[70sguy]

Driving south on Hwy 97 around Crater lake Oregon in my Sage 97 pulling trailer w/ roof top tent etc.. I got a thumbs up from a guy as he passed in his maroon 80
Anyone on mud?

[NLXTACY]

No idea on the fellow mudder but dying to hear more about Crater Lake along with suggestions. Going to be traveling there in Aug.

[70sguy]

Crater lake is a definite must see if you are traveling through central Oregon. The view literally takes the breath away. Timberline lodge is worth checking out... and of course, Full Sail Brewery in Hood River. Great beer, great food, great view. McMenamins Edgefield is a must check out. In Troutdale, just east of Portland. Lots of other stuff we would have liked to check out but we only had 3 days.

And to offer a little tech to what is otherwise a pretty chatty thread..
This was the shakedown run for the 1HD-FT H151F HF1A conversion ( translation: Toyota 24valve Turbo diesel, 5speed, part time case) I had the engine in and running only 5 days before we left on the trip.
Hwy RPMs higher with the 5spd vs AT. 2550 @ 60mph, but the 24valve doesn't mind the revs. Just takes some getting used to. 285s will help lower the RPMs a bit.
1FZ used to get 280 miles on a tank, bone stock with no gear or anything. Post conversion, this trip the worst I could do with 1400 lbs of trailer, Roof top tent, Engel fridge, Bullbar, 4 people etc was 400 miles on 21 gallons. That was 65 mph between Redding CA and Portland OR over the mountain passes on I5.
Best I got was 497 miles on 20.5 gallons mostly not towing trailer/RTT and more city driving
and 55 mph jaunts around Redding, Lassen, Whiskeytown area.

Great trip, engine didn't miss a beat.
Beautiful country in OR/ Nor Cal.

[tblume]

not me, but here's the shot I took during a flyover this spring.

NLXTACY- it's probably going to be a mad house up there if you hit it on a weekend, like any national park these days, it gets swamped. I presume you are the type to do a bunch of research on your trips based on your posts here - I'd recommend taking as many back roads as you can to and from the area if you have the time; I'm biased but I think Oregon is the best state in the union for raw scenery.

couple links for you;

if you like trains or are traveling with someone who does (like my kids) Train Mountain Railroad Museum and Gift Shop - Train Pins, Train Puzzles, Hobby Trains - Oregon

and if you have a bunch of time, or maybe something to think about for a big trip some other time: Back Country Maps

and of course the OR/CA- Jefferson State Cruisers - IH8MUD Forums are your local 'mudders if you need

and enjoy your visit to OR.

[retrofive]

Wasn't me. But glad you took the time to check out Crater Lake. Its a site to see for sure.

[Fly Rod]

Crater is up there with the best of our NP's. There is a half and I think full Marathon on or around August 16. If you are a runner it is a must run event. If not avoid that date. (may be the week before?)

Beckies in Union Creek has huckleberry pie!

If you are bringing mountain bikes you need to go through Oakridge and ride the Alpine Trail! One of the finest pieces of single track in the world!

There are some epic mtb rides and the world class plays in Ashland.

So much to see and so little time!

[Lka1988]

Engine and interior pics!!

[80t0ylc]

Central Oregon is truly a destination for a lot of folks. Good scenery, lots to do and friendly people. Might want to do it soon, the way the wind is blowin'. The SUV haters & Obama's team are striving to make you see it from a hybrid or with a backpack 'cause they want everything declared a wilderness area.

70sguy - That 1HD-FT H151F HF1A conversion sounds awesome. Wish it would have been me giving you the thumbs up (my 80's green), loved to have seen yor rig. Glad you enjoyed the area!

Joey, come out the north entrance of Crater Lake N.P. and check out Diamond Lake. Then east on 138 back to 97. North on 97 and make choice to go west over Williamette Pass & Oakridge or north to Bend. If you choose Oakridge you can continue on 68 into Eugene and then come up the McKenzie river (Highway 126) and be sure to take Mckenzie Pass over to Sisters. Pass is only open in the summer, sometimes it's July before it's open. Highway 242 is kinda windy & narrow, but paved. Not good road for motorhomes or large trailers. Lots of trailheads in the area if you're into hiking. There is a backroad (unpaved and condition can change daily) north out of Oakridge to Highway 126, bypassing Eugene. But watch your fuel. Gas up in Oakridge if you take the unpaved road, 'cause no gas 'till you get back down to 126. Check locally before taking this route, especially if you're towing anything. Good luck & take care!

[NLXTACY]

Awesome info!!!
I'm adding it to my itinerary!

Originally Posted by 80t0ylc

Joey, come out the north entrance of Crater Lake N.P. and check out Diamond Lake. Then east on 138 back to 97. North on 97 and make choice to go west over Williamette Pass & Oakridge or north to Bend. If you choose Oakridge you can continue on 68 into Eugene and then come up the McKenzie river (Highway 126) and be sure to take Mckenzie Pass over to Sisters. Pass is only open in the summer, sometimes it's July before it's open. Highway 242 is kinda windy & narrow, but paved. Not good road for motorhomes or large trailers. Lots of trailheads in the area if you're into hiking. There is a backroad (unpaved and condition can change daily) north out of Oakridge to Highway 126, bypassing Eugene. But watch your fuel. Gas up in Oakridge if you take the unpaved road, 'cause no gas 'till you get back down to 126. Check locally before taking this route, especially if you're towing anything. Good luck & take care!

[retrofive]

So many great places and lakes around Oregon. Here is a quick off the top of my head list (this is all within 60mile radius or so of Medford, OR (Sourthern Oregon)... No particular order and sure I forgot some.

Hit up JSC (see sig line for local chapter link) or PM one of us for more details


Lake of the Woods
Crater Lk
Howard Prarie
Hayatt Lake
Willow Lake
Apple Gate Lake
Squaw Upper & Lower
Fish Lk
Willow Lk
Diamond Lk
Lemolo Lk
Raseberry Lk
Emigrant Lk
4 Mile Lk
Iron Gate Lk
Shasta Lk

Sorry for a bit of the hijack 70sguy.

[nicholas]

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

That's some disgusting mileage, I'm jealous. What a sweet conversion, I wish I would have been able to pick one of those motors up from Kurt back when he had a few.

[Russ in California]

Originally Posted by NLXTACY

No idea on the fellow mudder but dying to hear more about Crater Lake along with suggestions. Going to be traveling there in Aug.

Here's a little for you...
The camp ground is just a real big NP campground, but fine. Check out the Pinacles(it's on the map and there's also a campgrond there), rim drive, the lodge (Timberline Lodge is on Mount Hood not Crater though totally awesome also) and if you can hack the hike down the crater, I highly recommend the boat ride out of Cleatwood Cove. Nothing like it.
The hike down is about a mile of easy switchbacks and go early and take a dip.
If you have the stamina, take an early boat ride and you can get off and hang out on Wizzard Island.
Love Crater and it's even more beautiful, though not as accessible, in the winter.
It's somewhat of a familiar place as I've been there several times including our honeymoon.
Have fun, Crater is awsome.

[70sguy]

Originally Posted by Lka1988

Engine and interior pics!!

Ask and you shall receive.

Still some loose ends..er wires a the time of the shot, all done now and
yes, ALL the faux wood has been removed.

I am planning to put a thread together with start to finish progress shots and some details.
As soon as I get caught up with stuff that is.

[70sguy]

from another angle

[Lka1988]

That is sweet, really clean...sort of.

[cool breeze]

Jealous X2

[locrwln1]

Originally Posted by cool breeze

Jealous X2

X eleventy...

Jack

[slamd58]

Originally Posted by NLXTACY

No idea on the fellow mudder but dying to hear more about Crater Lake along with suggestions. Going to be traveling there in Aug.

Let me know when you are coming, We have some good Brew pubs in Kfalls. I also am in charge of the Crater Lake Century Bike ride. If you road bike this is a MUST Ride Century. the ride is August 15, 2009. If your interested check out www.craterlakecentury.com . There are some awesome pics on here as well.

We have tons of great places to see in the Klamath Falls area. You may also want to check out the Lava Beds National monument as well. There are some very nice B&B's near Fort Klamath. PM me and I will send you my cell # and you can give me a better idea of what you want to see.

I also think you said at one time that you wanted to ride in a FOR lifted truck... I happen to have one...

Bill
P.S. - It wasn't me that waved.....

[neuroguy]

Wow! You guys are in my back yard....cool! A bit off landcruiser topic but.....

While there are many usual side trips, there are many forest road trails, BLM roads, and gem trails that are very interesting to pursue. One of the best methods I've found for navigating in summer and winter through these beautiful but treacherous mountains and deserts is using TOPO maps and UTM navigation with Garmin GPS. The TOPO maps I print out (13 x 19" on double-sided waterproof map paper, software by National Geographic TOPO, Oregon version), and Maptools UTM roamer (Maptools.com). I've found these tools, along with HAM radio and backup compass to be very good in the worst weather conditions for navigating in the Oregon outdoors. SPOT is no guarantee and trounced often in reviews. Cell coverage can be rare at best in the remote parts. Be careful of the miners who have stake claims in the backcountry....the law is the shotgun. Lots of backcountry folk abound, both good and bad. Never, never underestimate the weather around here. People often get fooled when in the warm valley that rising a few thousand feet into the Cascades or Siskiyous the temperature can drop quite a bit and you can quickly find yourself in a desperate situation in a deep forest and not a clue where you are. Winter traveling in the backwoods here is only for the experienced and well-equipped.

Would highly recommend the John Day Fossil Grounds and Painted Hills. Rafting the Rogue and Klamath too. Steen's Mountain in southeastern Oregon. Stay at the Rocky Point Resort at the Upper Klamath Lake, do the canoe trail in the reserve at first light. See the redwoods on the coast. Awesome. Oregon is a great place to live. If you come to the Rogue Valley, check out Jacksonville and Ashland. Good traveling, be safe.

A few books: Oregon Byways by Art Bernstein. Gem Trails of Oregon by Garret Romaine. Search Amazon "byways Oregon" or "backcountry roads Oregon"

Stop by Ashland Outdoor when in Ashland, and REI when in Bend, Oregon.

Check out equipped.org