02-17-2007: Tahuya OHV

OlyWaFJ · 01-22-07, 09:58 AM

Difficulty Rating: 3.0 Lot's of mud & water, all major obstacles have bypasses.
WATTORA Legend of Difficulty: http://www.wattora.com/index.php?page_id=63

Communications: CB channel 4

For those in Seattle area the Coleman Ferry departs Seattle @ 7:35AM

Departing Safeway in Belfair, 9:30AM
23961 NE State Route 3
Belfair, WA 98528-9698
Phone: (360) 275-0922
Map to Safeway: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Safewa...0.058537&hl=en

Ferry Rules: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/security/
Ferry Schedule: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/sche...m?route=sea-br

Tahuya Map:
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/lm/recr...huya_final.pdf

Required Equipment:
Solid Front & Rear tow points
Recovery strap (no metal)
Fire Extinguisher
Shovel & Axe
First Aid Kit
If you want to stay in touch a CB Radio

Please RSVP by posting a reply

For those new FJ Cruiser owners you may want to extend your Rear Diff Breather, $20 mod see here
http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=99887

Pics from our last trip to Tahuya:

Zurn · 01-22-07, 10:56 AM

I'm in!

tmbrtmr · 01-22-07, 10:59 PM

if i have mine back together i will try and be there rebuilding the front end right now , I would make CB radios Mandatory as well as always keep the guy in front of you and behind you in sight at all times, any thing can and will happen on a trail , comuncation is the best tool to saving some bodys life ,
Robb

OlyWaFJ · 01-22-07, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmbrtmr

I would make CB radios Mandatory as well as always keep the guy in front of you and behind you in sight at all times, any thing can and will happen on a trail , communication is the best tool to saving some bodys life ,
Robb

If you show up without a CB we will sandwich you in between two rigs that do have one. Dare I say it, WalMart has a fairly inexpensive Cobra CB & a magnetic mount antenna for less than $50... If you need a hand soldering on a DC plug send me a PM.

I have one spare CB (DC Plug) / magnetic antenna available for someone to use if they can't pickup something by the 17th.

Robb I hope you can get everything back together in time so you can join us!

OlyWaFJ · 01-26-07, 08:27 PM

Please post an RSVP if you plan on attending this event right now I have eight confirmed from WATTORA with another eight maybe's. The group limit at Tahuya is 25 without a land use license so we need to who's all going to make it...

OlympiaFJ60 · 01-26-07, 11:01 PM

I plan on attending with my son. Just need to decide on the 40 or 60. Should be fun.

stevefj · 01-26-07, 11:16 PM

Count me in......

speyrod · 01-26-07, 11:53 PM

I should be able to make it. I just rescheduled a trip.

IB14A69 · 01-29-07, 12:10 PM

just a few questions about the trails. i know you stated they have a by-pass for the harder sections, kinda looks and sounds like the trails at tillmook. i would like my family to go but we would have to take the fzj80 and I just dont want to find myself ripping off my mud flaps or dragging my spare or trailer hitch. what is the estimated time of the trip as well. any info would be great thanks

OlyWaFJ · 01-29-07, 07:02 PM

I took my bone stock FJ Cruiser up there in November with only sliders and AT Tires as upgrades. I did scrape the sliders a couple times on a stump because I wasn't worried about hitting them.

I did bend my mud flaps once but didn't lose them.

Spare should be fine, I'm not sure on the trailer hitch...

Here are some shots of an 80 last year right after they completed digging out the south loop.
http://www.4wdtoyotaowner.com/FZJ80.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by IB14A69

just a few questions about the trails. i know you stated they have a by-pass for the harder sections, kinda looks and sounds like the trails at tillmook. i would like my family to go but we would have to take the fzj80 and I just dont want to find myself ripping off my mud flaps or dragging my spare or trailer hitch. what is the estimated time of the trip as well. any info would be great thanks

IB14A69 · 01-29-07, 10:22 PM

is there a by-pass around south loop because the link you sent of an 80 that was lifted as mine is stock as previously stated.

OlyWaFJ · 01-29-07, 11:21 PM

At the moment I don't plan on taking the south loop as this is our first run together and don't want to turn anyone away due to terrain concerns. After we take the north loop some may want more of a challenge and decide to head down south for a bit, probably not me though.

Last time I was in Tahuya we spent about 4 hours on the north loop including a break for lunch. I would expect a few to take off after lunch and others to stick around until dusk which is my plan unless my 5yr old son decides he's had enough... There is a pretty good pizza joint in Allen that makes a good stop for dinner on the way home for those that stick it out all day.

IB14A69 · 01-30-07, 12:20 PM

Do You Have To Be A Tcla Member To Do This Event?

OlympiaFJ60 · 01-30-07, 01:12 PM

Doesn't sound like it is a sanctioned event so you shouldn't need membership. Besides WATTORA will be there too. Come along, the more the merrier.

OlyWaFJ · 01-30-07, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IB14A69

Do You Have To Be A Tcla Member To Do This Event?

Nope we aren't even a chapter yet anyway...

IB14A69 · 01-30-07, 02:58 PM

Count Me As Planning On Attending Then, Thanks.

back9 · 02-02-07, 02:30 AM

Sounds like fun. I would be willing to give it a go. Count me in too.

OlyWaFJ · 02-05-07, 02:19 PM

Current Roster for Tahuya: (7)

OlyWaFJ
Zurn
tmbrtmr
stevefj
OlympiaFJ60
IB14A69
back9

Plus 12 WATTORA members, this is going to be quite a run!

speyrod · 02-05-07, 02:29 PM

looks like the early start is going to keep me out. I have a dive class until noon on BI.

OlympiaFJ60 · 02-15-07, 10:16 AM

Every one still set to go? We are going to travel up Hwy 3 from Shelton. Probably leave the house around 7:30, Olympia around 8:00. Plan on doing my snack shopping at the Safeway in Belfair.

See ya' Saturday.

OlyWaFJ · 02-15-07, 11:50 AM

Anyone want to caravan from Westside Top Foods? Say leave the parking lot at 8:00AM?

CB Channel 4

I stopped by the Tahuya Ranger station yesterday to pick up volunteer details and no one was available, my cousin was home sick and Sam was in Olympia at a meeting. Sorry guys I tried. I am going to try to make the March Tahuya focus group meeting so we will be prepared for next time.

The place is soaked so I would definitely get those breathers up, you still have time as Toyota was able to get my union the next day.

The Elfandahl staging area is about 8 miles from the Belfair Safeway and depending on how many guys show up from WATTORA we may split into two groups, one hit the South loop the other the North. The Park rules are that no group can be larger than 25 and Sam from DNR would rather us keep the groups no larger than 12-15.

Can't wait Saturday is almost here!

IB14A69 · 02-15-07, 03:27 PM

If there is really that much standing water there I might have to think twice about going. I am not about to go up there and submurse the kids ride to daycare in standing water much over a foot or so. Does anyone have any real info on these trails and the water up there? Are there ways around the water or

?

OlyWaFJ · 02-15-07, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IB14A69

If there is really that much standing water there I might have to think twice about going. I am not about to go up there and submurse the kids ride to daycare in standing water much over a foot or so.

The water on the trails in November were 6"- 18", no idea what they look like today but from the looks of things I would expect the same.

Here are some pics from the run last November:
WATTORA 2006 Tahuya Gallery

OlympiaFJ60 · 02-15-07, 10:05 PM

Looked at the Gallery. Most doesnt look too bad. Funny, looked like the only one that had a problem with the water was the guy with the snorkel.

Ben, don't worry about the water. The 40 is really read for deep water with the Swiss cheese drivers floor and all. We can find a way around anything that gets that deep.

OlympiaFJ60 · 02-16-07, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlyWaFJ

Anyone want to caravan from Westside Top Foods? Say leave the parking lot at 8:00AM?

CB Channel 4

We'll meet you there.

Depending how long we are on the trail, we may bail early. My wife wants to go to the Home Show and Saturday is the only day we can make it.

back9 · 02-16-07, 05:19 PM

My brother has to work so I would need to ride alone. Maybe, I will throw my dog in the back.

Couple questions. The water in those pictures looks deeper than 27 inches. The vehicles that crossed these water ways appear to have been lifted. Will the interior of my FJ flood when traveling through these? is there an alternative route?

OlyWAFJ does your FJ have any modifications? Or is it still stock? Did you cross this water. I did not see you FJ in any of the pictures that I was concerned about.

Looks like your sliders got a bit banged up on the last run. Could that have been avoided? I really don't care if mine get scratched, bent or dinged up. As long as my FJ body is not smashed. Truely I think my wife would sh#%! However, I understand accidents happen. I am ok with having to replace sliders.

I would rather not beat my FJ up to bad on my first run. I don't even have a Lic. plate yet.

stevefj · 02-16-07, 09:32 PM

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make it tomorrow. @#?*%@! I'm spending the entire weekend packing and moving. Have a great time and I'll catch the next one.

OlyWaFJ · 02-16-07, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by back9

My brother has to work so I would need to ride alone. Maybe, I will throw my dog in the back.

Couple questions. The water in those pictures looks deeper than 27 inches. The vehicles that crossed these water ways appear to have been lifted. Will the interior of my FJ flood when traveling through these? is there an alternative route?

OlyWAFJ does your FJ have any modifications? Or is it still stock? Did you cross this water. I did not see you FJ in any of the pictures that I was concerned about.

Looks like your sliders got a bit banged up on the last run. Could that have been avoided? I really don't care if mine get scratched, bent or dinged up. As long as my FJ body is not smashed. Truely I think my wife would sh#%! However, I understand accidents happen. I am ok with having to replace sliders.

I would rather not beat my FJ up to bad on my first run. I don't even have a Lic. plate yet.

Mine was 100% stock ride height when I went on this run and through ALL of this water. The only mods at the time were sliders and extended breather. Remember when going through water you want to keep your speed consistant so that the bow wave of water stays in front of you. The black FJ hit this pretty fast, but he got away with it because he had 3" of lift.

Stick with me on the north loop, I'll do what I can to keep you out of trouble. I'm married too, so I get it. Tahuya is a great trail to break your rig in off road because there is really no area that you have to go through that would cause any body damage. I almost lost a mud flap in Nov, but it stayed on. The Black FJ popped the silver cap off the side of his rear bumper on the South Loop but at the end of the day he just popped it back on, no harm no foul.

There is a bypass for just about everything.

It's going to be a great day tomorrow!

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Sorry you can't make it Steve.

back9 · 02-16-07, 10:26 PM

Hey, thanks for understanding. Sounds like so much fun.

I have a new problem. I just got done trying to put on my breather extension and realized they gave me the wrong part. Now what? Do I run the water anyway? I should never have waited till the last minute to install it. Just figured if it only took an hour, I had time.

What do you suggest I do?

OlyWaFJ · 02-16-07, 10:55 PM

Toyota says we can go in 27.5" of water

, so if you stay out of the pond (I do) you shouldn't have any problems. The breather extension is precautionary, mainly because I'm paranoid.

I'd put the breather back on and run it anyway, be sure you check your diff fluid when you get home and if there is any water in it take the opportunity to put synthetic fluid in...

Another FJ owner friend of mine with a 3" lift and no breather extension has had his so deep in water his exhaust was gurgling during a crossing and he hasn't had any problems with water in his diff. Just to be on the safe side he checks the fluids everytime he gets home, so far no leaks or problems.

It's your rig, so it's your call.