the first satellite internet product that economically replaces fixed-mount installations on rural properties, because the $599 hardware + $30 to $80 monthly Roam plan is cheaper than a professionally installed full Starlink Standard for properties that only need internet three seasons a year. ![The Mini at a backcountry North Cascades ridge - the laptop-sized dish with sky clear above, the same view a remote cabin or homestead sees for fixed-mount internet.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/starlink-mini-era-2026-08-11-extras/starlink-mini-era-section-remote-mountain.jpg) **The Mini at backcountry elevation - the same setup that works on a Sawtooth Range cabin roof works on a PCT ridge.* ## The Behavior That Changed The Starlink Mini did not invent satellite internet. It did not invent off-grid connectivity. What it did was collapse the barriers of weight, power, and complexity that kept satellite internet out of the hands of people who move. Overlanders who measure every kilogram on the roof rack. Dispersed campers with no shore power for 100 miles. Section hikers who already carry bear canisters and five days of food. Remote workers who park where the view is good, not where the cell signal is strong. Families who want their kids to stop asking "are we there yet" without giving up the wilderness. The numbers tell the story. A 1.10 kilogram dish per [Starlink's Mini specification page](https://starlink.com/support/article/93709b47-83f7-feb7-965b-fad63e264929). A 25 to 40 watt typical draw per [US Mobile's guide](https://www.usmobile.com/blog/starlink-mini-vs-standard/). A 100 to 250 megabits per second down under open sky per [dishytech's review](https://www.dishytech.com/starlink-mini-review/). USB-C power delivery input, which means the same port that charges a phone can power broadband internet in the backcountry. Brent Conklin has carried the Mini on various trips since it arrived. From the local dispersed campsite in Montana to Baja, Mexico. Each time, the pattern was the same. Since it's mounted on the top of the EarthCruiser, flip a switch to turn it on. Wait three minutes. Stream weather radar, upload photos, video-call family. Flip the switch off when not needing it. Move to the next camp. The friction that used to exist between "off-grid" and "connected" is gone. Not reduced. Gone. The Mini era is not about the dish. It is about what people do now that the dish exists. And what they do is go farther, stay longer, and stay connected anyway. Go explore, stay safe, and thanks for reading our blog. ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 37 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### onX SOS: What It Actually Does Off-Grid (And What It Doesn't Replace) URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/onx-sos-off-grid-review/ Last updated: 2026-08-23T12:00:07.000Z The button landed on July 14\. I want to like this. I really do. That's the right place to start, because the overlanding crowd has been burned by enough "game-changing" products; the cynicism is earned. onX is the same app I have open on the iPad between the seats every time the road turns to gravel. It shows me the section lines, the BLM in-holdings, the gate that somebody painted a no-trespassing skull on last fall. It draws the line between a road that ends in a meadow and one that ends in a cliff. It is the closest thing to a backcountry dashboard we have. So when onX announced on July 14, 2026 that it had bolted an SOS feature onto the same app — $49.99 a year, powered by [Overwatch x Rescue](https://overwatchxrescue.com/), no new device to charge — the first thing I felt was relief. The second was skepticism. I'm a skeptic by trade. 26 years of buying outdoor gear teaches you that. Relief because: most of us are already paying for one of the [onX apps](https://www.onxmaps.com/gps-mapping-apps). Most of us have a phone in our pocket. Most of the off-grid emergencies I have read about on the [Overland Bound forum](https://community.overlandbound.com/) over the last five years did not happen to people carrying inReach units. They happened to people who thought they were just going "a little ways back in" — into the [Magruder Corridor](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/bitterroot/recreation), or a [Kaibab National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation) two-track, or a [BLM](https://www.blm.gov/) dirt road west of the [Continental Divide](https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/management/statistics.htm). ![Driver's hand holding an orange Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite messenger against a dusty pickup dashboard at golden hour, pine forest visible through the windshield.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/img1_inreach-cab.webp) Skepticism because: I've been carrying a [Garmin inReach Mini 2](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/765374/) since 2018\. I've never pushed the SOS button. I have friends who have — a roll on the Magruder, a fuel-exhausted truck on the Black Rock desert, a snapped tibia in Wyoming. Every one involved a real satellite communicator, real two-way text, and a human coordinating the rescue. The inReach side works. The question wasn't "is onX SOS good." The question was: when I am sitting in the cab at the trailhead about to turn onto a Forest Service 5000 road with no one for 30 miles — what does onX SOS actually do? And what does it not replace? If you haven't read my [monsoon flash flood safety piece](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/monsoon-flash-flood-overland-safety/), read it before you head out this summer. SOS isn't the only safety system you need. That's what this review is. ### What onX SOS is, exactly onX SOS is a $49.99/year add-on subscription you bolt onto an existing [onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app), [onX Hunt](https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app), or [onX Backcountry](https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/app) account. Onx launched it on July 14, 2026 in the first two apps, with Backcountry support promised later this summer. When you tap the SOS button in the app, three things happen: Your phone opens its native SMS app with a pre-loaded message containing your GPS coordinates and a few other fields the coordinator needs. You tap Send. The message goes over cellular — or satellite SMS if you have an active [T-Satellite plan](https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service), a [Verizon satellite plan](https://www.verizon.com/), or an iPhone 14+ running iOS 18.5+ (which gets free satellite SOS from [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/101573)). A coordinator at the [Overwatch x Rescue](https://overwatchxrescue.com/) Crisis Response Center replies by SMS. From there it's a real two-way conversation by text — what happened, the injury, the weather, where you are. The coordinator then engages local search and rescue, pays the eligible costs directly, and stays on the line with you until somebody physically reaches you. Overwatch x Rescue is operated by [FocusPoint International](https://focuspointintl.com/) — a 15-year-old global emergency-response company that coordinates more than 15,000 rescues a year across 220+ countries. The Crisis Response Center is staffed by former military, medical, and first responders. They aren't a call center reading a script. They are the people who used to ride the helicopter. So far, so good. The headline number on the onX SOS marketing page is "Over $10M in rescue costs paid for subscribers." It's their own marketing number — but it matches what FocusPoint publishes, and the first-payer model (they pay the helicopter bill, you don't see it) is what matters to me. A helicopter ride in [Wyoming](https://travelwyoming.com/) runs $4,000 to $7,000 before the ambulance. A long rescue in the [Sierra Nevada](https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm) runs five figures. The first-payer model is the entire reason to carry this kind of rescue coverage. ![A maroon Toyota Land Cruiser on a Forest Service 5000 road with mountain peaks in the background](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/onx-sos-tools-button-1.png) ### The honest part — what it doesn't replace Here's where I have to be the guy nobody likes at the campfire. onX SOS still rides on your phone. It is not a satellite communicator. It is not a Garmin inReach. It is not an [ACR ResQLink](https://www.acrartex.com/products/resqlink/). It is software that uses your phone's texting pipeline to reach a rescue coordinator, and your phone has to be able to send that text — over cell or over satellite SMS — for any of it to work. That distinction matters in three ways. **One.** If your phone is dead, onX SOS is dead. The dead battery that stranded you also means you cannot push the button. A [Garmin inReach Mini 2](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/765374/) has a battery that lasts 14 days. A [Garmin inReach Messenger Plus](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1191310/) goes longer. Your iPhone, doing GPS tracking, dies in about 8 hours on a cold night. We have all been there. **Two.** If you don't have an active satellite plan or a recent enough iPhone for the free Apple satellite service, onX SOS only works when you have cell service. Which is exactly the moment when you don't need it, because cell service means you can also just call 911. **Three.** Two-way SMS over satellite is slow. onX's [FAQ](https://www.onxmaps.com/sos/faq) is honest about this. In a true satellite-only environment, that conversation happens at satellite speed — 30 to 90 seconds between sends. It works. It is not fast. The fix onX built in for the first two problems: you can register one backup satellite communicator to your onX SOS account — Garmin inReach, [SPOT X](https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/products-services/spot-x), or [Zoleo](https://www.zoleo.com/en-us). The app sees it, the coordinator sees it, and if your phone is dead you can still push the button on the dedicated hardware. That means onX SOS, set up properly, is not "phone only." It is "phone or any of three satellite messengers you can register to your account." Which is, frankly, the only honest way to pitch this product. ![The onX app showing the Send SOS confirmation modal with Overwatch x Rescue details](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/onx-sos-coordinator-1.png) ### How the chain actually works, start to finish I want to walk you through this the way I want it to work, because most product pages skip the boring middle. **At home, before the trip:** \- I buy the onX SOS add-on in the onX Offroad app. $49.99, separate from my $99.99 Elite membership. Auto-renews annually. - I'm redirected to the [Overwatch x Rescue portal](https://portal.overwatchxrescue.com/login). I create a profile. I add an emergency contact (Cheryl, who is sick of me asking). I register my Garmin inReach Mini 2 as the backup device. - I run a Device Test Request from the OxR portal. This sends a test message to the Crisis Response Center and verifies the whole chain. onX says they "strongly recommend" this. I second that motion. **At the trailhead:** \- I open the onX app. Tap Tools in the bottom nav. The SOS button is right there. I don't tap it (I am at the trailhead, the coffee is good, life is fine). But I confirm it's visible. **If something goes wrong:** \- I tap SOS. The app shows what happens next. I tap Send SOS. - My iPhone's SMS app opens with a pre-loaded text containing my GPS coordinates. I tap Send. - A coordinator at the OxR Crisis Response Center replies within minutes over SMS. They ask questions. I answer. They engage local SAR, coordinate the helicopter, pay for it. I sit on the bumper of the truck and try not to make it worse. This is roughly what I already do with the inReach Mini 2 — except that when I do it with the Mini 2, the device has its own GPS, its own Iridium satellite modem, and its own battery that I charged at home. With onX SOS, the device doing the work is my phone. If you want a deeper walk through the comms side of a trip kit, the [Overland Bound wiki](https://community.overlandbound.com/) has a decent thread on what other people carry. ![Smartphone displaying the onX Offroad app with the SOS Emergency feature highlighted on a topo-map background](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/onx-sos-send-1.png) ### What about Apple Emergency SOS? I asked onX about this directly. They were clear: Apple Emergency SOS is not the same thing. Apple's free service sends an alert to local 911 via satellite, but there is no two-way conversation with a coordinator, no engagement of search and rescue, no financial coverage. In the worst-case scenario — backcountry injury, no cell, no Garmin, just an iPhone 14 or newer running iOS 18.5 or higher — Apple Emergency SOS will get a 911 operator a satellite text saying you're somewhere in a circle of latitude/longitude. That 911 operator has no idea what Overwatch x Rescue is, has no way to engage local SAR, and is not going to pay for the helicopter. The two products do not compete. Apple is the last-resort button. onX SOS is the second-to-last-resort button that brings a coordinator. ![SMS text message exchange between user and Overwatch x Rescue Crisis Response Center](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/onx-sos-coverage-1.jpg) ### What it costs, what it covers, what it doesn't The pricing is the part that actually got me. onX SOS is $49.99/year. A [Garmin inReach Mini 2](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/765374/) is $399.95 for the hardware plus $14.95/month for the cheapest "Standard" [Iridium plan](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/837461/), which is $179.40/year if you keep it active 12 months. The cheapest Garmin "Annual Standard" plan I can find right now is $179.40/year. The Iridium "Freedom" plan with annual commitment is $239.40/year. The Expedition plan is $839.40/year. So onX SOS, with the inReach Mini 2 sitting in the drawer as the registered backup, runs $49.99/year plus whatever you're paying for the inReach messaging subscription. If you already have an inReach — and most serious overlanders do — the marginal cost of onX SOS is $49.99/year for the financial coverage and the coordinator. That math is hard to argue with. What's covered: eligible rescue, evacuation, and emergency transportation costs are paid directly by Overwatch x Rescue with no claims process, no deductibles, no out-of-pocket for covered services. The full terms are at the [OxR Terms page](https://overwatchxrescue.com/onxtermsandconditions/) — read them — but the headline is straightforward. What's not covered: things that aren't a rescue. Medical follow-up after the rescue is on you. Lost gear is on you. A trip you had to cancel because the rig broke down and you needed a tow but no one had to come get you — that's on you too. This is emergency coverage, not trip insurance. One fine-print gotcha: onX SOS is tied to your onX account, not a specific app. Buy it through Offroad, it works on Hunt and Backcountry too. Good. But your existing Overwatch x Rescue membership — if you bought direct from OxR — does not transfer. You have to buy the onX-bundled one. Annoying but not a deal-breaker. ![Top-down view of an overland dashboard at sunset: a Garmin inReach Mini 2, an iPhone in a heavy case, a folded paper map, sunglasses, and a leather notebook, pine forest through the](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/img3_dashboard-gear.webp) ### Who this is for — and who it isn't Three real readers I want to address directly. **You carry an inReach and keep the Iridium plan active.** This is me. For you, onX SOS is the cheapest marginal upgrade to your backcountry safety net. Buy the $49.99 add-on. Register your inReach Mini 2 as the backup device in the OxR portal. Run the device test. You now have a redundant SOS path — your inReach hardware, your phone running onX, both pointed at the same coordinator. If your phone dies, your inReach works. If your inReach battery dies, your phone works. The coordinator is the same either way. This is the move. **You don't carry a satellite communicator because the subscription annoys you.** Fair. The $14.95/month is real money, and the Garmin ecosystem has a learning curve. For you, onX SOS plus an iPhone 14+ on iOS 18.5 is a real upgrade from nothing. You'll get a coordinator, financial coverage, and a button in the app you already use to plan routes. But you still need a hardware backup. The cheap answer is the [Garmin inReach Mini 2](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/765374/) — hardware is around $399.95, and Garmin's "Freedom" plan lets you suspend month-to-month. Activate for the trip, suspend when you're home. Register it to your onX SOS account as the backup. Now you have both. **You think Apple Emergency SOS is enough because it's free.** Apple Emergency SOS will get a satellite text to a 911 dispatcher. The dispatcher will not know who you are, where you are exactly, or what Overwatch x Rescue is. No two-way conversation. No one engaging local search and rescue. No helicopter being paid for. Apple Emergency SOS is the last-resort button after every other option has failed. It is not a substitute for an SOS service that engages a real coordinator. There's also a fourth reader — the one who runs solo into the desert for a week at a time, who already has every safety system known to man, who doesn't need this article at all. You know who you are. This isn't for you. But tell your buddy who thinks he's too tough for an SOS subscription to read it. ![Hiker on a sandstone outcrop at sunrise in a layered red-rock canyon, holding a smartphone up to photograph the view, warm golden light.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/img2_hiker-canyon.webp) ### Should you get it? Here's my honest read. If you carry a Garmin inReach Mini 2 or Messenger and you have the Iridium subscription active, onX SOS is the cheapest rescue coverage you can buy. $49.99/year for a first-payer coordinator service on top of the hardware you already carry. Buy it. If you do not carry an inReach because you don't love the $14.95/month fee and you don't want to learn the Garmin ecosystem, onX SOS is a real step up from no SOS at all — assuming you have a recent enough iPhone or an active T-Mobile or Verizon satellite plan. It is also still one dropped phone away from useless. Buy it, but also buy a cheap inReach Mini 2 as a glovebox backup and register it as your OxR backup device. If you are the person who already has Apple Emergency SOS and you think that's enough — no. Apple Emergency SOS is the parachute. onX SOS is the helicopter. Buy it, and register a Garmin inReach Mini 2 as your backup, and tell Cheryl where the trailhead is. The chain from button to coordinator is short, it works, and $49.99 a year is cheap for what it actually does. What it does not do is replace a dedicated satellite communicator with its own battery. Carry both. If you carry a winch — and if you go far enough back, you should — the [Warn R60-S review](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/warn-r60-s-review-the-6000-lb-winch-most-overlanders-actually-need/) lays out the same kind of first-payer logic. The right recovery gear, the right comms gear, and now the right SOS subscription form a stack that costs less than one helicopter ride. If you're heading into a region where comms matter even more — say, [Alaska](https://www.nps.gov/state/al/index.htm) or the [Oregon backcountry](https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/oregon-washington) — pair the SOS subscription with the [ham radio overlanding setup](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-camping-ham-radio-adventure-mobile-hf-guide/) I wrote up last month. Layered redundancy is what saves your ass. ![An overland Tacoma truck with rooftop tent deployed at Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas at golden hour](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/onx-sos-app-flow-1.png) ### The bottom line I went in expecting to write "onX SOS is fine but you should still carry your inReach." I came out planning to keep my inReach and add onX SOS for $49.99 more a year. The reason is simple: the coordinator service is the part that matters when things go wrong, and the coordinator service on onX SOS is the real one — Overwatch x Rescue, FocusPoint International, 15,000 rescues a year. What's missing is the dedicated hardware. What's new is that onX lets you register your existing inReach as the backup device, which closes the gap. For 99% of overlanders reading this — onX SOS is worth the $49.99\. Add it to your existing onX membership. Run the device test before you leave the driveway. Tell someone where you're going. Stay safe out there. Whiskey7backroads newsletter goes out every Friday — overland safety, gear, and route picks. Sign up at whiskey7backroads.com. ![Steven Marty](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/Copilot_20260623_160750-1.webp) ### About the Author Steven Marty My name is Steven Marty, I am a guest contributor to the Whiskey 7 Backroads blog. View all posts by Steven Marty →Website → ### When an Oregon Fire Closure Hits Mid-Trip: A Couple’s Last-Minute Reroute URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/pnw-fire-closure-mid-trip-reroute/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:46:56.000Z Last August, friends of mine almost lost a long-planned three-week Oregon trip because of three things that hit them on three different weekends, one in each week of the trip. The first was a Stage 1 fire ban in the Deschutes National Forest. The second was a washed-out forest road in the Ochocos. The third was a smoke forecast that put the air at Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on the western slope. They had the dates blocked off the calendar, the cooler packed, the truck serviced the week before. Two people. One rig. A loaded overland truck with a rooftop tent and a fridge. They told me the story at our kitchen table the week they got home, and I have been thinking about it ever since. With their permission, here it is, week by week, the way they lived it. If you have ever spent more than a year planning one of these trips, you know that you do not cancel lightly. You reroute. A short note before the story, because this is supposed to be fun. The forest is for campfire breakfasts and bad coffee and the kid running barefoot in the dark, and the long quiet you can only get in a place with no cell signal. The rules are there because all of us get to enjoy that, and the only way it stays fun is if the people who go treat it like the borrowed thing it is. Stage 1 means a stage 1\. A closed road means a closed road. A ranger is not the bad guy, and a fire order is not a personal inconvenience, it is the only reason a place this good is still here to come back to. The trip below was rerouted around a fire order and a washout and a smoke map, and it was still the best three weeks of the year. ## The Plan: Three Weeks Across the Oregon Backcountry Paul and Dana McRae, in their late fifties, live outside [Bend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bend,%5FOregon). They have been overlanding together for twenty years, mostly in the Oregon backcountry, mostly in the forests east of US-97\. The plan they had drawn up for last August was the kind that overlanders look forward to every summer. They would pull into a reserved campsite at [Crane Prairie](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/details/23218) on a Thursday in early August, work their way south into the Deschutes, loop east toward the Ochocos and on to the Malheur, then turn back west for the last week. Every campfire was supposed to be in a developed site. They had a couple of developed nights booked and the rest were going to be dispersed, if the order let them. ![Crane Prairie Reservoir in central Oregon at golden hour, with the campground area visible across the water.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/crane_prairie.jpg) Crane Prairie, the start of the trip. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0). The way they had planned it, the main risk they were watching was weather. August in central and eastern Oregon can be hot and dry, but they were experienced enough to know how to read a forest order, how to plan for a 14/28 BLM dispersed stay, and how to read [AirNow](https://fire.airnow.gov/) before they left the campsite each morning. By the time they pulled into the [Crane Prairie](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/details/23218) campsite on Thursday in early August, the [Mt. Hood National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/alerts) had been under fire restrictions for almost a month, and the Deschutes and the Ochocos had joined the list in the days before. They had read the Stage 1 orders for the forests on the route before they left home. They knew what was allowed and what was not. So far, the plan still worked. ## Week 1, Days 1 to 7: The Deschutes and the First Ban Days 1 through 3 went the way they had drawn it up. They ran from [Crane Prairie](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/details/23218) south into the Deschutes, camped at a developed site near [Sisters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisters,%5FOregon), and spent two nights dispersed along the Metolius. The air was clear. The orders were tight but livable. They could have a campfire in a developed ring, and they did, twice. The smoke maps looked clean. ![The Metolius River in central Oregon, clear water, a forested bank, and the kind of quiet that overlanders plan a trip around.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/metolius.jpg) The Metolius loop, day three. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0). By day 4 they were running east toward the Ochocos. The Ochoco was under Stage 1 as well, but the dispersed limit was still 14 days, and they had read the order the night before. They found a quiet dispersed site off a forest road north of the reservoir, set the rooftop tent in the dark, and watched the moon come up over the rim. It was the kind of night the trip had been built around. Days 5 and 6 were the long swing east. They ran the forest road south toward Prairie City, then looped back north on the highway with the windows down. The smoke maps were still clean. The truck was running well. The fridge was still cold. They re-read the orders at a developed site in the Malheur and decided, again, that they were on schedule. ### Day 7, Saturday: The First Obstacle — Stage 1 Enforcement on a Dispersed Site Saturday morning, the second day of the second week, they pulled out of the developed site at the Malheur and ran back west into the Ochoco for a second night of dispersed camping, this time on a different forest road, the way they had drawn the plan. They aired the tires down, set the rooftop tent in the late-afternoon shade, and walked the road before dinner with the AQI app open. The air was clean. The order said dispersed camping was still allowed. They made a quick dinner on the slide-out and turned in early. ![A column of smoke rising from the Telephone Fire in the Malheur National Forest in 2024, a real Oregon fire, the kind of order that arrived on the bathroom door.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/telephone_fire_malheur.jpg) A real Oregon fire. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0), USFS. At ten p.m. the ranger showed up. He was polite, but he was not there for the view. He had seen the truck on the road and walked in. The order, he said, had been tightened the day before. The fire behavior on the nearby lightning-caused fire had crossed a threshold, and the forest supervisor had moved the order up a notch. Dispersed camping was closed inside the active perimeter. They were, in the ranger’s words, on the wrong side of the line. They broke camp in the dark, aired the tires back up at the truck, and pulled back to the road. They were not cited, and the ranger wished them a good night, but the trip had just lost its first dispersed site. They drove forty minutes to a developed site in the Ochoco, plugged in, paid the fee, and took showers before going to bed. The first obstacle of the trip had cost them a night, a campsite, and the quiet dispersed night they had driven out for. It had not cost them the trip. They had three weeks of plans on the truck, and one of those plans was a developed site they could fall back to anyway. What they learned that night is the first thing on the list I would print for anyone heading east of the Cascades in August: **Stage 1 orders tighten fast.** The order you read at home the week before is not the order you are driving into on day seven. Read the order again that morning, and again that night, before you set up. The forest supervisor can move a Stage 1 to a Stage 2 in a single afternoon, and a Stage 2 to a closure in the same afternoon. We do not need to be afraid of the forest. We need to be reading the order. ## Week 2, Days 8 to 14: Back West and the Washout Days 8 through 10 were a slow loop west through the Deschutes. They ran the [Metolius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metolius%5FRiver) again. They ran the Sisters loop again. The orders were still in place. The air was still clear. The plan was still on the rails, with one scar in week one. ![The Crooked River cutting through a basalt gorge in central Oregon, the kind of road that closes without warning and forces a detour.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/crooked_river.jpg) The Crooked River loop, planned for the second week. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0). ### Day 11, Wednesday: The Second Obstacle — The Washout on NF-12 Wednesday morning, day four of the second week, they broke camp at a developed site in the Ochoco and ran back west toward the Mt. Hood country for the planned run along the [Crooked River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crooked%5FRiver%5F%28Oregon%29). About an hour into that drive, they came around a corner to find a forest road washout that the GPS had not warned them about. A culvert had failed in a storm two weeks earlier. The road was closed at a gate, with a ranger handwritten sign that said, in ink, NO THROUGH TRAFFIC. ![Forest road closed by a gate in Oregon during summer fire restrictions.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/aperture_gen_20260728_234110_de41ced5.webp) A closed forest road can turn a planned route into a safety decision in seconds. Always follow the current agency order and posted closure. Paul had been on that same road two summers earlier. He was used this part of the country so he had his guard down a little and did not see the gate until they were on top of it. They pulled into a gravel pullout and looked at the map. The washout was not a five-minute reroute. The detour would put them on a paved highway for fifty miles, which was not the trip they had drawn, and it would keep them out of the planned run along the Crooked River for that night, which meant they would lose the developed site they had booked for Wednesday night. They were tired. They were a long way from the Mt. Hood country. The trip had just lost another plan. They made a quick call. The detour was the only way back to the Mt. Hood country without a backtrack, and the Mt. Hood country was where they needed to be to reset for the last week. They took the detour. It was the second obstacle of the trip, and it cost them a night of camping and a stretch of forest road they had wanted to drive. It had not cost them the trip. They had a developed site reservation waiting in the Mt. Hood country, and the detour would put them there by sunset. They could spend days 13 & 14 re-provisioning and checking maps. What they learned that afternoon is the second thing I would print: **The roads close without warning.** Not the highway. The forest service road. The one you have driven twice before. The one you were planning to drive tomorrow. The washout, the downed tree, the active fire line — none of them call ahead. The fix is the same: have a detour, have a paved option, and have a developed site reservation that does not depend on the back-road being open. ## Week 3, Days 15 to 21: The Coast, the Smoke, and the Last Few Days Days 15 and 16 opened with the same calm. They ran the Mt. Hood country reset, ate at the same overlook, and turned back east on the highway. The orders were still in place. The smoke maps were still clean. The trip was six days from home, and the plan was still on the rails, with two scars in weeks one and two. That was the last clean morning. By midmorning of day 16, the smoke maps were not clean anymore. The forecast had changed overnight, and the rest of the week was going to be about air. ![Aerial view of a smoke column rising from an Oregon fire over forested ridges.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/pnw-fire-2026-flat-2023.jpg) A real smoke column like this is the cue to compare AQI between where you are and where you are thinking about going, not the cue to push on. ### Day 16, Monday: The Third Obstacle — The Smoke on the Western Slope Monday morning, day one of the third week, they broke camp at a developed site in the Mt. Hood country and ran west on the highway toward the planned run along the coast. The smoke maps had been clean for two weeks. By midmorning, the maps were not clean. The forecast had changed overnight. A lightning-caused fire on the western slope of the Cascades had blown up in the dry timber, and the smoke was already at the coast. The air at their planned lunch stop was Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The air at their planned camp for the night was worse. ![Overland vehicle at a simple developed campground near the Oregon coast after a smoke-related reroute.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/aperture_gen_20260728_234205_ed8f1f15.webp) The fallback did not recreate the original trip. It got them somewhere safer and workable, and the coast campground is the part of the trip they still talk about first. They pulled into a state-park campground on the Oregon Coast that they had used years before. The site was open. The air was moderate. The hookups were working. They plugged in. They had a real shower for the first time in days, and spend the rest of the evening checking maps and air quality monitors. They were not, to be clear about this, panicking. They were rerouting. The smoke map was the third obstacle of the trip, and it had cost them a planned night of camping on the coast and a planned run along the western slope. It had not cost them the trip. They had a developed site waiting in the Mt. Hood country for the last few days, and the smoke was forecast to clear by the weekend. What they learned that night is the third thing I would print: **The air can change overnight.** The smoke map you read at home the week before is not the smoke map you are driving into on day 16\. The smoke from a single lightning-caused fire can change the air for fifty miles in a single afternoon, and the air can stay bad for a week. The fix is the same: have a developed site reservation that does not depend on the air being clean, and have a Plan C that is not a forest. ![A hand holds a smartphone showing the AirNow fire-and-smoke map for Oregon, with red and purple AQI hotspots visible on screen, soft dry forest background. No text overlay.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/w7br-fire-2026-inline-1.webp) A working smoke map is the difference between guessing and rerouting with intent. ### Days 17 to 21: The Loop Closes Tuesday they spent the day on the coast. Wednesday they ran back east. The smoke cleared by Thursday, and they ran the planned loop west through the Mt. Hood country for the last time. They re-ran the Metolius on Friday. They broke camp at [Crane Prairie](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/details/23218) on Saturday morning at first light, aired the tires back up to 50 psi, and pointed the truck home. The fridge was still cold. The cooler was still cold. The order in the windshield was still in the windshield. They pulled into the driveway at four in the afternoon. The trip was twenty-one days long, the longest trip they had ever taken, and the most expensive. The trip was not the trip they had planned. It was a different trip, three weeks long, with three obstacles: a tightened Stage 1 in week one, a washed-out forest road in week two, and a smoke forecast that moved the coast run in week three. They had the data for all three now, which is the only kind of answer that matters. It also helped that nobody tried to cook a steak on a campfire in a national forest that was in Stage 1 restrictions. If you have ever been around a campfire that is in violation of a USFS fire order, you know that the person on the other end of that ranger radio is not having their best day at work, and neither are you. The two hardest things to do in a forest under Stage 1 restrictions are to put the steak back in the cooler and to read the order out loud before you make a decision. Do those two things and you have saved yourself a ticket that will not live forever on the USFS enforcement record. ![Aerial view of smoke rising above the Bull Run watershed area in Oregon.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/pnw-fire-2026-bullrun-2023.jpg) The Bull Run watershed, the source of Portland drinking water, is the kind of Oregon resource a single order protects in a single afternoon. They crossed under its flight path on the way down to the coast. ## The Six Lists You Should Print Before You Leave I will not pretend to know what the right plan is for your trip. But here is the list my friends had in the truck, printed, the night before, by someone who has been through this kind of week. The order, by forest and ranger district. I print the relevant [Mt. Hood alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/alerts), the [Deschutes alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/alerts), the [Willamette alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/alerts), the [Ochoco alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/alerts), the [Malheur alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/malheur/alerts), the [Wallowa-Whitman alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman/alerts), the [Umatilla alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts), and the [BLM Oregon fire page](https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions). Eight pages. Maybe twenty minutes. The roads, by name. Not the highway, the forest service roads in the area. The big washouts this year are real, the closures are signed, and the back-road detour you have used twice before may not be open. The [TripCheck page](https://www.tripcheck.com/) is also worth printing. The air. [AirNow](https://fire.airnow.gov/) Fire and Smoke is the live source. The [Oregon DEQ smoke page](https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/default.aspx) tracks Oregon specifically. The two together tell you where to go and where to leave from. Know the developed sites. [recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/) has them. If you cannot afford a one-week trip to fall apart because of a closure, you can afford a [recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/) reservation for a couple of nights, in three forests, on three different days. That sounds expensive. It is cheaper than cancelling. **Have one bad-weather Plan B that is not a forest.** State park, friends driveway, KOA, anything paved with a hookup. The point of Plan B is to get out of the smoke, not to find the same experience you had planned. Have one bad-smoke Plan C. The coast, the mountains, the high Cascades west of Bend. Pick one. [AirNow](https://fire.airnow.gov/) tells you which. That is the list. It is not the plan. It is the bones of a plan, the kind you can rebuild at 9 a.m. in a forest road pullout. That is the whole point of carrying a paper map. ![A USFS forest road closure sign, the kind of notice that arrives overnight on a forest road.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/stage1_closure_sign.jpg) A Stage 1 closure sign, the kind of notice that arrives on a forest road. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0), USFS Lolo National Forest, 2021. ## Frequently Asked Questions **What is Stage 1 fire restrictions on a national forest?** Stage 1 is generally the first level of seasonal fire restrictions, but the details vary by forest and order. Some orders limit campfires, smoking, charcoal, or spark-producing equipment while leaving certain developed sites open; others are stricter. Read the current order for the specific forest before you travel. Stage 2 adds restrictions in many jurisdictions. **Can I still dispersed camp in a Stage 1 area?** Do not assume you can. Some Stage 1 orders restrict dispersed camping or close specific areas, while others do not. Read the current order and closure map for that forest. You may be able to pass through a road that you cannot legally use for camping. Where can I find a live list of Oregon forest road closures? Each national forest publishes its own alerts page. For Oregon, the [USFS alerts index](https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go) lists the Mt. Hood, Deschutes, Willamette, Ochoco, Malheur, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, [Rogue River-Siskiyou](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/rogue-siskiyou/alerts), and [Siuslaw](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/siuslaw/alerts) forests, plus [the BLM Oregon/Washington state office](https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions). The [Oregon DEQ smoke page](https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/default.aspx) tracks smoke and AQI. **Is the smoke on the Oregon coast really better than in the mountains?** Most of the time, yes. The marine layer and onshore flow keep the coast cooler and cleaner. The exception is when a major fire is right on the coast, in which case the smoke is everywhere. What PM2.5 or AQI level is safe for outdoor activity? Use the current [AirNow](https://fire.airnow.gov/) AQI category and follow the health guidance for the people in your group. Children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions may need to reduce exposure sooner than healthy adults. Conditions can change quickly near wildfire smoke, so check the map again before driving, camping, or exercising. The [AirNow AQI basics](https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/) page explains the color codes. Do I need a satellite messenger for an Oregon overland trip? Not a strict requirement, but a high-value one. Smoke, road closure, and a real phone call to a friend can all be sorted out with a cell signal and a paper map. A medical emergency or a stuck rig in a remote drainage is not. The [Garmin inReach](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/outdoor-recreation/satellite-communicators/) line is the most common for overlanders. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0500.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Where can I check the AQI for the place I am about to drive to? [AirNow](https://fire.airnow.gov/)[AirNow Fire and Smoke Map](https://fire.airnow.gov/) has current conditions for the entire US. The [Oregon DEQ smoke page](https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/default.aspx) tracks Oregon specifically. **What is the right thing to do if I have to turn around?** That is a small word for a difficult decision. The cost of turning around is a delay. The cost of not turning around is a fine, a permanent USFS enforcement record, and a fire. If mid-trip reroutes are your kind of problem, the [USFS fire restrictions hub](https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/fire) is the page you will want to read before every Oregon overland trip. Print it. Stick it on the fridge. The next time you drive past a closed forest gate, you will not be guessing. Have fun out there and know when to detour and reroute Thanks for reading and supporting our blog ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 35 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### What I Wish Every July Overlander Knew About Monsoon Flash Floods URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/monsoon-flash-flood-overland-safety/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:46:58.000Z *Every July I start seeing the same posts in overlanding forums: "heading to southern Utah next week, anything I should know about monsoon season?" Southwest monsoon flash flood overland safety is the single most important thing to plan for between late June and mid-September across Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, and the desert Southwest — and the rain you see is rarely the rain that gets you.* I want to start with something that has rattled me for years, not because I want to relive it, but because the people I meet at trailheads every July seem to think it can't happen to them. Here is the scenario I have watched happen more times than I can count. A rig pulls into a wide gravel wash south of Flagstaff about 4 p.m. Skies to the west are slate. The driver figures there is time. Pulls forward another 200 yards onto what looks like the driest sand in the canyon, sets the camp stove, cracks a beer. Twenty minutes later, water is lapping at the rear differential. ## What the monsoon actually does to the desert The North American monsoon pushes moisture north from the Gulf of California and the Pacific every summer. NOAA calls it a seasonal pattern shift rather than a storm, which is why the forecast tends to underplay it. From late June through mid-September the upper atmosphere holds deep tropical moisture over Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, and far west Texas. The [ADOT's AZ511 real-time traffic map](https://az511.gov) and the [ADOT monsoon driving tips](https://azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/severe-weather/monsoons) tracks road closures in real time during flood events, and [New Mexico DOT's road conditions map](https://nmroads.com/) does the same for that state. Most afternoons produce a thunderstorm somewhere in that region. Heat and terrain conspire to wring the moisture out fast. ![Monsoon storm clouds building over Flagstaff, Arizona, in late afternoon.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/hero-source-monsoon-clouds-1.webp) The rain you see in front of you is not what floods you. The National Weather Service warns that flash flooding can occur miles from the storm. A cell ten miles upstream, over terrain you cannot see, can deliver a wall of water to your campsite within minutes. The [NWS Phoenix monsoon safety guide](https://www.weather.gov/psr/MonsoonSafety) is blunt about this: never camp or park in a wash, even if the sky above you looks fine. You usually hear a flash flood before you see one. A roar in a canyon that was quiet five minutes ago is your cue. ## What two feet of water actually does The National Weather Service publishes the [Turn Around Don't Drown rule](https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown) every spring. The numbers are not opinions. They are averages across a large body of fatal incidents: ADOT Communications, in their response to a reader inquiry about this article, put it more directly: even if a flooded wash does not look deep, just a few inches of running water poses a serious risk. Driving around a 'road closed' sign is [against the law](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00910.htm) under ARS 28-910, and drivers can be cited and fined to pay any entity that incurred expenses in the rescue. The real-time fix for the next storm is the [AZ511.gov](https://az511.gov) map and the [AZ511 mobile app](https://www.az511.com/about/mobileapp), which carry statewide highway cameras and live closure data ![Flash flood warning sign in Cochise County, Arizona, marking a known wash crossing.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-02-flash-flood-sign-4.webp) - About half of all flood-related drownings involve a vehicle driven into hazardous floodwater. - 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet. - 12 inches can carry most cars. - 2 feet of moving water will carry away SUVs and pickups. Read that again. Two feet. The depth of a kitchen countertop. The current does the work, not the depth. A 3-ton truck has about a 50 percent chance of staying put in 2 feet of slow water; in 2 feet of fast water it has no chance at all. I tell people that number on every camp setup. It is the one stat they remember. ## Watch versus Warning, and why it matters This confuses almost everyone the first time. The [NWS flood safety page](https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-during) draws the line clearly: ![Monsoon storm clouds over the Grand Canyon, looking downstream along the Colorado River.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-05-grand-canyon-monsoon-4.webp) - **Flash Flood Watch** means conditions are favorable for flash flooding. Be prepared to move. Pick your high ground now. Decide what gear stays and what goes. - **Flash Flood Warning** means flash flooding is happening now or imminent. Move to higher ground immediately. Do not try to retrieve gear. A watch is your planning window. A warning is your movement clock. If you wait for the warning to decide where to go, you have already lost the option. Pick your high ground before the watch becomes a warning. ## Why people drive in anyway If every overlander knows the rule, why do the deaths keep happening? The NWS campaign materials are blunt about why. Drivers report three answers most of the time: ![A flash flood near Tucson, Arizona, with muddy water and debris covering the road.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-03-tucson-flash-flood-4.webp) - "I have made it across before." Most washes that kill people ran clear for years before the year they killed somebody. The shape of the drainage does not change. The weather does. - "The water does not look that deep." Depth is not the variable. Current is. Six inches of fast water is more dangerous than three feet of slow water, and people who drive in are guessing current by eyeball. The [FEMA National Risk Index for riverine flooding](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/resilience-analysis-and-planning-tool) maps the counties where flash flood risk is highest — every major Southwest overlanding corridor lands in the top tier. - "I just need to get across quickly." Speed does not save a vehicle from debris wedging against a tire or a culvert. Speed does not save a driver from a washed-out road surface. Most overlanders know the rule. They back in anyway. The fix is one move: reverse the moment the road surface disappears under the water. Backing out of a rising wash is its own skill. People panic, drop into a low gear, and drive straight into deepening water because reversing feels like retreat. The rule I run by: if the road ahead crosses a wash with running water and I cannot see the road surface through the water, I stop. I do not test the depth. I do not drive in to "see how bad it is." I back up the way I came, find the nearest high ground, and park there. BLM Utah's [flash flood safety page](https://www.blm.gov/flash-floods-tread-safely) is built for this exact moment. Two takeaways that every overlander should memorize: - Never drive around a barricade. Barricades are placed where the road surface may be washed out and hidden. - If you cannot see the road, do not guess where it is. The principle generalizes: if a road looks like a lake and you cannot see the asphalt under the water, the road is no longer a road. It is a low spot in the drainage. ## Reading the sky, the canyon, and the wash The [NPS Zion flash flood page](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/flash-flood.htm) has the most useful field checklist I have seen. Five warning signs, in this order: ![Santa Cruz River running brown and fast after a monsoon storm near Tucson.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-06-santa-cruz-after-monsoon-4.webp) 1. Storm clouds building, even if they are far away. 2. Water in the wash changing color — going from clear to chocolate brown means sediment is being picked up upstream, which means real flow. 3. Water rising, even slowly. 4. Floating debris — sticks, branches, leaves moving past you. Debris means the water has enough energy to move solid objects. 5. Increasing roar upstream — the noise of a flood is audible long before the water arrives. If you hear it and have not heard it before, treat it as your final warning. The [NPS Capitol Reef page](https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/flash-floods.htm) adds another one that bites people every year: less than half an inch of rain in an hour, on terrain west of where you are, can deliver a flash flood to the canyon you are in. Storms far away flood canyons where no rain is falling. There is no safe distance when you are camped in a drain. ## When you turn around Monsoon driving is binary. Forward or back. If you cannot see the road, do not drive forward. Your lift kit will not save you. ![A washed-out road with a stranded vehicle after a Louisiana flood.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-07-washed-road-vehicle-4.webp) Backing out takes longer than driving through. That is the point. The time you spend backing is the time the water needs to peak.. If you back out and the water rises an hour later, you made the right call. If you back out and the water never rises, you still made the right call. Ten minutes is cheap. Your truck isn't. ## Picking a camp that does not flood Three rules, all hard: ![Comb Wash in southeastern Utah - a dry wash corridor that runs hard during summer monsoons.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-08-comb-wash-utah-1.webp) - **Pick high ground first, then aesthetics.** Wide flat sites in a wash bottom are the worst place to camp during monsoon season, no matter how nice the gravel looks. - **Set up on a shelf above the active channel.** A wash may not have water in it right now. It will have water in it later. - **Know where you go if it floods.** Pick your escape route before you pitch the tent. The escape route must climb. A 30-foot elevation gain within 50 horizontal feet is enough to outrun most flash floods. If your camp does not have that option nearby, your camp is in the wrong place. The [USGS StreamStats tool](https://www.usgs.gov/streamstats) can show you the drainage area upstream of any point on a map, which tells you how much terrain is feeding the wash you are parked in. The [National Weather Service alerts page](https://www.weather.gov/alerts) publishes county-level flood alerts that cover BLM and Forest Service land. I have moved camps twice this season because the spot I picked was nicer than it was safe. Both times the move was the right call. ## What to do if you are trapped This is the worst-case section and I hope nobody reading this ever uses it. ![Damaged parking lot at Zion National Park South Entrance after a 2021 flash flood closed the road.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/body-01-zion-flood-damage-4.webp) If your vehicle is caught by rising water and you cannot back out, [Ready.gov's flood page](https://www.ready.gov/floods) advises: - **Do not stay in the vehicle.** Most flood deaths happen inside vehicles. - **If you can climb out of the vehicle and reach high ground, do it now.** Do not gather gear. Do not close windows. Get out and get up. - **If you cannot escape the vehicle, brace yourself against the seat and wait for water to stabilize.** The window may need to be broken as the water rises. Carry a window breaker on your keychain. A center-punch style glass breaker costs ten dollars and works in seconds. A few pieces of kit earn their weight during monsoon trips: a glass breaker/seatbelt cutter on every keychain, a tow strap rated for your vehicle weight, and a satellite messenger that does not depend on cell coverage. ## The Half-Day Rule: Timing Your Monsoon Backcountry Driving If you are driving backcountry roads during monsoon season, plan for the late afternoon to be off the road. Most flash floods in the Southwest happen between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. The earlier you set up camp and the later you break camp, the more margin you keep. ![Flash flood danger sign at the entrance to Grand Wash on Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, Utah.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/body-11-grand-wash-warning-4.webp) I try to be parked by 2 p.m. and not driving again until the next morning. That single rule keeps me out of more trouble than any other habit I have picked up. ## Your lift kit won't help I want to push back gently on the "I have a snorkel, I have lockers, I have a winch" thinking. A vehicle's lift does not change what floodwater does. A few reminders: - The road surface may be washed out underneath the water. You can drive into a hole with no warning. Lift does not help. A winch does not help. Snorkels do not help if the cab fills with water. - Debris in moving water can wedge your vehicle against a tree, a culvert, or another piece of debris. That is how most vehicle deaths start. - Upstream runoff can add water faster than your engine bay pumps it. By the time you are chest-deep in your rig, you are inside a boat with a steering wheel. Your rig is built for terrain. Floods are not terrain — they are moving rivers that do not negotiate with brake pads. Drive like you remember that. ## The pre-drive checklist I tape this to the inside of my dash during monsoon trips. Saves my own life every July. **Weather** - \[ \] Check the NWS forecast for the area, including monsoon hazards and flood watches. - \[ \] Check radar on my phone for the next few hours. Bookmark the [NWS radar](https://radar.weather.gov). - \[ \] Note the upstream terrain from my planned route and look for cells in those basins. **Route** - \[ \] Pull up satellite view of every wash crossing on the planned route. - \[ \] Identify the high ground at each crossing. - \[ \] Locate turn-around points where I can back out without backing into a worse spot. **Camp** - \[ \] Confirm the campsite is on a shelf above the active channel. - \[ \] Confirm there is an escape route that climbs within 50 feet. - \[ \] Move camp if the answer to either question is no. **Gear** - \[ \] Glass breaker/seatbelt cutter on keychain. - \[ \] Satellite messenger charged. - \[ \] Tow strap accessible. - \[ \] First aid kit near the cab, not in the back. **Mindset** - \[ \] No "I have time" thinking after noon. - \[ \] No driving through water where I cannot see the road. - \[ \] No gathering gear if a warning hits. Move first. ## Where this rule came from The "Turn Around, Don't Drown" campaign has been the NWS flagship safety message since the mid-1990s. Hundreds of people die in flash floods every year in the United States, and most of those deaths are preventable. Most happen because the driver thought they had time. I am writing this because I want next July to have fewer of those headlines. Pick your high ground before you need it. The water will not wait. ## What ADOT told us I asked ADOT Communications whether they had a pull-quote that would strengthen the pre-drive checklist section. They did. Their guidance on what to actually do when a dust storm is up ahead on a Southwest highway, in full: > *If a dust storm is up ahead, the safest thing to do is to not drive into it. If you're unable to exit the highway before the dust storm hits, pull off the paved portion of the roadway, set your emergency brake and turn off all vehicle lights and wait out the dust storm.* The full Pull Aside, Stay Alive guidelines from ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety live at [pullasidestayalive.org](https://pullasidestayalive.org/). If you are not yet on AZ511 in your phone before monsoon season starts, do that now: [az511.gov](https://az511.gov) or the [AZ511 mobile app](https://www.az511.com/about/mobileapp). Both carry statewide highway cameras and live closure data. Thanks to ADOT Communications for the information and links above. ## Image credits - Monsoon safety guidance and Pull Aside pull-quote: ADOT Communications, used with permission. - Storm clouds: [Christopher Sessums, CC BY-SA 2.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monsoon%5FSeason%5FFlagstaff%5FAZ%5Fclouds%5Fstorm.jpg) via Wikimedia Commons. - Zion flood damage: [NPS, public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flooding%5Fat%5FSouth%5FEntrance%5Fof%5FZion%5FNational%5FPark%5F%2871c7a146-c4a2-49d6-b066-790f37bcef6d%29.JPG). - Flash flood sign: [Qwexcxewq, CC BY 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flash%5FFlood%5FSign.jpg). - Tucson flash flood: [CC BY 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flash%5Fflood%5Fnear%5Ftucson%5Faz.jpg). - Grand Canyon monsoon: [Nate Loper, CC BY 2.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monsoon%5Fstorm%5Fin%5FGrand%5FCanyon%5Flooking%5Fdownstream%5F%2842610606345%29.jpg). - Santa Cruz River post-monsoon: [NPS, public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santa%5FCruz%5FRiver%5Fafter%5Fmonsoon%5Fstorm%5F%281f10df14-9446-4d38-b06d-f4b264f25e54%29.JPG). - Comb Wash, Utah: [Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Comb%5FWash,%5FUtah%5F%2814017117917%29.jpg). - Capitol Gorge warning: [Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2013-09-23%5F14%5F21%5F42%5FSign%5Fwarning%5Fof%5Fflash%5Ffloods%5Fat%5Fthe%5Fentrance%5Fto%5FCapitol%5FGorge%5Ffrom%5FCapitol%5FReef%5FScenic%5FDrive%5F8.0%5Fmiles%5Ffrom%5FUtah%5FState%5FRoute%5F24.JPG). - Grand Wash warning: [Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2013-09-23%5F14%5F49%5F14%5FFlash%5Fflood%5Fdanger%5Fsign%5Fat%5Fthe%5Fentrance%5Fto%5FGrand%5FWash%5Fon%5FCapitol%5FReef%5FScenic%5FDrive%5F3.4%5Fmiles%5Ffrom%5FUtah%5FState%5FRoute%5F24.JPG). - Louisiana road washout: [FEMA, public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louisiana%5Fflood%5Fwashes%5Fout%5Froad%5Fand%5Fvehicle.%5FPhoto%5Fprovided%5Fby%5Fthe%5Fstate%5Fof%5FLouisiana.%5F-%5FDPLA%5F-%5F71ba117139ffbf37dc9a21c19336fe73.jpg). - Oak Creek flash flood: [Zion National Park, CC BY 2.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oak%5FCreek%5FFlash%5FFlood.webm). ## Where the lesson shows up elsewhere Reading back through the Whiskey7backroads.com backcountry reports the same monsoon lesson keeps appearing in different terrain. The [Grand Staircase-Escalante trail report](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/exploring-the-grand-staircase-an-overlanders-comprehensive-guide-to-the-escalante-national-monument/) describes washes that look like parking lots in the morning and become impassable by mid-afternoon. The [Vermilion Cliffs camping guide](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/vermillion-cliffs/) covers the same logic on the House Rock Road corridor: most crossings that look fine at 9 a.m. are rivers by 4 p.m. The [Grand Canyon North Rim camping writeup](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-boondocking-camping-at-grand-canyon-north-rim/) spells out how the rim's drainages feed the kind of flash floods that have stranded tourists at Bright Angel Point every summer. Grand Staircase, Vermilion Cliffs, the North Rim — same lesson on every one. Plan for the morning, not the afternoon. *\*Steven writes about overlanding events, gear, and community. For more coverage of the Whiskey7backroads perspective on overlanding, see the rest of the* [Whiskey7backroads](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/)*.\** [Steven Marty - Whiskey 7 BackroadsMy name is Steven Marty, I am a guest contributor to the Whiskey 7 Backroads blog.![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/steven/) Brent Conklin, owner of Whiskey 7 Backroads ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. ### Backcountry Offroad Expo La Pine Oregon — Aug 1-2, 2026 URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/backcountry-offroad-expo-sisters-oregon-august-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:46:59.000Z # Backcountry Offroad Expo Comes to La Pine Oregon — August 1-2, 2026 ![Show floor at the Backcountry Offroad Expo with overland rigs and crowds at golden hour](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/bce-crowd-2026-1.jpg) \*\*Venue update (July 24, 2026):\*\* The promoters moved the Oregon stop of the Backcountry Offroad Expo from Sisters High School to the La Pine Rodeo Grounds (16262 3rd St, La Pine, OR 97739) due to fire activity in the Sisters area. Dates are still August 1-2, 2026\. The rest of this post was written for the original Sisters venue, so the trail, lodging, and travel sections reflect what was planned for Sisters. The new venue is about 30 minutes south of Bend on US-97, has full on-site camping, and the same ticket structure. The free admission code (SISTERSFREE) and 20%-off camping code (CAMPING20) still work. Maps and the new address are at the Backcountry Offroad Expo website. Updated venue — the show moves from Sisters High School to the La Pine Rodeo Grounds (16262 3rd St, La Pine, OR 97739, about 30 minutes south of Bend on US-97) due to the Sisters-area fire activity. Dates are still August 1-2, 2026\. A community-driven outdoor weekend lands in La Pine with 50+ brands, a Wrench Yard DIY showcase, on-site camping, and a post-show trail ride through the Deschutes National Forest with Backland Adventures. Free admission with code [SISTERSFREE](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets). Backcountry Offroad Expo Comes to La Pine Oregon — August 1-2, 2026 If you've been looking for a reason to get to Central Oregon in early August, this is it. The Sisters stop of the Backcountry Offroad Expo, presented by Johnson RV, is a community-driven outdoor weekend that's been quietly building momentum across the West. It lands at Sisters High School August 1–2, 2026\. If you can't make this one, the show also stops in Reno, NV (August 8-9), and SoCal (TBD) for this year. But Sisters is the PNW stop, and it's the one most W7BR readers are going to want to plan around. In this post we'll cover what the Backcountry Offroad Expo actually is, what's different about the Sisters stop, the full event schedule and ticket structure, what to expect at the venue, where to stay, and how the optional trail ride with Backland Adventures through the Deschutes National Forest works. If you only have time to plan one thing — grab tickets early, use the code [SISTERSFREE](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets) for free admission, and use [CAMPING20](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets) for 20% off camping if you're staying on-site. ## What the Backcountry Offroad Expo is ![Backcountry Offroad Expo logo, full-color branding mark on a dark background](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/bce-logo-2026.webp) The Backcountry Offroad Expo is a multi-stop offroad and adventure travel show run by founder [Merrisa Petersen](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/) and her team at Dirt Road Society. The 2026 tour includes stops in Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, and a Southern California event that is currently being finalized: Hurricane, UT — May 22-23 (completed) Castle Rock, CO — June 13-14 (completed; camping sold out) Sisters, OR — August 1-2 ← this post Reno, NV — August 8-9 SoCal — TBD Unlike the bigger OEM-heavy shows (more on that comparison below), the Backcountry Offroad Expo is positioned around community — small-batch builders, owner-built rigs, a Wrench Yard DIY showcase, and educational programming that prioritizes the people behind the builds over the brands sponsoring the show floor. The official Sisters Oregon event page calls out the focus plainly: "a welcoming place where people can meet others, swap stories, learn something new, and get inspired for their next adventure — whether they drive a built-out van, a truck, an SUV, or something else entirely." In Merrisa's words from the announcement: "Oregon has one of the strongest outdoor communities in the country, and Sisters felt like a natural fit for Backcountry Offroad Expo. We're excited to bring together people who love exploring, learning, and spending time outside while creating a place where everyone feels welcome, no matter what they drive or how they adventure." ![Mountain scenery along a Three Sisters Wilderness trail, the kind of country the Backland Adventures Monday ride runs through](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/sisters-mountains-trail.jpg) ## Why Sisters Oregon Sisters sits at the western edge of Deschutes County, about 22 miles west of Bend on US-20 / OR-126\. Population is around 3,000, elevation is roughly 3,200 feet, and the town sits at the meeting point of the Eastern Cascades and the high desert — Whychus Creek (formerly Squaw Creek, renamed in 2006) flows past the southeast side of town and runs directly into the Three Sisters Wilderness. The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce describes the area as "an expanse of majestic and inspiring natural beauty reaching from the town of Sisters, Oregon, to the panoramic Pacific Crest Trail." Three things make Sisters a natural fit for a camping and adventure travel show: 1\. It's already a gateway town. Sisters is the last real services stop before Highway 20 climbs over Santiam Pass toward the coast, and it's the western anchor of the Bend-Redmond-Sisters overland triangle. PNW overlanders who camp, hunt, fish, or run trails in the Cascades already know Sisters. \*\*Deschutes National Forest Sisters Ranger District\*\* — the local USFS office for trip planning, fire restrictions, and current road conditions \*\*[Three Sisters Wilderness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three%5FSisters%5FWilderness)\*\* — the 286,708-acre designated wilderness area immediately west of Sisters, with trailheads accessible from town \*\*[Whychus Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whychus%5FCreek)\*\* — the creek that runs past Sisters and into the Three Sisters Wilderness; the creek's 2006 name change from Squaw Creek is part of the broader Oregon geographic name reconciliation work \*\*[Black Butte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black%5FButte%5F%28Oregon%29)\*\* — the cinder cone on the edge of Sisters that anchors the Black Butte Ranch resort community \*\*[Sisters Eagle Air Airport (6K5)](https://airnav.com/airport/6K5)\*\* — general aviation strip just north of town, useful if you're flying your own aircraft PNW overlanders who've driven Highway 20 over Santiam Pass or camped along the Metolius River already know this country. The Deschutes NF Sisters Ranger District is the most concentrated offroad-trail network in Central Oregon — it's the same general area W7BR covers in our PNW overlanding guides and the same backroad network that connects Sisters to the broader Oregon OHV trail system maintained by Oregon State Parks. 3\. It already hosts major outdoor events. The Sisters Rodeo (second weekend in June) and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (mid-July) book out the town's lodging every year. By early August, the calendar is lighter, but the town's outdoor-event infrastructure — parking, camping, vendor space, food — is already proven. For more on the broader PNW overland context, W7BR's coverage of [Overland Expo PNW](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/) (held in Redmond, about 30 minutes east of Sisters) and the broader Central Oregon backroad scene is the right starting point. For trail-specific planning, the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) maintains an active volunteer network on the Sisters-area forest roads. ![Owner-built overland rigs on display at Backcountry Offroad Expo, the kind of builds in the Wrench Yard DIY showcase](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/bce-vehicles-2026-2.jpg) ## Tickets, camping, and the promo codes The full ticket structure from the [official BOE tickets page](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets): | Pass | Price | What's included | | ----------------------------------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Attendee Pass | $3 | General admission for the weekend. Walk the show, meet vendors, see the builds. | | Attendee + Raffle Bundle | $13 | $3 admission + 3 raffle entries ($10 value). Best entry-level option. | | Raffle Entry Only | $10 | 3 raffle entries for guests who already have an attendee ticket | | Camping Pass | $95 | Per vehicle, both Friday and Saturday nights. Includes entry for everyone in the vehicle. | | Trail Ride with Backland Adventures | $250/per vehicle | BOE Encore — two nights camping + full-day trail ride through Deschutes NF | Free admission with promo code [SISTERSFREE](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets) at checkout. 20% off camping with promo code [CAMPING20](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets). If you're planning to drive in for the day, the $3 attendee pass is already cheap, but the free code makes it free. If you're camping, the 20% off camping code brings the $95 pass to about $76 per vehicle — well worth it for the community-camping atmosphere. The raffle benefits the [Humane Society of Central Oregon](https://www.hsco.org/) — items are contributed by show vendors and drawn live at the event. More entries means better odds, which is why the bundle ticket ($13 for admission + 3 entries) is the recommended play. If you want to scope the venue and surrounding area before you arrive, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce visitor guide has maps, business listings, and current event info for the broader Sisters Country region. The [Bureau of Land Management Prineville District](https://www.blm.gov/office/prineville-district-office) manages most of the public lands east of Sisters (including the open OHV areas in the high desert), and the [Oregon Department of Transportation](https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/index.aspx) posts current road conditions for US-20 and OR-126 during summer fire-season closures. ## Where the show actually happens ![Sisters High School campus on McKinney Butte Road, the venue for the Backcountry Offroad Expo Sisters stop](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/sisters-high-school-2026.jpg) The Sisters stop of the Backcountry Offroad Expo is held at Sisters High School at [McKinney Butte Road, Sisters, OR 97759](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=44.292&mlon=-121.548&zoom=15) — about a mile north of downtown Sisters, easy walking or biking distance from most of the town's lodging. The school grounds work well for a show of this size, with a large paved parking area for the Wrench Yard and For Sale section, expansive grass fields for vendor booths, and plenty of space for camping, live music, food trucks, and community activities. Sisters High School sits at the foot of [Black Butte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black%5FButte%5F%28Oregon%29), a cinder cone that's one of the most photographed landmarks in Central Oregon and the site of the Black Butte Ranch resort community. If you're camping at the show or driving in early on Friday, the Black Butte Ranch area has paved bike paths that connect back into Sisters town and make a good morning warm-up before the show floor opens. ![Community camping at Backcountry Offroad Expo, the fireside social heart of the weekend](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/bce-camping-2026.jpg) ## What's actually at the show The Sisters stop has the same core programming as the rest of the 2026 BOE tour: \*\*50+ outdoor brands, builders, creators, and local businesses\*\* — More than 50 outdoor brands, builders, creators and local businesses are expected in Sisters \*\*Wrench Yard / DIY Build Showcase & Competition\*\* — the community-judged DIY showcase that sets BOE apart from bigger corporate shows. Winners are picked by attendees \*\*Yard Sale / For Sale Section\*\* — privately owned and builder vehicles listed for sale, presented by [Vanlife Trader](https://vanlifetrader.com/) \*\*Educational talks, panels, and roundtable discussions\*\* — programming runs throughout Saturday and Sunday afternoons, with evening fireside sessions Saturday night \*\*Food trucks and local vendors\*\* — Sisters-based and Central Oregon food trucks \*\*Live music\*\* — announced closer to the event \*\*Community activities\*\* — designed to be family-friendly and inclusive of new overlanders, not just the deep-end gear crowd \*\*On-site camping\*\* — the social heart of the show. The Friday and Saturday night camping is where most of the actual community-building happens ![A live demo or class in progress on the Backcountry Offroad Expo show floor](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/bce-demo-2026-1.jpg) \*\*Raffle benefiting the Humane Society of Central Oregon\*\* — drawn live at the event ![A built overland rig on display at Backcountry Offroad Expo, the kind of owner-built truck the Wrench Yard competition celebrates](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/bce-vehicles-2026-1-1.jpg) ## How BOE differs from Overland Expo PNW Whiskey7backroads readers will already be familiar with [Overland Expo PNW](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/) — the bigger, OEM-heavy overland show held at the Deschutes County Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon, June 26-28, 2026\. Overland Expo PNW draws 300+ exhibitors, 11 title sponsors (Toyota, Ford, Jeep, Ram, and the major overland gear brands), and 8,000+ attendees over three days. It's the production-scale event on the Central Oregon calendar. The Backcountry Offroad Expo Sisters stop is a different show: | | Overland Expo PNW | Backcountry Offroad Expo Sisters | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- | | Dates | June 26-28, 2026 | August 1-2, 2026 | | Venue | Deschutes County Expo Center, Redmond | Sisters High School, Sisters | | Attendance | \~8,000+ | Smaller, community-focused | | Exhibitors | 300+ brands | 50-150 brands (varies by stop) | | Title sponsors | 11 OEM and gear majors | Smaller-scale, builder-friendly | | Ticket | $26-39 day pass / $85-99 weekend | $3 day pass (free with SISTERSFREE) | | Camping | On-site primitive + hotels | $95/vehicle on-site community camping | | Programming focus | OEM demos, big-brand classes, 220+ classes | Owner-built DIY, Wrench Yard, community talks | | Vibe | Production-scale industry event | Community weekend | Both shows are worth attending if you can swing it. Overland Expo PNW is where you go to see the latest from the major brands and take a factory training class. BOE Sisters is where you go to talk to builders, see owner-built rigs in the Wrench Yard, buy a used vehicle in the Yard Sale and actually meet the people who are doing the same kind of trips you're doing. They're complementary, not competitive. ![The Sisters bike sculpture in downtown Sisters, a Western-themed landmark](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/sisters-bike-sculpture.jpg) ## Getting to Sisters Sisters sits in the middle of Oregon, so depending on where you're driving from, the trip is either short or long. Practical drive times from the major feeder cities: From Bend, OR — about 30 minutes east on US-20 From Redmond, OR — about 40 minutes west on US-20 (Redmond is also home to [Redmond Municipal Airport / Roberts Field (RDM)](https://flyrdm.com/), the main commercial airport for Central Oregon with nonstop service to Denver (DEN), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA), and Phoenix (PHX) via Alaska Airlines, United Express, Delta Connection, and American Eagle) From Portland, OR — about 3.5 hours south on US-26 via the [Mount Hood National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood) corridor From Seattle, WA — about 5.5 hours south on I-5 + US-12 or I-5 + US-20 If you're flying in, [RDM](https://flyrdm.com/) is the obvious choice — it's about a 40-minute drive west to Sisters, and rental cars are available at the airport. The smaller [Sisters Eagle Air Airport (6K5)](https://airnav.com/airport/6K5) is a private/general aviation strip just north of town, useful if you're flying your own aircraft. For reference, NOAA's NWS forecast office in Pendleton issues the public forecasts for the Sisters area — bookmark their [Sisters forecast page](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.291&lon=-121.548) before you head out. ![Vans, trucks, and outdoor gear on display between vendor booths at Backcountry Offroad Expo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/bce-vendors-2026-1.jpg) ## Where to stay Sisters is small, and the lodging fills up fast during peak summer weekends. For the August 1-2 BOE weekend, you'll want to book early. Options, roughly from closest-to-venue to furthest: ### On-site camping at the show The $95 BOE Camping Pass (with code [CAMPING20](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets) for 20% off) is the most social option and the easiest logistics. You're at the venue, you don't have to drive anywhere after-hours, and the fireside hangouts and DIY build conversations happen naturally when everyone's camping together. Recommended for first-timers and anyone who wants the full community-camping vibe. ### Sisters in-town lodging Within a mile of Sisters High School: \*\*[FivePine Lodge](https://www.fivepinelodge.com/)\*\* — Sisters' best-known boutique hotel, on the west edge of town. Spa, restaurant, walking distance to the venue \*\*Best Western Ponderosa Lodge\*\* — reliable mid-scale option, central Sisters location \*\*[GrandStay Hotel & Suites Sisters](https://www.grandstayhospitality.com/find-a-hotel/locations/sisters)\*\* — newer, suites-style, good for families \*\*[Sisters Inn & Suites](https://www.sistersinn.com/)\*\* — locally owned, walkable to downtown ### Sisters-area camping (off-site) If the on-site camping sells out, these are the closest options: \*\*Sisters Creekside Campground\*\* — city campground on Whychus Creek, walkable to downtown Sisters \*\*Camp Sherman\*\* — small community 14 miles west of Sisters on the Metolius River. Quiet, scenic, first-come-first-served for most sites Deschutes National Forest dispersed camping — free, primitive, available throughout the Sisters Ranger District. Check the current USFS fire restrictions before you go August in Sisters runs warm and dry — typical daytime highs in the mid-80s°F, overnight lows in the mid-40s°F, and very little rain. Pack for warm afternoons and cool evenings, and bring a good shade structure if you're camping at the show. ## BOE Encore: Guided Trail Ride with Backland Adventures If you can stay an extra day, the BOE Encore Post-Show trail ride with [Backland Adventures](https://backlandadventures.com/) is the add-on most attendees don't know about until they're at the show. It's a small-group, guided trip that picks up where the expo leaves off: Two nights of camping, beginning Sunday evening immediately after the expo and wrapping up Tuesday morning. \*\*Full day exploring the scenic backroads of the Deschutes National Forest\*\* on Monday, August 3 Geological landmarks including volcanic landscapes unique to Central Oregon Monday night steak dinner included for the trail-day dinner $250 per van (registration directly supports the Backland Adventures team that organizes and leads the experience.) Spots are limited to keep groups small and the experience relaxed. If you're a PNW overlander who already knows the Sisters area, this is the way to see parts of the Deschutes NF you wouldn't find on your own. If you're a first-timer to Central Oregon, this is the best possible introduction. ![The Former Hotel Sisters, one of the Western-themed buildings anchoring downtown Sisters](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/sisters-former-hotel.jpg) ## Is BOE Sisters worth the trip? Yes. Here's the short version: If you go to one overland show this year and you live in the PNW, the August 1-2 Sisters stop is the easiest, cheapest, and most community-focused option on the calendar. The free admission code, the on-site camping, and the family-friendly programming make it the most accessible entry point for newer overlanders. \*\*If you attended the [Overland Expo PNW](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/) in June\*\*, BOE Sisters is a different show with a different vibe — worth attending separately rather than as a substitute. If you're a builder or DIY offroader, the Wrench Yard competition (the owner-built vehicle showcase) is the parts of the show you'd build the rest of the trip around. If you have an extra day, the Backland Adventures trail ride is the right way to close out the weekend. Tickets, camping, and the trail ride are all on the [official Backcountry Offroad Expo tickets page](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets). Free admission code is [SISTERSFREE](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets), camping discount code is [CAMPING20](https://backcountryoffroadexpo.com/pages/tickets). The show runs Saturday August 1 and Sunday August 2, 2026 at Sisters High School in Sisters, Oregon. For more on the broader Central Oregon overland scene, [Steven's coverage of Overland Expo PNW](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/), the [Meet the New Workhorse of Whiskey 7 Ranch](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) story on our own PNW overland rig, and the [Overlanding's $68 Billion Problem](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) post on the broader overlanding market all connect to the same community. Have fun in Sisters. —Brent ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 37 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/708-1.jpeg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. ### Warn R60-S Review: The 6,000 lb Winch Most Overlanders Actually Need URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/warn-r60-s-review-the-6000-lb-winch-most-overlanders-actually-need/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T14:15:37.000Z # Warn R60-S Review: The 6,000 lb Winch Most Overlanders Actually Need ![Warn R60-S studio product shot: full kit — motor, contactor, rocker switch, corded remote, synthetic rope, WARN strap](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_studio_12112.jpg) Most of us over-buy on winches. We see a 12,000-lb Warn Zeon mounted on a Tacoma or a 4Runner and assume that's the standard — that anything less is compromise. It's not. The math has changed, the rigs have changed, and a 6,000-lb winch is genuinely enough for the way most overlanders actually use their trucks. The new [Warn R60-S](https://www.warn.com/products/r60-s-winch-110060) is the brand's answer to that reality, and it's the answer to a question most overlanders didn't know to ask. At $549.99 MSRP, 6,000 lb rated capacity, and about 25 lb lighter than a comparable Zeon, the R60-S is positioned for the mid-size-truck and lighter-SUV segment that has been buying more winch than they need. In this post we'll cover what the R60-S actually is, why 6,000 lb is the right number for most rigs, the synthetic-vs-steel trade-off, the alternatives in the Warn lineup and beyond, and the scenarios where you should still step up to a Zeon or larger. ![Warn R60-S head-on view showing the WARN logo and R60-S model designation on the side of the 6,000-lb motor housing](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_headon_12110.jpg) ## What the Warn R60-S actually is The R60-S is part of Warn's R-Series — a new generation of mid-capacity winches that started with the R25, R35, and R45 (powersports and small-bumper applications) and now extends to the R60-S for full bumper-mounted use on mid-size and lighter full-size trucks. The "S" suffix denotes the synthetic rope configuration, which is the right choice for nearly all overlanders (more on that trade-off below). | Spec | Warn R60-S | |---|---| | Rated line pull | 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) | | Motor | 12V DC, series-wound | | Gear train | 3-stage planetary, all-metal | | Brake | Automatic load-holding | | Rope | 50 ft × 1/4" Dyneema SK-75 synthetic | | Fairlead | Hawse (aluminum) | | Contactor | Separate heavy-duty solenoid pack | | Mounting pattern | 3.0" × 6.59" (powersports / standard mid-size) | | Dimensions | 14.1" L × 4.7" H × 4.6" D | | Weight (with rope) | \~25 lb lighter than a comparable Zeon | | IP rating | IP67 (dust-tight + temporary immersion) | | Warranty | 5-year mechanical / 3-year electrical | | MSRP | $549.99 | Two things stand out from the spec sheet. First, the separate contactor — the R60-S uses a heavy-duty solenoid pack mounted remotely (typically under the hood) rather than packing the contactor into the winch body. That keeps the winch itself smaller and lighter, and it's the same architecture Warn uses on the Zeon line. Second, IP67\. The R-Series line is rated for the kind of dust and water exposure that actually happens on a trail — creek crossings, mud holes, pressure-washer cleaning — not the IP68 of the Zeon but close enough for almost every real-world overlanding scenario. For full specifications, the [Warn R60-S product page](https://www.warn.com/products/r60-s-winch-110060) is the canonical reference. ![Warn R60-S angled product shot from above: synthetic rope drum, rear motor housing, and aluminum hawse fairlead](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_angled_12106.jpg) ## Why a 6,000-lb winch is enough for most rigs The capacity question is where most overlanders over-buy. The rule of thumb from Warn's own [Basic Guide to Winching](https://www.warn.com/pages/basic-guide-to-winching) is that a winch should be rated at roughly 1.5× the gross weight of the vehicle being recovered — which sounds like a lot, until you understand what the math actually means in practice. A 6,000-lb winch, properly rigged through a snatch block (a pulley that doubles the mechanical advantage), is mechanically capable of moving 12,000 lb of rolling resistance. And rolling resistance — what your rig is actually fighting when it's stuck in a mud pit, a deep rut, or a sand wash — is a fraction of the vehicle's gross weight. A 5,500-lb mid-size truck loaded for overlanding (rack, RTT, bumpers, winch, fridge, gear) has a realistic rolling resistance of maybe 2,000-3,000 lb when stuck. The 6K can move that with no snatch block. Add a snatch block and you can recover up to 12,000 lb of rig weight. Where the 12K Zeon makes sense is for full-size trucks — a 7,000+ lb F-250 or expedition rig with 5,000+ lb of gear on it. For a Tacoma, 4Runner, Gladiator, Ranger, Colorado, or anything in the 4,500-6,500 lb loaded range, the 6K is genuinely the right number. And the R60-S at 6K is rated for that envelope. The other thing the 6K gets you is **less front-end weight**. The 25-lb savings over a Zeon isn't huge in absolute terms, but it shows up in three places that matter on a trail rig: 1\. **Approach angle.** A lighter winch (and lighter fairlead) lets the front bumper sit a little higher relative to the rest of the rig, or lets the bumper itself be designed with a tighter approach profile. 2\. **Fuel economy.** Twenty-five pounds plus the lighter synthetic rope over steel adds up to roughly 40-50 lb of front-end mass saved versus a fully loaded 12K steel-rope Zeon. That's measurable over a year of driving. 3\. **Front suspension geometry.** Less unsprung weight over the front axle keeps the suspension happier on washboard and rock gardens. The [Warn Winch Comparison page](https://www.warn.com/pages/warn-winch-comparison) lays this out formally — Warn is explicit that mid-size and lighter rigs should be in the R-Series or VRX-Series, not the AXON or ZEON. ![Warn R60-S synthetic rope spooled out under tension through the aluminum hawse fairlead during a line-out test](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_rope_12108.jpg) ## Synthetic vs steel at 6,000 lb — the real trade-off The synthetic-vs-steel debate is older than the R60-S, but the R-Series is the first Warn line to ship standard with synthetic across the whole range. That's not a marketing choice — it's a weight, safety, and usability argument that has essentially been won for the overlanding use case. **Synthetic (Dyneema / SK-75):** **Lighter.** A 50 ft × 1/4" synthetic rope is roughly 60% lighter than the equivalent steel cable. That's the source of most of the R60-S weight savings. **Safer.** When (not if) a synthetic rope breaks under load, it drops to the ground. When steel cable breaks, it snaps back toward the vehicle with potentially lethal force. This is the single biggest reason serious overlanders prefer synthetic. **Floats.** Useful for water crossings and mud recovery. **Easier to handle.** No gloves required, no kinking, no sharp burrs. **Wears from UV and abrasion** rather than from internal fraying. Visible damage is the failure mode — you see it coming. **Steel cable:** **More abrasion-resistant in extreme heat and against sharp rock.** Steel can take a beating from granite edges that would cut a synthetic line. **Cheaper** in absolute terms. **Heavier, more dangerous when it breaks, prone to kinking.** For the overlanding use case, synthetic wins on every axis that matters. The OVRmag review of the R60-S by [Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal](https://www.ovrmag.com/vehicle-gear/warn-r60-s-review-potent-compact-and-affordable-winch/1026.article) — published June 26, 2026 — covers the same ground, with real-world testing on a Suzuki Jimny (2,500 lb rig) where the R60-S pulled the Jimny out of a deep mud hole that had stopped the rig completely. Synthetic rope, hawse fairlead, no drama. Steel cable still makes sense for one niche: commercial recovery, where the winch is in use 8+ hours a day and the heat buildup from repeated steel-on-steel cycling is a real factor. For weekend and week-long overlanding, the synthetic default is correct. Warn's [Winch Rope Information page](https://www.warn.com/pages/winch-rope-info) has the manufacturer-side framing of the trade-off if you want the source. ![Warn R60-S winch with the WARN-branded red recovery strap attached, full product photo for the 6,000-lb R-Series kit](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_product_12109.jpg) ## The R60-S vs the alternatives in the Warn lineup Warn makes six different winches in the 4,500 to 12,000 lb class, and the R60-S is the newest entry. Here's how the R-Series, VRX, AXON, and ZEON lines compare on the specs that matter: | Model | Capacity | IP rating | Mech warranty | MSRP | |---|---|---|---|---| | **R60-S** | 6,000 lb | IP67 | 5-year | $549.99 | | VRX 45-S | 4,500 lb | IP68 | Lifetime | $694.99 | | AXON 55-S | 5,500 lb | IP68 | Lifetime | $1,089.99 | | AXON 55 (steel) | 5,500 lb | IP68 | Lifetime | (similar) | | ZEON 10-S | 10,000 lb | IP68 | Lifetime | $1,713.59 | | ZEON 12-S | 12,000 lb | IP68 | Lifetime | $1,774.49 | A few things worth noting from this comparison. First, the **VRX 45-S** at $694.99 is the next step down from the R60-S — a 4,500 lb winch for the lightest rigs (4Runners, Tacomas running minimal gear, Jeeps). At $145 less, it's the budget option, but the 1,500 lb capacity difference matters for heavier loaded rigs. Second, the **AXON 55-S** at $1,089.99 is the awkward middle child. The Motactor (integrated contactor) is a slick design, and IP68 is a real upgrade over the R60-S's IP67, but you're paying almost double for 500 lb less capacity than the R60-S. The AXON line is positioned for builders who want the most compact form factor and the highest IP rating — but for the overlanding use case, the R60-S is the better value. Third, the **ZEON 10-S and 12-S** are the right choice for full-size trucks. The 7-year electrical warranty (vs the R60-S's 3-year) is meaningful for anyone who actually uses their winch, and the lifetime mechanical warranty is essentially forever. But the $1,200+ price jump from the R60-S is hard to justify unless you're running a 7,000+ lb rig. For the full lineup, Warn's [Powersports Winch Comparison](https://www.warn.com/pages/warn-powersports-winch-comparison) page and the [R-Series collection](https://www.warn.com/collections/r-series-winches) have the complete current catalog with cross-references. ![Warn R60-S contactor / wiring harness — the heavy-duty solenoid pack that mounts separately in the engine bay](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_contactor_12113.jpg) ## What "self-recovery" actually means (and when 6K is enough) The scenarios where a 6K winch is genuinely enough are the scenarios most overlanders actually encounter on a trail: **Stuck in mud.** A mud pit that has you buried to the axles can usually be self-recovered with a 6K and a tree-saver strap to a solid anchor. The OVRmag Jimny test was exactly this scenario. **High-centered on a rock or root.** Recovery here is more about traction and approach angle than winch capacity — a 6K with a properly positioned anchor pulls the rig off the obstacle in most cases. **Bogged in sand.** Sand recovery is largely about airing down and using traction boards, but when you need a winch, a 6K through a snatch block is plenty. **Off-camber / sidehill stuck.** The lateral component of off-camber recovery is rarely the winch's job — that's about driving technique and tire placement. A 6K handles the longitudinal pull when needed. The scenarios where you actually need a 12K are narrower than the overlanding market assumes: **Uprighting a tipped rig.** If you've rolled your truck onto its side and need to right it, 12K+ is the right tool. (Most overlanders will never be in this scenario, and the better answer is prevention — good tire placement, proper approach angle.) **Recovering another vehicle.** A 12K lets you pull out a full-size truck that's stuck. If you regularly travel with a group running 7,000+ lb rigs, the larger winch makes sense. **Commercial / heavy daily use.** Mining, oil field, search and rescue — anywhere the winch is in use for hours per day. The line that the OVRmag review and the broader Warn positioning both arrive at: **if you've never had to yank your own rig out of something that a 12K could pull but a 6K couldn't, you probably don't need the 12K**. That framing is the entire reason the R60-S exists. ## What to know before you install one ![Warn R60-S corded remote with coiled cable for spotter use during winch recovery](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_remote_12111.jpg) The R60-S is a fairly standard bumper-mount install — the same process as any mid-capacity winch. The points worth knowing up front: **Wiring harness.** Warn recommends 2-gauge wiring for the 6K class. Most R60-S packages ship with the correct gauge, but if you're buying the winch body only and sourcing the harness separately, don't down-gauge to save weight or cost. The motor draws significant current under load. **Solenoid / contactor mounting.** The R60-S uses a separate contactor (relay pack) that mounts in the engine bay — typically near the battery, on a fender well, or on the bulkhead. The wiring from the contactor to the winch is heavy-gauge and should be routed away from heat sources and moving parts. **Controller placement.** R60-S ships with a rocker switch and a corded remote. The rocker switch mounts in-cab (typically in an unused switch panel location); the corded remote plugs into a connector on the winch or contactor for spotter use. Wireless remotes are available aftermarket if you want them. **Hawse vs roller fairlead.** The R60-S ships with a hawse (smooth aluminum) fairlead, which is correct for synthetic rope. Do not put synthetic rope on a roller fairlead — the rollers will abrade the line and cause premature failure. If you ever switch to steel cable, you'd swap the hawse for a roller fairlead at the same time. **Break-in.** Warn recommends a slow-speed, no-load cycle of the full rope length in and out before first real use. This seats the rope on the drum and identifies any manufacturing defects early. ![Warn R60-S rocker switch — the in-cab control for engaging the winch during self-recovery](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_switch_12107.jpg) The R60-S is also worth noting for its **clutch design** — a free-spool clutch that lets you pay out the rope by hand quickly. The OVRmag review covered this in detail; the clutch engagement lever is metal, positive-engaging, and clearly marked for free-spool vs locked. ![Warn R60-S clutch lever with clear free-spool and locked position markings for fast rope payout](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_clutch_12115.jpg) ## Who the R60-S is for, and who should step up The decision matrix is short: **Get the R60-S if:** You drive a mid-size truck (Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, Gladiator, Frontier) or a lighter SUV (4Runner, GX, Wrangler, Discovery) Your loaded rig weight is under 6,500 lb You want a winch for self-recovery, not commercial or expedition use You prefer synthetic rope and the weight/safety advantages it brings You want Warn quality without the Zeon price **Step up to the ZEON 10-S or 12-S if:** You drive a full-size truck (F-150/250/350, Tundra, Sequoia, Expedition, Yukon, Suburban) Your loaded rig weight is 7,000+ lb You regularly travel with a group running heavier rigs You want the IP68 rating and 7-year electrical warranty for heavy-use scenarios You need to upright a tipped rig as a realistic recovery scenario **Step down to the VRX 45-S if:** Your rig is a Jeep Wrangler, lighter 4Runner, or a heavily weight-stripped overland build You want the lifetime mechanical warranty and IP68 rating The $150 savings matters and the 4,500 lb capacity is enough for your rig The R60-S lands in the middle of that matrix and that's exactly where Warn positioned it. ## The OVRmag verdict and a W7BR framing The OVRmag review by Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal ran the R60-S through a real-world field test on a 2,500-lb Suzuki Jimny in PNW conditions. The verdict: the R60-S did everything Warn claims, with the synthetic rope paying out smoothly under load, the clutch operating cleanly, the contactor handling repeated cycles without heat issues, and the IP67 rating holding up through mud and water crossings. The downsides the review flagged were minor: the rocker switch is plastic (not uncommon at this price), the synthetic rope is the same SKU Warn uses on the VRX (not a new formulation), and the mounting hardware is the standard powersports pattern (3.0" × 6.59") which fits most mid-size bumpers but not all full-size aftermarket bumpers without an adapter plate. ![Warn R60-S winching test in the field — OVRmag reviewer Andy Lilienthal running the winch under load during a real recovery](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/img_r60s_winch_12114.jpg) The framing for W7BR readers: if you're a mid-size-truck or lighter-SUV overlander and you've been eyeing a Zeon because you thought you needed the 12K, the R60-S is the answer to a question you didn't know to ask. At $549.99 with a 5-year mechanical warranty and the same Warn build quality as the Zeon line, it's the right tool for the way most of us actually use our rigs. The capacity class is real, the weight savings are real, and the price is real. For more on the broader question of right-sizing gear for how you actually overland, see Marty's coverage of the [Overland Expo PNW 2026 show](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/) and the [recent $68B problem piece](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-68-billion-problem-overlanding-growth-crisis/) on the industry-wide tendency to over-spec and over-spend. ## Sources and further reading [Warn R60-S product page](https://www.warn.com/products/r60-s-winch-110060) — manufacturer specs, MSRP, warranty [OVRmag Warn R60-S review](https://www.ovrmag.com/vehicle-gear/warn-r60-s-review-potent-compact-and-affordable-winch/1026.article) — independent field test (Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal, June 26, 2026) [Warn R-Series collection](https://www.warn.com/collections/r-series-winches) — full R-Series lineup [Warn AXON 55-S product page](https://www.warn.com/products/axon-55-s-winch-plow-mode-110250) — comparison point at the integrated-contactor end [Warn ZEON 12-S product page](https://www.warn.com/products/zeon-12-s-winch-95950) — comparison point at the 12K end [Warn ZEON 10-S product page](https://www.warn.com/products/zeon-10-s-winch-89611) — comparison point at the 10K end [Warn VRX 45-S product page](https://www.warn.com/products/vrx-45-s-winch-101040) — step-down option [Warn Winch Comparison](https://www.warn.com/pages/warn-winch-comparison) — manufacturer comparison page [Warn Powersports Winch Comparison](https://www.warn.com/pages/warn-powersports-winch-comparison) — R-Series positioning [Warn Basic Guide to Winching](https://www.warn.com/pages/basic-guide-to-winching) — the 1.5× GVWR sizing rule [Warn Winch Rope Information](https://www.warn.com/pages/winch-rope-info) — synthetic vs steel trade-off [Warn Know Your Gear](https://www.warn.com/pages/know-your-gear) — installation and integration guidance --- ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 37 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/20251105_102831.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Why Fly the American Flag Every Day, Not Just July 4th URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/fly-american-flag-every-day-first-draft/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:01.000Z ## What's In This Guide In this guide: [How I Got Started Flying 365](#how-i-got-started-flying-365) · [What the Flag Code Actually Says](#what-the-flag-code-actually-says) · [The Gear I Have Tested (and What Lasted)](#the-gear-i-have-tested) · [Where I Fly (Both Homes, the Office, the Ranch Truck)](#where-i-fly) · [Modern Etiquette: Half-Staff, Weather, Lighting](#modern-etiquette) · [What the Veterans Organizations Say](#what-the-veterans-organizations-say) · [The Fourth of July Test](#the-fourth-of-july-test) · [Bottom Line](#bottom-line) ## How I Got Started Flying 365 I have been flying the flag 365 days a year for the better part of three decades. I am not a veteran. I have never worn the uniform. I am a regular American — small-business owner, hobby rancher, ham radio operator, husband to Cheryl for 37 years, dad to two boys, and current handler of two dogs who would like me to get on with breakfast. My authority here is not military service. It is love of country, gratitude for the people who did serve, and a lot of time outside looking up at the same piece of cloth from a lot of different porches. My flag habit started the way a lot of flag habits start — with a piece of cheap hardware from a hardware store and a piece of cloth that did not survive the first winter. I bought a 3x5 cotton flag at the farm store in 1996, put it on a house-mount bracket on the front porch of our first place, and watched it shred itself inside of six months. Cotton is fine for ceremonial or indoor display. Outside, in a place that gets hard wind, it is a one-season purchase. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/IMG_0359-3.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/why-fly-the-flag-everyday.jpg) The left picture was 12 years ago when we installed the flower bed and flagpole, the right is 12 years later, same pole, no issues These pictures are from our Olympia house, where our first flagpole was installed 12 years ago. The left picture is when we installed the new flower beds and flagpole and the right is a recent photo. It's a 20ft telescoping pole, with the stars and stripes on top. On this one we don't have a LED light ring at the top, so we beam up a light from the bed area that comes on and stays on all night. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/07/20260630_185100-1.jpg) Front yard, Whiskey 7 Ranch. The twenty-foot pole, the home behind, the dogs out front. Not the Fourth of July — just a regular day. The title picture above is the ranch home in Montana. Twenty-foot telescoping flagpole. Stars and Stripes catching the morning wind about a foot and a half below the LED light ring on top. This pole was installed 2 years ago, and we get about 2 years of life on this flag because of the extreme wind and weather at 5400 ft elevation. The flagpole itself has held up great, note the 4 red rings around the bottom, this is for snow measurement, one per foot! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20260630_214231.webp) New office with new Flagpole This one is the newest, installed at our new office building last week. Its a telescoping 30 ft pole but has the traditional rope for lowering and raising the flag. Again, a LED light ring at the top. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/20251105_102831.jpg) The ranch truck does not run a pole — the [2026 Ram 3500](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/meet-the-new-workhorse-of-whiskey-7-ranch/) we built last fall wears a [Kryptonite Kustomz](https://www.kkwraps.com/) patriotic American flag wrap on the bedside and rear quarters, distressed stars up top, faded stripes flowing to the back, in the same ceramic gray as the rest of the body. Kryptonite laid it in Oklahoma over a weekend, and it has held up through the Montana winter, two hailstorms, and a few hundred miles of dirt roads without peeling or fading. So, if you are going to fly a flag, we need to cover what the Flag Code actually says about everyday flying (4 U.S.C. Chapter 1, Sections 6 and 7), what the American Legion and the VFW say about doing it right, the gear I have tested, the etiquette that matters (half-staff, weather, lighting), and why the other 364 days of the year are worth every bit as much as the Fourth. ## What the Flag Code Actually Says The rules of the road are in [4 U.S.C. Chapter 1](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/chapter-1), the Federal Flag Code, originally passed in 1925 and updated a number of times since. Two sections matter most for everyday residential flying. ### Section 6 — Time and occasions for display Section 6(a) says the universal custom is to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. It should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is used. Section 6(b) is the one most people miss: when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. That is the legal basis for flying the flag every day. Sunrise to sunset is the default. Twenty-four hours a day is allowed if you light it properly after dark. That is it. There is no rule that says the flag comes down after the Fourth of July, or Memorial Day, or Flag Day, or any other day. The Flag Code is a list of things to do — when to fly, how to fly, how to retire the flag. It is not a calendar. ### Section 7 — Position and manner of display Section 7 is the longer one. It covers how the flag should be displayed relative to other flags (the U.S. flag gets its own pole or the position of honor when on the same pole), how it should be raised and lowered (always briskly, never ceremonially run up or down), and how it should never touch the ground beneath or beside the staff. Section 7(k) also covers half-staff, which we will get to in a few paragraphs. The full text is on the [Cornell Law website](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/chapter-1) and the [American Legion's flag page](https://www.legion.org/advocacy/flag-advocacy/flag-code). Both are worth a bookmark. The American Legion also publishes a clean [PDF of flag etiquette](https://alafl.org/wp-content/uploads/Proper%5FFlag%5FEtiquette.pdf) that I keep on the workbench in the shop. ![us a flag on pole](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590638302397-73c58ddba466?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE0fHxmbGFhbWVyaWNhbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3ODI5OTk5NTh8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Dave Sherrill](https://unsplash.com/@daveatjude3) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## The Gear I Have Tested (and What Lasted) I am a gear guy. The reader who has been here a while knows that. I buy things twice on purpose — once to fail, once to actually keep. The flag hardware I have stuck with for years is in this list. Nothing here is sponsored. These are the brands and the exact products I went back to. ### The Flags For residential poles, I run [Valley Forge](https://www.valleyforgeflag.com/463/home.htm) U.S. nylon flags. Their 3x5 and 4x6 heavy-weight nylon has held up better than anything else I have tried. The 4x6 is what is on the ranch and Olympia homes right now. For a budget option that still gets the job done, the [Annin Flagmakers](https://annin.com/) Tough-Tex is a polyester alternative that handles wind and rain without bleeding color. For the heaviest-gauge premium option, the Eder Flags Endura-Line is the most weatherproof American-made flag I have tested. ### The Telescoping Flagpole I run a Service First Products telescoping 20-foot pole at the ranch in Montana and the same at our home in Washington. We recently added a 30-foot version at the new office. Telescoping is the right call for residential — no ropes to fuss with, no truck needed for install, comes down in 5 minutes if a storm is coming. The 20-foot version has survived 60 mph gusts without complaint, which is not nothing in this part of Montana. ### Lighting for 24-Hour Display Section 6(b) lets you fly 24 hours a day if you light the flag properly after dark. The cheapest way to do that for a residential pole is a solar-powered dusk-to-dawn flagpole light. I run one of the 600-lumen models on all 3 flag poles I have. It points down from the top of the pole and lights the flag from about 12 inches above. It is bright enough to read the flag at the road, dim enough that the neighbors have not complained. ### Half-Staff Hardware Lowering the flag to half-staff on a telescoping pole is easy. On a fixed halyard pole you need either a cleat or a half-staff clip — I keep a [Valley Forge half-staff clip set](https://www.valleyforgeflag.com/463/home.htm) in the shop drawer. They snap onto the truck of the halyard at the right height and hold the flag in position. ## Modern Etiquette: Half-Staff, Weather, Lighting ![American flag flying at half-staff on a residential flagpole at a small-town veterans memorial at golden hour](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/flag_half_staff.webp) Half-staff the right way: hoist briskly to the top, lower slowly to the half-staff position. Repeat in reverse when taking down at end of day. Three things matter beyond just putting the flag up. ### Half-Staff Rules The U.S. flag flies at half-staff when proclaimed by the President (for federal buildings) or the Governor (for state grounds), and traditionally on Memorial Day until noon, on Peace Officers Memorial Day, and on a handful of other dates. When you lower to half-staff, the right sequence is hoist briskly to the top first, then lower slowly to the half-staff position. When taking the flag down at the end of the day, hoist back to the top first, then lower. Skipping the up-first step is the single most common half-staff mistake. The [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes the official half-staff calendar](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/) every year. I check it the first of each month. ### Weather Rules Section 6(a) says the flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, unless an all-weather flag is used. All-weather in this context means nylon or polyester. The cheap cotton flags I used to buy would shred themselves in a stiff breeze and bleed red onto the porch in the rain. Modern nylon is made for this. I leave the ranch flag up in anything short of a named storm or sustained 50+ mph winds. When a storm is coming, the telescoping pole comes down in about 5 minutes. ### Lighting Rules If you fly the flag at night, light it. The accepted standard is enough light to recognize the flag's colors from a reasonable distance. The solar-powered flagpole lights I run put out about 600 lumens aimed up the pole, which is more than enough for a 3x5 or 4x6 flag. If you have a porch light that already shines on the flag, that counts. Section 6(b) is a permission slip to fly 24/7, not an excuse to fly an unlit flag in the dark. ![U.S. American flags under clear sky](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512089560352-6164fbf29083?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDQ3fHxhbWVyaWNhbiUyMGZsYWd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzgzMDAwMDYyfDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Kevin Lanceplaine](https://unsplash.com/@lanceplaine) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## What the Veterans Organizations Say Two organizations I look to on this are the [American Legion](https://www.legion.org/advocacy/flag-advocacy/flag-code) and the [Veterans of Foreign Wars](https://www.vfw.org/community/flag-etiquette). Both have public flag etiquette pages that mirror the Federal Flag Code and add practical guidance from decades of post-and-cemetery flag work. Neither organization says the flag should come down after the Fourth of July. Both would tell you the opposite. The American Legion's flag page puts it cleanly: the Flag Code states the flag is customarily displayed from sunrise to sunset, but it may be flown 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated at night. That is the only rule that governs everyday display. The VFW's flag etiquette page makes the same point in different words — there is no rule that the flag comes down except when it is so worn it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, at which point it should be retired, preferably in a Boy Scouts of America flag retirement ceremony. I think a lot about the men and women who served under that flag. I have spent time at National Cemetery Administration sites and I will tell you, a flag that is flown every day, and retired properly when it is worn out, is a more honest tribute than a flag that comes out twice a year and gets stored in a closet the rest of the time. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/flag_close_up-1.webp) The American Flag, the colors should not bleed into the white, if so it's time to replace it ## The Fourth of July Test Here is the test. If you only fly the flag on the Fourth of July, you are saying the flag is a one-day decoration. If you fly it every day, you are saying it is something else — a daily reminder of the country you live in, the people who built it, the people who have defended it, and the everyday work that keeps it going. Both are honest positions. Mine is the second one. The Fourth of July is still the big show. We grill, we light off the legal stuff, the boys come over with the dogs, and the flag is right there the whole time. But the work of being an American is not a one-day event. It is the Tuesday in February when the wind is 40 mph and the ranch flag is still snapping. It is the rainy morning when you remember to bring it in. It is the night you remember to retire the old one and put up the new one. That is the kind of everyday attention that, I think, makes the big day mean what it is supposed to mean. ## Bottom Line If you have been on the fence about flying the flag every day, here is the short version. The Flag Code lets you. The American Legion and the VFW both endorse it. The gear is cheap, the etiquette is learnable, and the work is small. Two nylon flags, a telescoping pole, a solar light, and the habit of checking the half-staff calendar once a month. That is about it. If you want to read the rules straight from the source, the [Federal Flag Code is on the Cornell Law website](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/chapter-1). If you want a local ceremony for retiring a worn flag, your nearest Boy Scouts of America troop will usually run one twice a year. And if you want to drop by a post and shake a hand, every [American Legion post](https://www.legion.org/) and [VFW post](https://www.vfw.org/) in the country is open to veterans, family, and the civilians who want to support them. Old Glory, four locations, every day of the year. It is one of the cheapest things I do as a citizen and one of the ones I am most proud of. As of the morning I am writing this, all four are flying. The date is not the Fourth of July. If you enjoy posts like this, you might like the writeup of our [Transamerica Trail trip in the Subaru Crosstrek](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/transamerica-trail-subaru-crosstrek-7163-miles/) — same flavor of everyday American adventure, just with a lot more miles. Or the [Overland Expo PNW 2026 coverage from Redmond](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/) if you want to see the kind of flag setup the show rigs run. And if you want more ham radio talk (the Old Miss Net runs every evening and I check in most nights), the [Adventure Mobile HF Guide](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-camping-ham-radio-adventure-mobile-hf-guide/) is right here. Be safe out there. Fly the flag. ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin (W7BR) Owner of Whiskey7backroads. Ham Radio extra class operator, frequent the Old Miss Net most evenings. I have been married 37 years to Cheryl — we have two boys, two dogs, and a ranch in Montana where the flags are up before coffee every morning of the year. This is the post I have wanted to write for about a decade, and the Flag Code finally gave me a reason to sit down and do it properly. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### Overland Expo PNW 2026 Wrap-Up: Redmond, Oregon URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo-pnw-2026-redmond-oregon/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T13:08:38.000Z **Where is it** Redmond, Oregon. Deschutes County Expo Center. **June 26, 27, and 28, 2026**. Friday and Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 9 to 3\. Opens tomorrow at 9 AM. If you have been on the fence, this is the moment to jump. I've been to Overland Expo since the early Flagstaff days, and the PNW show in Redmond has quietly become my favorite. The light is different up here in central Oregon. The volunteer energy is different. The rigs show up dirty, not just polished for the judges. And the Cascade Mountains are sitting right there the whole time, like a giant reminder of why we do this. This is going to be a practical guide. We are going to cover what is new this year, where the real money is in show specials, how to get there without losing a weekend in the car, and the stuff I wish somebody had told me the first time. If you have been on the fence, keep reading. ### What's In This Guide \- [The Basics](#the-basics) \- [Show Specials Worth Driving For](#show-specials-worth-driving-for) \- [Title Sponsors and What They're Bringing](#title-sponsors-and-what-theyre-bringing) \- [The Education Program](#the-education-program) \- [Hands-On Training](#hands-on-training) \- [What's New for 2026](#whats-new-for-2026) \- [Getting There](#getting-there) \- [Where to Stay](#where-to-stay) \- [Tickets, Military Discount, and What to Skip](#tickets) \- [First-Timer Tips](#first-timer-tips) \- [The Bottom Line](#the-bottom-line) ![Wide banner photograph of overlanding 4x4 trucks and SUVs with rooftop tents parked at Overland Expo PNW with the snow-capped Cascade Mountains in the background at golden hour](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/featured_banner.webp) ### The Basics Overland Expo PNW 2026 runs **June 26 through June 28** at the [Deschutes County Expo Center](https://www.visitredmondoregon.com/event/overland-expo-pnw/) in Redmond, Oregon. The venue is 340 acres with over 300,000 square feet of event space, and it sits less than a mile from Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM). If you fly, you can be at your hotel with a rental truck in twenty minutes. The numbers for this year are big. **300+ exhibitors. 220+ classes. 120+ instructors. Nearly 400 session hours.** If you are new to all of this, just understand the scale. This is the premier overlanding event in North America, full stop. Last year's PNW show pulled over 16,500 attendees from 48 states and 10 countries. The vendor village alone is a half-mile walk if you hit every aisle. Show hours are simple. Friday and Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM. Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM. Gates open early for campers. If you have never been, plan on two full days minimum. One day is a tease. The tagline the Overland Expo team uses is "Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going." That is about right. You will leave with a shopping list, a new skill, and at least three new phone numbers. ![Overland Expo PNW vendor village at the Deschutes County Expo Center, white pop-up canopies stretching into the distance with overland rigs on display and the Cascade Mountains in the background](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/vendor_village.webp) ### Show Specials Worth Driving For Ha ha, this is the part I have been waiting to write. The Overland Expo team dropped the [official PNW show specials list](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/pnw-show-specials/) on June 9, and a few of these are not messing around. Here is the short list of the ones I am watching: \- **Rhino-Rack / MAXTRAX / RockyMounts (Booth A430)** — 20% off everything. If you have been pricing a roof rack or recovery boards, this is the deal. Both brands in one booth. One stop. - **Sandy Vans (Booth A211)** — $5,000 off a custom Sandy Van build. That is real money on a real build. - **Xventure Trailers (Booth B406)** — up to $5,000 off on orders placed before July 10\. If you have been eyeing an Xventure, the math just changed. - **Otzi Vans (Booth C3)** — $10,000 build credit giveaway. The biggest single discount I have seen at an Expo in years. - **SPOT, LLC (Booth F501)** — free device with activation of SPOT Gen4, SPOT Trace, or SPOT X on a qualifying service plan. If you have been meaning to add a satellite communicator, this is the move. - **Carbon Offroad (Booth C11)** — 10% off the entire range. Winch mounts, bumpers, sliders. - **Adventure Hammock Systems (Booth H70)** — 15% off everything. - **UCO (Booth A337)** — 20% off regular price. Camp lighting, fire starters, the usual UCO lineup. - **Campspotter (Booth A425)** — 50% off the Pro subscription. If you use onX or Gaia, run Campspotter alongside it. Worth it. - **Coastline Vans (Booth A517)** — $1,000 off a Cosy Road Van deposit. - **Hiatus Campers (Booth F302)** — $1,000 off a window bundle. - **VMACS (Booth F405)** — $100 off for the Expo. Two site-wide 20% deals in the same show is unusual. **Rhino-Rack / MAXTRAX / RockyMounts** and **UCO** are both at 20% off. If you have been holding off on a roof rack, recovery boards, or camp lighting, that is your sign. ![Overlanding gear laid out — MAXTRAX recovery boards, tire deflator, headlamp, multi-tool, first aid kit, ham radio, gloves, paracord — the kind of kit that pays for itself on a single trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/gear_flatlay.webp) A few quick rules of thumb when you are shopping the floor: 1\. **Bring a list before you go.** Decide what you actually need before you walk in. The deals are real but the impulse buys are also real. 2\. **Ask about bundle pricing.** A lot of vendors will throw in a free accessory if you ask, especially on bigger-ticket items. 3\. **Most booths will ship.** You are not hauling a roof rack home in your suitcase. Ask about freight. 4\. **Bring a tape measure.** I cannot tell you how many people buy something at Expo and find out it does not fit when they get home. ### Title Sponsors and What They're Bringing There are eleven title sponsors anchoring the show this year. That is a lot of muscle. Here is who they are and what to actually look for when you stop by. [**Toyota**](https://www.toyota.com/) will have the latest trucks and SUVs on display, including the off-road trims. Toyota has been a heavy Expo supporter for years and the booth is always worth a walkthrough. If you are cross-shopping a 4Runner, Tacoma, Land Cruiser, or the new gas/hybrid variants, this is your chance to sit in all of them in one afternoon. [**Subaru**](https://www.subaru.com/) is back with Camp Subaru LIVE! on Saturday afternoon at Booth FG7 — live music, snacks, and drinks from beer sponsor [pFriem Family Brewers](https://www.pfriembeer.com/). They are also running the Subaru Loves Pets adoption event all weekend at the booth. You may walk out with a new trail dog. You have been warned. [**American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)**](https://aev-conversions.com/) is the title sponsor anchor this year. AEV builds the kind of Wrangler and Ram trucks you drool over on Instagram. If you are considering a major build, the AEV crew is the kind of people you want to spend 30 minutes talking to. [**Dometic**](https://www.dometic.com/en-us) makes the powered coolers, portable batteries, and camp furniture that have become standard issue in most overland rigs. The new CFX5 coolers are noticeably more efficient than the older generation. If you have been running a CFX3, go look at the new ones in person. [**Expion360**](https://expion360.com/) is in the power storage space — lithium batteries built for off-grid use. They just went public (Nasdaq: XPON) and they are pushing hard into the overland market. Worth a stop if you are planning a big electrical upgrade. [**Four Wheel Campers**](https://fourwheelcampers.com/) makes the pop-up truck campers you see bolted onto every other Tacoma at the show. They are at Booth FG17 with trail-ready inspiration in tow. If you have ever considered going from a rooftop tent to a hard-sided camper, this is your stop. [**Overland Vehicle Systems**](https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/) does awnings, recovery gear, and rooftop tents at price points that usually beat the imported competitors. They run immersive demos at the booth, so plan time to actually watch one. [**Pelican Products**](https://www.pelican.com/us/en) makes the cargo cases and gear protection that every overlander ends up buying eventually. Go poke one. They are tougher than they look on the website. [**RVs of America (ROA)**](https://www.rvsofamerica.com/) builds RVs specifically for off-grid and rough-road use. If the Class B van life is calling you, stop here. [**Wanderbox**](https://wanderbox.com/) is the expedition-ready camper brand that has been quietly growing. They make composite-paneled campers that are light enough for a midsize truck. [**Ford Tremor / Ready Set Adventure Tour**](https://readysetadventuretour.com/) rounds out the title sponsors with the Tremor badge trucks on display. You will also see [**Hankook Tire**](https://www.hankooktire.com/global/en/home.html) sponsoring the Bivvy rest areas, [**MAXXIS Tires**](https://www.maxxis.com/us/) sponsoring the Women Who Wander networking event on Friday night, [**Rucker Knives**](https://ruckerknives.com/) running the Backcountry and Culinary Pavilion, and [**Guild Outfitters**](https://guildoutfitters.com/) hosting the Saturday happy hour. [OGO Compost / Configure Brands](https://ogotoilet.com/) takes the Friday happy hour. If you want to keep track of all of it in one place, the [PNW Sponsors & Exhibitors page](https://www.overlandexpo.com/pacific-northwest/sponsors-exhibitors-pnw/) is the easiest list. ### The Education Program The class catalog is the part most first-timers underweight. You walk in, you see 300 booths, and the show floor eats your whole day. Then you realize the woman next to you spent the morning learning how to set up a recovery with a winch and soft shackles, and she is going home with more new skill than you are with new gear. This year's PNW has more than **220 unique classes across 10 education areas, taught by 120+ instructors, totaling nearly 400 session hours**. The four main program areas are: \- **Backcountry and Culinary Pavilion** (sponsored by Rucker Knives) — cooking demos, knife skills, camp cuisine - **Storytelling Pavilion** — slideshows and trip reports from around the world - **Overland Essentials Area** — fundamentals like tire repair, navigation, and recovery - **Hands-On Pavilion** — exactly what it sounds like The class schedule is on the Overland Expo app. [Download it for iOS](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/overland-expo/id6740535964) or [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=events.grip.overland1085) before you leave home. You can build a personal schedule and the app will tell you where to walk. Pre-planning your classes saves you from wandering around the venue trying to find a workshop that started ten minutes ago. The Expo team also partnered with [onX Offroad](https://www.onxoffroad.com/) for venue navigation. If you do not already have onX Offroad on your phone, you will want it. There is a subscription discount available at the show. If I had to pick three classes for a first-timer, I'd say: 1\. **A recovery fundamentals class** — winches, soft shackles, kinetic ropes, traction boards. The stuff you hope you never need but must know. 2\. **A navigation class** — even if you use onX. The fundamentals matter when the app dies. 3\. **A trip planning roundtable** — the roundtables are where the instructors get real about what works and what does not. ![Overland driving training course in dry central Oregon terrain, an instructor standing beside a modified 4x4 truck at the base of a rocky hill climb obstacle](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/training_course.webp) ### Hands-On Training If you want real seat time, Overland Expo PNW has the only Trail Course Experience on the 2026 Expo calendar. It is **PNW-exclusive** this year. You bring your own vehicle, you go out with the Overland Expo Training team, and you work hill climbs, off-camber turns, and technical maneuvers on a real course. The Trail Course Experience was scheduled to run Friday afternoon. **As of this writing, both the Friday Day Pass + Trail Course Experience ($40) and the Weekend Pass + Trail Course Experience ($29) are listed as SOLD OUT** on the [tickets page](https://www.overlandexpo.com/pacific-northwest/buy-tickets-pnw/). Same for the Thursday Training ($250), Friday 1:1 Training ($350), and Saturday Training. If you are reading this Thursday and you have not already booked training, you are probably not getting in this year. Lesson learned. Book training the day tickets go on sale. I will say the same thing next year. For the rest of us, the daily Happy Hours and evening events are also worth your time: \- **Friday 5-7 PM** — Happy Hour at the Oasis Bar and Food Court (OGO Compost / Configure Brands) - **Friday 6-8 PM** — Women Who Wander Networking Event in the Education Area (MAXXIS Tires) - **Friday 7-9 PM** — Toyota Game Night at Booth FG19 with music bingo, prizes, and a complimentary dinner - **Friday 7-9 PM** — Overland Expo Film Festival at Hiline Home Hall - **Saturday 3-5 PM** — Camp Subaru LIVE! at Booth FG7 - **Saturday 5-7 PM** — Happy Hour at Oasis (Guild Outfitters) - **Saturday 7-9 PM** — Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle at Oasis (this one takes the full two hours because there are that many prizes) The Foundation Raffle proceeds go to the [Overland Expo Foundation](https://www.overlandexpofoundation.org/), which supports charitable work in the overland community. Buy tickets. You will probably win something. ### What's New for 2026 A few things are actually new this year beyond the standard lineup. **The Trail Course Experience is PNW-exclusive** in 2026\. Other Expo events this year have not had it. If you have been wanting hands-on driving instruction and you can make it to Redmond, this is the only shot on the calendar. **More than 220 unique classes.** Last year's PNW had fewer than 200\. The class catalog is up roughly 10% year over year. **Bigger Bivvy network.** The Bivvy rest areas sponsored by Hankook Tire are scattered all over the venue now. Seating, water bottle refills, phone charging, and shade. Use them. Central Oregon in late June will push 80°F during the day. **New exhibitor brands.** The [new exhibitors list](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/new-exhibitors-at-overland-expo-pnw/) includes names like Campers NW, Intrepid Camp Gear, Polaris, Campervan HQ, iRoam Coaches, PrepWell Always Ready, Canyon Coolers, and more. If you have been waiting for a new van builder or trailer brand to show up at Expo, this is the year. ### Getting There Redmond sits in the middle of Oregon, so depending on where you are coming from, the drive is either short or long. Here are the practical times from the major feeder cities. | From | Drive Time | Route | |------|------------|-------| | Bend, OR | 21 min | US-97 N | | Portland, OR | 3 hrs | US-26 E | | Seattle, WA | 5 hrs | I-5 S + US-26 E | | Boise, ID | 5 hrs | US-20 W | | Sacramento, CA | 7 hrs | I-5 N + US-97 N | | Salt Lake City, UT | 10 hrs | I-84 W + US-20 W | If you are flying, Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) has direct flights from DEN, LAX, SFO, SEA, SLC, PDX, SAN, LAS, PHX, BUR, and RNO. Every major rental car company is represented on-site. You can be off the plane and at the venue in twenty minutes. ![Open highway cutting through central Oregon high desert toward distant Cascade Mountains, an overland vehicle traveling solo on the long road](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/highway_26.webp) A couple of practical notes: \- **Cell service is unreliable at peak times.** The venue is in a coverage dead spot and 16,000+ people all streaming at once does not help. Tell your family you may be hard to reach. - **There is no WiFi at the venue.** Bring your own hotspot if you need it. - **Drones are not allowed** — the venue is within a mile of the airport and in a controlled flight zone. - **No ATVs, quads, or side-by-sides** are allowed in the venue. The exception is handicap placards for low-mobility assistance. If you have time to add a few days on either side of the Expo, central Oregon is one of the best overlanding regions in the lower 48\. The [Crooked River National Grasslands](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/crooked-river-national-grasslands/) are 30 minutes from the venue. The [Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Scenic Byway](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/tales-from-the-trail-owyhee-uplands-backcountry-scenic-byway/) is a full day's ride south. The [McGrew Trail](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/tales-from-the-trail-mcgrew-trail/) in southwest Oregon is a wicked test of endurance if you want a real challenge. ![A built overland rig parked on a dusty forest service road in the Pacific Northwest, tall Douglas firs and a rugged trail ahead](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/pnw_forest_4runner.webp) ### Where to Stay You have three options here: **camp on-site, camp off-site, or stay in a hotel.** Each has tradeoffs. #### On-Site Camping at the Expo The Deschutes County Expo Center has a [rustic, primitive campground](https://www.overlandexpo.com/pacific-northwest/faq-pnw/) in an open field. Festival-style, first-come-first-serve. No hookups. No electricity. No campfires (propane is fine). Quiet generators off by 10 PM. Pets on leash are welcome. You are allowed to bring ground tents, vehicle camping, Class B camper vans, pop-up and rooftop tents, smaller overland vehicles, and motorcycles. You are **not** allowed to bring RVs, travel trailers, Class A or Class C motorhomes, or any trailer over 13 feet. If you have a big rig, plan off-site. Camping check-in opens Thursday morning at 8 AM. Late arrivals get staged for the next morning. All campers must vacate by 11 AM Monday. Showers are limited — bring your own portable shower or wet wipes. There are no water spigots in the camping areas, so bring filled water containers. Potable water is available for personal bottles at the venue, just not for camp tank refills. **Pricing for vehicle + camping packages:** \- **Vehicle General Admission Weekend Pass + Camping:** $192 online, $197 standard. Passenger add-on $105\. - **Vehicle Premium Weekend Pass + Camping:** $292 online, $297 standard. Passenger add-on $205\. Premium gets you the hospitality lounge with complimentary coffee and pastries, the closest camping to the entrance, a free first drink at happy hours, a badge, a goody bag, and the Sourcebook Magazine. - **Moto General Admission Weekend Pass + Camping:** $160 online, $165 standard. Passenger add-on $105. The festival-style camping is the heart of the Overland Expo experience. Most of the people you meet will be at the campsites after the show floor closes. **Bring a chair. Bring a shade structure. Bring more water than you think you need.** #### Off-Site Camping with Hipcamp [Hipcamp has a curated collection of private camping spots](https://www.overlandexpo.com/pacific-northwest/overland-expo-hipcamp-pnw/) within driving distance of the venue. A few of the featured stays: \- [**Justesen Ranches**](https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/oregon-justesen-ranches-g6p0h8e6) in Tygh Valley — family-owned ranch with reservoirs, dark skies, and access to White River Falls State Park - [**Antelope Basecamp**](https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/oregon-antelope-basecamp-xryhllk9) — dry camping, cabins, and RV spaces with partial hookups near the historic town of Antelope - [**Experience Heaven**](https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/oregon-experience-heaven-wz6h0kxl) in La Pine — lakeside with paddleboarding, kayaking, and Mongolian Gers - [**Sage Ridge**](https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/oregon-sage-ridge-mxvhyo15) — 15 miles from Bend, tent sites and a tipi amid juniper forest If you want quiet nights and don't want to sleep in a field of 2,000 overlanders, Hipcamp is the move. #### Hotels In Redmond itself, [Comfort Suites Redmond](https://www.choicehotels.com/oregon/redmond/comfort-suites-hotels/or113) and [Best Western Plus Rama Inn](https://www.bestwestern.com/en%5FUS/book/redmond/hotel-rooms/best-western-plus-rama-inn/propertyCode.38122.html) are the most convenient. Twenty minutes south in Bend, [Pronghorn Resort](https://juniperpreserve.com/) and the [Riverhouse on the Deschutes](https://www.riverhouse.com/) are the nicer options. **Warning:** the Overland Expo team flagged a fraudulent "Expo Housing Services" company contacting attendees. It is not real. Book your hotel directly through the hotel or a known travel site like [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/city/us/bend.html), [Kayak](https://www.kayak.com/stays), or [Airbnb](https://www.airbnb.com/). Do not wire money to a third party. #### Nearby RV Parks No on-site RV camping is allowed. If you have a motorhome or big trailer, the closest real RV parks are: \- [**Crown Villa RV Resort**](https://www.sunoutdoors.com/oregon/sun-outdoors-bend) in Bend (Sun Outdoors property) - Cottonwood RV Park - [**Crooked River Ranch RV Park**](http://www.crookedriverranch.com/) The [Deschutes National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/recreation/camping-cabins) also has dozens of managed campgrounds and allows dispersed camping under the standard regulations. 1.6 million acres of Cascades between Mount Thielsen and Mount Jefferson. You will not run out of places to put a tent. ![Overland rig parked at a rustic campsite in central Oregon at sunset, rooftop tent deployed, awning out, juniper trees and distant mountains](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/campsite_sunset.webp) ### Tickets Here is the breakdown on general admission day passes: \- **Friday Day Pass:** $28 online, $30 standard - **Saturday Day Pass:** $36 online, $39 standard - **Sunday Day Pass:** $26 online, $28 standard - **Weekend Pass (Fri-Sun, no camping):** $85 online, $90 standard The online discount deadline was June 10\. If you are reading this after that, the standard prices apply. **Each pass includes:** \- 300+ brands and thousands of products on the show floor - Dozens of on-site show specials - 150+ classes, demos, roundtables, and hands-on experiences - Happy hours, special events, sponsored parties, networking - Chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes at the Foundation Raffle - Free on-site day parking **Military discount:** 20% off any pass for active military, veterans, and retirees. You need to fill out the [Smartsheet form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5739471e4f3422987cd8f189478d363) for approval. They email you a discount code (check spam). Bring your military ID to the gate. **Children:** 14 and under are free with a paying adult. If you can only do one day, **Saturday is the day**. That is when the bulk of the demos happen, the Camp Subaru LIVE! event runs in the afternoon, and the Foundation Raffle caps the night. Friday is more relaxed. Sunday is short (closes at 3 PM) and the show floor winds down fast. ### First-Timer Tips A few things I wish someone had told me before my first Expo. Most of these come from the [official Newcomer's Guide](https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/a-newcomers-guide-to-overland-expo-pnw-2026-edition/), but I've added a few of my own. **1\. Wear broken-in boots and a hat.** You are walking on grass, dirt, and uneven ground for 8+ hours. Daytime temperatures will hit 80°F in the sun. A hat is not optional. **2\. Bring a backpack.** You will leave with more than you came in with — show specials, vendor swag, brochures, the stickers. A small pack saves your arms. **3\. Hydrate like you mean it.** Elevation is 3,077 feet. Alcohol hits harder. Sun dehydrates faster. Drink water between every beer. There is potable water at the venue for personal bottles but not for camp tank refills, so bring what you need. **4\. Layer up for evenings.** Daytime 80°F, nighttime 48°F. That is a 32-degree swing. You will want a fleece or puffy after sunset. **5\. Set up camp before you hit the show floor.** If you are tent camping on-site, claim your spot Thursday morning as soon as check-in opens at 8 AM. Friends who want to camp together need to arrive together. There is no reserving space in advance. **6\. Do not try to see everything.** You will fail. Pick three priority vendors, three priority classes, and one priority evening event. Do those well. Wander the rest. **7\. Talk to the brand reps.** They are at the show because they want to talk to you. If you have a question about fitment on your specific rig, bring a photo on your phone. They will tell you what works. **8\. Take photos of the build plates.** If you see a rig you love, photograph the spec sheet or build plate. Half the time the builder put the exact components on a card on the windshield. **9\. Plan to spend money.** Bring cash, bring your credit card, and bring a budget. The deals are real. It is easy to walk out $2,000 lighter and happier. **10\. Stay Saturday night.** The Foundation Raffle, the Saturday happy hour, the campfire conversations in the campground — that is where you actually meet people. Sunday morning at sunrise with a coffee in the camp chair, listening to other folks talk about their trips, is the real Overland Expo experience. If you are bringing the family, [Subaru Loves Pets](https://www.subaru.com/) is running an adoption event at the Subaru booth all weekend. There is also a [family-friendly focus](https://www.visitredmondoregon.com/event/overland-expo-pnw/) across the show. Kids 14 and under are free with a paying adult. For the gear-curious reader, our friends over at [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo/) wrote up the differences between camping, boondocking, and overlanding a few years back. Worth a read before you drive in so the lingo makes sense. And if you are trying to decide whether to go from a rooftop tent to a hard-sided camper like a Four Wheel Campers or Wanderbox, Shane's story about [going from a tent to a trailer on his first big Expo trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/from-tent-to-trailer/) is required reading. He learned a lot of lessons the hard way. You do not have to. A few pieces on Whiskey 7 that pair well with this guide if you are planning a PNW trip: \- [Campsite Sense](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/campsite-sense/) by Gary Matos — practical camp etiquette that applies whether you are at the Expo or in the backcountry - [Top Reasons to Use a Composting Toilet for Your Camper or RV](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/top-reasons-to-use-a-composting-toilet-for-your-camper-or-rv/) — relevant if you are sizing an OGO or Nature's Head at the show - [An Adventure in Family History](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/an-adventure-in-family-history/) — Gary's Echo Park, Utah trip report ### The Bottom Line Overland Expo PNW 2026 is the biggest overlanding gathering on the West Coast this year. **June 26-28, Deschutes County Expo Center, Redmond, Oregon.** 300+ exhibitors. 220+ classes. 120+ instructors. Show specials with $5,000 off a Sandy Van build and 20% off Rhino-Rack and MAXTRAX in the same room. First Expo? [Brush up on your campsite etiquette](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/campsite-sense/) before you arrive — the show field is its own thing. If you have been thinking about going, this is the year. Book your camping pass, download the Overland Expo app, and finalize your class schedule today. We have been [covering the Expo on Whiskey 7](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo/) for years if you want to see what to expect. If you have been before, you already know. See you on the show floor. And if a Four Wheel Campers or Wanderbox is calling your name after the show, [Shane's story about going from tent to trailer](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/from-tent-to-trailer/) is required reading. ![Steven Marty](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/Copilot_20260623_160750-1.webp) ### About the Author Steven Marty My name is Steven Marty, I am a guest contributor to the Whiskey 7 Backroads blog. [View all posts by Steven →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/steven/) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. ### Overlanding's $68 Billion Problem: Growth Eating Itself URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-68-billion-problem-overlanding-growth-crisis/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:02.000Z ## I have been thinking about this for a while This year I could not attend the first Overland Expo of 2026\. I love going to these and when I can't attend in person, I still enjoy watching the videos of the event. But one thing has become clear, and I have been thinking about this for a while, and I think it is finally time to say it out loud. The overlanding industry is growing so fast that it is starting to eat itself alive, and a lot of us, myself included, have not been paying close enough attention to notice. The numbers are not subtle, and once you see them you cannot unsee them. I remember the early ones, smaller crowds, more trucks than Sprinters, more homemade bumpers than $4,000 roof top tents. This year there were 28,500 in attendance, and you could feel the energy thru the videos of the people who did walk arounds. There were 420 vendors and 323 classes. I started to think back about the first shows I attended and something started to become very clear. This year there were Suburbans with $30,000 in aluminum bumpers. Sprinter 144s with rooftop AC units and Starlink dishes bolted to the roof, parked next to a 40 year old Toyota pickup with a camper shell and a Hi-Lift jack. Both of these rigs are overlanding. The community is bigger than ever, and it is also more divided than ever. ![Crowded Overland Expo West show floor in Flagstaff, Arizona — modified 4x4 trucks, Sprinter vans with rooftop tents, and awnings parked on a packed-dirt lot at golden hour, mountains and ponderosa pines in the background.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/01_expo_crowd.webp) ## The number that should scare all of us But here is the number that should scare all of us. The overlanding market was $40.92 billion in 2026\. By 2036, it is projected to hit $68.17 billion. I have been looking at industry reports for years now and that growth rate is not slowing down. New vehicle prices are up 10.4% year over year according to KBB. Tariffs have added $30 billion in costs in a single year. Aftermarket parts prices are surging, 50% from Mexico, 12% Canada, 8% China. The whole stack is more expensive than it was two years ago, and yet more people than ever are buying in. The growth is real. The growth is also a problem. Cheryl and I have been doing this long enough to remember when you could roll into a small town in the desert and find a campsite for free and have it to yourself. That is not a thing anymore in most of the popular places. Last spring we tried to find a quiet spot outside of Moab on a Thursday afternoon in March and ended up driving 40 miles past Green River before we found a single pull-off that was not already occupied. We have been going to that area for 22 years. Twenty-two years ago you had your pick of spots. Now you have your pick of crowds. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/IMG_20210513_170000.jpg) --- ## What just happened outside Zion Let me tell you what just happened outside Zion National Park, because it is the part of this story that I cannot stop thinking about. The SR9 corridor, 14,000 acres of public land just outside the east entrance of Zion, just got closed to dispersed camping. Final rule. Not a proposal. Signed and posted in the Federal Register. The reason given was resource damage, trash, human waste, illegal fire rings, the kind of stuff that happens when too many people find the same place at the same time. I have seen that damage myself. I have packed out other people's beer cans from campsites I have stayed at for 20 years — and so have most of the people I camp with. I have driven past sites that used to be quiet pull-offs that are now basically overflow parking lots for instagram reels. So I am not going to sit here and say the closure is unjustified. It is justified. What I am going to say is that it is also avoidable, and the way the industry handled it made it worse. The BlueRibbon Coalition has been documenting what they call a manufactured cycle of closures. Their reporting shows that a study commissioned by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, SUWA, was used as part of the justification package for the SR9 closure. That study was funded specifically to advocate for the closure. It was not neutral science. It was advocacy dressed up as data. The Forest Service and the BLM used it anyway, because it confirmed what their budget-strapped staff had been saying for years, that the sites are overused, and that they do not have the staff to manage them. So the path of least resistance was to close them. SUWA got what they wanted, the agencies got to reduce their workload, and the rest of us lost access to land that was open to us last summer. And once that template works, it works again. The same playbook, the same advocacy study, the same "resource damage" framing, you can drop it on a dozen other sites across the West. We are going to see more of these, not fewer. I will bet on that right now. ![A weathered Forest Service No Camping sign posted on a wooden post at a dispersed camping area near Zion National Park, red rock sandstone cliffs and piñon-juniper woodland in the background, late afternoon warm light.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/03_no_camping_zion.webp) --- ## I am part of the problem too I am going to say something that might be unpopular. A lot of us, and I am including myself in this, have been part of the problem. We post a campsite on Instagram, we tag the location, we use the right hashtags, and 18 months later that spot is overrun. I have done it. You have probably done it. The algorithm rewards it, the engagement feels good, the brands notice, and we tell ourselves we are just sharing the love of the outdoors. We are. We are also painting a target on every place we love. I have been more careful the last couple of years about what I post publicly and what I keep to myself. I am not going to be the guy who kills his favorite spot by sharing it with 50,000 strangers. There are a couple of places Cheryl and I have been going to since before the kids were born that I will never tag, will never name in a video, will never put in a public post. They are family places. They stay family places. If you are a content creator in this space — and I think a lot of us are, in one way or another — you already know this. You are just hoping nobody else does. The math is unforgiving. A reel with the right tags can put 5,000 people at a campsite that holds 8 vehicles. It does not matter how good the content is. The math wins. ![A damaged dispersed campsite in the Utah high desert — an oversized black fire ring of ash surrounded by scattered beer cans, fresh tire ruts cut through desert sage brush, Henry Mountains in the background.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/04_damaged_campsite.webp) --- ## The cultural split that nobody wants to talk about There is a split in the overlanding community that has been growing for a while and I do not think we talk about it enough. On one side you have the off-road crowd, lockers, 40 inch tires, $20,000 in suspension, winches, low range, the kind of build that actually goes technical. On the other side you have the new overlanding crowd, long travel campers, espresso machines, Starlink dishes, rooftop AC units, the kind of build that goes to a KOA with a private site and calls it overlanding. Both groups call themselves overlanders. Most of them have never met. They exist in different expo halls, different Instagram feeds, different YouTube algorithms. I have nothing against either group. People spend their money how they want to spend their money. But the practical reality is that the second group is 80% of the growth. The market research is pretty clear on that. The dollar volume is in the lifestyle gear, the rooftop tents, the awnings, the lithium batteries, the overland-branded apparel. The actual hard-core off road rig is still a niche within a niche. So when the industry says overlanding is booming, they mean the lifestyle side is booming, and the lifestyle side is the one that drives the social media engagement, and the social media engagement is what is painting the targets on the backcountry. This is not a judgment. I am a 58 year old guy with a Cummins and a 60 gallon aux tank and a Maglight in the door pocket, and I have done plenty of judgment-free overlanding in my time. I started camping on the ground with my tent, had a jeep with a rooftop tent on top a home-made trailer, 4 Wheel camper and now the Earthcruiser. I get why people want a more comfortable setup. I also know that the comfortable setup is the one that is generating the kind of foot traffic that gets the dispersed sites closed. We are going to have to figure out how to talk about this without starting a fight, because the fight is the other thing the industry does not need right now. --- ## What just changed in Washington The SR9 closure is not the only thing happening. It is the canary in the coal mine. In May 2026, an executive order rolled back a bunch of Biden-era public land restrictions. The BLM rescinded the Public Lands Rule, which was the 2024 rule that was supposed to prioritize conservation over multiple use. The USDA rescinded the 2001 Roadless Rule, which protected 45 million acres of National Forest from road construction and timber harvest. None of this is going to be good for dispersed camping. None of it is going to be good for the kind of overlanding most of us do, which is the kind that requires public land, not private campgrounds. I will be honest with you — this part is hard. The off-road community is divided on these rescissions. A lot of the hardcore off roaders see the Roadless Rule as federal overreach and are glad to see it gone. They have a point. The rule was written by people who do not drive a Jeep into the woods. A lot of the overlanding crowd is terrified, because they see what is coming next, which is more logging roads, more fragmentation, more oil and gas leasing, more pressure on the same backcountry spots that are already under siege from overuse. Both of those readings are partially right. That is what makes it hard to talk about. The industry is bigger than ever, the equipment is more capable than ever, and the access is shrinking under our tires. That is the math that nobody wants to talk about. So let us talk about it for a minute. --- ## What I am actually doing about it I want to give you the practical side of this, because I do not want to be the guy who complains without offering something to do about it. First, the cheap and easy stuff. Stop geotagging your campsites. I mean it. Take the photo, post it, but do not tag the location. Use the county or the general region if you must, but not the specific spot. If you are posting for a brand, even better, ask them in writing not to tag the location. A few of them will listen. Most will not. But the more of us who make the ask, the more the industry starts to feel pressure to change. The companies that listen will get our business. The ones that do not will get our silence. Second, get involved with the access fight. The BlueRibbon Coalition is the easiest entry point, they have a form on their website where you can submit comments on active land use proposals, takes about 10 minutes, and it actually matters. Public comment periods on federal land decisions are when the agencies are required to listen, and the people who show up are mostly the ones who want the closures. The overlanding community is bigger than the off road community, and most of us are sitting this fight out. We need to stop sitting it out. Third, support the small businesses that are doing this right. There are outfitters and guides in places like Mexican Hat, Enterprise, Bishop, and Globe who have been quietly advocating for access for decades. They are not making YouTube videos about it. They are showing up to county commission meetings and writing letters to their state BLM office. When you book a trip, ask them what they are working on. When you buy gear, ask the brand if they donate to access advocacy. Vote with your wallet. Fourth, and this is the one I have been working on personally, build a community of people who actually know how to behave in the backcountry. Pack out your trash. Use a wag bag if you have to. Do not cut switchbacks. Do not drive through wet meadows. Do not light a fire ring bigger than a dinner plate. Cheryl and I have been on the road long enough to know that the loudest advocates for land access are usually also the people who treat the land the worst. That has to stop. We are the ones who lose access if we keep behaving like tourists in our own public lands. Fifth, and this is the one nobody wants to hear, you do not have to spend $80,000 to be an overlander. The industry would love for you to believe that you do, and the social media algorithm rewards the people who post the most expensive builds, but the actual activity, the part that matters, does not require a $200,000 rig. I have done multi-week trips in a stock Jeep with a ground tent. I have done month long trips in my 2014 Earthcruiser. None of those trips were less fun because the truck was less expensive or more expensive. The truck just got me there and back. The trip was the trip, and the trip did not care what I was driving. The industry has spent a decade telling you that the gear is the hobby. The gear is not the hobby. The places are the hobby. Do not let the marketing fool you, and do not let the $200,000 Sprinter at the next trailhead make you feel like you do not belong. You belong. The trail is public. --- ## What I saw at the expo I looked at the new gear at Overland Expo this year. Some of it is genuinely good. The new Thule Widesky rooftop tent is built better than anything Thule has put out in the last decade. The 23Zero Kabari is a serious piece of engineering, designed for Australian outback conditions, which means it will hold up to anything the American West can throw at it. The REDARC solar panels are getting thinner and more efficient every year. The new ARB winches are noticeably faster than the older models. The Starlink Mini is genuinely a game changer for anyone who works from the road, I do not care what the naysayers say, it works — it just works. But some of the gear is just nonsense. The Winnebago ARKA at $331,901 is not an overland vehicle, it is a status symbol with a marketing department. The AT Overland Aterra at $32,000 is a trailer you do not need if you already have a truck with a bed. The price gap between a $25,000 used 4Runner with a $3,000 roof top tent and a $200,000 Sprinter with a $30,000 buildout is not a quality gap, it is a marketing gap. The 4Runner will get you to the same campsite. It might even get you there slower, which is the point. I will say this directly. If you are new to overlanding and you are reading this and you are feeling like you cannot afford to get into it, you can. A 2005 Toyota 4Runner with 180,000 miles costs about $8,000\. A used roof top tent costs about $1,500\. A pair of Maxxis Razr tires costs about $1,200\. A basic recovery kit is $300\. A good cooler is $400\. A decent battery setup is $800\. That is $12,200 and you are overlanding. You are not going to win any Instagram contests. You are going to have a great time. Cheryl and I ran a setup like that for years before we ever upgraded to the EarthCruiser. We still have a lot of fun memories when we had older rigs. Do not let the $200,000 Sprinter crowd tell you that you are not real. ![A row of expensive overland rigs on display at an outdoor expo — a white Mercedes Sprinter 144 with rooftop AC and Starlink dish parked next to a Toyota 4Runner with aluminum front bumper and roof top tent, expo banners in the background.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/05_expo_rigs.webp) --- ## Where this all lands The growth in overlanding is not the enemy. I love that more people are getting outside. I love that families are camping with their kids. I love that there is a whole economy built around teaching people how to enjoy the backcountry. What I do not love is the part where the industry is so focused on the gear and the builds and the next expo that we are not paying attention to the access. The access is the part that matters. The access is the part that is shrinking. The access is the part that is going to determine whether the kids we are taking camping this year are going to be able to take their kids camping in 20 years. I will keep going to the expos. I will keep writing about the gear. I will keep posting photos of the Earthcruiser. But I am going to be a lot more thoughtful about what I share and how I share it. And I am going to keep showing up to the public comment periods, and I am going to keep writing letters to my state BLM office, and I am going to keep supporting the small businesses that are doing the actual work of keeping public land open. If you have read this far, I hope you will do the same. Hit me up in the comments if you have a favorite spot you have been keeping quiet about. I will not publish it. I will just be glad to know it is still out there. [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) Brent Conklin, owner of [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### 7,163 Miles in a Subaru Crosstrek on the TransAmerica Trail URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/transamerica-trail-subaru-crosstrek-7163-miles/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T14:11:29.000Z *By Andy & Mercedes Lilienthal — September 2025* > *"The TransAmerica Trail might be the slowest, longest way to cross this country thanks to a mostly off-road route that rarely hits paved roads, much less a hotel with resort amenities." — Mercedes Lilienthal* We drove a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean on the TransAmerica Trail. It took us twenty-nine days, covered 7,163 miles, and included 3,184 miles of unpaved surface. The average speed for the whole trip was twenty-five miles per hour. We averaged eleven to twelve hours of driving a day. Our longest day behind the wheel was thirteen hours and forty minutes. We never saw another TAT traveler the entire time. This is the story of how a lightly modified AWD crossover — a vehicle that much of the off-road community still considers a "soft-roader" — handled the most demanding amateur overland route in the lower 48\. It is also the story of what we learned about ourselves, about the country, and about the kind of overland trip most people never think is possible until they try it. ## The Bet We Made in a New Jersey Parking Lot The TransAmerica Trail was mapped by adventure motorcycle enthusiast Sam Correro, originally as a route for dual-sport bikes. It runs from Nags Head, North Carolina, on the Atlantic coast, to Port Orford, Oregon, on the Pacific — about half off-pavement, half badly-paved-and-dusty. The GPX files and paper roll charts are available through transamtrail.com. It is, by design, the slowest, hardest, most beautiful way to drive across America. We picked up our Crosstrek Wilderness from Subaru of America in New Jersey. The plan was to drive it home to our starting point in Nags Head, immediately point it back west, and start the TAT proper. We had about a year of planning behind us, a vehicle with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, and roughly 212 TAT-specific miles per day to cover for the next month. The first thing we did, before any of that, was admit out loud to each other what we were really doing. We were going to take a Subaru Crosstrek — a vehicle most people associate with a Target parking lot and a dog crate — into 3,000 miles of dirt, rocks, clay, river crossings, twelve-thousand-foot mountain passes, and weather so severe we'd end up rerouting thirty-nine separate times. We had done enough long-distance work to know that the vehicle is only half the story. The other half is whether the two people in it are willing to be wrong in public, several times a day, for a month. ![The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness at the trailhead, ready for 7,163 miles of mostly dirt.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/hero_subaru.webp) The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness at the trailhead, ready for 7,163 miles of mostly dirt. ## Building the Rig The stock Crosstrek Wilderness is a more serious piece of equipment than most people realize. The 9.3 inches of ground clearance is meaningfully better than a standard Crosstrek's 8.7\. It has a version of Subaru's X-MODE that includes a Snow/Dirt setting and a Deep Snow/Mud setting. The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated boxer four is the same basic engine the company has been refining for a decade. The CVT is a known quantity, well-understood by tuners and mechanics from coast to coast. We did not turn it into a Wrangler. What we did add: **Armor:** A full Primitive Racing skid plate package — front, mid, and rear differential. The factory "skid plate" is a piece of plastic; it looks reassuring, it does almost nothing. The Primitive plates are the single most important modification we made and the reason we drove away from every rock garden we entered. We would buy these again without thinking. **Tires and wheels:** ![The gear layout — RiG'd Supply UltraSwing on the rear, MAXTRAX traction boards, recovery kit, and the rooftop tent closed for travel.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/gear_setup.jpg) The gear layout — RiG'd Supply UltraSwing on the rear, MAXTRAX traction boards, recovery kit, and the rooftop tent closed for travel. BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2s in a slightly larger size, mounted on bronze Reika R15 Seeker wheels — 17x8, 5x114.3, +38 offset. The wider stance and the KO2 sidewalls gave us the aired-down contact patch we needed for sand, mud, and the long washboard sections of the central states. **Suspension:** Bilstein B6 struts up front, taller and stiffer King Springs in the rear acting as overload springs. In hindsight, we would have gone even more aggressive on the rear spring rate — fully loaded with a rooftop tent, an awning, a RiG'd Supply UltraSwing swing-out, drawers, fridge, and recovery gear, we were using most of our suspension travel on rough roads. **Power** **and comms:** An EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus portable power station, charged by an 800W alternator charger that runs off the engine bay while we drive. No solar needed. A Starlink Mini in a Pelican transport case for the days we absolutely needed to be reachable. A Garmin Tread Overland Edition for navigation, running the official TAT GPX files. A paper roll chart as the unbuggable backup. **Recovery:** A hitch-mounted rear recovery point, a kinetic recovery rope, soft shackles, heavy-duty gloves, and a set of MAXTRAX XTREME traction boards. We never once had to use the boards, but that was luck, not skill. **Sleep and storage:** A Thule Approach rooftop tent — comfortable, weatherproof, and the reason we slept in places that don't have names. An ARB 50-quart Classic Series II fridge/freezer, controlled by phone, which Mercedes has publicly called her "lifeline." Baja Designs XL R Pro LED auxiliary lights on a Rally Innovations light bar mount for the dark forest roads and the long, unlit, dust-choked two-track sections of the western states. > *The fully loaded vehicle came in at 3,999 pounds, against a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,817\. That gave us 818 pounds of remaining payload, which sounds like a lot until you account for fuel, water, food, two humans, and a month of clothing. We were not at the limit, but we were at the brink of the limit, every single day.* --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/central_checking_storms-2.jpg) Checking radar and storm cells on the Ozark National Forest section ## Days 1–13: The Eastern Section The TAT begins with a climb into the Smokies from the North Carolina coast, then turns west into Tennessee. We knew from the planning stage that this section had the worst weather of the trip. We did not know that "worst" would mean sustained temperatures over 90°F for 28 of the 29 days, with six of them above 100°F, and a storm track that parked itself over our exact route for the first two weeks. On the second day, a storm system moving up from the Gulf dropped tennis-ball hail on our planned routing through the Ozark National Forest. We sat in a Motel 6 in Russellville, Arkansas, for two nights waiting for it to pass. It didn't really pass. It moved three counties east and chased us there. We sat in another motel in Clarksville, then another in Ozark. We burned five days of buffer and felt, in a way that is hard to describe, that the trip was already over. It wasn't. But that was the first lesson: the slowest way to cross this country is the one that always works. Our first true off-pavement test came on Warloop Road in western Arkansas. The TAT guide describes it as a "moderate" section. The reality: a narrow, mostly downhill, somewhat overgrown trail with rock ledges, off-camber sections, and a couple of boulder steps that you cannot scout, you can only commit to. We aired down to about 22 psi, engaged X-MODE on its Snow/Dirt setting, and just kept slow, steady throttle. The Crosstrek's AWD system will figure out where to send power, but it might take a second. You can feel it working. Most of the time, you can crawl over the obstacle without needing to "bump it." That tip, by the way, came directly from a Subaru engineer. It worked. We cleared the section in an hour and a half, and Mercedes made a small sound that I am not going to describe in print. ![Warloop Road, western Arkansas — narrow, downhill, overgrown, with rock ledges and off-camber sections.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/eastern_warloop.jpg) Warloop Road, western Arkansas — narrow, downhill, overgrown, with rock ledges and off-camber sections. What we noticed immediately was how the Crosstrek collected stones in the rear brakes. We have never driven a vehicle that did this. Small rocks would lodge between the rear backing plates and the rotors, and they made absolutely insane amounts of squealing and screeching on every stop. I popped a wheel/tire off once and dislodged them with a screwdriver. That worked once. After that, we just had to wait until they fell out on their own, which is a sentence I never thought I'd write about a passenger vehicle. --- ## Days 14–22: The Central Section — Heat, Clay, Kudzu, and a General Store Once the storm system finally broke, we got our first real look at the central TAT. This is the part of the country that doesn't make the highlight reels. Tennessee farm roads, Mississippi two-track, Arkansas backcountry, Oklahoma red dirt. It is also, in our opinion, the soul of the trip. ![Tennessee water crossing on the central TAT — deeper than it looked, slower than we wanted, exactly the kind of thing that makes the trip.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/central_tenn_water.jpg) Tennessee water crossing on the central TAT — deeper than it looked, slower than we wanted, exactly the kind of thing that makes the trip. Mississippi is the part we get asked about the most. The roads there turn into a slippery red clay when they get wet, and they get wet almost every afternoon in the summer. We crossed one hill that other travelers had clearly been stuck on for years — it was deeply rutted, slick as soap, and the locals had carved two bypass tracks around it that were almost worse. We aired down further, locked the differential via the X-MODE setting, and went up the original line. The Crosstrek's AWD system plus the KO2 sidewalls was exactly the right combination. We got up in one go. The Subie-bashing corners of the internet would have been proud. ![Mississippi red clay — the surface that defines the central TAT after an afternoon rain.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/central_ms_clay.jpg) Mississippi red clay — the surface that defines the central TAT after an afternoon rain. The kudzu is something else. The TAT runs through stretches where the two-track is essentially a green tunnel, the vines hanging ten, fifteen feet off the ground on either side, swallowing the road and the air. It is a beautiful thing to drive through at fifteen miles an hour with the windows down. It is also, if you stop, instantly full of mosquitoes the size of your thumb. ![Driving through the kudzu tunnels of central Mississippi — slow, green, and full of life.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/central_ms_kudzu.jpg) Driving through the kudzu tunnels of central Mississippi — slow, green, and full of life. ![A typical Mississippi TAT road — a two-track through hardwood and pine, just wide enough for a vehicle.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/central_ms_road.jpg) A typical Mississippi TAT road — a two-track through hardwood and pine, just wide enough for a vehicle. The single best stop on the central section was the Oark General Store in Arkansas. It is a small white building on a single-lane road, has been there since 1928, and serves a burger called the Oark Burger that is, genuinely, one of the best things we ate on the entire trip. We sat on the porch with two locals who had driven up from the river, ate fries out of a paper bag, and listened to them explain which roads were washed out. The store is on the TAT. If you do the TAT, you will end up here. You should plan to be hungry when you do. ![The Oark General Store, Arkansas — a mandatory TAT stop, in business since 1928.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/central_oark_store.jpg) The Oark General Store, Arkansas — a mandatory TAT stop, in business since 1928. --- ## Days 23–27: The Rockies We knew the high country was coming. We had not fully understood what "high country" means in a non-turbocharged engine at nearly thirteen thousand feet of elevation. The San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado are the kind of place that makes you remember why the West was slow to settle. The TAT runs over Cinnamon Pass at 12,640 feet and Ophir Pass at 11,790 feet, both shelf roads, both loose shale, both built on grades that would be illegal in a state with a functioning highway department. We cleared Cinnamon Pass without drama — the Crosstrek's 9.3 inches of clearance was enough, the KO2s were enough, and the AWD system was enough. At the top we ran into a local in a brand-new Toyota Tundra who looked at the Subaru with the expression of someone who had just been told a tax joke, and asked, "How'd you get that up here?" We had been the only Subaru at the summit. We saw plenty of them at lower elevations. California Pass was the moment the trip almost won. It sits at 12,930 feet, and the easier bypass around it was blocked by feet of snow in early summer. The road to the top is graded, narrow, and has one short, very steep pitch near the summit. We hit the pitch at 12,500 feet in second gear, foot flat to the floor, and the Crosstrek did not accelerate. The non-turbo boxer four had run out of breath. There is no supercharger option for this engine. The CVT, designed for fuel economy on flat ground, could not generate the momentum the air was no longer providing. We slowed. We rolled backward. We turned around in a wide spot a hundred yards below the pitch and went back the way we came. The trip was not over. We had to drive Cinnamon Pass again, in reverse, in afternoon sun, with the engine hotter than it had been all month, to reach Lake City for the night. There was no shame in it. There was no shame in it because the only vehicle that would have made that pass was one with a forced-induction engine and ground clearance we did not have. We were, by every reasonable measure, in the wrong vehicle for that exact line. And we had come within a hundred yards. The lesson, the one we kept relearning, was that the TAT does not care what you are driving. It does not care if you have a winch and a snorkel and forty-five-inch tires. It will find the line that defeats you. The job is to know which lines to walk away from. Ophir Pass we cleared without incident — not hard, but it'll quicken your pulse. A huge, narrow, cliff-side shelf road with loose shale, the kind of drive where the spouse in the passenger seat is making good use of the door handle. We missed a 12.3-mile graded dirt road shown on onX maps. We drove 160 miles and three hours around the mountains to reach Silverton. We stopped at Flower Subaru in Montrose to fix a dented skid plate that was vibrating against a heat shield. The service writer came out to the parking lot, looked at the Crosstrek, and said the exact words: "You're the ones who did the TAT." The internet moves faster than the truck. --- ## Days 28–29: Utah, Idaho, and the Coast Moab hit 111°F the day we were there. We camped in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, which is a place that is approximately the surface of the sun for eight hours a day, and we drove Gemini Bridges and the San Rafael Swell *The* *Dune, which looks like a set from Star Warsand which we will never forget. The temperature gauge in the car did not go below 110°F for the entire day. The fridge kept the water cold. The fridge is a hero.* ![The Utah section — San Rafael Swell, Gemini Bridges, the kind of landscape that makes the heat worth it.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/desert_utah.jpg) The Utah section — San Rafael Swell, Gemini Bridges, the kind of landscape that makes the heat worth it. The most important moment of the trip, and the one we have not told in public before, happened on a remote section of road near Wendover, Utah. We came around a bend and found a woman standing next to a small sedan with a flat tire and a dead phone. She had been living off-grid, her tire had gone flat, her cell service had been gone for two days, and she was crying. We had a tire plug kit, a 12-volt compressor, and a Starlink Mini. We plugged the tire, aired it up, charged her phone, and called her local tire company on the Starlink to confirm they had a replacement. We also charged her phone through the EcoFlow. She asked how she could ever pay us back. We told her the next time she saw someone broken down on a back road, to do the same thing. That is the deal. That is the only deal. ![Rooftent deployed at a campsite somewhere in the western states — Thule Approach tent, ARB fridge visible in the back, the Subaru sitting on the kind of ground the guidebook never tells you about.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/rooftop_tent.jpg) Bombing range in Idaho Idaho brought bombing-range dirt roads and the only dust of the trip that genuinely got into the cabin air filter. Then we crossed into Oregon, and the threats changed. We had spent the first month dodging storms. We now spent the final days dodging **wildfires. The air quality app on our phones showed smoke readings that were, in some places, thirty times the safe allowance. We took more motel nights in Oregon than we had in the previous three states combined. We were not going to die of smoke inhalation on day 28.** The last day of the trip — day 29 — tried to break us. We were somewhere on NF-3353, in a steep section of national forest, when we came around a corner and found a six-foot-diameter sinkhole in the middle of the road. The forest service had not yet closed the road. They had not yet posted any warning. We would have driven into it at speed if Mercedes had not been watching the right side of the road at exactly the right moment. We rerouted via NF-5325, then Elk River Road, and reached the coast at Port Orford late in the afternoon, thirty-eight days after we had started planning and twenty-nine days after we had started driving. ![The final approach — Oregon coastal forest, the kind of green you forget is possible after two weeks of dust.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/oregon_finish.jpg) The final approach — Oregon coastal forest, the kind of green you forget is possible after two weeks of dust. We had fish and chips at The Crazy Norwegian in Port Orford. We drank champagne out of plastic cups in the parking lot overlooking the Pacific. We sat in the front seats of the Crosstrek and did not say anything for a long time. ## The Numbers | Stat | Value | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | | Total distance | 7,163 miles | | Unpaved surface | 3,184 miles | | Days on the road | 29 | | Average speed (overall) | 25 mph | | Average driving hours per day | 11–12 hours | | Longest day | 13 hours, 40 minutes | | Route deviations | 39 (weather, flood, fire, sinkhole) | | Days over 90°F | 28 of 29 | | Days over 100°F | 6 | | Trip high temperature | 111°F (Moab, UT) | | Highest point reached | Cinnamon Pass, 12,640 ft | | Highest point attempted | California Pass, \~12,500 ft (turned back) | | Other TAT travelers seen | 0 | ![The Crosstrek on the trail — the same vehicle that did the entire TAT, parked at a viewpoint on the western section.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/06/trail_subaru.jpg) The Crosstrek on the trail — the same vehicle that did the entire TAT, parked at a viewpoint on the western section. ## What the Car Could and Couldn't Do The Crosstrek Wilderness could: - Crawl over moderate rock gardens with steady throttle, no low range required, in Snow/Dirt X-MODE. - Air down to 18–22 psi and grip red clay, wet rock, and loose shale better than it had any right to. - Carry a month of food, water, and gear for two adults at 3,999 pounds, with 818 pounds of headroom. - Run an EcoFlow and Starlink off the alternator without straining the electrical system. - Cross river fords up to about two feet of moving water with the intake and battery protected by the skid plate package. - Drive eleven to thirteen hours a day, every day, for twenty-nine days, without a single mechanical failure. The Crosstrek Wilderness could not: - Climb a steep 12,500-foot pitch in thin air with a non-turbo engine. We learned this the hard way. - Get unstuck from deep mud without aggressive throttle control. We learned to keep our momentum up. - Match a Wrangler Rubicon on technical lines. This is not what it is built for. We are not pretending it is. - Pretend to be a stock vehicle. The skid plates, the tires, the suspension, the lights, and the rack were non-negotiable. Without them, the trip would have been a short one. ## The Three Things We Got Wrong 1\. We trusted the high-altitude performance. A naturally aspirated engine at 12,500 feet has roughly 65% of its sea-level power. The math is easy. The reality is harder. We had assumed the CVT would help us; instead, it compounded the issue. We should have had a forced-induction backup plan for the high passes. 2\. We packed more than we needed. The classic overlander mistake. Half the recovery gear never came out of the bag. The second spare fuel cell was dead weight for 4,000 miles. The medical kit, the size of a briefcase, could have been the size of a sandwich. We could have shaved two hundred pounds off the load. 3\. We underestimated the dust. A full-face respirator would have been worth the cost and the weight. The cabin filter did its job, but the air inside the car for the first three hours of every driving day had a fine red haze. We should have run the fan on recirculate from the moment we started the engine, every day, no exceptions. ## The Three Things We Got Right 1\. We had redundant navigation. Garmin Tread running the GPX files, onX Offroad for real-time trail info, paper roll charts for the sections with no signal, and a real human navigator (Mercedes) who read the road ahead. No single point of failure. This was the single most important operational decision of the trip. 2\. We had realistic expectations about the weather. The thirty-nine reroutes were not a sign of bad planning. They were the plan. We had budgeted two weeks of buffer. We used every day of it. The TAT in summer, in a non-stock vehicle, in this country, in this climate, is not the trip you wing. 3\. We went with a partner we had done hard things with before. The 4,771 miles in the German-market ID. Buzz across nine Baltic countries, three Alcan 5000 rallies, four vehicles across the Nevada and California deserts — none of those trips were the TAT, but they were all the same trip in the way that matters. We knew how to communicate under stress, how to divide work, how to back off a bad line together, and how to laugh when the situation was already absurd. The TAT will not save a relationship that does not exist. The TAT will, however, show you exactly where the edges of your partnership are. It is better to learn this at 8,000 feet in Colorado than on the day you actually need the help. ## The Slowest Way Across America The TransAmerica Trail is not the smartest way to get to the Pacific Ocean. It is not the cheapest, the fastest, or the most comfortable. It is, however, the route where you can drive for an entire day without seeing another vehicle, where the only lights at night are stars, and where the small towns still have general stores with handwritten signs in the windows. The Crosstrek Wilderness is not the right vehicle for everyone who wants to do this trip. It is, however, the right vehicle for the version of the trip that we wanted to do — the one that didn't require a second mortgage, the one that could be serviced at any Subaru dealer in the country, the one whose limitations we could learn around rather than overpower. We never saw another TAT traveler the entire time. The trail, the route, the road — whatever you want to call it — is still there. It is mostly empty. It will not be empty forever. The longer you wait, the less of it will be the way it is right now. We recommend you go. *Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal are overlanders, motorsport journalists, and the authors of the three-part OVR Magazine TAT series. They live in the United States and are slowly working their way through every named backroad on the continent. Photos by Mercedes Lilienthal unless otherwise noted. Vehicle provided by Subaru of America. Modifications and opinions are their own.* ### 2026 Whiskey 7 Ranch Rendezvous — Members Update URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/2026-rendezvous/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T01:35:47.000Z Hello everyone, this email is going out to all members (paid or not). It's time to start thinking about the 2026 Rendezvous at the ranch. We have updated the page here [https://whiskey7backroads.com/2026-rendezvous-2/](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/2026-rendezvous-2/) You will need to log in to get the details. If you are a paid member, the page will open up after logging in. If you are a free member and would like to attend, please upgrade your membership to a [shot glass](https://checkout.stripe.com/c/pay/cs%5Flive%5Fa1rSRFkYhX1YoewZt9OCeWiD6wtYNaigOPy12o9V3hyDogG1nJj5BJu1Ro#fid1d2BpamRhQ2prcSc%2FJ0lqd2QnKSdnandhYHdWcXxpYCc%2FJ2FgY2RwaXEnKSd2cGd2ZndsdXFsamtQa2x0cGBrYHZ2QGtkZ2lgYSc%2FY2RpdmApJ3Zxd2x1YERmZmpwa3EnPydkZmZxWjRJM25AR0xCMmx2THRxTmonKSdkdWxOYHwnPyd1blppbHNgWl12Z083QUY8Ujd3YzxmRm8yQElnYGlzdCcpJ2N3amhWYHdzYHcnP3F3cGApJ2dkZm5id2pwa2FGamlqdyc%2FJyZjY2NjY2MnKSdpZHxqcHFRfHVgJz8ndmxrYmlgWmxxYGgnKSdga2RnaWBVaWRmYG1qaWFgd3YnP3F3cGB4JSUl) or [shot glass famil](https://checkout.stripe.com/c/pay/cs%5Flive%5Fa1IiJMVxzO4g8ABxdnzZngwmzVdvQcYbeZAlY3KX1EjGUP50b81xziapP1#fid1d2BpamRhQ2prcSc%2FJ0lqd2QnKSdnandhYHdWcXxpYCc%2FJ2FgY2RwaXEnKSd2cGd2ZndsdXFsamtQa2x0cGBrYHZ2QGtkZ2lgYSc%2FY2RpdmApJ3Zxd2x1YERmZmpwa3EnPydkZmZxWjRJM25AR0xCMmx2THRxTmonKSdkdWxOYHwnPyd1blppbHNgWl12Z083QUY8Ujd3YzxmRm8yQElnYGlzdCcpJ2N3amhWYHdzYHcnP3F3cGApJ2dkZm5id2pwa2FGamlqdyc%2FJyZjY2NjY2MnKSdpZHxqcHFRfHVgJz8ndmxrYmlgWmxxYGgnKSdga2RnaWBVaWRmYG1qaWFgd3YnP3F3cGB4JSUl)y membership. If you are a free member and don't plan on attending, we are still glad to have you as part of our group and hope to see you at the ranch sometime in the future. If you are a paid member and are not attending the event and don't want to get the emails that will go out before now and Aug, please email [get in touch](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/contact/). The 2026 Rendezvous is fast approaching, and I have been getting a lot of questions about this year's event. First of all, the date going forward will always be the third week in August. So that will make this year's event officially August 14-16. The page on the website has been updated with all the details. If you are planning on going, please check the page at the top labeled "Rendezvous" and it will take you to all the details when you log in. We don't make any profit on the funds we receive from the memberships; all proceeds go towards a porta-potty, games, food, prizes, etc. I have also added a way to just help donate to the website and Rendezvous if you wish. There are three $$$ signs at the top of the homepage, and it links to a one-time payment screen. You can put in any amount you want, and we will use this for website hosting and upcoming events. Here is the link [Stripe Checkout![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/icon/favicon.ico)](https://checkout.stripe.com/c/pay/cs%5Flive%5Fa1aoVAkiWWmzgUlnaLrF11QXXuk62o67uLFvoDq0DKlAwgn6rroMlUwjqj#fid1d2BpamRhQ2prcSc%2FJ0lqd2QnKSd2cXdsdWBEZmZqcGtxJz8nZGZmcVo0STNuQEdMQjJsdkx0cU5qJyknZHVsTmB8Jz8ndW5aaWxzYFpddmdPN0FGPFI3d2M8ZkZvMkBJZ2Bpc3QnKSdjd2poVmB3c2B3Jz9xd3BgKSdpZHxqcHFRfHVgJz8ndmxrYmlgWmxxYGgnKSdga2RnaWBVaWRmYG1qaWFgd3YnP3F3cGB4JSUl) This will be the fourth year of the Rendezvous and we are working to make it the best one yet. Cheryl and I are excited to host it again and see all our old friends and make some new ones. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/04/Whiskey7BackRoads_Earthcrusier_PROOF_V03.jpg.webp) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Brent and Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsMastodon![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR-2.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) ### Meet the New Workhorse of Whiskey 7 Ranch URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/meet-the-new-workhorse-of-whiskey-7-ranch/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:03.000Z --- ## The Search Begins In April of 2025, I started to research and design a new truck. I have been driving a 2021 Ram Powerwagon 75th Anniversary edition that I really like. It has everything I would ever want in a truck except for one thing..... A diesel engine and therefore the power to pull heavy loads. So, the search started. I began my research were everyone starts to look for answers to unknown questions, YouTube. I knew right were to start, the SEMA truck builds. After a couple hours of watching different builds from different years I came across a Ranch Armor truck build by Jim Glover Customs. This truck build inspired the idea of doing the Whiskey 7 Ranch truck. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/11/20251105_102831.jpg) [Jim Glover Ram](https://jimgloverdodge.com/) --- ## Ordering I first sent an email to Jim Glover Ram to see how the dealership was associated with the Glover Customs from the SEMA build. What I found out was they are both in the same building and work together to do custom builds. I first spoke with Adam Clinkenbeard, and he explained the ordering process and how the dealership and the custom department worked together. He then introduced me to Mike Burress, who handles the custom builds. When I explained what I was wanting to do, they were very excited to help and really went above and beyond to make my one-of-a-kind truck come true. Jim Glover and Glover Customs were great to work with, they were very helpful without any sales pressure, and I knew right away I was in the right place. I first placed the order with Adam for the truck itself. This took a couple of months as the 2026 models were not out yet and I wanted the Ceramic Grey paint color which was rumored to be available in May. Adam and I went down the build sheet in detail knowing that some of the line items would be taken off and replaced when the truck arrived. I then had the truck delivered to Jim Glover. ## Design While I was waiting for the truck to arrive, Mike and I started to design the extra items. I had a specific bumper in mind but wanted it to match the wheel flairs and I also had a specific wheel but left it up to Mike to suggest what lift, suspension, tires, extra fuel tank etc. After many emails and phone calls, the final truck was done. I have added the video below that Jim Glover did for the reveal when I flew out to pick it up. I have also listed all the extra equipment below the video in case someone is interested. Reveal video of new truck --- ## Truck details **2026 Ram 3500 Limited HD with HO Cummins Diesel Engine** Night edition Dual Alternators 480 amps Aux switches Power sunroof Gooseneck towing package Cold weather group Level one Equipment group which includes passenger video screen **Extras** Method wheels black/black with black hub caps and lug nuts Toyo AT3 37x12.50x18 AEV 5100 Series Lift Bushwacker Flares Magnum Headache Rack with commander lighting Atta Tank 60-gallon aux tank with automatic filling of truck tank Rough Country airbags Kryptonite Kustomz graphics Expedition One front and rear bumper with lighting module NFAB running boards **Since picking it up** Bulletproof adjustable hitch with gooseneck ball Tackform cell phone and radio mount ![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/11/IMG_8547.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. --- Cheryl and I are anxiously waiting for our EarthCruiser to be finished with the new upgrades, stay tuned for a walk thru video of the new and improved Earthcruiser soon. Thanks Brent & Cheryl Conklin [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) Brent Conklin, owner of [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://whiskey7backroads.com/) ### An Adventure in Family History URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/an-adventure-in-family-history/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T03:40:41.000Z In the last four years, my wife and I have visited Echo Park twice. Located in the northeast corner of Utah, at the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers, it has everything we enjoy in a park. Hiking, kayaking petroglyph hunting and history are all captured in a horseshoe of towering sandstone cliffs. Like the Chew family that homesteaded in 1910 on property near the entrance to the park we also feel at home there. Among the outbuildings and rusty iron implements is an original Shepherd’s Trailer. It is a stark comparison between the overland vehicle of yesteryear and our Ram-based Four Wheel flatbed camper today. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture12.webp) One of the many campsites along the way --- We often think about the drive and passion behind the late 19th century settlers and their ability to endure hardships. They dug a well - we turned a faucet. They processed firewood for heating and cooking - we turned on the propane burner or heater. They tilled the land and hunted and butchered their own meat - we simply go to the grocery store. Similar to the Chews, but a decade earlier, my wife’s grandparents homesteaded in eastern Montana – just a stone’s throw from the North Dakota border. With two small children in tow, they built a one room sod-roof home, planted wheat fields and raised a few cattle. They were considered hardworking and on their way to owning their own land. In 1908, they only had to improve the 160 acres for another 2 years until a land patent was issued in their name. Unlike the Chews, their departure from the homestead was not a happy one. Tragedy has a way of changing life. The sound of a diesel motor pulling us through the early hours of morning is very satisfying. We are comfortable in our camper. It is familiar to us. We have plenty of conveniences. However, this adventure is different from others and so is our conversation. Unchartered territory for both of us. We have far more questions than answers. Can we actually find the original homestead of Johann and Barbara Arnold? What does it look like 120 years later? Will the local historians in Glendive Montana be able to provide answers? Will the old cemetery provide clues? Our plan was to make relatively fast tracks in order to maximize our time in Glendive. We had no idea how this journey would eventually evolve. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture4-1.webp) --- > *The Arnold’s immigrated to the United States after fleeing Germanic persecution in Russia. They eventually arrived in Esmond North Dakota in the late 1880’s when Johann and his brother Charles were just boys. They both married ethnically German woman in their early 20’s and then decided to homestead in Montana. Driven by the prospect of securing their own land the two brothers left family and friends behind. Although the distance from Esmond to Glendive is only 320 miles, just 5 hours by car today, it would have taken them two days on a train or 25 days by wagon* **.** --- We left Sisters Oregon and headed west through Prineville, the three block town of Mitchell and onto John Day and the Fossil Bed National Monument. Traveling through Central Oregon at the advent of fall is a visual fiesta. On one side of the highway is the South Fork River. The other is lined with sage, rabbit bush and scotch broom. Willows emerge from the wetlands. Colors are reminiscent of a painter’s palate. The muted green, yellow and orange would befit a Tuscan Villa. We take a break at the side of the road. A beaver den domes above a pond and cattails wait for the spring calling of red-wing black birds. We passed an old and abandoned house that stood in the middle of a wheat field. The simple saltbox design is leaning away from the prevailing winds. Like the lines in an old-man’s face, I wondered how many stories were still protected by the weathered siding. Were the dreams of the mason that laid the first foundation stone fulfilled? How many generations of families welcomed the first snow of winter? And when was it last occupied and why did the owners leave? Little did we know that we would have similar inquiries in another week in another state. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/Picture2-1.jpg) --- > When the Arnold’s arrived in Glendive around 1905 and were directed to available land in the Belle Prairie area, they must have been taken back by the endless and flat fields relatively devoid of trees and streams. Raw materials for building a home, a top priority, were limited. Historical records show that a combination of log and sod roof structures were common to the Great Plains area. The cabin would have been small with a low roof line. Packed roots and dirt would have laid atop birch stringers. Cooking, eating, washing and sleeping were all done in the same and only room --- After a quick visit to the gold mining town of Sumpter Oregon, we landed near Phillips Reservoir just east of Baker City. We like the South Shore Campgrounds. They have plenty of elbow room between sites and provide great hiking and easy access to the lake. We enjoyed a simple dinner of carnitas and black beans over a salad and relaxed to the sound of loons and crickets. The following morning we were up early, through Baker City and onto I-80 before the sun crested the horizon. Our destination was just 5 hours away which would give us plenty of time to meander and explore. Northwest of Stanley Idaho, we landed at a familiar boondock site located in the Sawtooth Mountains which shall remain nameless. Suffice to say there are countless creek-side honey-holes off the backroads between Lowman and Challis – places you can really settle into. (If you plan to travel in this direction, be sure to see the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge near the ghost town of Custer. This four-story dredge and the associated museum will take you back to the birth of mechanical behemoths.) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/Picture3-1.jpg) Two days later we left the Stanley area feeling fully refreshed and opted to put the pedal down and travel 320 miles to Helena Montana. There we would stay with good friends. This stretch of highway is one of our favorites. It follows the twisting Salmon River through Challis and Salmon Idaho into the high country of Montana. Rafters glide down white water while fly fishermen dot the shoreline. We found it difficult at times to bypass the numerous small and unpopulated riverside campgrounds. Each one was tugging on my steering wheel but we moved on. Highway 93 then drops into the Bitteroot Valley past Darby and Hamilton Montana on the way to Missoula. We arrived in Helena around 4pm Brent and Cheryl were the perfect hosts. Even though they were in the middle of building a new big-sky country mountain home they welcomed the company and a break from work. After a quick shower, we had our fill of appetizers before the tri-tip was pulled from the Trager. Conversation about our trip carried well into the Montana night. On our short walk back to our camper, the Milky Way was so thick it looked like you could cut it with a knife. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/20240815-104739.webp) Gary at Brent and Cheryl's Ranch in Montana --- ***Yellowstone Monitor – Thursday, September 24th 1908* *(paraphrased)*** > *The Glendive community was saddened last Monday to learn of the unfortunate incident involving two of the most promising citizens in the county. The fatalities occurred at the ranch home of Charles and Martha Arnold located in Belle Prairie. The family well was seeping methane gas which ultimately caused the deaths on an autumn afternoon. The two victims, brothers Charles and Johann Arnold, were homesteading on adjoining ranches with their houses about a mile apart. On Sunday afternoon, Charles and his wife were taking a walk across their claim. Upon coming to the well, Charles remembered he had left a wrench in its depths and decided to retrieve the tool. He was lowered into the well by the windless. He had just reached the bottom when the rope went slack and calls from his wife went unanswered…* --- Our journey to Montana started several months earlier with a single and fortunate phone call to the Glendive Frontier Gateway Museum. My wife’s story of her family quickly captured the attention of Eileen Melby and set a whirlwind of communication in motion. She had not heard of the Arnold family plight but felt her years of volunteer service at the museum could provide some leads. It was not long before we received a newspaper story citing the event in the Yellowstone Monitor dated 1908\. Other related documents surfaced from the county. But the actual location of the Arnold homestead was unknown. And then the unexpected happened. Eileen mentioned the story to her husband Lew who told a group of friends, who relayed the interest to their spouses. Darry Autsby, a long-time Glendive rancher, was surprised to hear about the Arnold’s and our inquiry. It turns out he lived on the original Arnold homestead decades after they left and knew where the property was located along with the well and original sod-roof home. This was a coincidence we could have never predicted. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture5.webp) We arrived in Glendive the following afternoon. Our anticipation in meeting Eileen and Darry had continued to grow ever since we arranged a time and place to meet. But first, we needed to find a place to land which would serve as base-camp for several days. Fortunately, the largest State Park in Montana – Makoshika – is located just outside of town in Badland-type terrain. A rare gem, the park is home to sedimentary cliffs, hoodoos, fossils and a variety of wildlife and birds. Besides traditional campsites with restrooms and water, it has ‘boondock-like’ sites sparely located further up the mountain. At night, the lights of the town reflected off the striations. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop in the dirt. Morning came quicker than usual. A hot cup of coffee warmed our hands while a campfire did the rest. Our plan was to meet Eileen at the Frontier Museum and get a tour of the premises. We would then have the opportunity to meet a local historian who could provide us with a little more backdrop on Glendive and homesteaders at the dawn of 1900\. Although Glendive is a relatively small town with a population of less than 5000, it is a historical focal point for the region and the Frontier Gateway Museum is the bullseye. Eileen treated us like family and we were so impressed with the breath of artifacts, articles and displays all augmented by a knowledgeable staff. We especially enjoyed looking at the reconstructed sod-roof cabin that would have been similar to one Gretchen’s grandmother lived in. The re-creation of a one room school house was typical of one that existed in the Belle Prairie area. The museum also had numerous farm implements that were arranged in chronological order. The advent of the combustion engine sure made farming easier and more productive. (Put the museum on your ‘to do’ list if your travels take you to the area.) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture6.webp) --- After a tour of the museum, and right on time, a ranch truck pulled into the parking lot – a good working truck with dust on top, mud on the bottom and a few battle scars. The flatbed was filled with tools, cables, gas cans and ropes. (I wondered if anything ever bounced out.) Darry Autsby extended his hand and welcomed us to Glendive. He said it had been many years since he was last at the well. He had secured permission from the property owner to visit the Arnold homestead site. Everyone in our small group shared a common excitement. > *… not hearing anything from her husband, Mrs. Arnold ran to her brother-in-law’s house on the adjacent property and homestead about a mile away. Johann, the brother of Charles, responded at once and ran back to the well. He descended unaware of the dangerous gas below the surface. Once Mrs. Arnold returned to the well with more help, both brothers had already lapsed into a stupor and died before they could be recused. Prior to recovering the bodies, the well was partly freed of methane gas by lowering a bucket filled with lighted, oil-soaked, hay. William Arbogast, a neighbor, then descended the well, tied ropes around the dead men and pulled them to the surface.* We followed Darry, along with Eileen and their spouses out of town toward Belle Prairie. The dry dirt road climbed a series of rolling hills sparsely populated with homes, old farm equipment and corrals. A dust plume served as our guide until we reached the top of a plateau. There, Darry was parked near a one-room school foundation that once served the local homesteaders and that he had attended. One of the few remnants from another time. Alternating fields of wheat and fallow rose slightly, disappeared and reappeared for miles. We had never seen an area so singularly focused on farming. We continued down Belle Prairie Road for another two miles and then it came into view – a solitary wind mill towered above a well that had encased family history for 120 years. We had arrived. The distance we traveled in 30 minutes from town would have been an all-day wagon ride for the Arnold’s. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture8.webp) --- Darry began to show us where the homestead was located along with the farm house that he lived in through the 60’s when he was a young boy. With a slight smile of remembrance, he pointed to a few willow trees that had provided grouse for dinner from the sharp aim of a 22 rifle. The trees had barely enough branches to provide shade for a dog. The wind and heat made tough living conditions. Both my wife and Darry were deeply moved by the experience. For Gretchen, to stand at the place where her beloved grandmother lived as a young woman with two small children and a 3rd on the way comprehending the death of her husband. And for Darry, to meet the family of the two brothers, whose story he thought about every time he passed the well growing up. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture9.webp) As a group, we walked toward the well for a closer look. The old well pump was still in place. Floorboards, now rotted and covered with debris and weeds, had been placed around the pump and the well casing for safety along with a small fence. It was a picture on irony. Subsequent property owners had built the windmill to provide running water and irrigation. Charles Arnold had to hand pump water and carry buckets to their sod roofed home. Darry pointed to an adjacent 160 acre parcel where my wife’s grandmother Barbara (and her first husband Johann) had lived. It became clear just how far Charles’ wife had to run for Johann’s help. On the drive over we were able to view their well and hand pump just a short distance from a collapsed farm house partially supported by a retired truck. Within a few miles from leaving the homestead, Darry waved to a big John Deere tractor towing a load of hay bales. He got a wave in return. People in these parts know each other by the tractors and trucks they drive. And, Verle Jones has known a few over the years. He is an 89 year old 3rd generation farmer in Belle Prairie and had the handshake and wit of a man two decades his junior. When he heard our story he simply said ‘well… now that you have seen the area, I suspect you will not be coming back. There is not a lot to see out here.’ We were not so sure about that statement. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture10.webp) The next day we met with administrators from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Glendive. Nancy and Amanda pulled out an old record book from the late 19th century and confirmed that the brothers were buried at the local cemetery. They then pointed us to the original burial grounds near the Catholic chapel from a plot map. We wanted to take pictures of the head stones for family members. After hours of searching the cemetery grounds, we were unable to find the gravesites of Charles and Johann but confident that we located the general area. This was not surprising since the Glendive Cemetery was relatively new in 1908 and the gravesites were most likely marked with wood placards by the young widows who would end up leaving the area shortly thereafter. > *The bothers had resided in the Glendive vicinity for three years and were known as industrious and well-liked citizens. They had improved their claims at Belle Prairie until they were among the best in the area. Charles Arnold was 31 years of age and leaves a wife and four children. Johann was 27 and leaves a wife and two children.* > *The funerals of the two unfortunate men were held yesterday at the Catholic Church. Not often has this community been called to mourn such a tragedy. Sympathy goes out to the wives and little children of the two brothers who are now without husband and father.* Unfortunately, Barbara (Johann’s wife and Gretchen’s grandmother) had little means to maintain and further develop the homestead without a husband. She had two children to care for and was pregnant with a third. The remaining two years on the homestead grant went unfulfilled and she ultimately lost the rights to a 160 acre land patent. She return to Estefan Canada in the Saskatchewan Province of Canada – just across the North Dakota border. During their homestead period in Belle Prairie, family members had moved there to start farming. It was Barbara’s only option to be near the help of family. Charles’ wife Martha moved back to North Dakota. When we first planned this trip, we knew our time on the road was limited. We felt welcomed in Glendive and our Makoshika campsite was comfortable and peaceful. It has hard to leave. On our last evening, we walked out to the edge of a hoodoo to watch the sunset. As always, it was different and beautiful at the same time. A nice way to say good-bye. The next morning and just as the sun was peaking over the badlands I fired up our diesel truck and we left camp. We had a lot to digest from the past several days. The miles ticked off quickly. And then, Belle Prairie was two hundred miles behind us. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2025/01/picture11.webp) Gary and Lilly looking at the sunset We decided to see some new country on the way home. Our route took us through the small town of Livingston Montana and camped at a quiet riverside fish access. On our way to NW Yellowstone, Montana Hwy 89 yielded scenic viewpoints at nearly every corner. We crossed into the park at Gardiner and were immediately greeted by a small herd of majestic elk grazing without worry. Our Nation’s most popular park was relatively quiet in late October and we were able to see a few sights before taking Idaho Hwy 30 south through Rexburg and onto Craters of the Moon State Park. The landscape there is foreign and desolate. Big skies cover the entire compass. An evening wind rustled the few trees near our site. A description that must have applied to the Arnold’s as they arrived in Belle Prairie. The next time we come to Glendive, we want to sit on the porch of Verle’s cabin, along with the volunteers from the Frontier Museum and listen to a few tales over steaks and whiskey. Maybe then, we can complete another story. > *Special thanks to Wendy Fields for her genealogy work, Eileen Melby of the Glendive Frontier Gateway Museum, Darry Autsby for guiding us to the well and Nancy Keller and Amanda Crockett from the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church of Glendive Montana. Each one of you had a critical role in this adventure of family history and we are very appreciative.* Gary and Gretchen Matos [Gary Matos - Whiskey 7 BackroadsGary and Gretchen reside in Sisters Oregon and when not splitting or stacking wood they enjoy backpacking, kayaking and motorcycle riding. They currently own a 4wheel Flatbed Hawk on a Dodge Ram 3500![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/steens7.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/gary/) ### 2024 Rendezvous Recap — Jim's Owl Rescue URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/2024-rendezvous-recap/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:04.000Z We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their family and friends. I am writing this article the Saturday after Thanksgiving and realized I did not post the recap of the Rendezvous. --- We had an unexpected visitor this year at the Rendezvous. Jim and his family found an owl almost dead in the forest. They worked with her over about 3 weeks to rehabilitate her and finally gave her to [Montana Wild](https://fwp.mt.gov/education/montana-wild/about). After a couple of months, they were able to release her back on the ranch property. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/11/IMG_4265.jpg) 0:00 /0:44 1× --- We had a great time meeting old friends and new. The food was great, the weather was unpredictable and the friendship was over the top. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/20240815_104739-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20240816_135558-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20240821_090044.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_135926_D850_7750-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/11/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_203336_D850_7827-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_193336_D850_7792-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) --- But the cornhole was intense........ ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_112852_D850_7845-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_113404_D850_7875-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_113620_D850_7882-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_113746_D850_7885-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_113818_D850_7890-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_115340_D850_7893-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_115602_D850_7905-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_115618_D850_7910-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_115632_D850_7913-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) --- And for these few, it was more intense..... (Thanks Pat for the pics) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_113604_D850_7880-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_193058_D850_7761-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_193200_D850_7774-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/11/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_112754_D850_7838-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_113238_D850_7864-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_193336_D850_7792-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/11/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240816_201944_D850_7817-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/DxO_DeepPRIME__PRP_240817_115740_D850_7923-NEF_DxO_DeepPRIME.webp) --- After the 3 days of the Rendezvous, we went on a little road trip through Yellowstone, West Yellowstone, and ended up at the Blackfoot Reservoir. In true overlanding style, we had to prepare for everything and when we drove up to Blackfoot, the weather was awful. See the videos below, taken 2 days apart with drastically different weather. Please look for information on next year's 2025 Rendezvous at the ranch coming out in January. If you are interested in attending next year, please sign up below for either single or family depending on how many people will be attending. All proceeds go towards the event. Hope to see you next year!!! ![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/11/IMG_4418--002--2.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Brent & Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads & Whiskey 7 Ranch [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsMastodon![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR-1.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) ### Top Reasons to Use a Composting Toilet for Your Camper or RV URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/top-reasons-to-use-a-composting-toilet-for-your-camper-or-rv/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:05.000Z Have you ever considered using a composting toilet for your camper? We've discovered that these innovative systems are revolutionizing the way we approach waste management in recreational vehicles. As avid campers ourselves, we've found that composting toilets offer a range of benefits that can greatly enhance our camping experiences. In this article, we'll explore the top reasons to use a composting toilet for your camper. We'll delve into the environmental advantages, the space and weight savings they provide, and how they enable [off-grid camping](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/grand-mesa-a-guide-to-the-largest-flat-top-mountain-in-the-world/) freedom. Additionally, we'll discuss the odor control and hygiene benefits that make composting toilets a game-changer for camper van enthusiasts. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of why replacing your RV toilet with a composting toilet might be the best decision for your [camping adventures](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/exploring-the-grand-staircase-an-overlanders-comprehensive-guide-to-the-escalante-national-monument/). ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20240822_165544.jpg.webp) --- ## **Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets** When it comes to eco-friendly solutions for our camper, we've found that composting toilets are a game-changer. These innovative systems offer numerous environmental advantages that align perfectly with our commitment to sustainable camping. ### Reduced Water Usage One of the most significant benefits of using a composting toilet in our [Earthcruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/tag/earthcruiser/) is the dramatic reduction in water consumption. In the past, we have used a cassette toilet. These toilets require you to fill with water and they rinse the bowl after use. We found that on a [3-5 day trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-boondocking-camping-at-grand-canyon-north-rim/), the water usage would average around 2-4 gallons. That doesn't sound like a lot of water, but every drop counts on the trail. In contrast, composting toilets use little to no water, which is a huge plus for conserving this precious resource. This water conservation aspect is particularly crucial when we're camping off-grid or in areas with limited water access. ### Minimized Chemical Use Another environmental benefit we've noticed is the reduced need for harsh chemicals. Unlike traditional RV and cassette toilets that often rely on chemical treatments to control odors and break down waste, composting toilets work naturally. They use a mixture of organic materials, such as sawdust or coconut coir, to facilitate the composting process. This approach not only eliminates the need for potentially harmful chemicals but also creates a more sustainable waste management system for our camper. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20230923_101702.jpg.webp) ### Nutrient Recycling Perhaps the most exciting aspect of using a composting toilet in our camper is the opportunity to close the nutrient cycle. Instead of flushing away valuable nutrients, composting toilets allow us to recycle them back into the environment. The composting process transforms human waste into nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to support plant growth and improve soil quality. This natural recycling system reduces our reliance on synthetic fertilizers and helps minimize our environmental impact while camping. Our old cassette toilet was five gallons. When out camping or overlanding, our process was to dump it when passing by a pit toilet. What most of us don't think about is what happens to that waste? Well, a pump truck has to come and pump it and take it to a waste treatment plant. With composting, not only do we not have to stop as much while out exploring but the labor and resources to process the waste are minimized. In conclusion, the environmental benefits of using a composting toilet in our [Earthcruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/tag/earthcruiser/) are clear. From significant water savings to nutrient recycling and reduced chemical use, these systems offer a sustainable solution that enhances our camping experience while protecting the natural environments we love to explore. ![You never know when the restrooms will be unavailable!!](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20240823_164549.jpg.webp) You never know when the restrooms will be unavailable!! ## Space and Weight Savings in Your Camper When it comes to maximizing space and reducing weight in our [Earthcruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/tag/earthcruiser/), we've found that a composting toilet is a game-changer. This innovative solution has allowed us to make the most of our limited space while keeping our vehicle lightweight and efficient. ### Elimination of Black Water Tank While this doesn't pertain to us, one of the most significant advantages of upgrading to a composting toilet is the elimination of the black water tank. Traditional RV toilets require a bulky tank to store waste, which takes up valuable space and adds considerable weight to the vehicle. By switching to a composting toilet, most campers and overlanders will be able to remove this tank entirely, freeing up space for other essentials and reducing overall weight. This change will also have an additional benefit – increased ground clearance. Without the low-hanging tank dump valves, a camper or overlanding rig will have better clearance, which is particularly useful when exploring off-road or navigating rough terrain. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20230923_101706.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20230923_101723.jpg.webp) ### Compact Design The compact design of composting toilets is another feature we've come to appreciate. These toilets are typically smaller than traditional RV toilets, which means they take up less floor space in our [Earthcruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo/). In the same space we had for our cassette toilet, we now have the toilet, a small storage area, and a garbage can. There are many manufacturers of composting toilets and most offer different sizes for specific needs. We've found that the design of composting toilets is not only space-efficient but also user-friendly. Many models have separate compartments for liquid and solid waste, each with its own lid to lock in odors and prevent spillage. This separation also makes the disposal process much simpler and more hygienic. [Whiskey 7 BackroadsJoin us on our overlanding and camping adventures on the backroads of America. Follow along on our blog as we explore the great outdoors in our Earthcruiser![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsAuthors![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_20210513_170000-1.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/#/portal/support) ### Increased Storage Options By opting for a composting toilet, we've gained more flexibility in our storage options. The space used by our old cassette toilet has been repurposed for a small storage area. In a traditional RV, the space saved from removing the black water tank can be repurposed in various ways. Some RV owners choose to use this extra space to increase their fresh water or grey water capacity, which is particularly useful for extended off-grid camping trips. In the [Earthcruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/camping-exploring-and-traversing-the-magruder-trail/), we usually don't have a weight issue. But the weight savings from eliminating the black water tank and its contents can give campers and overlanders more flexibility in how they load their camper or rig. Overall, the space and weight savings of a composting toilet can significantly enhance the camping experience. It allows overlanders to design their camper's interior more efficiently, carry more of what they need, and even improve a vehicle's performance. For anyone looking to maximize space and minimize weight in their camper, we highly recommend considering a composting toilet as a practical and effective solution. ## Off-Grid Camping Freedom When it comes to off-grid camping, we've found that a composting toilet for our camper has revolutionized our experience. This innovative solution has given us the freedom to explore remote locations without worrying about waste management facilities. ![Photo from the composting toilet trip, 20240823 194938](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20240823_194938.jpg.webp) ### Extended Boondocking Capability One of the most significant advantages we've discovered is the extended boondocking capability that a composting toilet provides. Traditional RV toilets rely on black water tanks that fill up quickly, limiting the duration of our off-grid stays. However, with a composting toilet, we've been able to extend our trips significantly. The [OGO composting toilet](https://ogotoilet.com/products/ogo-composting-toilet), for example, can typically go a few weeks before needing to change the medium. (this is with 1-2 people using) Since it's a volume-based system, everyone's experience will be a little different. This extended capacity vs a cassette toilet 'means we can stay in beautiful, remote locations for longer periods without the need to find a dump station. ### No Need for Dump Stations Perhaps the most liberating aspect of using a composting toilet in our camper is the elimination of the need for dump stations. We no longer have to plan our routes around RV parks or campgrounds with waste disposal facilities. This freedom has allowed us to explore more off-the-beaten-path destinations and truly embrace the spirit of boondocking. The composting process naturally breaks down waste, making disposal much simpler and more environmentally friendly. We can simply empty the composted material into a trash bag or, if local regulations allow, use it as fertilizer. In conclusion, the freedom provided by a composting toilet for our Earthcruiser has transformed our off-grid camping experiences. It's allowed us to extend our stays, explore more remote locations, and reduce our environmental impact. For anyone looking to embrace true off-grid freedom in their camper or RV, we highly recommend considering a composting toilet as an essential addition to your setup. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20240823_194938.jpg-1.webp) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Odor Control and Hygiene Advantages When it comes to composting toilets for campers, one of the most common concerns is odor control and hygiene. However, we've found that modern composting toilets are designed to effectively manage these issues, often outperforming traditional RV toilets in terms of smell and cleanliness. ### Separation of Liquids and Solids A key feature of composting toilets that contributes to odor control is the separation of liquids and solids. This design has a significant impact on reducing unpleasant smells. By keeping the solid waste dry, the composting process is more efficient, and odors are minimized. We've noticed that dry solids, along with the use of a covering material like sawdust or coconut coir, create an environment that's surprisingly odor-free. The separation also makes maintenance easier. With liquids diverted to a separate container, the solid waste compartment remains drier, which not only reduces odors but also extends the time between emptying. This separation is crucial for the composting process and helps prevent the formation of sewage-like smells that can occur when liquids and solids mix. ### Ventilation Systems Another crucial aspect of odor control in composting toilets for campers is the ventilation system. Most models come equipped with a small fan that continuously moves air through the toilet and out of the camper. This airflow serves multiple purposes: 1. It helps to evaporate excess moisture from the solid waste compartment. 2. It aids in the composting process by providing oxygen to the beneficial bacteria. 3. It effectively removes any potential odors before they can enter the living space. We've found that these ventilation systems are remarkably efficient. In fact, when properly installed and maintained, a composting toilet can actually make your camper smell better than a traditional RV toilet. The fan typically uses minimal power, usually around 0.1 amps, making it a practical solution even for off-grid camping. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20230923_101729.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20230923_101737.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/09/20230923_101750.jpg.webp) ### Easy Cleaning and Maintenance Contrary to what you might expect, composting toilets for campers are surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. The separation of liquids and solids not only helps with odor control but also simplifies the cleaning process. We've discovered that regular maintenance is key to keeping the toilet hygienic and odor-free. For cleaning the toilet bowl and seat, a simple spray of water and vinegar mixture usually suffices. It's important to avoid harsh chemicals or soaps, as these can disrupt the composting process. Some manufacturers recommend using enzyme-based cleaners that are specifically designed for composting toilets. As for the solid waste compartment, it typically requires minimal cleaning. The composting process naturally breaks down the waste, and any residue left after emptying will continue to compost with the next use. The liquid container may need more frequent attention, but a simple rinse with vinegar can help control any odors. In our experience, maintaining a composting toilet in our camper has been far less unpleasant than dealing with a traditional RV toilet. The absence of water and chemicals not only makes it more environmentally friendly but also contributes to a more hygienic and odor-free camping experience. ## Conclusion Thanks for supporting our blog and You Tube channel. Stay safe out there but keep exploring Brent Conklin [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR-2.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) ### Rendezvous 2024 Planning - Zoom Last Chance to RSVP URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/rendezvous-2024-planning-zoom-last-chance-to-rsvp/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T01:35:49.000Z The Rendezvous at the Ranch is fast approaching. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this year. We will have our last Zoom meeting on July 19th at 5 PM PST. This Zoom will be open to everyone. Whether you're coming to the Rendezvous or not, stop by and say hello. Please use the link in your email. If you don't have it, please email [get in touch](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/contact/) for a link --- ## 2023 Rendezvous In case you missed last year, here is a link to a short video and details of the 2023 Rendezvous. [The Rendezvous 2023As the weather starts to turn to winter, I am finally getting around to writing about the Rendezvous at the Whiskey 7 Ranch in August 2023\. We had a great time spending time with old friends and meeting some new ones. Here is a video of the introductions The first![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsBrent Conklin![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/10/Copy-of-Falls--2---1-.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-rendezvous-2023/) --- ## RSVP? If you are planning on coming, make sure you are signed up. We are doing an RSVP this year and if you can't access this page below when signed in, you are not signed up. [RendezvousDon’t be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!!![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsBrent Conklin![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/20230826_202324001.jpg--1-.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/2026-rendezvous/) --- ## Latest Happenings Here are a couple of short videos of the progress at the Ranch and house Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ### Campsite Sense — Driving Home in the Rain URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/campsite-sense/ Last updated: 2026-09-12T00:58:00.000Z Our return trip home from Southern California started in darkness. We wanted to outrun the traffic of Los Angeles and the atmospheric river of rain that was threatening to slow us down. We misjudged on one account which made me think of Jerry Jeff Walker’s ‘LA Freeway’ song. We just wanted to get out alive! A river of cars was already flowing at 5 am but we prevailed. By early afternoon we landed at El Capitan State Beach - one of few campgrounds that had not closed due to flooding. We were looking forward to stretching our legs, having an early happy hour and getting in a short nap – and not necessarily in that order! While driving the obligatory campground loop, my wife and I quickly found a site that tugged at the steering wheel. It appeared to check a lot of our boxes. In 20 quick minutes, our rig was leveled, our top popped (on the camper and beers), chairs were put out and firewood stacked. We paused and took a deep breath of the fresh ocean air and felt all was good. Then, the motorhome couple next to us kicked on their generator, sounding like a battered Model A Ford running on three cylinders. Our shoulders sagged. We were tired and neglected one of our basic criteria for campsite selection. And, the story does not stop here. Hence, the genesis of this article. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/06/Picture2.jpg--4--1.webp) --- Gretchen and I have been camping all our lives. We started backpacking a half-century ago while in high school. It took a lot of miles and worn-out sleeping bags and shoes before we finally graduated to a tent trailer. We called it our Taj Mohaul. I can still remember reveling over the simple act of wearing jeans while standing up! After a few years, we upgraded to a pop-up camper on a Toyota Tacoma, a lighter FourWheelCamper Fleet, and finally our current rig – a RAM 3500 and FWC Flatbed Hawk. Like a bold red wine paired with pasta and a rich Bolognese sauce, it has been a perfect marriage. In just three years we, have accumulated 70K camping miles and feel like we are still savoring the appetizer! Our ‘go to’ campsites are typically found off the beaten path by a gurgling creek or tucked between the canopies of several ponderosa trees. Some call it off-grid camping and others boondocking. We just call them honey-holes and we have certainly found a few sweet ones over the years. There is a lot of satisfaction in taking a non-descript dirt road off the highway, winding through and up a canyon for a few miles only to discover the perfect spot overlooking a picturesque valley. Solitude and a sunset is hard to beat. This is why we have an overlanding rig – to get to places that most campers cannot. However, there are trips, like our recent visit to SoCal, where we have the pedal down for a thousand miles, just trying to get from point A to point B. As a reader of this article, I am sure you know exactly what I am referring to. With little to no BLM land in between, we are sometimes relegated to stay at a lesser-known state park where reservations are not required. It is in these situations where we must tune in our campsite senses to ensure a pleasant overnight stay. Following are a few observations and tips we have learned along the way. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/06/Picture4.jpg--4-.webp) Valley of Fire State Park - Nevada --- ### Sun and Shade: A shade tree can be a luxury during a hot summer sun. The inside of your rig will stay cooler and your refrigerator will draw less power. But in the winter, shade can be a drawback when you want the sun to radiate warmth. Few things are better than an unusually warm winter or spring evening that prolongs a good campfire. Know your compass heading or the trajectory of the sun. Do you prefer morning or evening sun or shade? Are you dependent on solar power? Do you want to heat a bladder of water for cleaning or a shower? These are just a few good considerations Last year, we were exploring north-eastern Utah and stayed at a campground to freshen up. This one even had free hot showers! We initially selected a campsite with plenty of sunshine but a limited view. So when the view site next to us opened up, we quickly moved. Our camper just cleared the branches of the tree where we chose to park. An hour later, while trying to sneak in an afternoon nap, we heard what sounded like fingernails being dragged across a whiteboard. It was the branches running along our camper top whenever the wind picked up. We just had to laugh... and then moved back to our original choice. Peaceful sleep trumped a view. ### **Wind:** Wind can be a real nemesis. Besides having to chase down tablecloths or napkins, it can create a lot of dust and contribute to a restless night if it is strong enough to buffet your camper. Pay attention to the prevailing wind direction and orient your camper door on the leeward side. You and your rig will benefit greatly from this simple adjustment. Several years ago, while camping along the Grand Staircase route near Escalante Utah, we had to reposition our camper just to drop the top. The wind kept ‘inflating’ the inside of our FourWheelCamper! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/06/Picture5.jpg--2-.webp) Wind protection on the Four Wheel Camper --- Wind can also make a quick wreck of awnings. We use a Dragon Fly Awning Screen to aid stability in windy conditions. It not only helps anchor the awning but provides a private space and keeps a lot of dust out of the rig. Another option is to hang black, foldable, water bottles from the awning corners. They help reduce awning flaps with moderate wind gusts while solar-heating water for an evening clean-up. For my wife and I, the only benefit of wind, or better a slight breeze, is that it can keep the mosquitos at bay – especially if you are camping during the transition months between spring and summer. On the other hand, a campfire and/or whiskey and a good cigar can be just as effective with the buzzing bloodsuckers! ### **Water, Restrooms and Wind Direction**: Are you running low on water? Are you tired of finding a suitable place to empty your portable toilet? You may want to consider selecting a campsite near these facilities. It is not uncommon for us to visit a campground once a week while boondocking just to clean up, refresh our Porta-Potty and refill it with potable water. Be mindful of wind direction if a campground has pit toilets, especially the older configuration which do not vent well. A blast from the past can quickly ruin a nice dinner! In addition, make sure the water is labeled ‘potable’ so you know it is safe to drink. ### Generators: This is a tough one. The constant drone of a nearby generator can quickly change the ambiance of a nice campsite. If you must camp near a generator-equipped RV it may be helpful to know the operating hours within the park. For example, many campgrounds only allow operation between 8-10 am and 6-8 pm. This may not be a problem if you are getting an early start on the road or are away from your site during those hours. We get the need for generators. Not everyone who enjoys camping can do without AC power – although the advantages are blurring with the advent of solar generators like the 2000-watt Jackery or the 3000-watt Goal Zero products. Solar power systems coupled with lithium-ion batteries are rapidly approaching a performance/cost ratio that will make this silent form of power more attainable. But, until parity is reached, watt per dollar, gas generators are cheaper than solar and will continue to be a mainstay power source in RVs that demand heavy loads from microwaves, air-conditioners and appliances. That said, one of the great RV manufacturing mysteries (for me) is how they can produce a trailer or motorhome that costs $100K but cannot equip it with a quiet Inverter Class Generator made popular by Honda and Yamaha. These produce as little as 50db which is about the level of a normal conversation. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/06/Picture6.jpg--3-.webp) > **Deadhorse Lake, in the Oregon Fremont Mountains, is one of those smaller campgrounds that checks all of our boxes. The campground is remote, wild and peaceful. And, it is FCFS – no reservations taken! The 5 mile road into the campground is rough enough to keep out large trailers and motorhomes. Each large and generously spaced site has a view of the lake and the sunsets are spectacular. Most are fairly level and can accommodate more than one rig. The restrooms and fire rings are well maintained. Fishing, kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing are popular activities. Just bring some bug repellant in the early summer months.** ### Bottles and Boom Boxes: If you like a quiet setting, keep your eyes out for bottles and boom boxes when driving through a campground. Full or empty booze bottles, sitting or lying on a table may be sign of party ready to happen or one that is taking a break. A boom box is another indicator. Not that we don’t enjoy music. Tequila Sunrise (Eagles) or Up Around the Bend (CCR) could fit the moment well but we are never so lucky. Maybe our age is just catching up with us. ### **Views and Leveling:** We have a good friend that we call our ‘View Guru’. Waking up to a sunrise or preparing a river-side meal is a top priority for her. She will take a view site over shade or a little generator noise anytime. This can sometimes take a little finesse maneuvering your rig within the confines of a typical campsite. We have another friend with a larger rig that likes level campsites. We camped with Milo and his wife in Baja Mexico. He must have spent 45 minutes trying to get his trailer perfectly level. We were well into our margaritas by the time he finished. The process was then repeated when he discovered the leveling pads were on soft ground! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/06/Picture8.jpg--3-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/06/Picture7.jpg--3-.webp) --- For Gretchen and myself, leveling our rig is a good example of the 80/20 rule. Achieve 80 percent of success while spending 20 percent of the time or effort. We often use the phrase ‘Good enough for government work.’ There are two methods we use for leveling. First, we deploy ‘GoTreads’ to rectify an awkward tilt to our camper. Besides being compact and excellent vehicle extraction boards, GoTreads have 4 leveling heights inherent in their folding design. (It is always a bonus when one piece of gear can serve two functions.) Second, we use a folding shovel to dig or scrap a trough to lower a tire or two. This process can be used by itself or to augment the use of GoTreads in a very uneven campsite. ### Last but Not Least: When picking a campsite, we feel it is better to select your neighbors rather then they select you. For example, we like camping next to Adventure Motorcyclists. They are very appreciative of a cold beer or dinner or campfire and always have a few good stories to tell. And, after a long day of riding, they are typically early to bed and rise which matches our rhythm. We also enjoy camping next to older couples – especially if they have a lot of stickers on their rigs depicting the states they have visited! More often than not, they are insightful and can give us a view into our future. One elderly woman happily baked us an apple pie while telling us about her favorite National Parks. We are never too old to learn something from others. --- We hope these tips and musing have been helpful if not a little entertaining. They were culled from experience and plenty of mistakes. Just last week we were camping along the Metolius River not far away from our Oregon home. We selected a remote site and thought we found a new Honey Hole – until we looked up. Leaning over our camper, on a 45 degree angle, was a 100’ ponderosa tree that had seen better years. Although the probability of it falling on us was little to none, we were still a tad skeptical. Best to look up and around before selecting a campsite. You may be surprised about what you can surmise. Gary and Gretchen Matos [Gary Matos - Whiskey 7 BackroadsGary and Gretchen reside in Sisters Oregon and when not splitting or stacking wood they enjoy backpacking, kayaking and motorcycle riding. They currently own a 4wheel Flatbed Hawk on a Dodge Ram 3500![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/steens7.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/gary/) ### Exploring the Grand Staircase-Escalante: An Overlander's Guide URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/exploring-the-grand-staircase-an-overlanders-comprehensive-guide-to-the-escalante-national-monument/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:07.000Z The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, spanning nearly 1.87 million acres in southern Utah, is a beacon for overlanders and adventurers alike. This vast wilderness, known for its grandiose landscapes—comprising the Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits Plateau, and Escalante Canyons—captures the essence of untamed nature. It's a territory where the profound quietude and solitude offer not just a retreat, but an extraordinary canvas for scientific research, education, and an array of recreational activities from hiking to canyoneering. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/jacob-hamblin-arch-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument-coyote-gulch-via-magazine-shutterstock_287479649.jpg.jpg.webp) One of the many rock formations in the Grand Staircase Embarking on a journey through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument promises an unparalleled overlanding adventure. This guide aims to navigate the sprawling regions of the monument—each with its unique geological marvels and historical tapestry. Expect insights into planning your trip, selecting campsites, essential gear recommendations, and traversing the challenges of this rugged landscape. As we explore the grandeur of the Grand Staircase, the mystique of the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the serene canyons of Escalante, the grand staircase-escalante national monument map becomes an indispensable tool, guiding us through the heart of Utah's majestic wilderness. --- ## Planning Your Journey ### Essential Preparations and Considerations 1. **Vehicle Requirements and Road Conditions**: Before setting out on your adventure in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, ensure your vehicle is up to the task. All roads within the monument require [high-clearance vehicles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U5Tb1ewSQE) due to their rugged nature. Additionally, be prepared for the possibility of getting lost, breaking down, or running out of water, as the monument is purposely unimproved. Always carry extra supplies and be ready for self-rescue. 2. **Permits and Regulations**: A free backcountry permit is necessary for overnight camping, obtainable from any of the monument’s visitor centers. Familiarize yourself with local regulations; for instance, dispersed camping is allowed but must be coordinated with a backcountry permit. Always check with local land managers for road closures and conditions to avoid any inconveniences during your trip. 3. **Safety and Navigation**: Traveling in groups is highly recommended for safety reasons, as cell phone coverage is [limited, and emergency services may not be readily accessible](https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/safety-conditions). Plan your route carefully, check the weather forecast regularly, and make sure to inform someone of your itinerary and expected return time. For navigation, consider using tools like Google Maps and Gaia GPS to help guide your journey through the monument. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience as you explore the vast landscapes of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. --- ## Navigating the Grand Staircase ### Escalante Canyons: A Hiker's Paradise Navigating the Grand Staircase-Escalante begins with the Escalante Canyons, the monument's most frequented area. Known for its extensive network of trails, this section provides access to breathtaking waterfalls, natural arches, and the serenity of narrow canyons. The trails here vary in difficulty, offering something for both the novice and the experienced hiker. ### The Remote Grand Staircase For those seeking solitude and a more challenging experience, the Grand Staircase area offers a rugged, less-traveled path. This part of the monument is characterized by a series of colorful cliffs that form a majestic, step-like ascent from the Grand Canyon up to Bryce Canyon. The cliffs display a stunning palette that transitions from chocolate browns to vibrant vermillion, soft whites, and striking grays, culminating in delicate pinks. This area sees fewer visitors, making it an ideal spot for those looking to escape the more crowded sites and immerse themselves in unspoiled nature. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20190611_171540858.jpg.webp) EarthCruiser at the Grand Staircase ### Kaiparowits Plateau: Remote and Unyielding The Kaiparowits Plateau stands as the most secluded section of Grand Staircase-Escalante. Dominated by expansive sedimentary rock formations, this area offers some of the most scenic drives and breathtaking vistas within the monument. The remoteness of the Plateau adds to its appeal, providing a sense of isolation and tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere. Here, adventurers can drive along dusty backroads, each turn and crest revealing landscapes that feel untouched and timeless. --- ## Top Overlanding Trails and Sites ### Essential Overlanding Trails 1. **Hole-in-the-Rock Road**: Stretching 56 miles, this dirt road is ideal for high-clearance 4WD vehicles, especially following rain. It features key attractions like the Hole-in-the-Rock, Devil's Garden, and Dance Hall Rock, offering a blend of historical sites and stunning natural landscapes. 2. **Smokey Mountain Road**: At 26 miles long, this route provides breathtaking views and numerous campsites, making it perfect for extended stays in the wilderness. The road is suited for vehicles that can handle rough terrain, ensuring an adventurous ride through the heart of the Grand Staircase. 3. **Cottonwood Canyon Road**: This 47-mile trail passes through diverse landscapes, including the striking Grosvenor Arch and the colorful Kodachrome Basin State Park. It's another route requiring a high-clearance 4WD, with several campsites available for overlanders looking to explore the area over multiple days. 4. [**Burr Trail**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6GELKkVaZ4): Unlike the others, this 66-mile road is paved and accessible by all vehicle types. It offers a variety of natural and cultural points of interest, such as Long Canyon, Bullfrog Marina, and access to Capitol Reef National Park, with convenient campsites along the route. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/IMG_20150527_163817338.jpg--1-.webp) Our old setup the first time we took Smokey Mountain road ### Points of Interest and Activities The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is not just about the roads; it's about what you can discover along them. From the isolated Kaiparowits Plateau with its pinyon-juniper woodlands to the adventurous Escalante Canyons, where hikers can explore slot canyons and natural arches, there's plenty to see and do. Activities here are predominantly focused on hiking and enjoying the scenic bodies of water that dot the landscape. ### Comprehensive List of Overlanding Trails For those planning a thorough exploration, here's a more comprehensive list of trails to consider, each offering unique experiences and challenges: - Hole In The Rock Road - Hells Backbone - NF153 - Aquarius Teasdale - NF154 - Powell Point Trail - Smoky Mountain Road - Croton Road - Cottonwood Canyon Road - Tantalus Flat - NF30168 - Burr Trail Switchbacks - Nipple Butte Trail - Loa Great Western Trail - Dave's Hollow Cutoff - Panguitch to Casto Canyon and Casto Bluff Loop - Tropic Reservoir Road - Skutumpah Road - Deep Creek Lake Road - Glen Canyon Rec Road 340-230 - Smoky Mountain Road (Glen Canyon Section) - Henry Mountain Road, Loop & Sand Wash - Alstrom Point - Rec Road 264 - Nothing to See Here Trail - Papa Bear Poker Run 2021 - Elkhorn Road - Straight Canyon - South Mytoge - Baker Ranch Road - Tropic Reservoir Road (Private Easement Section) - Geyser Peak Trail - As Above So Below. This diverse selection ensures that whether you're looking for a challenging drive or a scenic, leisurely route, the Grand Staircase-Escalante has something to offer every overlander. --- ## Campsite Selection and Etiquette When planning to camp in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, it's essential to know the options and rules to ensure a responsible and enjoyable experience. The monument offers three developed campgrounds, available [on a first-come, first-served basis](https://www.blm.gov/visit/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument), providing a structured camping environment. For those seeking a more rugged experience, dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is permitted and free, though it comes without amenities like bathrooms or RV hookups. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/IMG_20201006_073147111_HDR.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/IMG_20201005_080733702_HDR.jpg.webp) Backcountry camping is an adventurous option, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area. However, it requires a backcountry permit for all overnight stays, which can be obtained for free at any visitor center or established trailhead. Whether at a developed site or in the backcountry, it's crucial to adhere to Leave No Trace principles. This includes camping only in existing sites, using a camp stove instead of open fires, and packing out all waste, including food leftovers and garbage. Lastly, respect for the environment and local wildlife is paramount. Do not feed wildlife, touch petroglyphs, or deface rocks. Dogs are allowed in most areas but must be leashed on specific trails and within certain sections to protect both the environment and other visitors. By following these guidelines, you contribute to preserving the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument for future generations while enjoying its vast, wild landscapes responsibly. --- ## Essential Gear and Modifications ### Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance Before embarking on any off-roading adventure, ensuring your vehicle is in top condition is crucial. Start by addressing any minor issues, as these can become exacerbated with [added weight and larger tires](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NJDgMwGaQk). It's advisable to have a baseline maintenance check, especially if the vehicle's maintenance history is unknown. This includes checking all fluids to ensure they are fresh and adequate for the demands of off-road driving. ### [Driving Skills and Vehicle Recovery](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/off-roading-bliss-awaits-uncovering-the-beauty-and-challenges-of-shafer-trail/) Off-roading demands a unique set of driving skills distinct from regular on-road driving. It's essential to master techniques such as operating four-wheel drive systems, using low-range transfer cases, and navigating different terrains like mud and rocks. Additionally, proper recovery points are vital for safely extracting a vehicle if you find yourself stuck. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with strong, aftermarket recovery points to avoid damage or injury during such operations. 0:00 /0:59 1× video of what to expect in the Grand Staircase ### Overlanding Modifications and Gear For a successful and comfortable journey, several modifications and pieces of gear are indispensable: - Upgrade to off-road tires for increased grip and puncture protection. Depending on your vehicle, larger tires may also provide a beneficial lift. - Protect your vehicle's underbody with sturdy skid plates and rock sliders to prevent damage from rough terrain. - Install a reliable roof rack for carrying essential items like tents, recovery tracks, and water containers. A spacious rooftop tent and a 270-degree awning can greatly enhance your camping experience by providing comfort and shelter. - For food preservation and meal preparation, invest in a high-quality portable fridge and a dual-burner stove. Also, consider durable camping chairs and a portable table for added convenience at your campsite. - Essential recovery gear should include items like a high-lift jack, recovery tracks, and a winch to handle various off-road challenges. By thoroughly preparing your vehicle and equipping yourself with the right gear and skills, you can enhance your safety, comfort, and enjoyment while exploring the rugged terrains of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. --- ## Challenges and Safety Tips ### Understanding and Preparing for Natural Hazards [Flash floods](https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/safety-conditions) pose a significant risk, especially during July, August, and September. It's crucial to avoid narrow canyons and washes during stormy weather to prevent being caught in these sudden floods. Similarly, hypothermia is a risk due to cold, wet conditions combined with wind and exhaustion. Early detection of group members is vital, and treatment involves rewarming the individual, removing wet clothing, moving to a heat source, and providing warm drinks. 0:00 /1:07 1× A small water crossing in the Grand Staircase ### Wildlife and Terrain Precautions When traversing through thick brush or rocky outcroppings, heightened alertness is necessary. Using a walking stick to probe underbrush or around crevices can help detect snakes or other potential hazards. Additionally, wearing high-top boots or snake chaps can provide an extra layer of protection against bites. It's also advised to carefully move piles of brush, logs, and tarps where snakes may be hiding. Always travel in groups when possible to ensure help is at hand in case of an emergency like snake bites or accidents. ### Essential Safety Gear and Practices Carrying appropriate safety and communication gear is essential for any overlanding adventure. This includes navigation tools, communication devices, self-recovery equipment, and a comprehensive camping and safety gear set. Also, having a trauma tourniquet and a 'stop the bleed' kit in your first aid supplies can be crucial in managing injuries until professional medical help is available. Always ensure you have means to communicate for help, like an Amateur Radio, Sat Phone, Garmin InReach, or a cellular device, and understand the limitations of these devices. --- ## Wildlife and Natural Features ### Biodiversity at Grand Staircase-Escalante The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, sprawling over 1.9 million acres, is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. This region is home to an impressive array of mammals such as the elusive mountain lion, black bears, and desert bighorn sheep, each adapted to the unique desert environment. The monument also supports over 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, providing a critical habitat for these creatures. Bird enthusiasts can spot over 200 species of birds, including the endangered California condor and the peregrine falcon, making this area a significant bird-watching destination. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20140529_122959781_HDR.jpg.webp) ### Paleontological and Cultural Significance The monument's grounds are not only rich with living biodiversity but also with historical treasures. Paleontological excavations have unearthed [fossils](https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/save%5Four%5Fnational%5Fmonuments/pdfs/Grand%5FStaircase%5FNational%5FMonument%5FFactsheet.pdf) that shed light on the ecosystem changes at the close of the dinosaur era, including discoveries of marine and brackish water mollusks and [20 new species of dinosaurs](https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/save%5Four%5Fnational%5Fmonuments/pdfs/Grand%5FStaircase%5FNational%5FMonument%5FFactsheet.pdf). Additionally, the area is steeped in cultural history, featuring rock art panels and artifacts from the Ancestral Puebloan, Fremont, Southern Paiute, and Navajo cultures, which highlight the human history intertwined with this landscape. ### Geological Wonders and Recreational Activities Grand Staircase-Escalante's dramatic landscape is marked by iconic geological formations such as the White and Vermilion Cliffs, the expansive Kaiparowits Plateau, the Escalante Natural Bridge, and the striking Grosvenor Arch. These formations are not only visually stunning but also offer numerous recreational opportunities. Visitors can engage in hiking, wildlife observation, and photography, exploring the vast desert lands and immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the monument. --- ## Local Regulations and Permits When exploring the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, it's crucial to adhere to specific local regulations and guidelines to ensure both your safety and the preservation of the natural environment. One important rule is regarding water consumption. Visitors should only drink water from developed, maintained systems available at recreation sites. All other water sources in the monument are untreated and might contain pathogens that can cause giardiasis, a serious intestinal illness. Therefore, any water from streams, rivers, or other natural sources must be properly treated before consumption to prevent health issues. Additionally, the monument has undergone significant changes in its land management policies. Previously, under the Trump administration, the monument faced a substantial reduction of about 48% of its lands, approximately 900,000 acres. This reduction has raised concerns about the potential impacts on wildlife habitats, as well as on geological, and paleontological research, and the preservation of petroglyphs and other cultural artifacts. Such changes underscore the importance of staying informed about current regulations and land statuses when planning your visit. For overlanders and adventurers driving through the monument, knowing which vehicles are suitable is also key. Popular choices include the Third-Gen Toyota Tundra, Second-Gen Chevrolet Colorado Z71, and the JL Jeep Wrangler. These vehicles are favored for their reliability and performance in handling the rugged terrain of the monument. Always ensure that your vehicle complies with the park's regulations and is capable of navigating the backcountry roads safely. --- ## Conclusion Traversing the sweeping landscapes of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument offers an extraordinary adventure into the heart of Utah's vast wilderness, showcasing the importance of meticulous preparation and respect for the natural world. This comprehensive guide has navigated through the essential aspects of planning your journey, from selecting the ideal vehicle and understanding local regulations to embracing the unique experiences each trail and site presents. The monument's rich biodiversity, geological wonders, and expansive backcountry roads provide a dynamic canvas for overlanders to immerse themselves in activities that span from serene to thrilling, underscoring the monument's significance as a haven for both adventure and conservation. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/IMG_20140529_150333.JPG.webp) As adventurers seek to explore the untouched beauty of the Grand Staircase-Escalante, it remains crucial to approach this remarkable wilderness with a sense of stewardship and wonder. Embracing the principles of Leave No Trace and adhering to safety precautions ensures that these majestic landscapes remain pristine for future generations to enjoy. For those eager to stay updated on the latest tips, routes, and expert advice for [Overlanding adventures](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/), signing up for our free newsletter will keep you connected to a community of like-minded explorers. The journey through Grand Staircase-Escalante is not just about the trails you traverse but also about the memories and lessons learned along the way, inviting us all to embark on a journey of discovery and respect for the natural world. ## FAQs **1\. How much time is typically needed to explore Grand Staircase Escalante?** To truly appreciate Grand Staircase Escalante, plan for at least 2 to 3 days. This duration allows for a thorough exploration, including the opportunity to venture into side canyons and hike along the Escalante River, a notable tributary of the Colorado River. **2\. Is Grand Staircase Escalante worth visiting?** Absolutely! Grand Staircase Escalante offers well-maintained facilities and ample parking. The trails, though challenging, lead to stunning views and fascinating displays of petrified trees. It's an excellent spot for a refreshing break, especially if you're heading towards Bryce Canyon. **3\. Can you drive through Grand Staircase Escalante?** Yes, driving through the entire monument is possible via two main routes. In the west, Cottonwood Canyon Road connects Highway 12 in the north to Highway 89 in the south. In the east, Hole-in-the-Rock Road (BLM 200) spans the monument from Escalante to its terminus at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. **4\. What are the costs associated with visiting Grand Staircase Escalante?** There is no fee to enter Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. However, free permits are mandatory for anyone planning to camp overnight or backpack in the backcountry. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/DCE3EBDDC3444BE58991C72BF74A14FE9006A09317AA96DB8119A41F4AB010198A8.jpg.webp) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Thanks for reading, we encourage you to sign up for our free newsletter below. Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=4302754e15)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) ### Overlanding and AI: A Journey into the Future URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-and-ai-a-journey-into-the-future/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T03:40:46.000Z ## Introduction Overlanding—the art of exploring remote and rugged terrain in a well-equipped vehicle—has captivated adventurers for decades. From traversing desolate deserts to conquering snow-capped mountain passes, Overlanding offers a unique blend of freedom, self-reliance, and awe-inspiring landscapes. But what happens when we infuse this age-old pursuit with cutting-edge technology? Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI), the driving force behind the next evolution of overlanding. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG1.jpg.webp) AI picture of Overlanding In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intersection of overlanding and AI. Buckle up as we explore how AI is transforming the overlanding experience, from planning epic routes to enhancing safety and sustainability. And yes, we’ll sprinkle in some stunning AI-generated images along the way! --- ## The AI Navigator ### Route Planning and Optimization Gone are the days of unfolding paper maps and squinting at faded ink lines. AI-powered navigation systems analyze real-time data, weather conditions, road closures, and elevation profiles to chart the most efficient overlanding routes. Whether you’re tackling the Rubicon Trail or venturing into the Australian Outback, your AI navigator ensures you stay on track. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG4.jpg.webp) Overlanding map AI --- ### Terrain Analysis AI algorithms analyze satellite imagery and topographical maps to assess terrain difficulty. Is that river crossing shallow enough? Will those rocky switchbacks challenge your suspension? The AI co-pilot provides instant insights, helping you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/_85c21d5a-6b25-4cf0-aa53-a4ed657112c2.jpg--1-.webp) AI-generated topo map for navigating --- ## Safety First ### Collision Avoidance AI-equipped cameras and sensors detect obstacles, pedestrians, and wildlife. If a kangaroo hops onto the trail, your AI co-pilot alerts you to brake or swerve. Safety isn’t just about you—it’s about preserving the environment and respecting local wildlife. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG4--1-.jpg.webp) ### Emergency Response In case of emergencies, AI systems can automatically send distress signals, pinpoint your location, and provide first aid instructions. Whether it’s a flat tire or a medical crisis, your AI co-pilot has your back. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG3.jpg) AI Copilot --- ## Sustainability Matters ### Eco-Friendly Routes AI considers ecological impact when planning routes. It avoids fragile ecosystems, minimizes soil erosion, and promotes responsible overlanding. After all, we want future generations to enjoy these pristine landscapes too. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG2--3-.jpg.webp) AI Eco-Friendly Navigation Route ### Energy Efficiency Electric overlanding? Why not! AI optimizes energy consumption, whether you’re driving a gas-guzzler or an electric adventure rig. It calculates the most efficient charging stations and even predicts battery life based on terrain. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG1--3-.jpg.webp) AI Electric Vehicle --- ## The Art of AI-Generated Images ### DALL·E’s Canvas Meet DALL·E, the AI artist. Describe your dream overlanding scene—a campfire under the Milky Way, a Land Rover conquering red sand dunes—and DALL·E brings it to life. These images aren’t stock photos; they’re unique creations tailored to your imagination. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG1--2-.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/_70cc69bd-e7cb-49af-a736-35d0760f9276.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG2.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG2--1-.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG2--2-.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/OIG2.QlXvBMmZEwc0.jpg.webp) --- ## Conclusion As overlanding enthusiasts, we embrace the marriage of tradition and technology. AI isn’t here to replace the thrill of the open road; it’s here to enhance it. So next time you hit the trail, remember that your AI co-pilot is riding shotgun, ready to guide, protect, and inspire. Happy overlanding, fellow adventurers! 🌄🚙🤖 (This entire article including the images was generated using AI) Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/04/IMG_20210512_183902.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. overlanding ### Experience Parks on the Air (POTA) at the Scenic Indiana's Turkey Run State Park URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/experience-parks-on-the-air-pota-at-the-scenic-indianas-turkey-run-state-park/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T01:44:26.000Z [Parks on the Air (POTA)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/a-pota-journey/) offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and [amateur radio](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/ham-radio/), providing an engaging way for participants to enhance emergency awareness and communications skills from scenic state parks. As an internationally recognized program, POTA underscores the seamless integration of Morse code, communications, and the beauty of national parks, fostering a vibrant community through various platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and MeWe. This initiative promotes the heritage of amateur radio and encourages the exploration of natural reserves, such as Indiana's picturesque Turkey Run State Park. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/IMG_8780.jpg-1.webp) Bridge at Turkey Run State Park Embarking on a POTA adventure at Turkey Run State Park combines the thrill of successful amateur radio operation with some exploration of the park's stunning natural beauty. This article aims to encourage enthusiasts to try out POTA and to give an understanding of the foundational principles to navigating the specific challenges and excitements of activating a park. Whether you're a seasoned amateur radio operator or new to the world of POTA, this article will provide invaluable insights into making the most of your experience at Turkey Run. --- ### **What is POTA?** Parks on the Air (POTA) is an innovative activity that intertwines the thrill of amateur radio with the serene beauty of parks across the United States and beyond. At its core, POTA aims to encourage radio operators, both seasoned and newcomers, to set up their equipment in federal or state-run parks and engage in two-way communications with other amateurs. This activity is not limited by location, as participants, known as "hunters," attempt to make contact with "activators" operating within these parks from anywhere around the globe, including distant stations (DX) or those within the US. [![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/cropped-thumbnail_Graphic4.jpg.webp)](https://parksontheair.com/) Parks on the Air (POTA) **Key Components of POTA:** **Activators and Hunters:** Activators are individuals who visit parks to operate their amateur radio equipment. The goal is to establish communication with at least 10 other amateurs. Hunters, on the other hand, are those who try to establish contact with the activators from any location, adding a layer of excitement and challenge to the activity. **Modes and Operations:** POTA is inclusive in its approach, allowing participants to use any mode of transmission, band, and power level. This flexibility ensures that anyone interested in amateur radio can participate, regardless of their equipment or license class. **Community and Awards:** Beyond being a mere activity, POTA has fostered a vibrant community of over 500,000 unique hunter call signs. It offers an awards program to recognize the achievements of its participants, further motivating them to explore new parks and enhance their communication skills. The program also provides advanced tools for spotting and hunting amateurs, making the activity accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Check out our friend Jason @HamRadio2.0 above as he explains what POTA is on his YouTube channel. POTA transcends being just a radiosport; it's an adventure that promotes emergency awareness, fosters a sense of community among amateur radio enthusiasts, and encourages the exploration of the natural beauty found in parks worldwide. With its low-cost entry, supportive community, and the thrill of competition without the pressure of a contest, POTA stands out as a unique and rewarding experience for amateur radio operators. --- ### **Exploring Turkey Run State Park** Turkey Run State Park, nestled in Parke County, Indiana, is a haven for families and [outdoor enthusiasts](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/understanding-the-challenges-faced-by-uninformed-travelers/) seeking adventure amidst nature's beauty. The park's diverse landscape is matched by an equally varied range of activities, ensuring visitors of all ages and interests find something to enjoy. **Accommodations and Amenities:** **Turkey Run Inn**: Offers comfortable lodging with an on-site restaurant, and both indoor and outdoor pools, ensuring a relaxing stay after a day of exploration. The inn also features a game room, perfect for family entertainment. **Camping and RV Rentals**: For those who prefer a more rustic experience, the park provides campgrounds and RV rental options, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. [![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/electric-campground1.jpg.webp)](https://turkeyrunstatepark.com/turkey-run-camping/) Turkey Run State Park Campground **Activities and Attractions:** 1. [**Hiking Trails**](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/angels-landing-at-zions/): Over 14 miles of trails ranging from easy to very rugged, including the famous Trail 3 with ladders, a suspension bridge, and a covered bridge, offer an unparalleled hiking experience. 2. **Nature Center**: A hub for learning about the park's rich history, geology, and wildlife. It features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and a gift shop for souvenirs. 3. **Falls Canyon and Rocky Hollow Falls Canyon Trail**: These areas are must-visits for their stunning waterfalls and the challenging 1.5-mile loop trail that leads to them, ideal for hiking, photography, and picnicking. 4. **Water Activities**: The park offers tubing, canoeing, and kayaking on Sugar Creek, with equipment available for rent. Fish Creek is another great spot for fishing and canoeing, adding to the park's appeal for water enthusiasts. **Historical and Natural Significance:** - **Historic Areas**: The park houses several historic sites, including an old pioneer cabin and a grist mill, offering a glimpse into the past. - **Flora and Fauna**: Home to a variety of tree species such as the rare Tulip tree, Hemlocks, and more, the park is a biodiversity hotspot. The Nature Guide Service provides daily guided tours, silent nature trails, and evening lectures to help visitors appreciate these natural and historic features. [![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/20180825_161151-scaled.jpg.webp)](https://turkeyrunstatepark.com/turkey-run-state-park-nature-center/) Turkey Run State Park Nature Center Turkey Run State Park, established in 1916 as Indiana's second state park, continues to be a cherished destination for those seeking to connect with nature and history. With its scenic beauty, array of activities, and educational opportunities, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of America's natural parks. --- ### **POTA Experience at Turkey Run** I had the good fortune of having an extended layover on July 4th, 2023, which allowed me to go hiking in two state parks and recreation areas before heading to Europe. As you might recall from my previous articles, I enjoy participating in Parks On The Air (POTA) and Summits On The Air (SOTA) activities, and I've also been working on improving my Morse code (CW) skills. It's been a challenging but rewarding journey, as learning Morse code is akin to learning a new language ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/IMG_7824.JPEG) LNR radio I brought my newly acquired LNR Precision MTR4b Mountain Topper radio. This radio can operate on 20, 30, 40, and 80 CW frequencies, with a 5-watt output. LNR Precision is an American company based in North Carolina. Mountain Topper radios are released in small numbers as components become available. The LNR radios are highly sought after within the backpacking and SOTA communities. The radio doesn't come with a built-in tuner, meaning you'll need either a resonant antenna or an external antenna tuner. In my situation, I opted for the latter and utilized the Elecraft T1 tuner. It allowed me to make the PackTenna 9:1 EFHW random wire antenna resonant—any of the four bands that can be selected on the radio. The MTR4b was powered using a Lithium Ion 11.0v two 6-ah battery pack. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/IMG_1040-1.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/IMG_1043-1.jpg) Contacts made from Turkey Run and Shades State Parks It was a successful activation of Park K-2272 as I logged 12 contacts. The farthest away was Arizona, Florida, and Montreal, Canada. I also activated K-2257 Shades State Park and made another 13 contacts. I prefer to log my contacts using paper and pencil. However, I use HAMRS as my application to upload my activations to the POTA/SOTA websites. There are several advantages to using HAMRS, such as its simplicity, its Adi format interface for file upload, and the ability to view a map of the contacts made --- ### **Challenges and Excitements** To enhance the Parks on the Air (POTA) experience and tackle inherent challenges, participants and organizers have devised practical strategies and suggestions. These insights not only aim to improve the overall engagement but also address specific technical and operational issues encountered during activations. **Strategies to Improve Callers and Personalize Experience:** - **Adjusting Speeds:** One method to attract more callers is by trying slower Morse code speeds. This approach can make it easier for less experienced operators to participate, thereby increasing the number of successful contacts. - **Personalization of Contacts:** Creating a list of frequently-worked callsigns and names can significantly personalize the contacts made during activations. This gesture fosters a sense of community and can encourage repeat contacts, enhancing the overall POTA experience. **Technical Solutions and Communication Enhancements:** - **RFI Issues:** Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is a common challenge that can impede clear communications. A practical solution found by participants is the switch to headphones, which can mitigate RFI issues and improve the clarity of transmissions. - **Real-time Communication:** The introduction of a messaging feature on the POTA app for real-time communication between logged-in users has been suggested. This feature would facilitate direct interaction among participants, allowing for instant feedback, coordination, and enhanced engagement during activations. These strategies and solutions highlight the dynamic nature of the POTA community, where continuous improvement and adaptation are key to overcoming challenges and maximizing the excitement of amateur radio activations in parks. --- ### **Must-Visit Spots Within Turkey Run** Turkey Run State Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and historic significance, offering visitors a plethora of spots that are a must-visit during their time in the park. Here's a concise guide to ensure you don't miss out on what this magnificent park has to offer: ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/turkey-run-hollow1-300x226.jpg.webp) One of the many trails at Turkey Run State Park ### Trails to Explore - **Trail 3 & Trail 4**: Known for their rugged terrain and scenic beauty, these trails offer an immersive experience into the park's natural landscape. - **Trail 8**: Provides a unique adventure with its challenging paths and the opportunity to witness the park's diverse flora. - **Trail 6 and Trail 10**: Perfect for those seeking a less strenuous hike, these trails still offer the full beauty of Turkey Run State Park with easier access. ### Natural Features - **The Punch Bowl**: A geological marvel that captivates visitors with its unique formation. - **Flora**: The park is home to an array of plant life including Stinging Nettle, Wild Ginger, May Apple, and Sassafras, each adding to the park's vibrant ecosystem. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/punch-bowl-scaled.jpg.webp) The Punch Bowl at Turkey Run State Park --- ### **Facilities and Historical Sites** - **Shelter House and Turkey Run State Park Lodge**: These facilities offer visitors a place to rest and gather, providing comfort amidst the wilderness. - **Turkey Run Campground**: For those looking to extend their stay, the campground provides excellent amenities to make camping in the park a memorable experience. - **Historical Insights**: The park's history is rich with tales of the past, including a private coal mine once used for the Salmon Lusk house, adding a layer of historical intrigue to your visit. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/6119684.jpg.webp) Turkey Run By ensuring you visit these highlighted spots within Turkey Run State Park, you're guaranteed an enriching experience that combines the thrill of exploration with the serenity of nature and a dash of historical knowledge. Whether you're traversing its challenging trails, marveling at its natural formations, or resting at its cozy facilities, Turkey Run promises an adventure that's both exhilarating and enlightening. --- ### **Conclusion** Through this exploration of Parks on the Air (POTA) activations at Indiana's enchanting Turkey Run State Park, we've journeyed across a spectrum of activities that blend the rich tapestry of amateur radio with the intrinsic beauty and tranquility of natural landscapes. From the foundational principles of POTA to the specific challenges and exhilarations of activating Turkey Run, this guide has aimed to provide both novices and seasoned operators with valuable insights into making the most out of their amateur radio adventures in the great outdoors. The significance of these experiences underscores not just the thrill of amateur radio sports, but also the deeper connection they foster with our natural heritage and the vibrant community that surrounds them. Moreover, the collective adventure of POTA at Turkey Run reflects the broader implications of such activities for emergency awareness, community building, and personal growth within the realms of nature conservation and technological literacy. As enthusiasts and curious minds alike consider stepping into or continuing their amateur radio journey, the importance of preparation, engagement, and adherence to best practices cannot be overstated. For those inspired by the journey and looking to dive deeper into the world of Parks on the Air, or simply wish to join a community of like-minded individuals, we encourage you to [sign up to our website](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/a-pota-journey/) and embark on your own POTA expedition. Together, we can continue to celebrate and preserve the natural wonder that parks like Turkey Run State Park represent, all while pushing the boundaries of amateur radio further into the wild. Carlos O'Neil [Carlos O’Neill - Whiskey 7 BackroadsMy wife Lynn and I like to explore off road locations in our Toyota Tundra. We have 2 Bulldogs that travel with us most of the time. When I am not flying for FedEx, you can usually find me camping.![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=4302754e15)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20201009_185022274_HDR--2-.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/carlos/) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/03/IMG_20210512_183902-1.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Avoiding the Pitfalls: Tips for Uninformed Travelers When Overlanding URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/understanding-the-challenges-faced-by-uninformed-travelers/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T01:35:52.000Z ### **Introduction** Embarking on an overland camping trip without sufficient knowledge and preparation can lead to various obstacles. One common challenge is the lack of information about suitable camping locations. Uninformed travelers may struggle to find appropriate campsites with amenities and facilities. Additionally, they may be unaware of the regulations and restrictions imposed by different camping areas, leading to potential legal issues or conflicts with park authorities. I witnessed this on a recent trip. It was 4:00 AM in Custer South Dakota. As we entered the western gate of Custer State Park, a line of cars was waiting at the entrance gate. It was an odd experience as there was no entrance fee to the park for that weekend. The travelers waiting in line expected the toll booth to open that morning so they could purchase a daily pass. I felt bad for them, knowing the booth would never open that day. They were wasting time. If they had checked the park web page, they would have know not to stop. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/Picture1.jpg--2-.webp) Big Horn Heep greeting us at the entrance to Custer State Park --- ### **A Syndrome** How could this happen to so many people? They were suffering from the Uninformed Traveler Syndrome. This seems to be a common occurrence these days as more and more of the information required for navigation through recreation experiences is moving to online platforms. There has been a significant increase in the use of web platforms by government agencies for communication with the general public. These agencies have joined the private sector in assuming and expecting users of their services to utilize the Internet to gain information and review rules and regulations. For those of us who are seasoned travelers, we have largely adapted to the shift from print to online platforms. In the past, if I wanted to traverse the forest service and logging roads around Mt Adams, Washington in my home state, I would visit the local Gifford Pinchot National Forest office and pick up a large folding map. The map would include sensitive areas and zones where harvesting of trees, huckleberries, and native plants is allowed. Most access roads were also clearly marked. Today, those maps are still available, but road conditions, rule changes, access fees, and other information now reside online. Before any trip, I must log in and navigate their platform, looking for information related to my goals for the trip. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/Picture2.jpg--3-.webp) Accessing the Gifford Pinchot National Forest web page is a familiar journey for me. I know where to find the information and have become familiar with the UI (User Interface). Because there is no standard platform used for Government Agencies, I have found myself frustrated at times when navigating other sites looking for up-to-date information. For the casual traveler, or those who are technology-challenged, this kind of journey can often lead to frustration or even worse, leaving for a trip as a Uniformed Traveler. By now, you may feel I am dragging you along a trail of negativity, but stick with me a bit further to see how this situation can impact both novices and seasoned travelers. --- ### **Public vs Private Land** I recently chatted with a man who loves boondocking and exploring. He is a transplant from Maine to Colorado. He likes to explore Moab Utah. He made a profound observation about learning to travel in the Western United States. > *“There is very little public land in the Northeastern United States. Coming west was a bit overwhelming to me as I was not ready to step into such vast tracks of open land controlled by government agencies”* This conversation prompted me to research the percentage of land in each state that is public vs private. The results were surprising**:** **US States Land Ownership by Percentage:** | **Rank** | **State** | **% that is Public Land** | **% that is Private Land** | | -------- | --------- | ------------------------- | -------------------------- | | 1 | AK | 95.8% | 4.2% | | 2 | NV | 87.8% | 12.2% | | 3 | UT | 75.2% | 24.8% | | 4 | ID | 70.4% | 29.6% | | 5 | OR | 60.4% | 39.6% | | 6 | AZ | 56.8% | 43.2% | | 7 | WY | 55.9% | 44.1% | | 8 | CA | 52.1% | 47.9% | | 9 | NM | 47.4% | 52.6% | | 10 | CO | 43.3% | 56.7% | | 11 | WA | 41.9% | 58.1% | | 12 | MT | 37.5% | 62.5% | | 13 | NY | 37.1% | 62.9% | | 14 | FL | 29.2% | 70.8% | | 15 | MI | 28.1% | 71.9% | | 16 | MN | 23.5% | 76.5% | | 17 | HI | 19.0% | 81.0% | | 18 | NJ | 18.3% | 81.7% | | 19 | NH | 18.0% | 82.0% | | 20 | WI | 17.8% | 82.2% | | 21 | AR | 17.3% | 82.7% | | 22 | VA | 17.1% | 82.9% | | 23 | WV | 16.5% | 83.5% | | 24 | PA | 16.1% | 83.9% | | 25 | VT | 15.8% | 84.2% | | 26 | NC | 14.6% | 85.4% | | 27 | TN | 14.1% | 85.9% | | 28 | KY | 11.8% | 88.2% | | 29 | SC | 11.8% | 88.2% | | 30 | MO | 11.2% | 88.8% | | 31 | MS | 10.9% | 89.1% | | 32 | LA | 10.7% | 89.3% | | 33 | GA | 9.7% | 90.3% | | 34 | ND | 9.1% | 90.9% | | 35 | SD | 8.9% | 91.1% | | 36 | MD | 7.6% | 92.4% | | 37 | DE | 7.4% | 92.6% | | 38 | AL | 7.1% | 92.9% | | 39 | MA | 6.3% | 93.7% | | 40 | CT | 6.2% | 93.8% | | 41 | ME | 5.7% | 94.3% | | 42 | OK | 4.6% | 95.4% | | 43 | IN | 4.5% | 95.5% | | 44 | OH | 4.2% | 95.8% | | 45 | TX | 4.2% | 95.8% | | 46 | IL | 4.1% | 95.9% | | 47 | IA | 2.8% | 97.2% | | 48 | NE | 2.8% | 97.2% | | 49 | KS | 1.9% | 98.1% | | 50 | RI | 1.5% | 98.5% | | | **USA** | 39.8% | 60.2% | > The enclosed chart was sourced from www.summitpost.org As you can see, the percentages vary greatly with a low of less than two percent in Rhode Island to over 95 percent in Alaska. This wide variation in ownership and control contributes to the challenges faced by those of us who value traveling in the open wilderness. To some degree, those of us who reside in the West, are more comfortable navigating the maze of rules surrounding public land management vs. those from other countries, or those residing in eastern sections of the United States where public land is rare. --- ### **Who Governs the Land?** Once we establish how much land in a state is public, the next step is to understand who governs that land. One example of how crazy this question gets is when we visit the land surrounding Quartzite, Arizona. There are sections of land inside the city limits of Quartzite that are controlled by the ***Arizona State Land Department.*** They require the purchase of a land use permit as follows: *Individual Permit: An Individual Permit is $15 and grants a single person access to State Trust land for certain types of recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street in Phoenix.* ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/Picture3.jpg--3-.webp) Driving Northwest from Quartzite you will end up in Parker, Arizona. Parker lies inside the boundaries of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation. The open land along the river is managed by the tribe. They require the purchase of a daily use fee permit costing $15 per day. Just north of Parker, you will enter BLM land. The BLM has a different set of rules for use and camping. All of the area just described is within a zone that can be traversed by car on paved roads in less than 45 minutes. --- ### **Understanding the Language** Most of us live in a world filled with acronyms. We all laugh at the way American Business has adapted abbreviations to define tasks, features, and even diseases. In the same way, each industry and or segment of society is defined by its language and acronyms, we also must understand and accept that when reading the rules and regulations regarding wilderness areas, various agencies also carry on with a secret code when defining things. The BLM uses a Back Country Byways system with access roads that lead to remote areas. Some are passable by car, but many are only accessible by high-clearance vehicles. Familiarize yourself with the four types of designated byways to help you safely navigate public lands. Know ahead of time which type of roads work with your vehicle and camper setup. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/program_recreation__byways_-homepage_photo1.jpg.webp) BLM byways Type 1 byways are paved or have an all-weather surface to accommodate standard cars. Type 2 byways typically aren’t paved, but do have some type of surfacing, and require high-clearance vehicles. Type 3 byways require four-wheel drive or all-terrain vehicles (ATV) to handle grades, tread surfaces, and non-surface roads. Type 4 byways are typically single-track paths that can accommodate dirt bikes, mountain bikes, snowmobiles, or ATVs. Seems simple enough until you read this language from the Federal Highway Administration website: ***America's Byways®*** *is the umbrella term for the collection of 184 distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. America's Byways include National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads.* ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/Creole_Nature_Trail_sign_from_Flickr_161747806_35cdd8a2ef_o.jpg.webp) National Scenic Byways ***National Scenic Byway*** *To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a byway must meet the criteria for at least one of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor’s intrinsic quality are recognized throughout the region and are considered regionally significant.* Simply put, we must take responsibility to understand the terms and words utilized by various agencies and seek clarity if there is any confusion. The danger in assuming we understand their definitions can come into play in some very uncomfortable ways. **Case in point:** Eric Hanson is the host of Epic Trails, a TV and digital series designed to showcase the people, places, and adventures that surround the world’s top backpacking trails. He hosts a YouTube Channel and Backpacking TV. Eric is a seasoned hiker and is well-traveled around the world. This is a brief overview of an event that can be fully explored on his YouTube Channel. He and his crew were filming an episode along the north rim of the Grand Canyon. One member became ill and they needed to exit the park, seeking medical attention for the stricken member. They camped at a trailhead and summoned help. After the member was removed via ambulance the local ranger warned them about camping out of bounds and demanded they move their tents. They were directed to move to a store a mile down the road. They mistook a gas station/ mini mart for the store. The next day they were cited for camping out of bounds, as the store they were supposed to camp at was another 200 yards away. Eric admitted it was an honest mistake. He and the Ranger disagreed on the definition of camping out of bounds. He ended up in court. One of the most misunderstood terms is Dispersed Camping. Dispersed camping does not mean camping anywhere, and that can be unclear. You are never allowed to make new roads/paths or drive in undeveloped areas. Fire rings are one of the best indicators of designated campsites; however, if there is no clear vehicle path to the fire ring, you may camp there, just keep your vehicle in a clearly used area. Don’t drive off the trail. The BLM web page has a Know Before You Go section. This is a great resource for overlanding and should be checked regularly as rules can and do change. Since the BLM is one of the largest land managers in the United States, it is likely any trip will traverse at least one section of land managed or controlled by this agency. [Programs: Recreation: Know Before You Go | Bureau of Land Management![](https://www.blm.gov/themes/custom/blm_d9_22/images/touch-icons/icon-180x180.png)Bureau of Land Management Home Page U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management![](https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/styles/og_image/public/programs_recreationknownbeforeyougo2.jpg?h=a16ca9fc&itok=ij-tA_ZP)](https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/know-before-you-go) --- ### **The Pressure and Why?** The BLM is under great pressure from environmental groups. This is evidenced by two recent examples. *1\. The Bureau of Land Management has approved a plan to close hundreds of miles of off-road driving trails outside Moab, Utah, capping a yearslong fight between environmental groups, off-roaders, and the federal government over trail access in the region. The new plan will shutter 317 miles of OHV routes across the spectacular Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges area just west of Moab, including a handful used during the annual Easter Jeep Safari event, to protect the sensitive desert landscape.* *2\. In March, the agency unveiled a sweeping proposal to establish a framework for “conservation leases” that places a newfound priority on preservation. The new Public Lands Rule presents a radical departure from the “multiple use mandate” Congress outlined for the agency in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).* If you are following the trend, you have discovered that the continued pressure from conservation groups is causing a fundamental shift in land use. Under the umbrella of conservation, the changes to Moab are an example of what is likely to continue as a trend. This changes how we choose our trips, our pathways, our preferred roads to travel as well as how we camp or enjoy those wilderness areas once we arrive. ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. The BLM is not the only agency making radical changes. Recently the ORV areas around Bend Oregon faced closures. Due in part to the following event: > *U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officials reached out for the public’s help Monday to find whoever recently vandalized some rock art pictographs west of Bend.* > *The vandalism to tribal pictographs in the undisclosed area was recently discovered and appears to have happened within the past month, Deschutes National Forest Public Information Officer Jean Nelson-Dean said.* In that same area, the annual gathering of Public Lands Cleanup in Bend Oregon where a group of volunteers removes trash and debris from the area. In 2022 they removed tons of trash including dozens of stolen cars that were driven into the desert, stripped, and left to be vandalized. Many of the access points around that area are now blocked to reduce the opportunity for vehicles to be taken into what has been a pristine off-road area. The total for the cleanup event was: Vehicles- 96,000 lbs. Dump runs- 10,000 lbs. Tires/Hazmat- 1700 lbs. There are stories like this popping up in every state. The land is being damaged by people who cannot remain on trails, and are vandalizing sacred areas. All of us have come across remote areas where mining camps and other remnants of previous human activity existed only to find them covered with spray paint and damaged by miscreants. In Arizona, law enforcement has now instituted a zero-tolerance policy for people camping in remote areas of BLM land who are violating the 15-day limit. Many rangers are being instructed to strictly enforce rules due to growing abuses by a minority of people. This is shared only to point out that the growing frustration inside agencies in managing open land has unfortunately pushed many agencies to become intolerant of anyone breaking a rule. I have quotes from rangers and managers inside BLM that have stated that in the past, their agents were given the freedom to issue verbal warnings when it was clear the rule-breaking was unintentional and the people in question appeared to be responsible. We have entered into a new season. A season where the agencies expect us to keep up to date by mastering all the web pages governing our travels and to abide by those rules. If we enter into the zone of the Uniformed Traveler, we will likely suffer the consequences created by disrespectful and ignorant people. It therefore is our responsibility to keep informed, keep vigilant, and understand that the various agencies we encounter are likely stressed out because of these events. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/florida-guidebook-com-9CRd1J1rEOM-unsplash.jpg.webp) ### **Conclusion** The landscape of public land management is changing rapidly. Those of us who have traveled for years risk becoming complacent and assuming we have a good grasp of the rules. Those who are new to overlanding are at risk of taking information and guidance from others without validating the accuracy of that information. In the end, if you make an error, the person providing the advice and guidance is not liable, you are. The enforcement agents hold the violator responsible, not their trusted advisors. Overlanding is an enjoyable adventure for us most of the time. To travel well and enjoy our travels, we must invest some time in researching the rules for the area we plan to travel. A well-planned trip is a joy, affording us the adventure we see without the drama. Safe and Informed Travels Howard Turner [Howard Turner - Whiskey 7 BackroadsHoward and Becky travel across the USA looking for remote places to explore and photograph. When not travelling they reside in Vancouver Washington.![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=8639ecb451)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/P7250102-edited.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/howard/) ### Superstition Mountains Overlanding: Weavers Needle & 4x4 Trails URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/unveiling-the-mystique-of-the-superstition-mountains-through-overlanding/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:09.000Z ## **The allure of overlanding and camping in the Superstition Mountains** Overlanding, the art of self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. The Superstition Mountains, with their rugged terrain and stunning vistas, offer an alluring destination for overlanding enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of Arizona, the Superstition Mountains beckon adventurers with the promise of unforgettable experiences and breathtaking natural beauty. As an overlanding enthusiast, I have been captivated by the allure of this majestic landscape and the endless possibilities it offers for exploration and adventure. One of the most compelling aspects of overlanding in the Superstition Mountains is the freedom it provides to immerse oneself in nature. Unlike traditional camping, overlanding allows for a more immersive and authentic outdoor experience. Venturing off the beaten path, exploring remote trails, and setting up camp in unspoiled wilderness areas are all integral to the overlanding experience. The Superstition Mountains, with their diverse ecosystems and unspoiled landscapes, provide the perfect backdrop for this type of adventure. Whether traversing rocky terrain in a rugged 4x4 or embarking on a multi-day camping excursion, overlanding in the Superstition Mountains offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature in a profound and meaningful way. --- ## **The unique flora and fauna of the Superstition Mountains** The Superstition Mountains are home to a rich and diverse array of flora and fauna, making them a captivating destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. From towering saguaro cacti to elusive desert bighorn sheep, the region's unique ecosystem is teeming with life and natural wonders. Overlanding provides a rare opportunity to witness this biodiversity up close and personal, offering a deep appreciation for the delicate balance of the natural world. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Superstition-Mountains.jpg.webp) Flora of the Superstition Mountains As I traversed the rugged terrain of the Superstition Mountains in my EarthCruiser, I was constantly in awe of the diverse plant life that thrives in this harsh desert environment. The iconic saguaro cactus, with its towering silhouette and majestic presence, is a symbol of resilience and adaptability. In addition to the saguaro, the Superstition Mountains are also home to a variety of other cacti, including the prickly pear and barrel cactus. The sight of these hardy plants thriving in the arid landscape serves as a powerful reminder of nature's ability to endure and flourish in the face of adversity. --- ## **Exploring the best 4x4 trails in the Superstition Mountains** For off-road enthusiasts, the Superstition Mountains are a playground of rugged 4x4 trails that offer a thrilling mix of challenge and adventure. From rocky descents to steep inclines, the region's diverse terrain provides an exhilarating backdrop for off-road exploration. As I navigated the best 4x4 trails in my EarthCruiser, I was met with a series of heart-pounding obstacles and awe-inspiring vistas that left an indelible impression on my overlanding journey. Our trip thru the Superstition Mountains One of the standout 4x4 trails in the Superstition Mountains is the infamous Apache Trail, a historic route that winds through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region. This challenging trail features narrow switchbacks, sheer drop-offs, and stunning overlooks that showcase the rugged beauty of the Superstition Mountains. For overlanding enthusiasts seeking a more technical off-road experience, the Apache Trail offers a thrilling test of skill and endurance. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/14C1B3C4B54C4B799251FFF387F7145B900939D2ADA61CDA90095234FD198ADF608.jpg.webp) The EarthCruiser in the Superstition Mountains Another standout overlanding trail in the Superstition Mountains is the Dutchman's Trail, a scenic route that meanders through pristine wilderness areas and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. This intermediate-level trail provides a perfect balance of challenge and reward, making it an ideal choice for overlanding enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the natural splendor of the Superstition Mountains. Whether camping along the trail or simply taking in the awe-inspiring scenery, the Dutchman's Trail offers a truly unforgettable overlanding experience. --- ## **Overlanding and camping experiences in the Superstition Mountains** The Superstition Mountains offer a wealth of overlanding and camping experiences that cater to a wide range of preferences and interests. Whether you prefer to set up camp in a designated campground or seek out a more remote and secluded spot, the region provides an abundance of options for overlanding enthusiasts. As I embarked on my own overlanding and camping adventures in the Superstition Mountains, I discovered a diverse array of experiences that highlighted the region's natural beauty and inherent sense of adventure. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/DCE3EBDDC3444BE58991C72BF74A14FE9006A09317AA96DB8119A41F4AB010198A8.jpg.webp) Heading home from the Superstition Mountains One of the most memorable aspects of overlanding and camping in the Superstition Mountains is the opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of modern life and reconnect with the natural world. Setting up camp beneath a canopy of stars, cooking over an open fire, and falling asleep to the soothing sounds of nature are just a few of the simple pleasures that make overlanding and camping in this rugged wilderness so special. Whether embarking on a multi-day overlanding expedition or enjoying a weekend getaway, the Superstition Mountains offer a truly immersive and rejuvenating outdoor experience. --- ## **Overlanding community in the Superstition Mountains** The overlanding community in the Superstition Mountains is a vibrant and inclusive network of enthusiasts who share a passion for exploration, adventure, and the great outdoors. From seasoned overlanding veterans to first-time adventurers, this diverse community offers a wealth of knowledge, camaraderie, and support for those looking to embark on their own overlanding journey. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/superstitions-and-pinnacle-peak-063hsrs.jpg) Hikers on a trail in the Superstition Wilderness One of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the overlanding community is the opportunity to learn from others, share experiences, and forge lasting friendships with like-minded individuals. Whether swapping stories around a campfire, offering advice and assistance on the trail, or simply reveling in the camaraderie of shared adventures, the overlanding community fosters a sense of belonging and connection that enriches the overall experience of exploring places like the Superstition Mountains. By embracing the spirit of community and collaboration, overlanding enthusiasts can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all who seek to discover the mystique of this rugged wilderness. --- ## **Planning an overlanding trip to the Superstition Mountains** For those eager to embark on their own overlanding adventure in the Superstition Mountains, careful planning and preparation are essential for a safe and rewarding experience. From route selection and vehicle maintenance to packing essentials and safety considerations, there are several key factors to consider when planning an overlanding trip to this rugged wilderness. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/11/supestrails2012e.jpeg) Trails in the Superstition Mountains Before setting out on an overlanding trip to the Superstition Mountains, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and familiarize yourself with the region's unique challenges and opportunities. Understanding the local terrain, weather patterns, and regulations will help inform your route planning and logistical preparations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable overlanding experience. Additionally, taking the time to assess your vehicle's capabilities, perform necessary maintenance, and pack essential gear and provisions is essential for staying safe and self-reliant while exploring the Superstition Mountains. --- ## **Conclusion** In conclusion, the Superstition Mountains stand as a timeless and captivating destination for overlanding enthusiasts seeking adventure, exploration, and a deep connection with the natural world. From the rugged 4x4 trails to the diverse flora and fauna, from the allure of ancient legends to the sense of camaraderie within the overlanding community, the Superstition Mountains offer an immersive and transformative experience that leaves a lasting impression on all who venture into their rugged embrace. As I reflect on my own overlanding journey through this majestic landscape, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to unveil the mystique of the Superstition Mountains and forge unforgettable memories that will inspire future adventures for years to come. If you're ready to embark on your own overlanding adventure in the Superstition Mountains, I encourage you to take the time to plan and prepare for a safe and rewarding experience. Whether you're a seasoned overlanding enthusiast or a first-time adventurer, the rugged beauty and timeless allure of the Superstition Mountains await, ready to captivate and inspire your next great outdoor adventure. Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ### The 2023 Whiskey 7 Ranch Rendezvous URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-rendezvous-2023/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T14:22:46.000Z As the weather starts to turn to winter, I am finally getting around to writing about the Rendezvous at the Whiskey 7 Ranch in August 2023\. We had a great time spending time with old friends and meeting some new ones. Here is a video of the introductions The introductions The first night we had Tacos Carnitas prepared by Gary, Gretchen, Charlie, Norma and family. They were loved by all and I have been informed that we will be able to sample another serving in 2024\. After dinner, we had a very serious game of Cornhole that lasted into the dark of night. We lit the holes with lights and continued on in the dark. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/10/20230826_202324001.jpg.webp) Campfire Saturday Night The second afternoon, we sampled 4 different varieties of homemade Brats made by Brent and Cheryl. We are pretty proud of these and there was something for everyone. That evening we had a random-partners Cornhole tournament. At this time I really don't remember who won, ha ha Bill. A good time was had by all and some even started practicing for next year. If you want to attend next year's event, please sign up below. [MembershipDon’t be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!!![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=b149d1124e)Whiskey 7 BackroadsBrent Conklin![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/10/Picture7.jpg--1-.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/membership/) To everyone who attended, we want to thank you for coming and sharing the weekend. It was one of the most memorable weekends with friends we have ever had. Please sign up for next year as only those with memberships will get the invite. Brent & Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ### Camping, Exploring, and Traversing the Magruder Trail URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/camping-exploring-and-traversing-the-magruder-trail/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:10.000Z ### **Elk City - Starting Point** Elk City Idaho is a small community – much smaller than our hometown of Sisters Oregon. The population, as of 2020, is 170\. Good things come in small packages! It was once a boom town when gold was discovered in 1861\. When mining played out 80 years later, timber harvesting took over and is still an economic mainstay. Elk City is lesser known as a gateway for the Southern Nez Perce Trail – now commonly referred to as the Magruder Corridor. The Magruder is a 120 mile primitive route over the Bitterroot Mountains that connects Idaho to Montana. It is wild, raw and a scenic for overlanders. Although a rough trail had existed through the Bitterroots since the 18th century, the current road was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1930\. Fifty years later, the corridor became an official national treasure when the Central Idaho Wilderness Act was passed. It was named after Lloyd Magruder, a miner and respected businessman of the mid-1880’s, who was robbed and murdered by fellow travelers along the route. Lloyd would want us to remember to choose your travel companions wisely! --- ### Preparation In the past, we have always traveled from Oregon to Montana via Lolo Pass or Salmon Idaho. Either route would take us near Darby Montana – an area rich with recreation. So, when a good friend decided to hold a rendezvous at his newly acquired Montana ranch, we started looking for a new scenic byway. We had heard of the Magruder Corridor but knew little. That was about to change. After a few phone calls, we had a small group of three couples and rigs game to explore. The plan was simple. We agreed to meet near Lewiston Idaho and head north to Grangeville. From there, we took a winding Hwy 14, along the South Fork of the Clearwater River, until the pavement ended in Elk City. The ranger station gave us the latest road conditions and weather report and provided us with useful information. The Guide to the Historic Magruder was an especially helpful pamphlet as it identified, by milepost, lookouts, campgrounds and other points of interest. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture1.jpg--1-.webp) Magruder Ranger Station sign It is important to note that the Magruder Corridor weaves through some of the most remote wilderness in the United States. Although much of the route is easily managed by a high clearance vehicle, there are sections and side trips that require 4WD and low range to navigate the rock-strewed shelf road sections and deep ruts. Trailers are not recommended due to several very tight switchback sections. Carrying tow and extraction gear is encouraged in addition to radio communications between rigs. A breakdown halfway through the corridor would cost a small fortune in tow services. Needless to say, make sure your rig has been recently maintained and travel with a friend… hopefully a trustworthy one! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture2.jpg--2-.webp) We love drive with caution signs!! Before leaving Grangeville, be sure to fuel up and resupply as Elk City has limited services. Plan to take several days to complete the trip. (We took just two days and felt rushed.) Focus on the journey, not the destination. There is a lot to see including fire lookouts, old Ranger Stations and century old bridges. You will also find numerous trailheads ranging from short hikes leading to vantage points or to high mountain lakes. Just be sure to bring along some bear spray or another means of protection. --- ### **The Rigs** On this trip, there was an EarthCruiser EXP, A Tundra/FourWheelCamper Hawk and a Dodge Ram/FWC Hawk Flatbed. All of the vehicles have spent plenty of time off-road. Both the Tundra and Dodge Ram had modified suspensions, oversized tires, air compressors and winches – all standard equipment on the very capable EarthCruiser. Each rig was also equipped with tool, tire repair kits, extraction gear, Ham radios (for short and long distance communication). Fortunately, the vehicles performed exceptionally well – a testament to their capabilities, maintenance and drivers' skill. Our co-pilots also did a great job of navigating! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/magruder1.jpg.webp) EarthCruiser, Dodge Ram and Tundra with 4 Wheel Campers --- ### **Magruder Corridor - Day 1** The official start of the Magruder is several miles southwest of Elk City. We passed green pastures and grazing cattle at the forefront of hills loosely shrouded by low lying clouds. A few homesteads parted the tree line. Bitter cold winters and hard work have a way of sparely populating an area. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/elk-city-present-day.jpg--1-.webp) Elk City Idaho Upon leaving pavement, we were promptly greeted by a welcome sign citing mileage and a travel warning. Darby Montana was only 90 miles away on dirt that can muddy or heavily rutted by rain. As a group, we took the time to air-down. Our bodies and rigs would certainly benefit from the softer ride. After only a few miles it was necessary to engage 4WD as the wet (and sometime slick) road began a long ascent. It had rained just a few hours earlier. We were quickly engulfed in a dense and healthy forest with ‘peak-a-boo’ views at random intervals. Radios between the three rigs were constantly keyed up. Each of the couples were seeing something the others had missed. Then surprisingly, the trees would then take a step back to expose an inviting meadow. A prelude of what would come. One of the first primitive campsites along the corridor is aptly named Mountain Meadows. The expansive meadow of green, yellow and orange tugged on us to stay and make camp. But the afternoon was still young and the lure of Magruder came pulling us further down the road. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture3.jpg--2-.webp) Mountain Meadows on the Magruder Trail Shortly after passing Granite Springs Campground (located atop an exposed mountain saddle) we took a detour up Elk Mountain Road to the first of several look out towers. The 4 mile long road was a little rough and required 4WD but the short hop was worth the 360 degree view from Green Mountain. Like contrasting segments of a pie, some sections bore the limbless white ghosts from fires within the last two decades. Adjacent sections of forest displayed multiple shades of green. Fireweed provided a sprinkle of bright color at our feet. After a few photo opportunities, we turned the vehicles around with happy hour in mind. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20230822_092901.jpg--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20230822_090342.jpg--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture4.jpg--3--1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20230822_101553.jpg--1-.webp) Take your time on the trail, some parts are rough. The next ten miles offered vistas that alternated from the north and south side of the road. We were so busy taking in the early evening layers of mountains and clouds that we hardly noticed the steep descent into Poet Creek Campground. Not until we got our rigs positioned for the evening did, I notice the smell of brakes. It was a timely reminder to take the grades slow, gear down or use 4WD low to help brake the vehicle. --- ### **First Night Camp Site** Our stay at Poet Creek Campground was lyrical. The soft babbling creek seemed to wash away the stress that comes from a long day on the road. Three rigs, four campsites, a pit toilet, plenty of elbow room, a trailhead and no fees. We had the campsite to ourselves. The forest service does such a very good job maintaining small primitive campsites. Even though we prefer dispersed camping, they are hard to pass up. (Every site we came across was either on a creek or meadow or had an incredible view.) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture5.jpg--1-.webp) Poets Creek along the campground After a short hike to stretch the legs, the drinks, appetizers and stories started to flow faster than the creek – and continued around a campfire. It was a perfect evening with good friends. Gretchen and I have known Brent and Cheryl for several years. We have traveled around the Southwestern states with them including a trip to Baja Mexico. They savor the journey and are one of the few EarthCruiser owners that actually use their vehicle for extensive overland trips. More recently, we met Mike and Karen at a Four-Wheel Camper rally in California. Their combined wit and humor keep the fun in any trip. Best of all, they are capable traveling companions that have your back and are excellent at spotting potential obstacles. --- ### **Magruder Corridor - Day 2** Our small group left Poet Creek filled with anticipation. The road began to climb steadily and slowly deteriorated (and narrowed) over the next 10 miles when we finally approached Dry Saddle Trailhead. At an elevation of 7900’, it is the highest point on the Magruder and a good spot to take a break. The vistas were simply stunning. We could see layers upon layers of mountains, each getting darker than the preceding range. This is the halfway point in this vast wilderness. Like flipping a light switch, the road turned from bad to worse within a few hundred yards. The narrow and rocky shelf road descended for about 8 miles and then climbed back up for the same distant. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture6.jpg--1-.webp) Can you spot the EC? It is not a section where you would want to meet any approaching vehicles. We had to stop and let 9 adventure bikes pass. Anything larger would have required some tricky maneuvering. Except for a single SUV much further down the trail, these were the only vehicles we saw the entire day! All of us moved slowly along in 4WD low. It took 2.5 hours to travel 9 miles – a little faster than a fast walk. We found the views at Sabe Mountain to be breathtaking. Nature was busy at work after a devastating fire 15 years ago. We found ourselves surrounded by black and grey limbless trees in front of mountains of granite. A perfect black and white painting that would be worthy of Ansel Adams. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture8.jpg--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture7.jpg--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture9.jpg--1-.webp) Some of the technical parts of the trail Our next stop was Horse Heaven Saddle – aptly named for the plentiful gazing area. Just a stone throw from the road is the Horse Heaven Cabin. Built in 1930 by the CCC, this one room cabin, complete with wood stove, can be rented through Recreation.gov. At Observation Point we got a 270-degree view of the Bitterroot Mountains. It was humbling to trace the road, a thin cutline in the mountains, from where we came and then see where we were heading. Like dragging an endless string up and down mountains and around bends. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture10.jpg--1-.webp) Horse Heaven Saddle The final 30 miles vanished under our 35-inch tires too quickly. The roads slowly began to smooth out as we dropped elevation and traded out shelf rock for dirt and gravel. We welcomed a brief rain shower as it eliminated all dust and made the lush forest and ferns pop with color. On the backside of the route, we passed a placard depicting the Magruder Massacre Site, descended further into the Selway river drainage and then crossed over a bridge of the same namesake. One by one, our vehicles weaved around corners under a canopy of firs and pines. The fresh smell was intoxicating. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture11.jpg.webp) Both 4 Wheel Camper rigs If you opt to travel the Corridor, take the time to visit the Magruder Ranger Station. We spent nearly an hour walking the grounds and peering through windows. Constructed in 1936, again by the CCC, it is a classic example of a station from a simpler time. A shop, storage building, and barn compliment the main structure. There is another cabin, larger than that at Horse Heaven, which can also be reserved and rented. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Picture12.jpg.webp) We took a short lunch break at Deep Creek Campground before passing the remnants of the original CCC camp. There, the road alternated between pavement, dirt and gravel. Hold off from airing up until you have passed Fales Flat Campground. The last few miles along the Bitterroot River served as a gradual transition into Darby Montana. --- ### **Conclusion** Would we drive the Magruder again? We already did! After the rendezvous in Helena Montana, a couple of friends wanted to experience what we did just a week ago. Over the years, we have learned that you always see something new a second time through – especially when traveling in the opposite direction. And we would be traveling with friends… something the Magruder taught us that help make for a successful trip. Gary and Gretchen Matos [Gary Matos - Whiskey 7 BackroadsGary and Gretchen reside in Sisters Oregon and when not splitting or stacking wood they enjoy backpacking, kayaking and motorcycle riding. They currently own a 4wheel Flatbed Hawk on a Dodge Ram 3500![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=e85e948586)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/steens7.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/gary/) ### Unveiling the Thrills: Explore and Hike Nature's Wonderland at White River Falls URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/unveiling-the-thrills-explore-and-hike-natures-wonderland-at-white-river-falls/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:11.000Z Those of us who were born with wanderlust, carry a higher-than-normal degree of curiosity which will bring rewards if employed while traveling. We make it a habit of visiting with people while traveling and asking this one powerful question: “If there were only time to see one thing in this area, what would it be?” Of course, you already know that Americans love to help travelers see the best of their region. You also know that 99% of the time you won’t get one destination. In most cases, people will openly argue in front of you to decide which location is the best destination. Write them all down as they all will be worth the time to go explore. On one such trip to Shaniko Oregon, a ghost town located in Wasco County we bumped into some locals who strongly suggested we take time to visit an abandoned powerhouse located on the White River. ## **How to get there** Located off Highway 97 in Eastern Oregon, the White River is a tributary of the Deschutes River. As you drop into the Tygh Valley on Highway 97 there is an obscure side road taking you to State Road 216\. After a short drive, you arrive in an unassuming paved parking area that overlooks the White River Falls. Most visitors will stand at the overlook, gaze lazily upon the river and the falls, scratch their heads and leave after about 10 minutes. --- ## **White River Falls: An Overview** The White River, originating from the glacial peaks of Mount Hood, meanders through the terrain for about 50 miles before culminating in a dramatic 90-foot plunge over a volcanic basalt shelf. This is the magnificent spectacle known as White River Falls. Here's a quick overview of what you can expect when you visit: **Location:** 35 miles south of The Dalles, Central Oregon **Height:** 90 feet **Accessibility:** Year-round (main parking lot and restroom facilities are closed during winter) **Trail Difficulty:** Moderate **Best Time to Visit:** Spring ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/tumalo-falls-5129725_1280.jpg.webp) White River Fallsw --- ## **The Hiking Experience** Having obtained instructions from the locals, we locked our car, took our camera gear and some snacks and headed towards a trailhead at the east end of the parking lot. The trail is not for the timid or those with mobility challenges. It is a dirty jagged track filled with thorns, blackberry vines, and loose rocks. The summer sun will beat down on you making you question the validity of the instructions provided. About halfway down you will wonder if the person giving directions hated outsiders and wanted you to die on this lonely desolate hillside. As you embark on your hiking journey, you will be welcomed by the thunderous roar of the waterfall, especially in the spring when the water flow is at its peak. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/20230827_193946001.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. This trail, though rough, offers an unparalleled view of the falls and the surrounding landscape. The trail winds down to the historic hydroelectric power plant at the base of the falls, and then to the Lower White River Falls. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/800px-WhiteRiverFallsMap--1-.png) Trails of the White River Falls While the allure of the waterfall and the river may be tempting, swimming is not recommended due to the unpredictable and potentially dangerous river currents. --- ## **The Hydroelectric Power Plant** One of the highlights of this hiking adventure is the historic hydroelectric power plant, one of Oregon's first, which supplied electricity to Wasco and Sherman Counties from 1910 to 1963\. Today, the ghostly remnants of the power plant stand as a testament to the region's industrial past. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20190816_164644--002-.jpg--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20190816_163342--003-.jpg--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DSC_5263.JPG--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/DSC_5302.JPG--1-.webp) The Power Plant at White River Falls The heavily vandalized powerhouse contains the remnants of the generators, switches, and delivery systems typical of an old hydro electric plant. As you explore you may forget you are sitting at the base of a pristine 90-foot waterfall known as Celestial Falls. Many hike to this spot to photograph the falls and surrounding White River Valley ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/DSC_5328--002-.JPG--1-.webp) Best Place to Photograph the falls --- ## **The Best Time to Visit** White River Falls State Park is open year-round, though the main parking lot and restroom facilities are closed during winter. Spring, with its thunderous water flow and vibrant green scenery, is the best time to visit. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/20190816_161201-compressed.webp) Spring is the best time to see the falls --- ## **Camping at White River Falls** The area encompasses 250 acres and includes a remote campsite located at the other end of the valley where the two rivers merge. White River BLM Campground offers campsites on the river with a daily cost of $8 per night. The area is ideal for boondocking and for those who like to be on the water. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/84725.jpg.webp) BLM White River Campground --- ## **Nearby Attractions** While visiting White River Falls, consider exploring other nearby attractions such as Tygh Valley, Shaniko's Ghost Town, and the Lower Deschutes River, which is popular for fly-fishing. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/Cycle_Oregon_Tygh_Valley_Rally_2_Riders_Road_Mountain_Farm_View.jpg) Tygh Valley, Oregon ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/09/transportation-shaniko-GH_20190611-1519.jpg) Shaniko Hotel ## Conclusion If you're looking for a unique hiking experience that combines natural beauty, history, and adventure, White River Falls is a must-visit. So lace up your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready to explore one of Oregon's hidden gems. Howard and Becky Turner [Howard Turner - Whiskey 7 BackroadsJoin us on our overlanding and camping adventures on the backroads of America. Follow along on our blog as we explore the great outdoors in our Earthcruiser![](https://whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=7e26331844)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/P7250102-edited.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/howard/) ### Wiggle Butts Gone Wild: Camping with Australian Shepherds URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/exploring-the-great-outdoors-with-australian-shepherds-on-camping-trips/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:12.000Z Camping is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And what better companion to have by your side than a loyal and energetic Australian Shepherd? These intelligent and versatile dogs make excellent camping partners, bringing joy and companionship to every outdoor adventure. But if you think you're going to put them in a crate in the back seat, think again. Australian Shepherds like to be involved in everything, like sitting up front in the EarthCruiser ![Two Australian shepherds resting at a campsite](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/2882.jpg) ![Aussie in the high country](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20181019_081919555.jpg) ![Australian shepherd on a mountain hike](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20200602_162338109_HDR.jpg) ![Campsite at sunset](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/12464--1-.jpg) Rusty and Riley up front with Brent in the [EarthCruiser](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWK9u7w3LUT9qyKM1KbzLMwUlMbHdk27V) --- ## Why Australian Shepherds are great camping companions Australian Shepherds, often referred to as "Aussies," are renowned for their boundless energy and love for outdoor activities. They are natural herders and have an inherent desire to explore and protect their surroundings. This makes them the perfect companions for camping trips, as they thrive in wide-open spaces and enjoy being part of a pack. One of the greatest assets of Australian Shepherds is their intelligence. They are quick learners and excel at obedience training, which is essential for a successful camping experience. Their ability to follow commands and adapt to new environments makes them reliable and trustworthy companions in the great outdoors. --- ## Embracing the wiggle butts - the playful nature of Australian Shepherds One of the most endearing traits of Australian Shepherds is their playful nature. These wiggle butts, as they are often called, have a knack for bringing joy and laughter to any camping trip. Their enthusiasm and love for life are infectious, making them the life of the party around the campfire. Riley trying to get a treat Australian Shepherds are always up for an adventure, whether it's a game of fetch, a hike through the woods, or a swim in a nearby lake. Their high energy levels and agility make them excellent companions for outdoor activities, and their playful nature ensures that you'll never have a dull moment while camping with them. ![Winter hike with the dogs](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20181202_132304247.webp) ![Cold-weather camping trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20181202_133740131.webp) ![Spring camping trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20190323_153951470.webp) ![Outback camp view](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/7482.jpeg) Hiking with Riley before we had Rusty --- ## Tips for planning a successful camping trip with your Australian Shepherd Planning a camping trip with your Australian Shepherd requires careful consideration and preparation. Here are some tips to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for both you and your furry friend: 1. Choose dog-friendly camping grounds: Before embarking on your adventure, research and select camping grounds that allow dogs. Ensure that the campsites have sufficient space for your Australian Shepherd to roam and explore. 2. Pack the essentials: Just like humans, dogs have their own set of camping essentials. Don't forget to pack food, water, a leash, a collar with identification tags, a first aid kit, and any medications your Australian Shepherd may need. 3. Practice obedience training: It's crucial to ensure that your Australian Shepherd is well-trained and obedient before taking them on a camping trip. This will make it easier to manage them in unfamiliar environments and keep them safe. Riley looking for cows ### ### ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20210117_112536_Bokeh.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. --- ## Activities to enjoy with your Australian Shepherd while camping Camping with an Australian Shepherd opens up a world of exciting activities for both you and your furry friend. Here are some activities that you can enjoy together: 1. Hiking: Australian Shepherds have an innate love for hiking and exploring. Take them on scenic trails and let them use their natural herding instincts to navigate the outdoors 2. Swimming: Many Australian Shepherds are excellent swimmers and enjoy taking a dip in lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Make sure to find dog-friendly swimming spots and keep a close eye on your dog while they are in the water 3. Agility training: Australian Shepherds excel in agility training, so why not set up a mini obstacle course at your campsite? This will not only provide mental and physical stimulation for your dog but also strengthen the bond between you. 4. Frisbee: For us, a constant activity is playing frisbee or ball. Riley is into anything he can go fetch or catch and Rusty, well not so much. He is happy just being with the pack. ![Campfire at dusk](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20200602_212405613.jpg) ![Fall camping with the dogs](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201015_131556795--1-.webp) ![Mountain pass, aussies in lead](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20210514_204452.jpg) ![Morning hike, dogs ahead](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20210515_074244.jpg) ![Fall colors with the dogs](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20211007_151632.webp) ![Summer camp at altitude](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20220524_170916.jpg) The dogs have seen some awesome scenery --- ## Personal stories and experiences of camping with Australian Shepherds As an avid camper and proud Australian Shepherd owner, I have had the pleasure of experiencing countless adventures with my furry companions. From hiking rugged mountains to camping under the stars, every trip has been filled with laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories. One particular camping trip stands out in my mind. It was just me and the dogs and we played a game of Riley gets to navigate. At every stop sign or T in the road, I let Riley decide which way we went. I would turn the [EarthCruiser](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWK9u7w3LUT9qyKM1KbzLMwUlMbHdk27V) in the direction he first looked at. It was an amazing adventure and yes, we did get lost. That was the best part. We stayed in a very remote part of South East Idaho and when we found our way back to payment, we were in Nevada. This is a game that we only play when Mrs. Whiskey 7 is not present!! --- ## Overlanding with Australian Shepherds: Exploring off the beaten path For the more adventurous souls, overlanding with Australian Shepherds is an exhilarating way to explore the great outdoors. Overlanding involves traveling long distances in a self-sufficient vehicle, immersing oneself in remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations. But sometimes they do have minds of their own, and get in a little trouble... Australian Shepherds are the perfect companions for overlanding adventures. Their adaptability, intelligence, and natural instincts make them well-suited for such journeys. Whether navigating rugged terrains or camping in remote locations, your Australian Shepherd will be by your side, ready for any challenge that comes your way. --- ## Safety considerations for camping with Australian Shepherd While camping with your Australian Shepherd can be a rewarding experience, it's essential to prioritize safety. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind: ![Forest campsite](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/13017.jpeg) ![Sunrise at the campsite](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20200604_082602.webp) ![Australian shepherd resting at camp](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/ABB886F1A65C4CEA95CB4B667971DD919000F0D665ACCE3A08E1B47479DE27A425E.jpg) ![Winter camp, dogs in foreground](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200103_154207531.webp) ![HDR camp scene with the dogs](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200603_161758895_HDR.webp) ![Autumn camping trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20211005_151449.webp) ![Site photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/13025.jpeg) ![HDR sunset, australian shepherd](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200530_155349324_HDR.webp) The dogs hanging out around the [EarthCruiser](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWK9u7w3LUT9qyKM1KbzLMwUlMbHdk27V) 1. Be aware of local wildlife: Depending on your camping location, you may encounter wildlife such as bears or snakes. Keep your Australian Shepherd on a leash and be vigilant to protect both your dog and yourself. 2. Protect against ticks and fleas: The great outdoors can be home to pesky parasites. Ensure that your Australian Shepherd is up to date on flea and tick prevention medication to avoid any discomfort or health issues. 3. Provide shade and water: Australian Shepherds are susceptible to heatstroke, so it's crucial to provide them with shade and plenty of fresh water to stay hydrated. ![The two aussies](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/dogs.jpg) ![Holiday camping with the dogs](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/IMG_20191228_150249110.jpg) ![Australian shepherd at camp](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/DE8CE7CD964C4BFCB9B7B656B1F8DA2130059803BD21BBBA7E1693E2E0D87CB3FE4.jpg) ![Cropped photo, australian shepherd](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/08/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.png) The dogs go almost everywhere with us --- The video above is not overlanding but does give you some insight into how crazy the wiggle butts can be. There is a squirrel outside and they just can't help themselves. --- ## Conclusion In conclusion, camping with an Australian Shepherd is an adventure like no other. Their playful nature, intelligence, and love for the outdoors make them the perfect companions for exploring nature's wonders. With proper planning, preparation, and safety measures, you and your Australian Shepherd can embark on unforgettable camping trips that will create lifelong memories. So pack your bags, leash up your furry friend, and get ready to embark on a tail-wagging adventure in the great outdoors! Brent Conklin Whiskey7Backroads.com ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200619_120625819.webp) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Mobile Ham Radio Guide for Overlanding Adventures URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-camping-ham-radio-adventure-mobile-hf-guide/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T01:35:54.000Z In the realm of off-road escapades, communication is vital. One compelling solution is the integration of a **ham radio** into your overlanding and camping adventure. So, let's explore the fascinating world of mobile ham radios, covering everything from their benefits to equipment selection, installation, and use cases. --- ## **Introduction to Ham Radio** Ham radio, or amateur radio, is a hobby and service that lets licensed individuals communicate via radio frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. Ham radio offers reliable communication which is especially beneficial when exploring off-grid terrains where typical communication methods might fail. ## **Why Ham Radio for Overlanding?** ### 1\. Enhanced Communication Reach Among other communication options like [CB (Citizens Band) radio](https://hamradioprep.com/cb-radio-vs-ham-radio/) and FRS/GMRS (Family Radio Service/General Mobile Radio Service), ham radio stands out due to its superior communication range. ![two walkie talkies sitting on top of a wooden table](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/photo-1675189692698-079c2ac40f8b--1-.jpg.webp) Photo by Stephen Leonardi / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) CB radios usually provide a range of about 3 to 5 miles, while FRS/GMRS radios can reach up to 5 to 25 miles, contingent on the terrain and equipment. In contrast, [ham radio can cover much larger distances](https://hamradioprep.com/ham-radio-range/), extending to hundreds or even thousands of miles, based on the frequency, power output, and atmospheric conditions. This extended range is invaluable when you're out and about in remote areas with spotty or non-existent cell phone coverage. The video below is a short clip I recorded of a friend who was about 500 miles away at the time. N7HAK and W7BR having a QSO ### 2\. Emergency Preparedness Ham radio enhances your emergency preparedness. It's designed to provide reliable communication when traditional services fail, enabling you to: - **Call for help:** Ham radio lets you connect with other radio operators, emergency services, and amateur radio emergency networks. This increases your chances of getting assistance in remote locations, even when there's no cell service. - **Monitor weather and natural disasters:** You can access weather and emergency frequencies to stay updated about real-time weather conditions and natural disaster news. This helps you plan your route and avoid potential hazards. ### 3\. Advanced Technical Benefits Ham radio provides several technical advantages over other communication systems: - **Improved signal clarity and audio quality:** Traditional CB uses 8 KHz bandwidth, while 2 Meter ham radio FM uses 15 KHz. - **Access to a broader range of frequencies and bands:** US CB is limited to 27 MHz frequencies and GMRS is around 465 MHz. Ham radio has frequencies in those two ranges plus at 6 Meters (50 MHz) and 2 Meters (144 MHz). - **Higher power output for increased range and reliability:** CB is limited to 5 watts. GMRS is 50 watts maximum. Ham radio operators can use up to 1,500 watts on all the bands listed above with the proper license. - **Digital modes and messaging capabilities, enabling text-based communication and data transmission:** APRS is a popular tool for sending and receiving position information over ham radio, and many handhelds have this built in. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/3706.jpeg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. --- ## **Selecting the Most Suitable Ham Radio Equipment** For effective and reliable communication during your overland adventures, it's essential to select the right ham radio equipment. ### 1\. Radio Type and Power Output Opt for a mobile ham radio unit tailored for offroading, featuring rugged construction, water and dust resistance, and user-friendly interfaces. Consider the power output based on your communication range needs. ### 2\. Antenna Selection and Placement Choose a sturdy dual-band or multi-band antenna suitable for off-road use. Opt for NMO mounts that provide a secure connection and easy antenna replacement. Position the antenna in a minimally obstructed location for optimal performance. ![NMO antenna mount installed on a vehicle roof, showing the recommended antenna placement for overlanding mobile ham radio setups](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/aadfe9438489947c44d87367a5531538--1---1-.jpg.webp) Just a few antenna ### 3\. Power Supply and Battery Management Ensure your vehicle's electrical system is well-maintained, and consider a deep-cycle battery for a reliable power source. Use power distribution blocks and fuses to protect your equipment and simplify cable management. Some hams use **portable LiFEPo batteries** to handle their radio needs while in the field due to their lightweight and substantial energy storage capacity. An in-depth look at the Ham Radio set up in the Earthcruiser --- ## **Best Mobile Ham Radios for Overlanding** Mobile ham radio units are designed for vehicle installation and offer features perfect for overlanders. Here are the top 3 mobile VHF/UHF ham radios for Overlanding and 2 that add HF capabilities (not in any order): 1\. [Yaesu FTM-400XDR](https://www.yaesu.com/product-detail.aspx?Model=FTM-400DR/XDR&CatName=Legacy) ![Yaesu FTM-400XDR mobile VHF/UHF radio with C4FM digital mode, integrated GPS, and APRS - top pick for overlanding](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/FTM-400DRXDR_thumb--1-.jpg.webp) Yaesu FTM-400 This dual-band radio offers a rugged design, a user-friendly touchscreen interface, and supports both analog and digital C4FM modes. Its integrated GPS and APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) functionality make it ideal for Overlanding, allowing you to share your location with others. 1. [Icom ID-5100A](https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-5100A/) ![Icom ID-5100A dual-band VHF/UHF mobile ham radio with detached touchscreen display and built-in GPS](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/ProductHeader--1---1-.jpg.webp) Icom ID-5100 The Icom ID-5100A is a dual-band radio with a large detached display that includes a GPS receiver. In addition to compass and direction information onboard, it covers the 2 Meter and 70 CM radio bands. It's an analog FM and D-STAR digital radio with wide band receiving to cover bands like aviation. 3\. [Kenwood TM-D710GA](https://web.archive.org/web/20201112002304/https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/tm-d710ga/) ![Kenwood TM-D710GA mobile ham radio with built-in GPS and APRS TNC for overland vehicle installations](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/product_image_c.webp) The Kenwood TM-710 is a highly versatile and feature-rich amateur radio transceiver that offers a wide range of functionalities to amateur radio enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned ham operator or a beginner, the TM-710 is designed to meet your communication needs with its advanced capabilities. From its dual-band operation to its built-in GPS receiver and APRS functionality, the TM-710 opens up a world of possibilities for seamless communication and navigation. With its user-friendly interface and durable construction, the Kenwood TM-710 is a reliable and powerful choice for amateur radio enthusiasts looking to enhance their communication experience. 4\. [Icom-7100](https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7100USA/) ![Icom IC-7100 HF/VHF/UHF mobile ham radio with HM-158 microphone - all-band coverage in one unit](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/781.ic_7100_hm158mic_front-1.jpg) Icom 7100 (this is what I currently use in the EarthCruiser The ICOM IC-7100 is a highly versatile amateur radio transceiver that supports multiple modes and frequencies. It offers 100 watts of power on HF, 50 watts on VHF, and 35 watts on UHF \[2\]. With a detachable control head and a slanted display, it can be easily installed in vehicles or homes. The receiver is equipped with advanced features such as DSP and audio filters, and the transceiver can be connected to a computer for digital modes \[2\]. It also supports D-STAR mode and low-speed data communication on the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands \[3\]. Optional GPS attachment enables locating nearby repeaters and sending APRS locations \[2\]. However, it does not have an internal antenna tuner \[2\]. 5\. [Yaesu FT-857D](https://www.yaesu.com/product-detail.aspx?Model=FT-857D&CatName=Legacy) ![Yaesu FT-857D compact HF/VHF/UHF mobile ham radio - the smallest full-coverage mobile in the roundup](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/ysu-ft-857d_xl.jpg) Yaesu FT-857D The Yaesu FT-857D is a compact and versatile amateur radio transceiver that offers a wide range of features. It is designed for mobile and portable operations, making it suitable for both base station and on-the-go communication. The FT-857D covers a broad frequency range, including HF, VHF, and UHF bands, allowing for communication across various amateur radio bands. It offers a power output of up to 100 watts on HF and 6 meters, and up to 50 watts on 2 meters and 70 centimeters. This makes it a powerful and reliable transceiver for long-distance communication. --- ## **Ham Radio is Versatile!** Ham radio offers a high level of versatility and is highly customizable, allowing you to get the perfect communication system for your overlanding. Here's what we mean by 'versatility': ### 1\. Repeaters and Linking Systems Repeaters are devices that receive and retransmit signals, extending the range of your communication. Linking systems like EchoLink and IRLP enable you to connect to other ham radio operators over the internet, providing even greater reach and connectivity options. ### 2\. Digital Modes and Messaging Various digital communication methods, such as D-STAR, System Fusion, and DMR, offer improved signal quality, error correction, and additional features like text messaging and data transmission. Ham radio systems can support text-based communication and data transfer, which can be especially useful when voice communication is not possible or practical. ### 3\. Integration with GPS and Mapping Tools Many ham radio systems have onboard GPS receivers or can interface with GPS devices, allowing you to share your location with other radio operators and receive location data from others. Software like [APRS](https://aprs.fi/#!call=N0CALL) can be used to plot the location data from GPS-enabled ham radios on maps, providing real-time situational awareness during your overlanding adventures.' [![Mobile ham radio with APRS display mounted on a vehicle dashboard, showing real-time position reporting for overlanding](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/APRS-On-Dash--1---1-.jpg.webp)](https://wcares.org/special-interests-3/aprs/) [WCARES.ORG](https://wcares.org/special-interests-3/aprs/) ### 4\. Go Portable or Dual Band Handheld radios keep you connected to your "base" vehicle while exploring the area. Many radios can handle two frequencies at one time. Keep one for overall communication while having a second frequency for your foot travelers or organize by vehicle types. --- Setting up and playing radio!! ## **Setting Up Ham Radio in Your Adventure Mobile** Setting up a ham radio system in your overlanding camping vehicle involves several steps. A great resource on the web is Here is a step by step summary guide on how install a mobile radio: ### Step 1: Gather the Necessary Equipment Collect all the required equipment, including mobile ham radio unit, antenna, NMO mount for the antenna, coaxial cable, and deep-cycle battery (optional). ### Step 2: Select the Mounting Location for the Radio Choose a location that is easily accessible and has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating. ### **Step 3: Install** the **Antenna** Install the antenna in a suitable location on your vehicle with minimal obstructions for optimal performance. ### **Step 4: Connect Radio to Antenna** Run the coaxial cable from the radio unit to the antenna, avoiding sharp bends and potential damage. ### **Step 5: Connect Radio to Power Source** Connect the power cables from the radio to the power distribution block, ensuring proper polarity and a secure connection. ### **Step 6: Ground the Radio** Attach a grounding cable from the radio unit to a suitable grounding point on your vehicle's chassis or frame. ### **Step 7: Program the Radio** Program your radio with local repeater frequencies, emergency channels, and preferred simplex frequencies. ### **Step 8: Test Your System** Perform a test transmission on a simplex frequency or repeater to confirm proper operation. ### **Step 9: Secure and Tidy Up the Installation** Ensure all connections and mounting points are secure and stable. ![Completed mobile ham radio installation in a vehicle - tidy cable management and secure mounting shown in the install guide's final step](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/c5db27846de0ce16d7c33d9158e56e73.jpg.webp) Don't be this guy!! --- ## **Conclusion** Having a ham radio license for Overlanding offers many benefits, such as improved communication range, better preparation for emergencies, access to a supportive community, and technical advantages that are not available with other communication systems. By getting your ham radio license and installing a reliable amateur radio system in your vehicle, you can significantly improve your off-road experiences and stay connected with others who share your passion for the same adventure. We highly encourage overlanders to take the steps needed to get their ham radio license, at least to prepare themselves for an emergency. You will also gain valuable knowledge and experience that can help you elsewhere. Don't wait - start your journey toward becoming a licensed ham radio operator today! Brent Conklin Whiskey7Backroads.com ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/07/96896049160F400AA6881F76527F4B6C900F5AEAD2EB8242C29F46BD7400FCC07C9.jpg.webp) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Shafer Trail - Epic Off-Roading Adventure in the Canyonlands URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/off-roading-bliss-awaits-uncovering-the-beauty-and-challenges-of-shafer-trail/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:13.000Z Off-roading has become a thrilling and popular way to explore the great outdoors. The freedom of driving through rugged terrains and immersing oneself in nature's beauty is a truly unforgettable experience. With an increasing number of off-road enthusiasts seeking adventure, it's no wonder that the demand for off-road trails near me has been on the rise. In this article, we will delve into the enticing world of off-roading, with a specific focus on Shafer Trail and other local off-road trails. Get ready to uncover the beauty and challenges that await! --- ### Overview of Shafer Trail and its unique features Located in Moab, Utah, Shafer Trail is a renowned off-road trail that offers breathtaking views and a thrilling escapade for off-road enthusiasts. This trail is a part of the Canyonlands National Park, which boasts awe-inspiring landscapes and rugged terrain. Shafer Trail stretches over 18 miles and takes you on a journey through the heart of the park, providing access to some of the most stunning vistas in the area. One of the unique features of Shafer Trail is its iconic switchbacks. These hairpin turns wind their way up the cliffs, offering panoramic views of the surrounding canyons. As you navigate through the switchbacks, you'll feel a surge of adrenaline and a sense of accomplishment. The trail is suitable for both novice and experienced off-roaders, but it's essential to come prepared and plan your adventure accordingly. Shafer Trail in the EarthCruiser --- ### Tips for preparing and planning your off-roading adventure Before embarking on your off-roading adventure, it's crucial to make thorough preparations and plan accordingly. Here are some tips to help you get started: Research and gather information: Begin by researching the specific off-road trail you intend to explore. Look for detailed maps, trail conditions, and any permits or passes required. Understanding the terrain and potential challenges will help you prepare adequately. Check your vehicle: Ensure that your vehicle is in optimal condition for off-roading. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to prevent any mechanical issues during your adventure. Consider installing protective measures such as skid plates to safeguard your vehicle's undercarriage. Pack the essentials: Prepare a comprehensive checklist of essential items to bring on your off-roading trip. This may include extra fuel, water, food, emergency equipment, navigation tools, and recovery gear like tow straps and a winch. It's better to be over-prepared than to find yourself in a difficult situation without the necessary supplies. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/photo-1507241698564-b4f07193ad5b.jpg.webp) Photo by [Kenny Eliason](https://unsplash.com/@neonbrand?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ### Safety guidelines for off-roading on Shafer Trail While off-roading can be an exhilarating experience, it's crucial to prioritize safety at all times. Here are some safety guidelines to follow when exploring Shafer Trail and other local off-road trails: Always wear a seatbelt: Buckle up and ensure that all passengers in your vehicle are securely fastened. In the event of an accident or sudden maneuver, seatbelts are essential for protecting yourself and others. Observe speed limits: Each off-road trail may have specific speed limits. Adhere to these limits to maintain control of your vehicle and prevent accidents. Remember, off-roading isn't a race; it's about enjoying the journey. Stay on designated trails: Off-roading is about exploring nature while minimizing our impact on the environment. Stick to designated trails to protect delicate ecosystems and prevent unnecessary damage to the landscape. Straying from the trail can also lead to dangerous situations or getting lost. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20140529_115556104_HDR.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20140529_122959781_HDR.webp) Shafer Trail from above --- ### Canyonlands National Park [Canyonlands National Park](https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm) is a treasure trove of natural wonders, and Shafer Trail provides a gateway to this breathtaking landscape. The park features expansive canyons, towering mesas, and extraordinary rock formations that are a sight to behold. As you traverse Shafer Trail, be prepared to be awestruck by the sheer beauty and grandeur of this national park. Apart from Shafer Trail, [Canyonlands National Park](https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm) offers several other off-road trails that are worth exploring. The White Rim Road is a popular choice, winding through 100 miles of stunning desert landscapes. The Elephant Hill Trail is another favorite, known for its challenging terrain and unforgettable views. These trails provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of nature and create memories that will last a lifetime. --- ### Exploring other local off-road trails in the area In addition to Shafer Trail and Canyonlands National Park, the Moab area is home to numerous other off-road trails that are perfect for adventure seekers. Some notable options include: [Hell's Revenge](https://www.blm.gov/visit/hells-revenge-trailhead): This trail is famous for its slickrock challenges and breathtaking views of the Colorado River. It offers a thrilling off-roading experience with steep climbs, descents, and obstacles that will test your skills. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/maxresdefault.jpg.webp) Hells Revenge Trail [Porcupine Rim](https://www.trailforks.com/trails/porcupine-rim-trail): Known for its technical sections and thrilling descents, [Porcupine Rim](https://www.trailforks.com/trails/porcupine-rim-trail) is a favorite among mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts. The trail rewards you with stunning vistas of the surrounding red rock canyons. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Edge-of-earth2-web.jpg.webp) [Mountain Biking La Sal Mountains The Whole Enchilada trail (parkcitypeople.com)](https://parkcitypeople.com/mountain-biking-la-sal-mountains-the-whole-enchilada-trail/) [Fins and Things](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/fins-things-trail): This trail is renowned for its unique rock formations and challenging terrain. As you navigate through the fins and slickrock, you'll be treated to mesmerizing views of the Moab Valley. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/moab4-Fins-and-Things-01.jpg.webp) [Fins & Things - FunTreks](https://funtreks.com/off-road-trails/fins-things/) --- ### Challenges and Obstacles to Expect on Shafer Trail While off-roading can be an exciting adventure, it's essential to be prepared for the challenges and obstacles that may arise. Shafer Trail and other local off-road trails present unique difficulties that require skill and caution to overcome. Here are some challenges you may encounter: Steep inclines and descents: Shafer Trail is known for its steep and winding switchbacks. These sections require careful navigation and an understanding of your vehicle's capabilities. It's crucial to maintain control and use proper techniques to safely ascend and descend these challenging slopes. Rough and rocky terrain: Off-roading trails often consist of uneven and rugged terrain. Rocks, boulders, and deep ruts can pose challenges to both you and your vehicle. Proper tire pressure, tire selection, and slow, deliberate driving are essential to navigate these obstacles successfully. Changing weather conditions: The weather in off-roading areas can be unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden changes in temperature, strong winds, rain, or even snow. Check the weather forecast before your trip and pack appropriate clothing and gear to ensure your safety and comfort. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DJI_0391-2.webp) Can you spot the EarthCruiser? --- ### **Tips for minimizing environmental impact while off-roading** As responsible off-roaders, it's our duty to minimize our impact on the environment and preserve the trails for future generations. Here are some tips to help you minimize your environmental impact while off-roading: Stay on designated trails: Straying from designated trails can cause irreparable damage to sensitive ecosystems. Always stick to established paths to protect the surrounding flora and fauna. Pack out what you pack in: [Leave no trace](https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm) behind and carry out all your trash and waste. Dispose of them properly in designated areas to maintain the cleanliness of the trails. Respect wildlife and their habitats: Admire wildlife from a distance and avoid disturbing their natural habitats. Keep noise levels to a minimum and never feed or approach wild animals. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/The-7-Principles-of-Leave-No-Trace.png--1-.webp) Leave No Trace --- ### **Embracing the thrill and beauty of off-road adventures** Off-roading is more than just a hobby; it's a way to connect with nature and experience the thrill of exploration. Shafer Trail and other local off-road trails offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors. By following safety guidelines, respecting the environment, and being prepared for challenges, you can embark on an unforgettable off-roading adventure. So, gear up, plan your trip, and get ready to uncover the blissful beauty that awaits you on the trails! **Ready to experience the thrill of off-roading in Moab? Plan your adventure now and discover the wonders of Shafer Trail and other local off-road trails. Don't miss out on the opportunity to create lasting memories in the heart of nature. Start your engines and let the off-roading bliss unfold!** ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/DJI_0405-2.JPG) Bottom of the Shafer Trail --- Thanks Brent Conklin [Whiskey7backroads](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) Brent Conklin, owner of [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### Overlanding & Boondocking - Camping at Grand Canyon North Rim URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overlanding-boondocking-camping-at-grand-canyon-north-rim/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:14.000Z The North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and campers alike. Boondocking, or dispersed camping, provides a unique opportunity to experience the area's stunning beauty in a more intimate and off-the-beaten-path way. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about boondocking at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, including the best locations, what to expect, and how to prepare for your adventure. --- ### **Overview of Boondocking in the North Rim** Boondocking, also known as dry camping or dispersed camping, refers to camping in undeveloped areas without access to amenities such as electricity, water, and sewer hookups. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is an ideal location for boondocking due to its less crowded nature compared to the South Rim, as well as its stunning views and unique geological features. The Grand Canyon is divided into two main sections: the South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim tends to be more popular among tourists due to its year-round accessibility, variety of services, and well-developed infrastructure. However, the North Rim offers a more secluded and serene experience, making it perfect for boondocking. 0:00 /0:38 1× A Walkaround of our campsite at East Rim Viewpoint During the summer months, the North Rim is accessible and provides a cooler, less crowded alternative to the South Rim. It's important to note that the North Rim is only open from mid-May to mid-October, so plan your trip accordingly. --- ### **Discovering the East Rim Viewpoint** One of the most spectacular boondocking locations in the Kaibab National Forest, which surrounds the North Rim, is the East Rim Viewpoint. This breathtaking spot offers unparalleled views of the Grand Canyon and provides an immersive experience of the area's natural beauty. The East Rim Viewpoint is situated within the Kaibab National Forest, just outside the North Rim entrance. To reach the viewpoint, follow the link provided [here](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation). Make sure to check for any road closures or restrictions before embarking on your journey. ![Grand Canyon North Rim overlook, fall 2020](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_132108843_HDR.webp) Mrs. Whiskey 7 enjoying some sun The East Rim Viewpoint area features approximately 10-12 campsites along the rim, with an additional 10 or more sites located on the west side of the entrance road. Each campsite offers ample space for multiple camping rigs and is separated from neighboring sites for added privacy. ![Drone view of the North Rim campground](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/DJI_0286.JPG.webp) ![Drone shot of the canyon edge](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/DJI_0289.JPG.webp) views of the East Rim Viewpoint from our drone Given the high elevation of 8,800 feet, it's essential to prepare for varying weather conditions. The East Rim Viewpoint has a water source and a pit toilet at the trailhead, but other amenities are limited, so be sure to pack all necessary supplies. To find the exact GPS coordinates for the East Rim Viewpoint campsite, follow this [link](https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B025%2744.8%22N+112%C2%B005%2705.7%22W/@36.4290979,-112.0893877,845m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x9e3bf7c6539ff268!7e2!8m2!3d36.4290978!4d-112.0849032?shorturl=1). --- ### **Exploring Other Boondocking Locations in the North Rim** While the East Rim Viewpoint is undoubtedly a top choice for boondocking in the North Rim, there are other dispersed camping areas within the Kaibab National Forest worth considering. Research and explore various locations to find the perfect spot for your boondocking adventure. [**DeMotte Campground**](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234722): DeMotte Campground, located approximately 7 miles north of the entrance to the North Rim, offers 38 primitive campsites suitable for tents and small RVs. This campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and provides access to water, vault toilets, and fire rings. Keep in mind that DeMotte Campground is open seasonally and has a camping fee. ![DeMotte Campground map, North Rim](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/DeMotte-Campground-Map.png.webp) ![DeMotte Campground entrance](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Demotte.jpg.webp) [DeMotte Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234722) [**Kaibab Plateau Dispersed Camping**](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation/camping-cabins)**:** Kaibab Plateau, situated within the Kaibab National Forest, offers numerous dispersed camping options. Look for Forest Road 22 and the surrounding area for potential boondocking sites. Be sure to follow all [dispersed camping guidelines](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab) set by the Kaibab National Forest to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. ![Five camping areas of the North Rim](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/GC-5-Camping-Areas.jpg.webp) ![USFS campsite info graphic](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/download.jpg.webp) [Kaibab Plateau Dispersed Camping](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation/camping-cabins) --- ### **Boondocking Tips and Guidelines** Boondocking in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable experience, but it's crucial to be prepared and follow proper guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. 1: When boondocking, it's essential to adhere to [Leave No Trace](https://lnt.org/) principles. This includes properly disposing of waste, minimizing campfire impact, respecting wildlife, and leaving the area as you found it. 2: Boondocking means camping without access to amenities, so make sure to pack all necessary supplies, including water, food, cooking equipment, and personal hygiene items. Additionally, pack clothing and gear suitable for the high elevation and potential weather changes. 3: Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations set by the Kaibab National Forest, including dispersed camping guidelines, fire restrictions, and road closures. Ensure your campsite is at least 200 feet from any water source and 100 feet from any road or trail. ![Grand Canyon Lookout](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/photo-1594789077987-5f85df928eba.jpg--1---1-.webp) Photo by [Jenn Wood](https://unsplash.com/@the%5Fjenn%5Fwood?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) --- ### **Activities in the North Rim** Boondocking in the North Rim not only provides a unique camping experience but also allows for easy access to various outdoor activities in the area. Here are a few to consider: [Hiking](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation/opportunities): The North Rim boasts a variety of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. Some popular trails include the North Kaibab Trail, Cape Royal Trail, and the Transept Trail. ![Forest Service campsite photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/stelprdb5429611.jpg.webp) [North Kaibab Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation) [Wildlife Viewing](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/recreation/opportunities): The North Rim is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, bison, and various bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for these magnificent creatures during your boondocking adventure. Some popular places in the area to view wildlife are the JD Dam, Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, and White Horse Lake Campground ![Stock photo, North Rim vista](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/AdobeStock_414435199-scaled.jpeg.webp) Wildlife in the Kaibab Plateau [Photography](https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/kaibab-plateau.html): The breathtaking views and unique geological features of the North Rim make it a photographer's paradise. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the memories of your trip. ![Stock photo, North Rim sunrise](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/omer-nezih-gerek-ZZnH4GOzDgc-unsplash.jpg.webp) ![Stock photo, North Rim forest](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/sonaal-bangera-XuQGqCBpNGk-unsplash.jpg.webp) ![Stock photo, canyon view](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/tim-hart-MMEryLDqkXY-unsplash.jpg.webp) ![Stock photo, hiking trail](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/jennifer-rogalla-HleqO6kuL9c-unsplash.jpg.webp) ![Stock photo, evening sky at the North Rim](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/christine-roy-XoU4TgZAM0s-unsplash.jpg.webp) ![Stock photo, hiker on rim](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/jad-limcaco-JEq_2UJoTtg-unsplash.jpg.webp) Amazing views of Grand Canyon --- ### **Conclusion** Boondocking at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers a unique and unforgettable experience for adventurous campers. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, you'll be well-prepared to embark on your off-the-grid adventure and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder. Remember to stay safe, respect the environment, and connect with fellow boondockers to make the most of your North Rim camping experience. ![Trail walk, fall 2020 trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201015_131556795.webp) Rusty checking out the view --- Thanks Brent Conklin [Whiskey7backroads](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) [Brent Conklin - Whiskey 7 BackroadsOwner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 32 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs.![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201014_131706539_HDR.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/) Brent Conklin, owner of [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### Grand Mesa Camping and Overlanding: Boondocking by Beautiful Lakes in Colorado URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/grand-mesa-a-guide-to-the-largest-flat-top-mountain-in-the-world/ Last updated: 2023-06-18T18:00:47.000Z ### **Introduction** If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure in Colorado, you should definitely visit Grand Mesa. This unique natural wonder is the largest flat-top mountain in the world, covering hundreds of square miles and rising over 11,000 feet above sea level. Grand Mesa offers a variety of activities and attractions for all seasons and interests, from hiking and fishing to skiing and snowmobiling. In this blog post, I will give you a detailed guide to Grand Mesa, including its history, geography, wildlife, and things to do. Here is the table of contents for this post: - History of Grand Mesa - Geography of Grand Mesa - Wildlife of Grand Mesa - Things to Do on Grand Mesa - How to Get to Grand Mesa - Where to Stay on Grand Mesa ### **History of Grand Mesa** Grand Mesa has a long and fascinating history that dates back millions of years. The mesa was formed by volcanic activity that created a thick layer of hard basalt rock on top of softer layers of shale and sandstone. Over time, the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers eroded the softer layers, creating steep cliffs and canyons around the mesa. The top layer of basalt protected the mesa from further erosion, resulting in a flat and expansive plateau. The first humans to inhabit the area were the Fremont people, who hunted and farmed the fertile soil between 200 and 1300 A.D. They left behind petroglyphs and pictographs that can still be seen today. Later, the Ute people occupied the region until they were forced to relocate by the US government in the late 19th century. The first European explorers to visit Grand Mesa were Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, who named it "Mesa de las Vacas" (Table of Cows) because of the abundant wildlife they saw. In the 19th century, pioneers like Kit Carson and John C. Fremont traveled through the area, but it was so rugged and remote that it was one of the last places in the US to be settled by American frontiersmen. Today, Grand Mesa is part of the Grand Mesa National Forest, which was established in 1892 as one of the first national forests in the country. The forest covers over 800 square miles and includes more than 300 lakes, streams, and reservoirs. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Land-s_End_Observatory-_July_2012.webp) Land's End Observatory, West side, July 2012 --- ### Geography of Grand Mesa Grand Mesa is a geological marvel that spans about 40 miles east of Grand Junction between the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. It covers an area of about 500 square miles, making it larger than some US states. It has an average elevation of about 10,000 feet, with its highest point being Crater Peak at 11,333 feet. Grand Mesa is divided into two sections by a narrow ridge called Crag Crest. The north section is higher and more rugged than the south section, which is more gentle and rolling. The mesa is surrounded by deep valleys and canyons that offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. One of the most distinctive features of Grand Mesa is its abundance of water. The mesa has more than 300 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs that are fed by snowmelt and streams. Some of the largest and most popular lakes are Island Lake, Eggleston Lake, Baron Lake, Ward Lake, and Cobbett Lake. The lakes are home to various species of fish, such as trout, salmon, perch, and bass. Another notable feature of Grand Mesa is its diverse vegetation. The mesa supports several ecosystems, from alpine tundra and spruce-fir forests to aspen groves and meadows. The mesa is especially beautiful in autumn when the aspen trees turn golden yellow and contrast with the evergreens. ![Autumn comes to the Grand Mesa, Colorado.](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/photo-1634327589854-c74ca55853e9.webp) Photo by [Donald Giannatti](https://unsplash.com/@wizwow?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) --- ### **Wildlife of Grand Mesa** Hi everyone! Today I want to share with you some amazing facts about the wildlife of Grand Mesa. Grand Mesa is a large flat-topped mountain in western Colorado that is home to more than 300 lakes and ponds. It is also a habitat for many different animals, such as elk, deer, moose, black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, beavers, marmots, squirrels, chipmunks, and many more. Some of these animals are rare or endangered, such as the lynx and the boreal toad. Grand Mesa is a great place to observe and appreciate the diversity and beauty of nature. If you ever visit Grand Mesa, make sure to respect the wildlife and follow the rules of the park ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/desert_big_horn_sheep_barb_bowman.webp) Big Horn Sheep --- ### **Things To Do** If you're looking for a fun and scenic getaway, Grand Mesa is the place to be! Grand Mesa is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, and it offers plenty of activities for all seasons and interests. Here are some of the things you can do on Grand Mesa: - Hike or bike on the many trails that crisscross the mesa, and enjoy the stunning views of the valleys and lakes below. - Fish or kayak on one of the 300 lakes that dot the mesa, and catch a glimpse of the wildlife that lives there. - Ski or snowshoe on the powdery slopes of Powderhorn Mountain Resort, or explore the Nordic trails at Skyway and County Line. - Camp or picnic at one of the many campgrounds or picnic areas on the mesa, and marvel at the starry night sky. - Learn about the history and culture of the Mesa at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center, or visit one of the local towns like Cedaredge or Mesa. Grand Mesa is a natural wonder that you don't want to miss. So pack your bags and head to Grand Mesa for an unforgettable adventure! ![Hikers in Telluride, Colorado with autumn gold aspen trees ](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/download--4-.jpg.webp) Photo by [Linda Knicely](https://unsplash.com/@lindaknicely?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) --- ### **How to get there** - The Grand Mesa is located in western Colorado, about 40 miles east of Grand Junction. You can drive there from Denver in about four hours. The closest airport is Grand Junction where you can rent a car. - The best way to explore the Grand Mesa is by taking the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, which is a 63-mile route that winds through the Mesa and its surrounding forests and lakes. You can start from either Cedaredge or Mesa, depending on which direction you're coming from. - Along the way, you'll find many scenic overlooks, picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing spots, and campgrounds. You can also stop by the Grand Mesa Visitor Center to learn more about the history and ecology of the area. - The Grand Mesa is a year-round destination, but it's especially beautiful in the fall when the aspen trees turn golden. You can also enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the winter. The video below shows some of the colors of the trees in the fall. [EarthCruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-earthcruiser/) Fall Foliage Trip --- ### **Where To Stay on Grand Mesa** There are many places where you can disperse camp on Grand Mesa. Here are a few of the most popular: - Twin Lakes Dispersed Area: This area is located on the shores of Twin Lakes and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and stargazing. - Forest Road 1051B Dispersed Area: This area is located along Forest Road 1051B and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and stargazing. - Forest Road 126 Dispersed Area: This area is located along Forest Road 126 and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and stargazing. - Forest Road 70 Dispersed Area: This area is located along Forest Road 70 and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and stargazing. Dispersed camping is allowed in Grand Mesa National Forest, as long as you follow the rules and regulations. You can find more information about dispersed camping on the Grand Mesa National Forest website. A different camping trip to Grand Mesa Here are a few of the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Grand Mesa National Forest: - You must camp at least 100 feet from any road or trail. - You must camp in an area that is at least 100 feet from any water source. - You must pack out all of your trash. - You must not build a fire without a permit. - You must not disturb any wildlife. By following these rules and regulations, you can help to protect Grand Mesa National Forest and ensure that everyone can enjoy it for years to come. The Grand Mesa is a must-see for anyone who loves nature and adventure. Don't miss this opportunity to experience one of Colorado's most amazing attractions! --- Brent Conklin [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) [MembershipDon’t be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!!![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsBrent Conklin![](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1517824806704-9040b037703b?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDEyfHxjYW1waW5nfGVufDB8fHx8MTY4NTgzMDczMHww&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/membership/) Membership ### Echo Park, Utah: Discover the Hidden Gem of the American West URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/hiking-camping-and-more-exploring-the-wonders-of-echo-park-utah/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T19:29:21.000Z ### **On The Go** When traveling in our camper, Gretchen and I rarely stay in one location for more than a day. That trend must have originated from our backpacking days when we were always on the move. Over the years, we have explored, and are drawn back, to a handful of places that never disappoint. Echo Park is one of those special places that make us hit the pause button. During our first visit, we reveled in the scenic drive through Sand Canyon and the historical Chew Family ranch and homestead. There are numerous petroglyphs to interpret, caves to explore, and trails to hike. Rafting on the Green River is both a participation and spectator sport in Echo Park. Simply stated, the Park checks many boxes and the access is inconvenient enough that solitude is your friend. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture2.jpg.webp) Petroglyphs --- ### How To Get There Echo Park Utah is located in the lesser known north-east corner of Dinosaur National Monument near the Colorado border. It is 40 miles to the nearest gas station or six-pack depending on your preference. But the adventure begins at Canyon Overlook. From this ridge-top viewpoint, much of the 12-mile road down \[and into\] Echo Park can be traced as it winds through valleys, benchtops, and canyons. --- ### **The Dugway** The ‘zig-zag’, known as the Dugway, can look formidable from above. A sign stating ‘Impassable when wet’ bares truth. The steep gradient and red clay road can be very slick after rainfall. Be sure to check the weather forecast before departing. That caution aside, the Dugway is generally in good shape and well-suited for truck campers, adventure vans or AWD sedans. I always air down for better traction and a smoother ride. Trailers are not recommended as the switchbacks are tight and the road is narrow in spots. (On two of the switchbacks, I had to momentarily disengage 4WD in my Dodge Ram to prevent driveline chatter.) Once down the 2-mile Dugway, the ‘Tail’ on your drawing, or the rest of the road, is a combination of gravel with a few sandy spots and a couple of tire-cleaning creek crossings. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture3.jpg.webp) The Dugway --- ### **Chew Family Ranch** At mile point 8, there is an intersection that marks the direction to Echo Park. The ‘Small Boxes’ or the Chew Family Ranch is just another mile down the road. Founded in 1910 by Jack Chew, the ranch was owned and operated by the family for three generations until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1966\. Located near Pool Creek, the Chew’s had a year-round water source in addition to timber and grazing land. Besides the homestead, there are numerous outbuildings including a barn, workshop and root cellar. On the ranch is an old shepherd’s wagon – the original overlanding vehicle! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture4.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture5.jpg.webp) Chew Family Ranch --- ### **Petroglyphs And Campgrounds** Another mile down the road is ‘winged’ petroglyphs visible high up on the canyon walls. They were carved into the rock by the Fremont Indians at a time when the canyon floor was thirty feet higher. Adjacent to the wall carvings is Whispering Cave. This is where the ‘horseshoe’ of Echo Park begins. In the distance, ‘conical’ Steamboat Rock is the official park greeter. The walls of Echo Park tower several hundred uninterrupted feet from the floor. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture6.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture7.jpg.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture8.jpg.webp) Cliffs, Water and Camping Within and around the ‘horseshoe’ there are (22) campsites. (Since Echo Park resides within the National Monument, dispersed camping is prohibited – but do not let this deter you from staying there.) Each of the sites have a generous footprint and plenty of elbow room. Four campsites are nestled in the trees just a stone's throw from the Green River. They provide a cozy camping experience and relief from the hot summer sun but can be a little cool on the cusps. If you tend to travel in the spring and fall, as we do, site selection can be important if you prefer morning or late afternoon sunshine. It is fascinating to watch the shadow line slowly ascend or descend the horseshoe walls depending on the time of day and campsite location. One moment, you may be basking in the afternoon sun and the next reaching for a sweatshirt or lighting a campfire. Depending on your power needs, a portable solar panel, which can be moved during the day, can be very beneficial. --- ### If You Go There is no cell or internet service anywhere near the area, but there is a seasonal camp host, with radio communications, that resides at a ranger cabin nearby in case of an emergency. If you need to be connected, Starlink Internet has been used successfully in the campground. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture9.jpg.webp) Green and Yampa Rivers Mule deer and bighorn sheep can often be seen roaming through the Park while bird species are abundant. An easy hike upstream meanders through grass fields and wildflowers to the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. Downstream, a more technical trail leads to Mitten Fault Park. Views of the river winding through steep canyon walls are always picturesque. Twenty-three sedimentary rock layers, slowly exposed over 25 million years are found within the monument. Allow about an hour to get in or out of Echo Park. There is an alternative route to the Park (via Elk Springs) but it adds about 40 miles to the journey and is best suited for capable 4WD vehicles. --- ### **The Map** ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/Picture10.jpg-1.webp) Echo Park Drawing > *Start by drawing several zig-zags that extend into a long tail and opens up into a horseshoe. At about three quarters of the length, add a few small squares on either side of the tail followed by a bird wing and cone. Finally, draw a meandering line that closely follows the radius of the horseshoe and continues on. The result is a rough map that reflects the less than smooth entrance to Echo Park but begs for exploration* If you are looking for an adventure that checks all the boxes, then visit Echo Park. Bring your map. It will not be long before you are saying ‘I love this place’… *place place place.* Gary and Gretchen Matos [Gary Matos - Whiskey 7 BackroadsGary and Gretchen reside in Sisters Oregon and when not splitting or stacking wood they enjoy backpacking, kayaking and motorcycle riding. They currently own a 4wheel Flatbed Hawk on a Dodge Ram 3500![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/steens7.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/gary/) Gary and Gretchen Matos ### Unforgettable Adventure: Discover the Beauty of Vermilion Cliffs Camping URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/vermillion-cliffs/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:16.000Z Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is located in northern Arizona and offers visitors a chance to explore a unique and diverse landscape. From its striking sandstone formations to its rich wildlife and plant species, this area is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Southwest. --- ## Sandstone Formations One of the most famous formations in the area is the Wave, a sandstone formation that's been sculpted into a series of ridges and troughs. The Wave is just one of many incredible formations in the Vermilion Cliffs area. The White Pocket, for example, is another stunning sandstone formation that features swirling patterns and colors that seem almost otherworldly. Make sure you get a permit if you plan on exploring these formations. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/photo-1555960578-4f1156030e4b_crop_entropy_cs_tinysrgb_fit_max_fm_jpg_ixid_M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDF8fHdoaXRlJTIwcG9ja2V0fGVufDB8fHx8MTY4Mzg1NTAwNHww_ixlib_rb-4.0.webp) Photo by [John Fowler](https://unsplash.com/@wildhoney?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) --- ## Wildlife and Plant Species In addition to the stunning rock formations, the Vermilion Cliffs area is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species. The area is particularly notable for its birdlife, with over 300 species documented. Some of the most common species include bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and California condors. The cliffs are also home to a variety of mammals, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and mountain lions. ![Peregrine Falcon landing on a branch](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1644252172153-e916a6cdd781?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDM3fHxwZXJlZ3JpbmUlMjBmYWxjb25zfGVufDB8fHx8MTY4Mzg1NDU4Nnww&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Mathew Schwartz](https://unsplash.com/@cadop?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) --- ## Hiking Trails One of the best ways to explore the Vermilion Cliffs area is on foot. There are a variety of hiking trails in the area, ranging from short and easy walks to multi-day backpacking trips. The Buckskin Gulch Trail, for example, is a popular hike that takes visitors through a stunning slot canyon. The Paria Canyon Trail is another popular option, taking hikers through a remote and beautiful section of the Vermilion Cliffs. ![antelope canyon](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/photo-1491258524513-1e5b31b77452_crop_entropy_cs_tinysrgb_fit_max_fm_jpg_ixid_M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDd8fHBhcmlhJTIwY2FueW9ufGVufDB8fHx8MTY4Mzg1NDQwNHww_ixlib_rb-4.0.webp) Photo by Martina Misar-Tummeltshammer --- ## Camping Camping is popular in the Vermilion Cliffs area, with several designated campgrounds and dispersed camping areas available. The White House Campground is a popular option for car campers, while backcountry camping is allowed throughout much of the wilderness area. Below is a video of one of our dispersed camping sites near White Pocket. The [EarthCruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-earthcruiser/) camped by White Pocket > Our trip up the hill started on a tame, very well-traversed trail, but as we drove closer to White Pocket the sand became deeper and deeper.....The last 1000 feet we switched to 4x4 and kept the RPM's up, along with my heart rate!!! --- ## Conservation While the Vermilion Cliffs area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, it's important to remember that this area is also a designated National Monument. The entire Monument is managed and protected by the National Park Service. Visitors should follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and respect any posted signs or regulations. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/Earthcruiser-at-Johnson-Canyon-sunset.jpg) The [EarthCruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-earthcruiser/) at Johnson Canyon --- ## Conclusion In conclusion, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a stunning area offering a unique and diverse landscape for visitors to explore. Whether you're an avid hiker, photographer, or nature lover, the Vermilion Cliffs area is a must-visit destination in the American Southwest. Brent Conklin [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) ![Brent Conklin](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/free-image-resizer-cropper--2-.webp) ### About the Author Brent Conklin Owner of Whiskey7backroads and avid explorer. I am a Ham Radio extra class operator and frequent the Old Miss Net. I have been married for 37 years to Cheryl and we have 2 boys and 2 dogs. [View all posts by Brent Conklin →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/brent/)[Website →](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/) ### Rendezvous Planning URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/rendevous-planning/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T03:40:53.000Z August is right around the corner, join us for a Zoom meeting to start pre-planning for the Montana Ranch Rendezvous. Even if you're not attending, please stop by to say hello. Q/A to follow. _This post is for subscribers on the Shot Glass Membership (1-2 people) and Shot Glass Membership (family) tiers only._ ### Discover the Best Wyoming Diner on Your Blue Highway Journey URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/a-stop-along-a-blue-highway/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:17.000Z ### **Intro** Long before GPS units were used, Americans counted on paper maps to navigate roads. The major highways were printed in red with the secondary roads printed in blue. In his famous 1999 book [**Blue Highways: A Journey into America**](https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Highways-Journey-into-America-ebook/dp/B006BAW16O/ref=sr%5F1%5F1?hvadid=241880360829&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1027691&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=120013803990956085&hvtargid=kwd-299782522499&hydadcr=2357%5F10355968&keywords=blue+highways+a+journey+into+america&qid=1684246170&sr=8-1) William Least Heat Moon writes of his journeys into small-town America via the Blue Highways. After reading this work our family has committed to primarily traveling the Blue Highways whenever we can. This current trip was no exception to that goal. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/OYCB2779.webp) A fire lookout outside of Pringle South Dakota --- ### **The Story** This story is the result of a recent choice we made while traveling through South Dakota. We had been on the road for fourteen days exploring the Black Hills and Custer State Park. Like many travelers, we were growing weary of road food and our improvised food preparations. It was time for a good home-cooked meal. Since we avoid chain restaurants, we have to take risks when choosing a location to stop. There are many stories of us pulling up to sketchy-looking buildings in small towns and experiencing true down-home hospitality. Our experience in Pringle South Dakota would further support our commitment to dine local when traveling. The Hitchrail Bar and Restaurant is the only commercial building in a town of 109 people. The surrounding buildings look like a good wind would knock them down. A “Welcome Bikers” Banner left over from the Sturgis Rally was peeling off the exterior wall. There was no cell service in town and the few trucks parked in front had seen better days. We arrived at 5:00 PM for dinner to find the parking lot full. My wife headed for the door to secure a table while I worked on a creative method for parking our rig by climbing a berm not intended for regular parking. Pulling next to another truck I exited and headed for the door. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/20220930_180015.jpg) Hitchrail Bar and Restaurant As I stepped inside, I was greeted with curious stares from the local ranchers. It was Friday night and they had come for the “All You Can Eat Catfish Supper for $14.99” My wife had secured a corner table in the back. The patrons were packed so tightly that I had to zig and zag between them as there was no clear aisle. Sitting down, I scanned the room. Most of the men had come from the farm, wearing their workwear. I saw many carrying side arms in holsters next to their cell phones and Leatherman tools. Mounted deer and elk stared down at us. One deer sported a necktie. A random dog barked from the other side of the backdoor. The locals were discussing water rights, drought, the rising cost of fencing materials, and the results of the recent livestock auctions. The only other non-residents sat behind us. A couple who had ridden their motorcycle from Nebraska on a whim. They stopped because of the “Welcome Bikers” banner flapping in the wind. It was clear they were on a date as he nervously over-explained his philosophy on motorcycle maintenance. --- ### **The Menu** The menu offered two specials. All You Can Eat Catfish for $14.99 on Friday nights, and Prime Rib on Saturday nights. The balance of the menu was homemade versions of classic lunch and dinner items including my favorite meal “Chicken Fried Steak.” After ordering our meals we headed to the communal Salad Bar. I greeted the young man next to me. His response was warm and sincere. I find people in agricultural communities to be warm and polite. He supported my view by engaging in friendly small talk as we scooped piles of lettuce onto plates and then poked around in the beets, mini corn, and onions. He selected Ranch as his preferred dressing. I won't judge him for that, after all, many people enjoy ranch dressing the same way many prefer catsup as their primary condiment. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/20220930_173449.jpg) Chicken Fried Steak for two?? My Chicken Fried Steak was homemade as was the gravy. My wife’s platter of Catfish spilled over the edges of the plate. We ate in silence like people who had not eaten in days. The food was hot, seasoned well, and delivered with a smile. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/20220930_173452.jpg) All You Can Eat Catfish Based on the posted population of Pringle I would suspect that at least one-third to one-half of the town was packed into The Hitchrail on this Friday night. They were familiar with each other and comfortable with sitting six inches apart. I can only imagine the Yelp reviews this place would receive in a large city. City dwellers would be freaked about Covid protocols and the fact that people were not respecting their safe space or keeping their distance. We felt at home. When our eyes met with the locals we felt and saw warmth in their eyes. We felt like we were home with family. Our waitress returned with an offer of dessert. Pushing back from the table we started to decline when she leaned in and whispered to us “It is homemade carrot cake. You need to try it”. Before we could respond she slipped from the table, returning moments later with a Styrofoam container with a slice of cake that had to weigh a half pound. “I always put it in a take-out box. Nobody finishes this much cake.” We ate that piece of cake for three days. It was better than she described. The biggest surprise came when she presented the bill. Two full dinners plus a half pound of cake were $38.00\. The tip matched the generous service. --- ### **Conclusion** After weaving through the crowd, we found the exit. The mounted moose head by the door looked down on us with a look of satisfaction as if to say, “I told you it was good.” To our surprise, all the outside tables were filled with patrons, laughing, drinking, and eating homemade food. The parking lot was so full that people had creatively double parked in the lot as well as along the edges of the main road and surrounding streets. As we closed the doors of our truck, I turned to my wife and exhaled deeply. It was the expression of not only a good meal but the satisfaction of having shared an experience with small-town America. A place where a smile is accepted without suspicion and where open carry is not an invitation for a freakout. Pringle South Dakota goes down in the books as another reward for taking a risk along one of the thousands of Blue Highways that cross this land. Howard Turner [MembershipDon’t be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!!![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=1917fee67e)Whiskey 7 BackroadsBrent Conklin![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/photo-1682685797857-97de838c192e_crop_entropy_cs_tinysrgb_fit_max_fm_jpg_ixid_M3wxMTc3M3wxfDF8YWxsfDE2fHx8fHx8Mnx8MTY4NDYyNjMyOXw_ixlib_rb-4.0.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/membership/) Free Membership Sign Up Form [Howard Turner - Whiskey 7 BackroadsA Blog detailing our camping, hiking and overlanding in the EarthCruiser. Take a look around and sign up for our free weekly newsletter. @whiskey7backroads![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=63cd6c0239)Whiskey 7 BackroadsYT Videos![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/P7250102-edited.jpg)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/author/howard/) Howard Turner ### Experience the Magic of Baja Mexico | Tour the Breeding Grounds and Kiss a Whale URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/baja-mexico-kissing-whales/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T19:40:28.000Z ## **Crossing the border** Our trip started in Sisters Oregon where I met Gary and Rick for our trip south. After a couple of long days driving to the border, we stayed in an RV park close to Tecate, Mexico, and met up with Ron, the fourth member of our convoy. The next morning, we drove to the border and submitted our paperwork, and paid for our Visa to go south. The video below is the first-night campsite where we stayed at a vineyard and also a friend of ours in San Quintin. --- ## **Guerro Negro** Guerro Negro is the largest town located in Baja California Sur. The town is best known for its salt mines and the grey whales that calve in the lagoons. The town was founded in 1957 when Daniel Ludwig built a salt works the supply the demand of salt in the western USA. The establishment later became the greatest salt mine in the world, with a production of 7 million tons of salt a year. But what is near and dear to my heart, are the whales..... --- ## **Mario's Whale-Watching Tours** We booked our whale-watching tour with Marios Tours. Not only do they book tours, but they have an RV park in the back of the property and also a restaurant. They do a great job of not only providing tours but also educating the public about the whales, their habitat, and the migration from Baja Mexico to Alaska. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/05/promoci.jpg) [https://www.mariostours.com](https://www.mariostours.com/) --- ## **Kissing Whales In The Bay** The videos in this blog were taken in 2020, right when Covid was starting to hit the USA. At the time, I did not know I would be doing a Youtube channel or a blog. The footage is raw, and my camera skills are poor, but the experience was amazing. I sometimes think that maybe I should have stayed in Mexico thru the Covid pandemic. I could get used to drinking Tequila and eating fresh fish every day while camping on the beach!! --- > As the whale started to surface my heart rate elevated. It seemed it was going to break the water and tip our boat over. I tightened the straps of my life vest and was amazed at how graceful the full-size whale came up to the boat. Being able to touch a Gray Whale in the wild of the Ocean will always be one of the special items on my bucket list. --- ## Conclusion You will notice the videos above are out of order. We had some stops in between but the whales were the highlight of the trip. I will be uploading more videos from this trip in the coming months with an entire blog dedicated to Santispac Baja California Sur (the sunset picture at the top of the page). Thanks to everyone who supports our blog and [Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1). Brent Conklin Whiskey7Backroads.com ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Summer---720x90-1.jpg) #### Harvest Hosts Membership Get 15% off your Harvest Host Membership ### 2023 Planning Meeting URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/2023-planning-meeting/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T03:40:56.000Z Get your calendars out and stop by to see where we are going in 2023\. If you have any interested in joining us for some of the trips, please let us know. If you don't but would like to come and say hi, please do. We will also be opening the Zoom meeting up to Q/A also. _This post is for subscribers on the Shot Glass Membership (1-2 people) and Shot Glass Membership (family) tiers only._ ### Lawson Landing and Dillions Beach - Your Perfect Day Trip and Camping Destination URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/lawson-landing-dillions-beach/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:18.000Z ## **The Famous Lawson Landing** Lawson's Landing is a fishing and boating campground situated at the mouth of Tomales Bay, California. The Landing was first established in 1929, and the family-owned and operated campground has been running since 1957\. From camping to crabbing to boating, there are so many activities to enjoy. Bring your family and friends to experience the great outdoors along the beautiful Pacific Coast. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image13.webp) Lawson Landing Boat House --- ## Where is it? Lawson's Landing is in the northwestern corner of Marin County, 50 miles north of San Francisco and 20 miles west of Petaluma at Dillon Beach. The famous boathouse and camping area face the Pacific Ocean to the west. Tomales Bay is to the south. The address is 137 Marine View Dr, Dillon Beach, Ca. 94929 --- ## **The Campground** It is a large campground with ample space. There are no sewer or electrical hook-ups. Potable water is widely available around the camp sites. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The staff was very friendly and they keep the campground very clean. There are plenty of portable toilets and dumpsters around the grounds. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image8.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image6.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image17.webp) Camping at Lawson Landing Our site backed up to a cattle pasture. Every morning we had company for breakfast. It was enjoyable watching the babies run around in the fenced pasture. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/image10.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image15.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/image3--1-.webp) Company from next door There were lots of kites being flown in the constant sea breeze. This campground is an excellent place for families with kids. Even though there were lots of families, it was quiet on our visit. The campground was also very dog friendly. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image5.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image11.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image7.webp) A great place to fly a kite --- ## **Store and Anchor Garden** There is a store onsite that carries a good assortment of food and sundries. It also has an assortment of coastal-type Christmas ornaments and gifts. There is a large barbeque area for day users. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image16.webp) Coastal Christmas gifts and ingredients for your seafood boil The coastal fog goes in and out all day. If you decide to visit, make sure you pack layers and bring a jacket. The days are chilly, and the evenings are very damp and slightly drizzled. On one of the sunny days I was out exploring and I found this cute little anchor garden. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image19.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image18.webp) Anchor Garden --- ## Fishing Lawson landing campgrounds are located along the ocean inlet into Tomales Bay. If you are into fishing, you can try your luck ocean fishing from the shore, or if you have a boat, a staff member will launch or help you bring in your boat from the sandy beach. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image21.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image23.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image22.webp) Fishing from shore We decided to try our luck at crab fishing. We caught enough crab for a crab boil at dinner. It was a lot of fun. One of our group members brought a snackle box. I thought it was a genius idea. It is a mobile charcuterie/snack case. She used a tackle case and filled it full of snacks. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/image9.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image14.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/12/image12.jpg) A Snackle Box - Brilliant Overall, I enjoyed our trip. However, I would've loved the weather to have been warmer. Unfortunately, I was informed after the fact that the weather doesn't change much throughout the year. [Veronica Norris](https://veronicanorrisdesign.blogspot.com/) ### "Unleash Your Inner Explorer: A Guide to Overland Expo" URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo/ Last updated: 2026-09-12T01:02:20.000Z ## **A little Explanation** I get a lot of questions traveling around the western United States about the EarthCruiser. Ultimately, all the answers and conversations lead to Overlanding.... But what is Overlanding? Well, below I will try to explain and define it. But first, I think we need to identify other terms that are similar but different. **Camping** \- To me, camping is having a set place to go. Setting up a camper, trailer or RV and staying for a few nights. It can be off-grid or have hookups and amenities like pit toilets and water. Either a 4x4 or 2-wheel drive will work for camping trips depending on the destination. Most camping trips are about the location and not the trip or the ride to get there. Some of my best childhood memories are from camping trips with my grandma and grandpa. This is a great way to introduce kids to the outdoors. ![At Camp (Triple R)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/photo-1627664819818-e147d6221422_crop_entropy_cs_tinysrgb_fit_max_fm_jpg_ixid_MnwxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDI4fHxjYW1waW5nJTIwdHJhaWxlcnxlbnwwfHx8fDE2NjU4NDY3MTY_ixlib_rb-1.2.webp) camping under the stars **Boondocking** \- Similar to camping but always without power and self-contained. No amenities, no water or pit toilets. All power to keep the camper or trailer working has to come from solar or a generator. Also, it is mostly about the destination and not the 'way' or 'how' to get there. Most times the destination is known before leaving but not always. Again, 4x4 or 2-wheel drive can get you there. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/13025.webp) Boondocking outside the Mojave Desert **Overlanding** \- An extension to Boondocking but with an emphasis on the 'way' and the 'how'. Overlanding is exploring new roads, routes or places and a part of the adventure is boondocking and/or camping. Overlanders will be prepared for any road, any weather and not let anything get in their way. If a log is over the road, the Overlander will have a winch to move it or a saw to cut it away. This is what we do with the EarthCruiser. Most true Overlanding rigs will be 4x4 and have all the equipment that may be needed in any situation. When we Overland, we try to find a new route, explore new areas and usually never know where we are going to stay the night. The unknown is part of the adventure! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20190130_162834626.webp) The Dunes in Death Valley In summary, Camping, Boondocking and Overlanding are all great ways to get out and see our great country. There is no right or wrong or best way to do it. It's about preference. Some people want to know where they are staying and have reservations for the night. Some enjoy the trip more than the destination. Try them all and gravitate to what you enjoy. [MembershipDon’t be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!!![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=434ede4522)Whiskey 7 BackroadsBrent Conklin![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/10/Worst-site-ever.webp)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/membership/) Sign up Today!!! --- ## **What is Overland Expo?** So now that we know what Overlanding is, what exactly is the Overland Expo? Well, it's a show that brings together different aspects of Overlanding. There will be exhibitors like most shows but also custom Overland Rigs that the show showcases. There are also classes one can attend to learn more about the different techniques Overlanding requires. Below is a video of Expo Mountain West 2022\. It's a walk around so you can get an idea of what a show like this has to offer. One of my favorite parts of going to any Overland Expo is the onsite camping. I have met some of the best people at these shows. Roberto, Carlos and Lynn who you see in some of my videos I met at the Expo in Flagstaff. Even though I met Shane and Carrie on the radio, we first met in person at the same Expo. The show in Loveland Colorado was the same. I met Jason (Ham Radio 2.0), James, Bill, Mark and many others. Most of these new friends I will meet up with on a trail somewhere in a future overlanding adventure. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/10/20220827_135906-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/10/123_1-1.webp) My Overland Family ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Use code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership --- ## **Where are these shows located?** It started out as one show in Flagstaff Arizona and grew from there. This year, there were 4 shows around the country. The PNW version was held in Bend, Oregon. The Mountain West show was held in Loveland, Colorado. The original show called West is still held in Flagstaff, Arizona. And finally, the last show of the summer is East and is held in Arlington, Virginia. As you can see, these shows are a blast. The people are very friendly, and I guarantee you will meet some future friends. If you haven't been, start making plans for next year. [Here is the link to subscribe and get more information](https://www.overlandexpo.com/). We might even see you at one of the shows. --- ## **A future Overlander** We are fortunate to have a new grandson in the family. Roberto is already trying to persuade him to be a future Overlander with this new onesie!! But in all seriousness, thanks Roberto for the gift. Looking forward to taking the grandkids out like my grandpa and grandma did for me when I was a child. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/10/20220827_124009.webp) Can't wait to take Conner, Addison and Easton out on the trails!! Thank you to everyone who has supported the blog. Please share as much as you can, and we will keep sharing all the great places we go. Brent Conklin [Whiskey 7 Backroads](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1) ### Experience Bears and Fish at Alaska Brooks Falls by Seaplane URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/a-trip-to-brooks-falls/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T03:40:59.000Z ## **Where is it?** Brooks Falls is in the [Katmai National Park](https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm) in Alaska. The park was established in 1918 to protect the region that had been devastated by volcanic activity. Although the park protects many years of human history, it's mostly known for its thousands of brown bears. Brooks Falls is a part of a mile long stretch of the Brooks River where sockeye salmon migrate upstream to spawn. --- ## **How to get there** You can only get to the Katmai National Park Preserve by float plane. The float plane that took us to Brooks Falls on our visit was a plane from [Rapids Camp Lodge](https://rapidscamplodge.com/) in King Salmon, Alaska. The flight was approximately 20 minutes from the lodge, traveling over the Alaska tundra. The video below is from our flight. 0:00 / 1× --- ## **The Bear Cam** There is a bear cam that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also has a link where you can vote for the fattest bears! --- ## **Our visit** When you arrive, you have to go thru mandatory "Bear School". These are classes put on by the Park Rangers and are the rules for visiting the falls. After the class, the hike out to Brooks Falls is about 1.3 miles. It's a fairly skinny trail and there are bears around. I decided that I was going to stay close to the only man in our group that had a gun. On the trip out, there was a man that was stopped on the trail. He was warning us of a bear close by. The bear walked across the path in front of us and into the trees, not paying us any attention. The video below shows just how many bears were at the falls the day we visited. 0:00 / 1× Video of Summer 2022 from phone On our visit the bears where out in full force. There are platforms to watch the bears from. These platforms are close to the river where the bears are trying to catch the fish. The Park Rangers are on these platforms to manage the people and answer questions. The bears were sometimes below the platforms only about 6 feet away!! ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/image4.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/image0.jpeg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/image1-1.jpeg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/image2.jpeg) Brown Bears at Brooks Falls in Alaska The video below will give you a little more perspective on how close the platforms are, you can see a couple right in front of me. 0:00 / 1× --- ## **Conclusion** We had a great time at Brooks Falls. I would recommend it to anybody visiting Alaska. After our visit, we continued to watch the bear cams and could not believe how fat the bears have gotten! I can't wait for our next Alaskan adventure. Thanks Gloria Shaw ### Upper Sunshine Reservoir URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/upper-sunshine-reservoir/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:20.000Z ## **Where is it** The Upper Sunshine Reservoir is located about 10 miles west of Meteetsee Wyoming in Park County. Hwy 120 runs north to south thru Meteetsee and connects Cody, Wyoming with towns further south like Riverton and Shoshoni. In the middle of town Hwy 290 starts and heads west out of town. This is the route to the Sunshine Reservoirs. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20220823_135047.webp) [Find the EarthCruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/tag/earthcruiser/) --- ## **Lower Sunshine Reservoir** After driving the 10 miles out of Meteetsee on Hwy 290, you will see a small sign for Lower Sunshine Reservoir. The reservoir is on the left and can't be seen from the road. This is the more populated area as day fishing is very popular here. The reservoir is known for Cutthroat trout, Lake trout, and Brown trout. A gravel road leads into the reservoir and there is good, flat dispersed camping on either side of the road. 0:00 /0:10 1× The view from the front side of the EarthCruiser --- ## **Upper Sunshine Reservoir** I found the Upper Sunshine Reservoir to be the best of the two. It's farther up Hwy 290 and also on the left side of the road. This gravel road is a couple of miles long. It winds around some rock formations and comes down into the reservoir. The road splits and if you go left it leads to the dam between the upper and lower reservoirs. There is only one spot to camp on this stretch but multiple places to bank fish. On my visit, I went right and found a very secluded spot on top of a small hill. I had fantastic views of the lake and the surrounding area. The video below is part of a series of videos on our road trip to [Mountain Expo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/overland-expo/) but shows this location well. Brent and his EarthCruiser EXP --- ## **Why Should You Go?** Well, first of all, it's free. Free to camp and also to fish. On my visit, I did not fish but plenty of people were. It looked like they were catching quite a few fish. The camping spots are dispersed and have a lot of space between them. Some are on the lake itself and others are on the hills surrounding the lake (like the one I stayed in). The elevation is about 5800 feet so make sure you are prepared for the weather. It was 75 degrees when I pulled up and made camp and later in the afternoon, it rained a little with a thunderstorm. All the camping sites I looked at were very clean and without garbage. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20220823_112533.webp) The EarthCruiser at an awesome campsite Another reason to come and stay here is its close to town. If you need to resupply, Meteetsee is only 10 miles away and if you need something larger then Cody is about 35 miles north. 0:00 /0:16 1× A quick view from the back of the EarthCruiser Finally, there is a pit toilet at both the Upper and Lower Reservoirs. There was also a garbage can at each location. During my stay, it was quiet and I had a good night's sleep. Just me, the Pronghorn, and the fishermen in the boats. --- ## **Final Thoughts** ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/20220823_114507.webp) Catching some rays before the thunderstorm came > I unzipped the window shades to reveal a 180 degree view of the surrounding landscape. The sun was just coming up and shining on the mountains to the west. The lake was dark blue and all I could hear was the birds signing. I knew right there is was going to be a great day!! --- Thanks for supporting the website and hopefully, subscribing to our YouTube channel [@whiskey7backroads](https://www.youtube.com/@Whiskey7BackRoads/?sub%5Fconfirmation=1). (hint, hint) Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Use code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership ### POTA Activation: When Nothing Works Right URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/a-pota-journey/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T14:22:46.000Z ## **The Plan** As the saying goes. It's not the destination that matters but the journey. The same applies to every POTA activation attempt. As much as we would like to have successful park activations, sometimes odds may not be in our favor due to various circumstances (equipment, location, weather, and propagation, to name a few). In the end, the reason for a POTA activation is to go outside and enjoy the outdoors. This activation took place on the third leg of a four-day trip. On this trip, the scheduled layovers were in Seattle, Anchorage, Oakland and Pleasanton, California. Most layovers are short but the one in Pleasanton was scheduled for 51-hours. I decided to rest the first day and do some last-minute preparations for the 14-mile bike ride to **Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area. The POTA designation for this location is (K-3455)** ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake2.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake1.webp) Lake Del Valle --- ## **Our Route** The planned Route will be the iron Horse Trail connecting with Arroyo Del Valle Regional Trail (Sycamore Grove Park).It was a pleasant bike ride with views of local parks, rolling hills, golf courses, and vineyards. I entered (K-3455) and proceeded via **EAST SHORE TRAIL** to the nearest summit that caught my eye, keeping in mind that I must remain within the state park boundary (POTA regulations). This summit was at the intersection of the **EAST SHORE TRAIL & HERON BAY TRAIL.** I could not have asked for a better location. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/k3455-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake3.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/k3455.webp) The Route of the bike ride --- ## **The Set Up** When planning an activation, weight and simplicity are my top two priorities, especially if carrying the radio equipment for a significant distance. In the world of POTA (Parks On The Air), and especially for SOTA (Summits On The Air), QRP radios tend to be the gold standard. QRP is low-power transmissions (10W or less). For this activation, I used a 5-watt radio; . Less power consumption equals a smaller battery. In addition to a less power-rated antenna, therefore, lighter weight. I have become a big fan of: . The PackTenna Mini Random Wire Antenna (9:1 UNUN) is what I used in this activation. This antenna requires an antenna tuner to make the antenna resonant on different bands. Therefore, it adds an extra piece of equipment. I could have chosen a resonant antenna for a specific band to ditch the auto-tuner, making it a lighter load. However, I was willing to compromise the minimal extra weight for the versatility of an auto-tuner. Means of hoisting the wire antenna is another challenge for activators. Again, topography plays a significant role in this, and planning is paramount before heading out the door. Nothing is more frustrating than getting to an activation site and being unable to activate due to leaving a piece of equipment behind. Mother Nature may be on your side in providing you with a lending hand for your setup. A tree, a pile of rocks, a simple brush, or a bush. Other times you have to improvise with a trekking pole, collapsible mast, or a nearby bench. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake8.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake7.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake6.webp) Radio and antenna set up --- ## **What Went Wrong** Once I arrived at the selected activation site, it was a quick five-minute setup. I spotted my location on the POTA app, and within minutes I made my first and only contact with a station in northwest Arkansas. I was informed that my radio was transmitting off frequency. I spent the next hour or so trying to resolve this issue. To no avail, and after several failed attempts, I decided to take down the station and enjoy the views before returning to Pleasanton. As much as I enjoyed this journey, this cannot be considered a Park Activation. This is because a minimum of 10 stations must be successfully contacted to be recorded as a successful activation. Thankfully, I could troubleshoot the issue with my radio once I arrived home. I intend to give it another attempt on my next Pleasanton layover whenever this may happen. Hopefully soon. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake22.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake5.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake11.webp) --- ## **Other Parts of the Journey** Those who read my previous POTA post know what I do for a living. And I have been fortunate that it allows me to visit different places regularly. Some may ask what these flights are like and what I do on layovers? Let me start by saying that no two flights are ever alike for various reasons (weather, length of flights/trips, layover city, and length). I enjoy walking, bike riding, and experiencing different cultures on layovers. While airborne, I enjoy making Aeronautical Mobile Contacts when the opportunity presents itself. It makes me smile when I detect the excitement of the person I'm talking to—being their first ever aeronautical contact. The amateur radio community is one of the friendliest communities I know of, much like the Overland community. I've made many contacts over the radio that have turned into acquaintances and friends. Some of whom I have met in person during my layovers. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/plane1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake9.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/plane2.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake3--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/09/lake4.webp) Couple photos from the flight --- ## **In Closing** In closing, my intended purpose for this article was to share my experience of one of my layovers, and how I can integrate it with a hobby I am passionate about. I have used terms such as: QRP Radios (watts), Random Wire Antenna, POTA, SOTA, Antenna resonance, and Tuners. I realize some of our readers may not be familiar with these terms. I invite those of you curious about the terms mentioned above to do an internet search, and perhaps it will be the spark that will ignite a quest for autonomous communication knowledge that, in my opinion, goes hand in hand with Overlanding. 73 Carlos R. O'Neill KB4CO ### Discover High Rock Lookout: The Ultimate Hiking Destination in Lewis County URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/high-rock-lookout/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:21.000Z ## **Where is it?** Take State Route 706 towards the small town of Ashford and the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. 2 miles after Ashford you want to take a right onto Kernahan Road. Follow this road for about 1.5 miles and it will curve to the left and become Skate Creek Road. Follow Skate Creek Road another 3.5 miles and take a right turn onto Forest Service Road 84\. Stay on FR-84 for 6.5 miles staying right when it forks. You will now be on FR-8440 which you want to continue for about 2.5 miles until the road levels off and there is a parking area for 10-12 vehicles. This is Towhead Gap and is at an elevation of 4300 feet. Park here and at the time of this post a pass was not required. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20181202_085920182.webp) Checking out a campsite on the way to High Rock Lookout --- ## **The Start** We decided to try this hike in the middle of winter. We were in the area testing our new [EarthCruiser](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-earthcruiser/) in the snow and had always wanted to go to the Lookout. As we approached the trail, there were about 12 inches of snow on the ground at Towhead Gap and the parking area. We put on our coats, hats, and gloves, filled our water bottles, and leashed Riley (our [Australian Shepard](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-navigators/)). After lacing up our snow boots, we headed up the hill. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_20181202_133740131.webp) This was about halfway up the trail --- ## **The Trail Up** The trail up is short but moderately steep. You will gain about 1300 feet in elevation in the short 1.6 miles to the summit. The trail number is 266 and was in good shape on our hike as even in winter, plenty of people take this hike. The trail follows the ridgeline of Sawtooth Ridge and there are a couple of viewpoints like the picture above. Most of the trail is under the canopy of trees and would be well-shaded in the summer. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20181202_085948912_HDR.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_20181202_132304247--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20181202_085951547_HDR.webp) Brent and Riley going up the trail to High Rock Lookout 0:00 /0:22 1× Don't mind the huffing and puffing --- ## **The Pillar** The last 1/4 mile of the trail comes out of the tree canopy. It is here that you get your first good look at the Lookout. The trail is steep here and traverses a rock/boulder field. As you get closer to the Lookout, you see just how much of a cliff it sits on. In the video below, you can't see much more than clouds but we are on the edge (probably closer than we should have been). The drop-off is about 600 feet but allows views of the surrounding area on a clear day. This spot will give you one of the best views and photo opportunities of Mt Rainier. 0:00 /0:27 1× Looking into the Abyss > I looked over the edge and saw nothing but clouds going by, it was at this point I wondered if I had stepped to close to the edge. It was hard to tell with all the snow but I remember not staying out on the edge for long --- ## **High Rock Lookout** The lookout was built in 1929 as a fire lookout. It was manned in the summer months for many years. Shortly after we made our hike, the lookout was taken down and is being restored. You can get more information here ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_20181202_132044220.webp) Mrs. Whiskey 7 at High Rock Lookout --- ## **Final Thoughts** High Rock Lookout and Trail 266 are worth the drive. It's a popular hike so there will be people around if you need help. Bring plenty of water and snacks and pack out what you bring up. There are a couple of benches along the trail to rest and usually the temperatures in the summer are mild. As with any high mountain hike, come prepared for all kinds of weather as it can change very quickly. Thanks for coming along with us, Brent and Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Summer---720x90-1.jpg) #### Harvest Hosts Membership Get 15% off your Harvest Host Membership ### Baja Travel Tips from a Cold Oregon Morning URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/baja-travel-tips/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:23.000Z ## **Getting Started** I remember the day well. It was a cold March morning in Sisters Oregon. My good friend Rick and I were enjoying a cup of coffee at a shop named after our town. That is what you do when the temperature is below 20 degrees. Pictures of warm days, white sand and glass-like turquoise bays framed our conversation. Rick had just ordered his Four Wheel Camper Hawk. He was excited and wanted to talk about its maiden voyage to Baja MX. The prospect of exploring remote beaches and sampling new tequila would make the wait for his camper tolerable. He had visited Baja before and the pull to return was as good and strong as the dark-roasted coffee. A middle-aged couple at a nearby table overheard our conversation. They leaned over and seemed to ask in unison *‘Is it safe to travel in Baja MX? We have always wanted to go but were unsure.’* It is a question and statement Gretchen and I hear often. Rick raised the same concern before his first trip to Baja. Our short answer has not changed*. ‘We believe so, but some knowledge can certainly reduce the risk.’* We were first introduced to Baja California 20 years ago. An opportunity surfaced to build a casita (small home) in a sleepy fishing village an hour from the tip of the peninsula. For more than a decade, we enjoyed the community and made a lot of friends. Sunrises over the Sea of Cortez were always breathtaking and especially memorable while motoring to our favorite fishing grounds. After retirement, we began taking our time driving the length of Baja. What was once a four day 2200 mile marathon drive from Oregon, quickly extended to four weeks. We started meandering down the peninsula and discovered many previously unseen treasures. We explored Baja rather than just drove it. One day, we traveled only two miles before we saw another quiet cove to land for a day or three. The journey had finally become the destination. Our camper became home. ![Mulegé town, Baja California Sur](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/mulege.jpg) ![The overland rig parked in Baja](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/baja-rig-2.jpg) ![Camping under the stars near Cataviña](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-Catavina-Night-1.jpg) Each trip to Baja is a little different. One year we may be traveling alone and the next with a group of friends. That keeps it fresh and fun. Three years ago, the wild flower bloom and colorful cactus near the oasis of Catavina was simply captivating. On the Bay of Concepcion, we have witnessed days on end when the only ripple on the water was from a kayak. In Guerrero Negro, the whales have welcomed a boat-side scratch while in Magdalena Bay we have bought fresh blue shrimp and scallops for dimes on the dollar. Mulege, San Carlos and La Ventana are but a few towns in Baja that always surprise. After countless miles and a few trials, we always return to Baja wanting more. Traveling in Baja for the first time can be a little unsettling, especially while navigating the border towns. The following tips are not meant to be comprehensive or definitive. They are simply a collection of key learnings that have served us and friends well over the years. We have also provided several travel destinations that will give you a good flavor of Baja. Gretchen and I hope they provide some guidance and insight so that you may enjoy Baja as much as we do. --- ## **Vehicle Preparation** In Baja, you will see everything from tent campers to large diesel-pusher RVs and an occasional Unimog based international overlander. The vehicle type is largely dependent on your travel preferences. If you plan to stay on MX 1 (the main highway which runs the length of the peninsula) or well-known secondary roads, then small or large 2WD vehicles will perform well. However, if your desire is to explore the smaller towns or missions, or camp on pristine beaches then a higher clearance 4WD rig is required. Aside from early Jeep trips, almost all of our Baja overlanding has been done in a Toyota Tacoma equipped with a Four Wheel Camper (FWC) Fleet. We like this setup for several reasons. It is reliable, lightweight and very capable. We are able to seek out campsites that are off limit to larger rigs. Driving up sand filled arroyos lined with boulders or low limbed mesquite trees to view ancient petroglyphs is part of the adventure. Many of the best beaches require you to travel in and out of washes or over rock rough terrain (that will present a problem for low clearance vehicles). Make sure your rig adequately matches your travel expectations and needs. For example, when a trip calls for kayaks, motorcycles or extra gear, we tow our rugged ‘Baja Buggy’ trailer. However, this configuration can limit our exploration or camping options. ![Crossing an arroyo in Baja](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-Arroyo-Jeep-1.jpg) ![Filling up at a Pemex station](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/pemex_fillup.jpg) Crossing an Arroyo and Filling Up Regardless of your vehicle, make sure it is serviced before crossing the border. Tires should be new or have plenty of tread left. Change or fill fluids and inspect all hoses. Check the condition of your battery. Although vehicles can be serviced by competent mechanics in Baja, there are long stretches of highway where even small towns are scarce. There are also a few accessories to consider. An air compressor, tire pressure gauge and traction boards are invaluable for washboards, arroyos and the beaches. A spare gas can(s) will get you that extra 30 miles and a tire repair or plug kit can keep you rolling. Diesel #2 is available at almost every Pemex station in Baja. (Make sure when filling up that the attendant \[first\] resets the gas meter to zero.) If you drive a newer diesel, carry extra DEF as it is rarely found in smaller towns. --- ## **When to Travel** After years of traveling Baja, Gretchen and I prefer two seasonal windows. Fall and spring. October and November is a good time for several reasons. The weather is moderate with little wind and the hurricane season has passed. The beaches are quiet. The majority of the annual migration of snowbirds will not arrive for another month. We also like April. The snowbirds head north and the winds begin to subside. There are more glass-like days on the Sea of Cortez. Temperatures are usually in the 80’s. Perfect conditions for kayaking and fishing. ![Baja route map snippet](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/image.png) Green Denotes Best Months to Travel in Baja --- ## **Documents and Border Crossings** A decade or more ago, you could spend a lot of time at the Mexican border filling out visa paperwork, finding a bank to pay the fees and then returning to customs to get your passport stamped. Thankfully, companies like Discover Baja () make the border crossing a lot easier. For a nominal annual membership, they will pre-process all your paperwork and fees about a month prior to your departure. At the border, you will only need to have your passport stamped. Discover Baja also offers automobile insurance and provides a help line. ![Baja Almanac travel guide](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Baja-Almanac.webp) ![Mexican pesos, tip money](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja_pesos.jpg) ![US passport for the border crossing](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/USA-Passport.jpg) There are three primary border crossings into Baja. If you are more interested in San Felipe and getting south to the Sea of Cortez quickly, then we would recommend going through Mexicali. With a little luck, you could cross the border at 8am and be enjoying a beer in Bahia de Los Angeles by 2pm. If you are interested in Baja’s wine country, the Ruta de Vina is best reached through Tecate. Tecate is an easy border crossing with only two turns and 10 miles before you get into the countryside. Ensenada and the Pacific Ocean are less than two hours away. We hesitate to suggest Tijuana. It is simply too congested. Before crossing the border, we advise that you leave a copy of your travel documents, passport and Mexican insurance with a friend in the USA. Also, make a good laminated color copy of your driver’s license and carry that with you. If asked by the Policia show them the copy. Bring a good map of Baja and a GPS loaded with the proper maps. The Baja Almanac, if you can still find one, is the gold standard for overlanding. However, Discover Baja now offers an atlas that is also very good. Finally, we advise that you obtain several thousand pesos (about $150 USD) prior to crossing the border so that you have some ‘working cash’ at the start of your trip. All along the Baja peninsula there are banks like Banamex or HSBC that have ATMs with reasonable exchange rates. --- ## **Obey the Tope... and Military Checkpoints** In Mexico, a speed bump is called a Tope (pronounced Toe Pay). They vary from large mounds across the highway or painted stripes. A Tope can also appear in the most remote locations. From a distance it is often difficult to discern what you will encounter. One thing is certain, you will misjudge a tope sooner or later. After a surprise encounter with a rather large tope near Loretto, Gretchen and I were busy for the next hour putting everything back into the camper cupboards. Each year, the roads in Baja get better. The new highway that runs from Mexicali to MX 1 is well constructed and even includes passing lanes. However, most of MX 1 is a two-lane highway with little to no shoulder and tire pounding potholes. There are also mountainous curves leading in and out of central Baja that require your complete attention. It is not uncommon to see a lone cow or two beside the road. Except for a few lights in the small towns, the Baja desert is dark and lonely. For all these reasons, avoid driving at night. ![Baja speed bump (tope)](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/baja_tope-1.jpg) ![Military checkpoint, Baja](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-Military-Checkpoint.jpg) Topes and Military Checkpoints There are approximately eight military checkpoints along the 1000 mile drive of the Baja peninsula. Although they can be a little intimidating for the first time traveler, they exist for good reasons – to prevent movement of illegal substances, weapons and / or persons. It is common to be waived through during the drive south but expect some delays on the return north. You will typically be greeted by a military soldier and asked ‘Where are you coming from and where you are going?’. (‘De donde viene y a donde va?’). You may also be asked to open your camper (‘Abre tu caravan por favor’). We have experienced everything from a cursory inspection to a thorough search of our camper. We have a few recommendations: Be courteous and honest and if traveling alone, request they complete the cab inspection before moving to the camper so you can be present. While we do not condone any form of bribery, if the conditions are hot, offering a bottle of water is a nice gesture. Most of the soldiers are young men from mainland Mexico and they warm to a little kindness and respect. Finally, learn a few common, situational, Spanish phrases. On a recent trip, a friend was so nervous at the checkpoint that when asked to turn off his engine, his said ‘No hablo English’. (I do not speak any English.) Needless to say, we got some mileage out of that funny moment. > *It is early morning in a private pirate cove off the Sea of Cortez. The heat waves from the asphalt of central Baja have been replaced with a single small wave that laps the beach. The rear end of our camper is but a few feet away. I look out the window trying not to wake my wife. Three sailboats are moored off shore. The sun has just peaked over the horizon casting light rays across the water and reflecting off their masts. With each minute, the morning gets older. It is dead calm except for the sound of a few gulls on a nearby island. I wonder what is on the other side. A perfect day for kayaking. I need to remember to put tamales in our lunch.* ![San Quintín morning light](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-SOC-Morning.jpg) ![Calm waters in Baja](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-Calm.jpg) Sea of Cortez Sunrise --- ## **Food, Water, Propane and Cerveza** One of the delectable delights of Baja is the food. It is plentiful and inexpensive. We often tell first time travelers to pack only enough food to get them to the border and one or two days beyond. There really is no need to stuff your refrigerator and storage compartments with extra food – unless you have special dietary needs. Once below the border towns, we usually do a grocery stop at one of the larger stores like Calimax. They have a large selection of fresh meats and vegetables and their bakery produces some mouth-watering treats. Finding that special item, which you cannot get in the states can be a lot of fun. Water quality and availability can be another concern of travelers. In general, we avoid drinking water from spigots or similar sources and always ask for bottled water in restaurants. Every grocery store, mini-mercado (small market) or gas station carries small and large bottles of water. Larger cities like San Quintin, Mulege and Constitution (to name a few) have Agua-Purificada stations where you can fill your rig with potable water for pennies a gallon. You will need to look around a little for propane. It is readily available but filling locations are generally tucked away. Of course, there is always beer. A trip through any Baja town will reveal mini-mercado’s painted in the colors of Tecate, Pacifico, Modelo and Dos Equis. Be sure to ask for their coldest selection… ‘Donde esta tu cerveza que es mas fria?’ > *The storm had blown through. Our time in Mulege was rich and productive. We pressed through emails while munching through lunch at the local internet café. The camper refrigerator, water and propane tanks were at capacity. But, our pleasant disinterest in time was now capturing our attention. We needed to get down the road. Two hours later, daylight was beginning to wane as we approached a place to camp. The beach looked peaceful but I was not. I had a growing concern over a severely bent suspension support bracket. It would not survive another day of roads rock-washed from the arroyos. The ‘No Service’ symbol on my cell phone seemed a little larger than usual. At 7pm I contacted Ralph, who lives in Baja, on my Ham radio and explained the situation. He would be at my location the next morning – welder in hand – if I could not get it repaired at a ‘taller de soldadura’ (welding shop). Good communications is invaluable.* ![Mulegé town, Baja California Sur](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/baja_mulege.jpg) Mulege River --- ## **Communications** Much of Baja now has cell coverage. That was not the case a decade ago. Even today, cell service in cities like Bahia de Los Angeles and stretches of the Bay of Concepcion, or between Constitution and La Paz, is at best intermittent or non-existent. Check with your US-based service provider for MX plans. In recent years, Verizon and ATT have partnered with MX carriers to improve coverage. When cell service is not available, you should consider alternative solutions – especially in an emergency. A SAT phone or a simple GPS Satellite locator, like a Garmin In Reach can let others know how you are doing or signal for help. Of course, Ham radio is an excellent option but requires a license to operate. (Using an application like Winlink, you can even send emails over a Ham radio.) ![Ham radio comms from Baja](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-Comms-1.jpg) ![Steens Mountain overlook, Oregon](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Steens-Overlook.webp) Communications is Essential When Traveling Off Road in Baja When traveling Baja in a group, we always use mobile radios. They are great for pointing out sights of interest, identifying road hazards or requesting fuel or food stops. The new class of GRMS and FRS radios perform very well and are inexpensive. Even a CB works well for short distances and the Mexican truckers love them! --- ## **Some Final Tips** Put on your Baja goggles. If you have limited travel experience in poorer countries, it may take a little time adjusting to some of the conditions. We find this is easily offset by the natural beauty of the area and the kind people we meet along the way. Camping facilities in Baja are commonly referred to as RV Parks. Some have dedicated spots with palapa shade covers, WiFi cafes and clean showers. Others are a dirt lot with suspect water and rudimentary pit toilets. All the locations that we recommend are fairly clean by Baja standards and are routinely frequented by Americans and Canadians. Just remember that the presence of an electrical outlet does not necessarily mean it has power and bathrooms do not always have toilet paper. No problema… bring your own! Until you are comfortable traveling in Baja, we recommend that you do not camp alone. Simply stated, you will have a more relaxing time. If a potential campsite off the highway looks too good to be true and no one is around, there may be a reason. Gretchen and I have spent many nights boon docking alone in Baja and feel very safe. However, we know the area and always camp where we cannot be seen or easily accessed from a main highway. ![Kayak on calm Baja water](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Baja-Kayak-Calm.jpg) --- ## **Baja Travel Tips - Part 2** A **Road Tour of Baja** and some of our favorite places will be highlighted in this next series of Baja Travel Tips. Until then, adios amigos. Gary and Gretchen Matos ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Summer---720x90-1.jpg) #### Harvest Hosts Membership Get 15% off your Harvest Host Membership ### Pyramid Lake, Nevada: Tufa Formations Near Reno URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/pyramid-lake/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T19:41:24.000Z ## **Where is it?** Pyramid lake is 40 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. Lake Tahoe outflows to form most of the Truckee River, which flows into Pyramid Lake. But unlike some other lakes in the area, its an endorheic lake. It has no outlet, with the water leaving only by evaporation or sub surface seepage. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture8-1.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/pyramid1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/pyramid2.webp) the unique landscape around Pyramid Lake --- ## **The Lake itself** The lake is approximately 15 miles long and 11 miles wide. It covers about 112,000 acres which is about 1/10 the size of the Great Salt Lake. Its entirely enclosed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Reservation. Two side of the lake (North and East) are restricted to the public and non Tribal members. The tufa in the picture below is what give Pyramid Lake its name. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/61857aff90d2c.image.jpg) --- ## **Our Day Trips** My husband and I have taken several day trips out to Pyramid Lake. Its is an excellent place to set up camp (for a small fee) but we usually stay with friends in Reno. The main attraction of the lake is its fishing. You will find the Cui-ui lakesucker, the Tui chub and Lahontan cutthroat trout. In fact, the world record cutthroat trout was caught in Pyramid Lake. The fish we caught were not world records, but sizeable and well worth the trip. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture2--1-.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture1--1-.jpg) I think mine is bigger!!! --- ## **Weather** Our day trips have been in May. The weather has been lovely that time of year, averaging 70 degrees during the day and about 50 degrees at night. It does start to get hot in June, averaging in the high 80 until September. There is not much chance of rain as this area only gets about 7 inches of rain a year. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture9.jpg) The weather in May is usually perfect --- ## **Rock Formations** As mentioned above, the lake is named after the tufa formations found in the lake. The largest formation is called Anaho Island. It is home to colony of American white pelicans, so its restricted. Another tufa formation called the Needles is also restricted due to vandalism. The rock formations almost seem alien. Its a beautiful landscape with neat vegetation. There are many opportunities for taking pictures. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/15f8813d-3921-4666-8306-9791c32343ea75640b81f8b3a58cc3_3377727774_f53d55b275_b--1--1.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture5-2.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture7-1.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Picture6.jpg) Unique Rock Formations --- ## **Activities** Water sports are very popular during the summer months, including jetskiing and boating. For more information on the current activities and fee schedule, please visit [https://pyramidlake.us](https://pyramidlake.us/) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/acs7zd692fx61--1-.webp) --- ## **If you go** Please remember to respect Mother Nature and leave no trace behind. There has been recent vandalism at some of the formations and it would be a shame to have more areas restricted from use. Thanks [Veronica Norris](https://veronicanorrisdesign.blogspot.com/) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Use code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership ### Lippincott Pass: Death Valley's Racetrack Road URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/lim/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:24.000Z Most people are familiar with Death Valley National Park in California. Some might even know about "The Racetrack". But a little known fact is there is a very narrow and dangerous road that leads up to this area. It is called Lippincott Pass. There is also a couple other routes from the East including coming up from Ubehebe Crater. Before we get into Lippincott Pass, lets give a brief overview of this part of Death Valley National Park. ![LIM camp setup, spring 2020](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200328_124210302--1-.webp) Lippincott Pass in Death Valley National Park --- ## **Ubehebe Crater** Ubehebe Crater is a large volcanic crater 600 feet deep and half a mile across. The site is at the north end of Death Valley at an altitude of about 5678 feet. It is part of the Maar volcanoes in the area, created by steam and gas explosions when hot magma rising up from the earth reached ground water. The intense heat flashed the water into steam which expanded until the pressure was released sending off an enormous explosion. Ubehebe—the largest of the Maar volcanoes in the area is thought to of formed about 2,100 years ago. ![Late afternoon at LIM](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200327_171603518_HDR--1-.webp) Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley National Park --- ## **Teakettle Junction** This is a junction coming from the Ubehebe Crater towards the Racetrack Playa. If you take a left or go east from this junction, it will take you to Hunter Mountain. Hunter Mountain is a pretty tame drive that connects this junction to the Saline Valley road. If you continue right or west it will take you to the Racetrack Playa and the Grandstand. It has become known as a place to hang a teakettle and write notes to other travelers. ![HDR sunrise, day 2 at LIM](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200328_100037829_HDR--1-.webp) --- ## **Racetrack Playa and The Grandstand** The Racetrack Playa is a large, flat sand lake. It is almost 3 miles long and a little under 1.5 miles wide. This area gets very little rain (3-4 inches a year) but when it does it forms a crust on top of the sand. Then the heat and wind form to make the honeycomb shapes you see in the pictures below. The sailing stones are a great phenomenon to see. In the winter the sand lake gets some ice. As this ice melts and the wind comes up, it sails or shoves rocks and boulders across the playa. You can see the trails behind the rocks where they moved. One of my favorite things about the Racetrack is every visit is different. The Grandstand is a large rock outcropping in the middle of the sand lake. ![Morning walk around the venue](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200328_112022929--1-.webp) ![HDR scene from LIM](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200328_112000825_HDR--1-.webp) ![Lunch break in the shade](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20200328_110055096--1-.webp) ![Trail exploration, morning](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_20200328_104343552--1-.jpg) ![Camp area walk-through](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_20200328_105409298--1-.jpg) Racetrack Playa with the Grandstand rock formation in distance --- ## **Lippincott Pass - down** Lippincott Pass is a 7 mile road that connects the Racetrack Playa to the Saline Valley road. This is a very difficult 4x4 road. It has many wash outs, is rough and has many protruding boulders in the road. Its recommended for high clearance vehicles only with 4x4\. I have included a video of us coming down the pass in our EarthCruiser. I left some of the video raw so you can see how it looked from the front cab. Sorry in advance for the squeaky brakes!! Lippincott Pass in Death Valley This trail is not recommended if you don't have experience with difficult trails in 4x4\. If you do, its a great place to challenge your skills and see some terrific views. If you want to see the Racetrack Playa but Lippincott pass is not for you, I would suggest Hunter Mountain road or the back road from Ubehebe Crater. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2024/08/20231129_161403.jpg) ## Sign up for Whiskey 7 Backroads Don't be left behind!!! Let us send you our latest posts right to your inbox!!! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. --- > The road was very technical and had some major wash out areas. In a full size truck or jeep, this trail would of been a 5 or 6\. In an EarthCruiser EXP it was more like a 7 or 8\. We did hang the rear wheels off the cliff side of the road a couple times trying to get thru some of the washouts. Thanks for supporting our website/blog Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Membership Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership ### From Tent to Trailer: How We Became RV Owners URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/from-tent-to-trailer/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:25.000Z ## ***(Part 1 of 2)*** --- ## **Growing Up** As a child, I grew up camping and traveling with my family all over the Southeast. We spent most of our time in and around the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Spending time between my grandparent's cabin (a hotel/cabin business owned by family friends in Gatlinburg) and the various campgrounds in Eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina. Looking back now, I really can't pick a favorite spot or adventure, but I will say that those summers were some of the best times of my life. I was also in Boy Scouts growing up, so those trips only added to my desire for adventure and thirst for knowledge of all things outdoors. As often happens in this fast paced world we live in all of that went by the wayside once marriage, kids and a career happened. The priorities of "adulting" came into my life and I just didn't have time to go camping anymore. I now only have the memories of those times stored away in the computer upstairs. The pictures and home movies that were taken over the years have, sadly, gone missing due to moves and deaths in the family. Its all good though, because as long as that computer between my ears keeps humming along, the joy and and passion will live on. ![Spring 2022 overlanding trip](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Spring-2022.jpeg) ![Alstrom Point, spring 2021](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Spring-2021-Alstrom-Point-1.jpeg) ![Fall 2021 trip to RITO Arkansas](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Fall-2021-RITO-Arkansas--3-.jpeg) Shane and Carrie getting back into Overlanding --- ## **Fast Forward** Fast forward to late 2018, I was scanning the [Overland Bound](https://www.overlandbound.com/) forums, reminiscing about the days when I could just disappear and go camping. I suddenly decided that I was ready to try and recapture some of the past since free time and extra funds were becoming more common now that our kids were grown. As far as I was concerned, this seemed to be a GREAT idea and an awesome way for Carrie and I to re-connect now that we were empty nesters. Besides, “overlanding” as it was now called seemed to have exploded and looked like a blast! Funny thing was, I “forgot” to talk to her about it before the planning started. Her childhood consisted more of summer sports and trips to the beach, so she had no experiences to fall back on like I did. Needless to say, the look I got when I told her what I wanted to do said it all, “Are you out of your MIND???” ![Monument Valley, spring 2019](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Spring-2019-Monument-Valley.jpeg) ![Campsite on the overland route](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_0203--1-.jpeg) ![Trailhead morning](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_0063-1.jpeg) Longing for the open road again --- ## **Planning For Expo** For the remainder of 2018 and the first part of 2019, I slowly started gathering the basic supplies I felt we’d need. We already had the vehicle as we own a 2011 4Runner that was PERFECT for the job out of the box. I also researched the hobby as it was NOW, poured over forums and made lists of interesting places I’d never been before. I then came up with an, admittedly, over ambitious itinerary for an extended Spring 2019 trip out west. The plan was to begin with Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona and end in the Moab, Utah area about three weeks later. The highlight (for me anyway) being the White Rim Trail with the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon sandwiched in between. For her part, Carrie was a good sport about it and as the time came to pack and head out, she began to get a little more excited about the prospect of new experiences. Me? I just wanted to GO! Damn the torpedo's and full speed ahead! ![Overlanding route overview](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/DSC00396.jpg) ![Sedona red rocks, spring 2019](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Spring-2019-Sedona-1.jpeg) Before and after pictures of Momma's baby --- ## **AND we're OFF!** The end of April 2019 finally rolls around and we’re packed and rolling west! After a marathon drive from South Louisiana to Flagstaff Arizona, we make it to Expo. We claim our spot and get the ground tent off of the roof for a quick set up and nap. This is where things take a turn and should have clued me in to the fact that my camping skills were NOT what they once were! Me, in my “infinite” wisdom, didn’t think about MAYBE setting the tent up at home to see what was what before we left. I’ve set up plenty of tents in the past, so easy peasy, right? NOT! What I found, after TWO hours of work and lots of choice words was that I should of read the instructions before leaving home. This was reinforced by plenty of good-natured ribbing from the peanut gallery, but being my father’s son, I didn’t. Oh well! ![Camp setup, early morning](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0150-1-1.webp) ![Camp kitchen setup](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0149-1-1.webp) ![Overland rig at camp](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0148-2-1.webp) Campsite at Overland Expo Flagstaff Arizona --- ## **Meeting New Friends** Anyway, we finally got the tent set up, took a nap and then set out to get the lay of the land. We also met up with Brent for the first time in person along with SO many other OB members that I'd only ever talked with via the online forums. We got to know each other and settled into what would become a very enjoyable, but memorable weekend. As a bit of background, Brent and I first "met" on the Overland Bound forums after a conversation began about getting the OB ham radio net started. The forum discussion soon turned into texts and phone calls that would eventually end up starting the Overland Bound Friday Night Echo-link Net and boy did it ever take off! Unfortunately though, life got in the way again when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and my day job began creeping into the time I could set aside for my ham radio hobby, so my net control duties had to be put on the back burner. I DO intend to get back to that net "someday", so stay tuned... ![Trail view, late afternoon](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_0431-1-1.jpeg) ![QSL card confirming a contact](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/eQSL-card-1.jpg) My Ham Radio set up with QSL card While wandering around at Expo, we drooled over some of the off-road trailers that were on offer, but me being me said, “Nah! The 4Runner and the tent is all we’ll EVER need!” Hindsight being 20/20, one of those trailers would’ve come in handy in the coming days. We also spent an extra day with Brent and Roberto in the Sedona area after Expo before parting ways with plans to get together again ASAP. ![Sunset over the campsite](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_20190519_185243300.jpg) ![Sedona trail, spring 2019](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Spring-2019-Sedona--1-.jpeg) ![Overlanding in the desert](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_0163-1.jpeg) A storm rolling into Sedona Arizona --- ## **Let The Fun Begin** So on a slightly damp Tuesday morning, we said our goodbyes and headed toward the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for the first real stop on the to-do list. I will say that I DID actually plan for the weather before we left, so at least we had the correct clothing AND enough of it, because we were going to need it… ![National Rally, spring 2019](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Spring-2019-NRGC-1.jpeg) ![Trail stop, late afternoon](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/IMG_0268-1.jpeg) ![2019 Spring National Rally group photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/2019-Spring-NRGC--2-.jpeg) Getting ready for the fun to begin --- > Stay tuned for the rest of the story where Shane and Carrie had their tent fly away while in it sleeping..............part 2 of 2 will be out in the coming weeks. Thanks, Shane & Carrie Tindall ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Summer---720x90-1.jpg) #### Harvest Hosts Membership Get 15% off your Harvest Host Membership ### Angels Landing Hike, Zion National Park URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/angels-landing-at-zions/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:26.000Z A few years ago, Cheryl and I took a trip to Utah to do some camping and hiking. We where at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon visiting the gift shop when I saw the shirt below. As I looked at the shirt, I realized we had done all the hikes listed except for one....Angels Landing. The shirt said it was in Zions National Park, which we had not planned to visit. I quickly bought a shirt for both of us and headed to the truck. As we walked, I told Cheryl there was about to be a detour in our travel plans. She said why and I glanced back and said "So we can wear our new shirts!!" ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/resize.webp) The Five Premier Hikes of the Colorado Plateau --- ## **Getting There** We did some quick planning, packed up the truck and headed West. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is not far from Zions National Park. We went thru Kanab, Utah, loaded up with provisions (mostly beer!) and proceed to try and find a campsite closer to the park. We ending up staying at a BLM campground outside of Zions and rested for our adventure the next day. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_143056898-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20180627_143120871-1.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20180627_143154657-1.jpg) Some scenic shots on our way to Zions --- ## **Get In Line** We woke up early and headed to the park. The temperature was suppose to be hot and we wanted to make it back down from Angels Landing before the afternoon heat. Since it was our first time to Zions, we didn't know how the parking and shuttle service worked. We arrived at about 7:30am and there was already a line about 5oo feet deep. We quickly got in line in what felt like Disneyland waiting for a ride. In line, Cheryl was looking at the trail guide and noticed that Angels Landing had a rating of "Difficult" It was the only trail in Zions with this rating. She gave me a "Are you sure you want to do this?" look and after a couple minutes of silence I told her it would be fine. How hard could it possibly be, right? Well, we would find out in a short couple of hours. --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/706-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_114009454-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20180627_104628242_HDR-1.jpg) Some pictures going up the trail ## **West Rim Trail** Finally, we made it to a shuttle and headed up the Canyon. 6 stops later at the Grotto, we got off the shuttle and topped off our water bottles. This part of the trail is called the West Rim Trail. The hike is 2.4\. miles one way if you go all the way out to The Landing. The elevation gain is roughly 1500 feet. The first 1000 feet or so are fairly flat but it quickly gains altitude. You start to understand the difficult rating when you see the switchbacks. The picture below is from the top looking down at the switch backs. The small dots are hikers making their way up. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/702-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20180627_131020382-2.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_115449198-1.webp) The switchbacks and road below --- ## **Walters Wiggles** At the top of the switchbacks there is a sign at Walters Wiggles. You can continue along the West Rim trail or take a right onto the Angels Landing trail and go out to the point. If you are afraid of heights, this part of the hike is not for you. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_124902273-1.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_125005790.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_124912979-1.webp) Brent and Cheryl at Walters Wiggles headed to Angels Landing --- ## **Angels Landing Cable Pulls** We started working our way up the trail and soon came upon a cable attached into the rock. This is for holding on to as you make your way up and across the narrow trail leading out to a small landing. I was a little afraid of how Cheryl was going to traverse this, but she made it with no problem. I was sure glad I remembered to bring my gloves as they came in handy on the cable pulls. The video below is Cheryl on the last of the 4 or 5 cable pulls. Don't mind the camera person huffing and puffing!!! 0:00 /0:00 1× Cheryl coming up Angels Landing in Zions National Park --- ## **The Summit View** The view at the end of the trail is spectacular. The pictures we took don't do it justice. We stayed out on the landing and had a short lunch before heading back down. It was closing in on 100 degrees at this point, so we headed back before it got much hotter. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/710.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20180627_103315580_HDR.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_103325492.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_115402395.webp) Angels Landing in Zions National Park --- ## **What Goes Up Must Come Down!** I don't know what was more fatiguing, going up or down. On the way up, I had to stop multiple times to catch my breath. My muscles where fine but my wind endurance was not. It's so steep, that on the way down my knees and calves started to fatigue and cramp. I stopped multiple times going down and thought it was just as hard as going up. We saw a couple hikers going up that were not prepared and warned them of the heat and exposure at the top. We finally made it back to the truck, where the beer was ice cold. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_105604689.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20180627_113949729.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20180627_114052379.webp) Angels Landing is the highlight of my hiking career. It's steep, diverse, challenging and very rewarding at the top. I would do it again given the chance and hope that is in the near future. Please comment below if you have hiked Angels Landing and if not, let us know what your favorite hike has been. Brent & Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Summer---720x90-1.jpg) #### Harvest Hosts Membership Get 15% off your Harvest Host Membership ### Camping at Lunar Crater, Nevada URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/camping-on-the-moon/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:27.000Z ## **Camping on the Edge of a Crater** ***An interesting site in the middle of nowhere Nevada*** Connie and I left Reno early in the morning and headed east on Route 80 towards Fallon, Nevada, then south on Hwy 95\. Our goal was to make it to the Lunar Crater National Natural Monument in time for Happy Hour. Lunar Crater is a destination we enjoy camping at. It's great for dispersed camping, hiking, and photographing the wide-open landscape. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/Lunar-Crater-1.jpg) Lunar Crater --- ## **Walker Lake, NV** On our way, we stopped at Walker Lake for a quick lunch and continued towards Tonopah for gas. Walker Lake has several dispersed camping opportunities near the edge of the lake and there are pit toilets too, [38.74934, -118.76108](https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B044'57.6%22N+118%C2%B045'39.9%22W/@38.7493442,-118.7698347,2951m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x84752633e042723f!8m2!3d38.74934!4d-118.76108). It is a popular place for an overnight stop for people traveling along Hwy 95, but we’ve never had a problem finding a spot. Leaving Walker Lake, we saw Big Horn Sheep standing on the high cliff ledges staring down at us as we passed—what balance they have. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Mountains--1-.webp) Walker Lake, NV - Big Horn Sheep Crossing Area ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Big-Horn-Sheep--1---1-.webp) Big Horn Sheep --- ## **WWII Hanger - Tonopah, NV** Just outside Tonopah, on Hwy 6, we noticed an abandoned WWII hanger off in the distance. It is amazing that in the middle of nowhere there still stands the remnants of a once active unit that was part of the last great war. The airfield is still in use. More information on this and other points of interest in Nevada can be found here ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/WWII-Hangar-Tonopah-NV.jpg) Tonopah NV WWII Hangar --- ## **Aliens** After a quick stop to check out the hangar we continued down Hwy 6 towards Warm Springs and noticed it was the junction for the “Extraterrestrial Highway”, also known as Hwy 375, —oh boy! Maybe we will see aliens😉. Unfortunately, at the time, there were no road/street signs of any kind that had the “Extraterrestrial Highway” on them—Bummer—so we didn’t stop for a picture. We continued past the intersection and made our way down this lonely highway with wide open spaces, a few ranches, and the occasional abandoned building. Not too much farther down the road we arrived at the turn-off for Lunar Crater. ![To you use this picture, link the source to my website https://diego.cool – thank you!](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/photo-1494783367193-149034c05e8f_crop_entropy_cs_tinysrgb_fit_max_fm_jpg_ixid_MnwxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDI5fHxFeHRyYXRlcnJlc3RyaWFsJTIwSGlnaHdheXxlbnwwfHx8fDE2NTg2Mzc4MjQ_ixlib_rb-1.2.webp) Extraterrestrial Highway --- ## **Land Sailing** We took the second entrance [38.47871, -116.05494](https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B028'43.4%22N+116%C2%B003'17.8%22W/@38.4787142,-116.0636947,2962m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xc86bebe26b0cd94b!8m2!3d38.47871!4d-116.05494!5m1!1e4) into the Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark which would take us past Lunar Lake. In the distance we noticed what seemed to be flags flapping in the wind. Being curious to say the least, we changed course toward the flags. To our surprise as we got closer, it wasn’t flapping flags but the flapping sails of Land Sailing sailors racing around the hard packed and dry Lunar Lake. That of course was a photo opportunity. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/Land-Sailing-Lunar-Lake-NV.jpg) Land Sailing Lunar Lake --- ## **Camping at the Crater** After our picture taking, we headed up to the Lunar Crater to find a camp spot, toast our day, and eat a delicious dinner. Unfortunately, it was windy that afternoon (very typical for high desert plains), so we didn’t eat by a campfire, but we did enjoy the beautiful sunset and serenity of our camp spot perched on the edge of the crater. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/EC-at-Lunar-Crater.jpg) Camping at the edge of Lunar Crater NV As a side note…according to the American Southwest website, the crater is “termed a 'maar', the name given to a shallow, broad crater formed by explosive eruptions close to ground level, usually caused by heating of subterranean water.” --- ## **Night Photography** The night sky was clear and Oh! the stars twinkled in the dark night and the milky way was just that—milky. So now it was time to take some star shots and maybe, just maybe capture a shot of an alien craft… Naw, that didn’t happen. However, if you like taking photos, this is a good spot to capture (or practice) landscape and night photography. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/Star-Shots-Lunar-Crater.webp) --- ## **The Crater** The next day we hiked up the high side of the crater wall to a vantage point where most of the park was in view. And what a view. Looking across the landscape one can see several craters and the mountains on the horizon. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/Lunar-Crater-2.jpg) [Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark, Great Basin, NevadaLunar Crater National Natural Landmark, Nevada - an isolated volcanic region east of Tonopah containing craters, cinder cones and lavaThe American SouthwestThe American Southwest![](https://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/photographs700/lunar4.jpg)](https://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/lunar%5Fcrater/national%5Fnatural%5Flandmark.html) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/Lunar-Crater-Arm-Chair-1.jpg) Easy Chair Crater This is one location that is worth a night of camping when travelling through Nevada…and, who knows, maybe you will get to see an alien. Thanks Bill & Connie ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Use code BWFRIENDS15 at checkout Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership ### Montana Ranch: Building Whiskey 7's Future URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/montana-ranch-future/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:28.000Z > I watched the sun go down past the distant mountains. The sky went from dark blue to an orange red with the clouds providing a silver outline. As I sat at the future homesite on our property, I realized why Montana is called "Big Sky Country". ## Why Montana In the summer of 2020, Cheryl and I started having discussions about where to live in retirement. Being 10 years away from our retirement dates we wanted to secure some land before it got too expensive. We put together a list of qualities we wanted in our final real estate project. My list included a secluded rural setting, enough land to raise some animals and a dryer climate. Cheryl wanted to be close to amenities, have an airport close by and a view. We started our search in Idaho, but before long the prices in most areas doubled. We broadened our search area in 2021 and the land of our dreams came available outside of Helena, Montana. The pictures below were taken on our first trip to see the property ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210611_114604.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210611_112450.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210611_112605.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210611_114026.webp) Our first trip walking around the property June 2021 --- ## Clean up The old barn was falling down so we had to take it down. We salvaged most of the poles and have future plans for them when we get a portable lumber mill someday. The pictures below are from a couple months after purchasing the property. Look how much dryer the grass is from the pictures above. We found some cool items in the old barn, including square nails, old horseshoes, some old tools and misc. tractor parts. ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210818_095657.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210818_150520.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210820_120848.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20210818_163948.jpg.webp) We have big plans for the old wood salvaged from the old barn --- ## **Fencing** Next, we started fencing the front of the property. A good friend Carl and I did the front 500 feet. We put up a temporary entry with room for some gates. These will eventually be replaced with a formal entry that has electric gates with a keypad. Behind the tractor in the first picture below is our new post pounder. It is a tow behind and sure makes easy work of putting in posts. ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/signal-2021-09-10-130316.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/signal-2021-09-10-130344.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/signal-2021-09-10-130353-1.webp) Front of property building new fence --- ## **Pole Barn & Well** One item on the property that was in good shape is the Pole Barn. We are not sure when it was built but has newer rafters and sheet metal. Another good friend Robin came over to work/visit and we installed electrical outlets and lights. We also put in another 1300 feet of fencing down one of the pastures. (The pole barn and fencing are shown in video below). The following week another set of friends visited and we installed more fencing, dug the septic perk hole and started sifting thru the old Sears & Roebuck's kit home. If you haven't figured it out by now, visiting our future ranch means getting put to work!! Make sure to bring your gloves if you visit. The next item to be done was the well. The depth of the well is 475 feet, but we hit 200 gallons a minute. This will be way more then we will ever need to irrigate the entire pasture along with serving the future retirement home. ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220509_170445.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220509_175913.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220509_175925.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220511_124623.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220512_085629.webp) The well going in for the future house --- ## 1916 Sears & Roebuck's Kit Home The most challenging part of the project so far has been the old homestead. This was an old 1916 Sears and Roebuck's kit home. It was ordered out of a catalog and shipped out to Montana via railroad. I hated to take it down, but it was taken over by gophers and right in the view of our new home. We did salvage a lot of the wood and plan on incorporating some of it in the new house. ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220525_084125.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220713_172433.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220715_181823.webp) 1916 Sears & Roebuck's kit home ## **Whiskey 7 Ranch Video (future)** I am writing this in July of 2022 as I just returned from a week at the property. I took some time and filmed a YouTube video tour of the entire property. It starts at the front gate and shows the fencing, barn, top of hill views, pond and new/old home sites. After I filmed the video, I was corrected as of the year of the old homestead --- ## **Animals** One of the best features of our new property is the vast number of animals that visit. In 7 days, last week, I saw a bear, moose, herd of elk and more deer than I could count. I did not get a chance to take a picture of the bear, but it is the same one that my neighbor captured on his game camera below. The moose I filmed one morning as I was having coffee. ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/STC_0052.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/20220717_085855.webp) ![Montana ranch photo](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/STC_0053.webp) Some of the wildlife around the future Ranch Morning Moose --- ## **Conclusion** Our plans are to continue to build the Whiskey 7 Ranch over the next 3-5 years. We don't know exactly when we will retire and move to Montana. It has been a fun project so far and we look forward to sharing the rest of the build with you. Thanks Brent & Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads and Ranch ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/Summer---720x90-1.jpg) #### Harvest Host Membership Get 15% off your Harvest Host Membership ### POTA — Parks on the Air Ham Radio Activations URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/park-on-the-air/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:29.000Z ## **What Is It?** POTA (Parks on The Air) is a part of Ham Radio that is growing in popularity. It starts when a Ham Radio operator travels to a National, State or County Park that is listed on the [POTA website](https://parksontheair.com/). They set up their equipment and try to make radio contact with other Ham Radio operators. There are many ways to communicate but the most common modes are SSB (talking on radio) and CW (like morse code). ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/67787236012__AFB5E9C9-3AD5-4FD9-9781-CEB8A00B3B85--1-.jpg) Yaesu FT891 radio set up on the table for POTA ## **First, Some History** I have been fascinated with radios for as long as I can remember. I have many fond memories as a child, playing with my hand-held short-wave radios. I am certain that these radios played a role when choosing my profession, a pilot for a major airline. This passion for radios re-kindled in 2017 when I revisited the Ham Radio hobby. All Ham Radio operators have a unique call sign. It's what identifies them on the radio and is assigned by the FCC when licensed. Mine is KB4CO. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/6674-1.jpg) Nice shirt Carlos!! --- ## **Let's Go Camping** A friend of mine Tommy (K4VOZ) and I had been trying to get together for a long time and decided to go camping at [Arkabutla Lake State Recreation Area](https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=B400600) in Mississippi. This park is listed on the POTA website as a place to transmit or operate from. This is called activating a park. Each park has a unique identifier in POTA and this park's ID is K-7124\. This camping trip also coincided with ARRL Field Day. ARRL Field Day is when a lot of Ham Radio operators go out into the field and try to make as many contacts with other operators as possible. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_6013--1-.webp) Chameleon MPAS 2.0 Antenna in vertical configuration with caphat in middle We set up our camp and radios on Friday with the anticipation of activating the park the next morning early. We were on the air about 55 minutes and logged 20 contacts. I worked SSB and Tommy worked CW. I was glad Tommy was there to work the CW as my skills are still a work in progress. The pictures above and below are of the antenna set up. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/676163712.jpg) Chameleon MPAS 2.0 Antenna in vertical configuration --- ## **Equipment Used** ### Carlos: ##### Chameleon MPAS 2.0 antenna. ##### BuddiPole Power mini support pole ##### Power Film Solar F16-3600 60watt solar panel. ##### The power source was a Bioenno Power BLF 1230A battery ##### The radio I used was a Yaesu FT891 with a FC50 tuner. ### Tommy: ##### Bioenna BLF-1209A battery ##### Elecraft KX2 QRP radio --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2023/06/download--3-.jpg.webp) It was a hot day, so some shade was in order --- ## **Logging the Contacts** Below is the log we used to log all the contacts we made from the park. We had a great time and would encourage any Ham Radio operator that hasn't done POTA to give it a try. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot--1-compressed.jpg) screen capture of POTA website with KB4CO activation Hope to hear you on the Ham Radio bands soon or out on the trails. Thanks, Carlos ONeill KB4CO ### Alstrom Point, Utah: Grand Staircase Views URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/alstrom-point-utah/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:30.000Z --- ## **How to get there** The road out to Alstrom Point starts in Big Water, Utah. It is the starting point for trans versing the Grand Staircase via the Smokey Mountain Road. (More coming on that trip). The total distance from Big Water to Alstrom Point is about 35 miles. Give yourself at least half a day and make sure to check local weather conditions. **Do not attempt this trip if it has rained or rain is in the forecast**. The first leg of the trip is a gravel road that is plowed and fairly smooth. This part can be travelled in any 2-wheel drive car or truck. The views heading out to the point are impressive. The cliffs offer a glimpse of history and the erosion that is always taking place. There are many places to stop and look at the balancing boulders. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20190611_171540858--1-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20190611_082013078.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210515_074014.jpg) At about 18 miles from Big Water, you will see a sign for road #264\. This part can also be done with a 2-wheel drive vehicle but starts to get more difficult. You are about 5 miles from the point, but the last 3 miles are sand and the last 1/2 mile is for high clearance vehicles only. Most of the video below is from the cab of our EarthCruiser. I slow down the video at some of the more difficult points to show how rough the road at the end is. A view from the cab of the road heading out to the point ## **Our First Trip** I have been blessed to visit Alstrom Point on three different occasions. The first adventure came in early June 2019\. Cheryl, Riley and I travelled out to the point on a very hot day. The temperature when we arrived was 99 degrees. As we came over the rise from the rough dirt road leading in, the views just hit me. I have camped in many places with beautiful views, but nothing like this. The first time you see Lake Powel's blue water below and the surrounding red rock, its surreal. The video below was taken from my phone about 30 minutes after setting up camp. 0:00 /0:00 1× First trip to Alstrom Point (no wrap on the EarthCruiser) We had planned on camping here multiple nights, but in the morning, Riley (our Australian Shepard) became very ill. We immediately packed up and headed to the nearest veterinarian clinic. This was located in Page, Arizona. The vet was great, and Riley was feeling better in no time. When we left, I knew that I wanted to go back and spend some more time at the point. --- ## **The Second Trip** The following year, a group of friends and I met up in Moab, Utah and travelled south to Prescott, Arizona. After travelling thru the Grand Staircase, we stopped at Alstrom Point. The weather was beautiful that day, so I decided to do something that I very rarely do.... I stayed 2 nights at the same campsite! The second part of the first video above was taken on this trip. It also shows the views from a drone video as we are leaving. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20201009_185022274_HDR.jpg) The colors as the sun went down where amazing!! As you can see from the picture above, the colors of the sunsets can be amazing at the point. There were four rigs on this trip, and we had plenty of space at the rim. We set up camp, flew the drone a little and watched the clouds go by. Even Riley enjoyed the views. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20190610_192045701.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/4FD01B09112C47E183382A7069793AC33000549DEE50F8CFC979813AF24DD56E322.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20190610_205234145.webp) Everyone enjoyed the views --- ## **The Third Trip** We had a group of 4 that traveled with us to Alstrom Point for the third trip. Most of us started in Anzo Borrego, California and we travelled north this time to Escalante, Utah. This was the first time to the point for everyone else in the group. We decided to change it up a bit and stay in a different campsite. This one was out a little further on a ledge with just enough room for our rigs. I took the video below from my phone walking up to the campsite from the ledge. Different campsite, same amazing views Notice how the water levels from the first video to the third video have dropped. Lake Powell is having a water shortage. The lake level is at its lowest since they put the dam in. I really hope this reverses itself, a lot of communities downstream depend on that water. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/07/IMG_20210514_104051.jpg) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_4505--002-.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20210515_075022.webp) --- ## **Camping** There are many camp sites at Alstrom Point, but absolutely no services. It is dispersed camping with no cell, no GPS and no facilities. Bring enough food and water to stay a couple days in case of an emergency. If you go and stay at the point, please pack out everything you came with. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/IMG_20201010_073614560.webp) Sun coming up from inside the EarthCruiser > *The rays from the Sun started coming into the EarthCruiser early. I got out of bed and started to make the morning coffee. As I put the coffee pot on the stove, I realized how magical this place is. I know of no other camping spot that has these kind of views and solitude. Brent Conklin* Alstrom Point is a special place, one that is worth the trip out. I hope to make more trips to watch the sunrise and sunsets from this special place. I hope you also get to experience the magic of Alstrom Point. Brent Conklin Whiskey7Backroads [More information on Alstrom Point](https://alstrompoint.com/) ### Explore the Beauty of Steens Mountain - Overlanding, Camping, Trails, and Hiking URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/steens-mountain/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:34.000Z ## Our Journey Dinner was over and the campfire was beginning. It was an old-school evening. No propane or smartphone apps. Crackling flames, against a dark backdrop of Ponderosa soldiers, kept us warm on the outside. A peaty scotch whiskey would take care of the inside. Topo maps were spread out on a weathered burl table. Flakes of ash temporarily interrupted the contour lines. The topic was ‘Honey Holes’ – camping locations that checked all the boxes. A theme Grayson and I often gravitated towards during similar evenings. Without a prelude, Grayson simply said ‘Steens Mountain’ and handed me a book of the same name. We had lived in Sisters Oregon for 7 years. Although we explored and camped at many locations up and down the Oregon Cascade Mountain range, and gems further east like the Fremont Mountains, we had never been to the Steens. It is just shy of 200 miles east of Bend Oregon or an hour's drive south of Burns. In the middle of nowhere, the prominence of a 9700’ escarpment, a single mountain emerging from the Alvord desert is certainly somewhere. During the past several years, we have been to the Steens a half dozen times. It is our ‘go to’ location for several days or as a waypoint into Idaho or Nevada. We always find solace there. Just last month, we visited the Steens again and were treated to warm weather, lush meadows, fast-flowing rivers, and an abundance of wildlife. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/steens-1.webp) Gretchen at the Frenchglen Mercantile --- ## **Frenchglen Mercantile** Most trips to Steens Mountain begin with a stop at the Frenchglen Mercantile Store – for no other reason than to take a step back in time. The owners display a sign at the entrance that reads ‘Social Distancing since 1892’. You can find a little bit of everything there. Just two miles east of the Frenchglen store and historic hotel is Page Springs Campground where this brief tour begins. --- ![Page Springs Campground](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/Page-Springs-1.webp) Page Springs Campground ## **Page Springs Campground** Page Springs is an excellent camp for exploring the Steens. It sits at the NW base of the mountain where the Donner and Blitzen River, its tributaries, wetlands, and meadows are fed from melting snowpack that flows down steep gorges. This environment is a natural haven for a hundred species of birds complimented by antelope, deer, and elk. A wildlife refuge, which can be explored on dirt roads, is just north and adjacent to the campground. --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/steens7.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/steens6.webp) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/steens11.jpg) Points of Interest along Steens Mountain Loop Road ## **Steens Mountain Loop – Points of Interest** Moving in a clockwise direction, the 70-mile \[full\] Steens Loop Road begins outside the campground. It is the highest-elevation road in Oregon! The primary loop is gravel but features countless spur roads into primitive campsites, creeks and lakes, breathtaking viewpoints, and old homesteads. Some of these roads require a high clearance vehicle and/or 4WD. The final 10 miles back to Frenchglen is on the pavement. Download the complete Points of Interest below [Steens Mountain gm finalComplete article with Points of InterestSteens Mountain gm final.pdf632 KBdownload-circle](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/files/2022/06/Steens-Mountain-gm-final.pdf "Download") Although it is hard to choose, of the points of interest noted above our favorites are Fish Lake, the Nye Brothers Cabins, and Wild Horse Lake Overlook. Spending additional time at these locations yields scenic and quiet camping on a pristine high mountain lake and a 4WD route or hike into an early and well-preserved homestead. (If you opt to camp there, the forest service converted one of the buildings into a bunkhouse. Perfect for a gathering if the weather turns inclement. Water from a nearby spring is available.) Of course, the highlight is Wild Horse Lake Overlook. The mile-deep drop–off from the precipice is spectacular. We like taking the short hike to the top of Steens Mountain or down to Wild Horse Lake as a side trip. Both can be done in an afternoon. Pace yourself as the elevation is approximately ten-thousand feet. --- ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/steens2.webp) Fish Lake Campground ## **Thoughts on the Steens** > *The sun rose early as it does during the end of June. Bright yellow and orange, underlined by flashes of red, capped the mountain ridge. The dew on the lush meadow grass was already reflecting the light in sparkles. Towards the front of our camper, I heard the slap of a trout taking advantage of the morning hatch on a mirror flat lake. A chorus of approval came from the distinctive sound of red-wing black birds. They are easy to spot out the camper window, dancing from cattail perches. The day would unfold like it started – filled with surprises. We planned some off-road exploring near Big Indian Gorge. The smell of fresh-brewed coffee side-tracked my thoughts and senses. It was time to open the door and once again, welcome the Steens. June 2022* ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/steens4--1-.webp) The Steens Mountains Southeast of Steens Mountain is the vast Alvord Desert and hot springs. There are endless off-road miles to explore where travelers can find century-old Shepard and mining cabins. It is also a gateway into northern Nevada. On the west side, about 6 miles south of Frenchglen is the entrance to Hart Mountain – another expansive area that is home to the National Antelope Refuge. There are plenty of scenic locations for dispersed camping and several natural hot springs. And to the north, abutting the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and a network of wetlands is the Pete French Round Barn – a rare structure in today’s world of sharp corners. The Steens deserve more description than offered here, but that will need to wait for another update. In the meantime, visit the Steens and enjoy one of the rare gems that Oregon has to offer. Then, maybe, around your next campfire, you may repeat the words of my friend Grayson – Steens Mountain --- ## **About the Authors** ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/09/steesn9.webp) Gary and Gretchen Matos After spending decades in the high-tech industry, Gary and Gretchen stepped out of work and into the outdoors. They reside in Sisters Oregon and when not splitting or stacking wood they enjoy backpacking, kayaking and motorcycle riding. Over the years, they have owned several pop-up campers and have made over 30 trips to Baja Mexico. Their favorite western states for Overlanding are Montana, Idaho and Utah. They currently have a Ram 3500 equipped with a Four Wheel Hawk Flatbed camper which they custom-built. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/steesn10.webp) ### The EarthCruiser: How We Got Into Overlanding URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/the-earthcruiser/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T19:41:29.000Z --- ## The Addiction Starts My Overlanding hobby/addiction started a long time ago when my grandma and grandpa took me camping as a young child. I loved the adventure of finding new places and enjoying the outdoors. I was hooked and have been enjoying going camping and adventuring ever since. In 2018, on our way back from a trip to Moab and the Grand Canyon we stopped in Bend Oregon to see what these EarthCruiser vehicles were all about. It was love at first sight and I wanted one. But a new one was way out of our price range, so we told EarthCruiser headquarters that if they ever got a used one, we might be interested. 2 months later we got a call and after several months of discussions, we had ourselves a used EarthCruiser. Our EarthCruiser EXP is a 2014 model and was the 3rd one built in the United States. The previous owners took great care of it and sold it to us to purchase a newer model. Below is a video filmed before we started doing the upgrades EarthCruiser walk thru before the wrap --- ## Upgrades We have done many upgrades to the interior and exterior of the truck. These include adding a storage box to the rear. Installing a Ham Radio in the cab and a Scorpion Antenna on the new utility box at the rear. Changing the rear seating area so it is easier for the dogs to come up front. Installing our Overland Bound emblem on the front bumper and bottle opener (first modification done!!!). Relocating the stock FM/AM antenna. Installing a new radio with Navigation and GPS. Adding a dash-cam to front window and relocating stock back up camera monitor. Walk around the EarthCruiser showing the recent upgrades The video above details the upgrades done to our EarthCruiser and we film a little walk around the truck. We have had some awesome adventures in the EarthCruiser and have been very happy with it. We are at 250 plus nights of camping in it so far and hope to increase it in the future. --- ## The New Wrap The newest upgrade and one that we get the most compliments about is the wrap with the trees, mountains and tire tracks. It was a fun project that both Cheryl and I worked on, and she made the final decision on graphics and colors. We get a lot of honks and people subscribing to our YouTube channel from seeing us go down the road. New wrap for EarthCruiser The video above was filmed the first day we brought the EarthCruiser home from installing the wrap. The wrap has held up pretty well with the rough terrain we go thru, and we are very happy with it. --- ## Fun Facts A few fun facts about the truck Mileage is about 10-14 miles to the gallon depending on terrain There is no propane or generator on board, cooking and heat are diesel There is no wood, 100% molded fiberglass The EXP model actuates the roof up and the FX has fixed walls The cab and chassis is a Fuso FG 4x4 that has been modified There is on-board air and it has quick disconnect at every corner Our model is first DEF model year Cassette toilet that is easy to dump and maintain Shower in entry area where you enter Fridge, freezer (small), cooktop, sink with filtered water Can pump water from a stream or lake (yes, we have done it) 480 watts of solar built into roof 540 Ah battery bank 2000 watt inverter with ability to also charge batteries from alternator --- ## Is it Capable? We have stayed in 4-degree weather and have spent multiple nights in 100+ degree weather with no problems. We have visited 10 states so far and been 700 miles down the coast of Baja Mexico. It has not been without breakdowns, but nothing that we haven't been able to field repair or limp back to civilization to repair. ![Woke up to 4 degrees, but warm in EC](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20181230_171045356-EFFECTS.jpg) Woke up to 4 degrees, but warm in the EC We have driven some very narrow dirt roads. We like to explore with it and sometimes find ourselves in precarious situations. The EarthCruiser has always carried us thru. I did not get a video or pictures but once we stacked rocks about 2 feet to get down a ledge of washed out creek drainage. Cheryl was not happy with me on that one! As always, thanks for supporting our new website. If you know of a great camping place that we need to go check out, please let us know. Brent Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Membership Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership ### Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike, Grand Staircase URL: https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/lower-calf-creek-fal/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:47:35.000Z Calf Creek is in the Grand Staircase and has 2 majestic waterfalls that you can hike too. The lower falls are the most popular and well known. It's a relatively easy hike but expect very little shade in the summer. The hardest part of the hike is all the sand you get in your shoes. The falls at the end of the hike drop 126 ft into a pool of inviting cool water. Many people hike in to have a picnic and you will see many families and dogs on the trail and at the falls. 0:00 /0:24 1× The trail is 3 miles each way for a 6-mile round trip hike. There are usually maps at the start of the trailhead (there is a $5.00 entrance fee). The hike has 15 interpretive stops that point out the history of the canyons, 2 granaries, pictographs and plant species. You can download a copy of the map below We have hiked this trail many times and it can be very hot in the summer. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. There is a wide area at the falls that is shaded and cool. Stay for a while and enjoy the view before returning the way you came in. ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2026/08/calf-creek-compressed-1.webp) The trail and falls are just off of Hwy 12 north of Escalante and on the way to Boulder, Utah. This is in the heart of the Grand Staircase. There is plenty to see and do in the area. I have included a map of the entire Grand Staircase below. We will be writing future blogs and newsletters on the surrounding areas, featuring dispersed camping outside of Capitol Reef National Park, The Burr Trail, Devils Back Bone, Kelly's Grade and the entire Smokey Mountain Road. If you haven't already subscribed, please take the time to do so now, so you don't miss any of these awesome trips. [Sign up for free Weekly Newsletter](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/#/portal/signup/free) ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/06/IMG_20190612_091822647.jpg) Thanks for your continued support of the new Blog Website, please share with friends, family and social media. Brent & Cheryl Conklin Whiskey 7 Backroads ![](https://www.whiskey7backroads.com/content/images/2022/08/22822EverflowAdsBW728x90-1.jpg) #### Boondockers Welcome Membership Get 15% off your Boondockers Welcome Membership