2021 FJ Summit

[Svensk120]

When I was shopping for my next vehicle and decided on getting either 4Runner or an FJ and ended up with the GX470 I came across the videos and photos from the yearly FJ Summit ... it instantly became something I wanted to attend...

Has anyone from here gone? I would love some insight into it ...

Does anyone else want to go? Supposedly it is still on for this year... we will see what happens of course.

I have been making planns in my head and looking at maps and times... looks like a good 2 week trip and a great way to get some new stories for sure.

Home | FJ Summit

www.fjsummit.org

 

[fjc-man]

Get yourself a FJ Cruiser, sign up now before it sells out and go! The San Juan Mountains have to be experienced at least once in your life.

 

[Svensk120]

Get yourself a FJ Cruiser, sign up now before it sells out and go! The San Juan Mountains have to be experienced at least once in your life.

well they are all inclusive now... anything Toyota is welcome... and Lexus too LOL

the images are all just breathtaking and I do want to see it for myself...

 

[fjc-man]

Well if you take the GX you should at least get rock rails to replace the running boards. Sell them to help fund the rock rails while their are still in good condition.

 

[Svensk120]

Well if you take the GX you should at least get rock rails to replace the running boards. Sell them to help fund the rock rails while their are still in good condition.

LOL.... went to Rausch Creek last weekend... both sides are now matching with some nice ...um... bends LOL... maybe a few cracks too. Sliders are hopefully going to be ordered in the next month or 2 ... Def need them before Fall Crawl!

 

[1MOA]

Put a chain to those running boards and bend them back and keep rolling.

 

[afgman786]

Put a chain to those running boards and bend them back and keep rolling.

You're supposed to encourage sliders and upgrades not keeping stock parts

 

[wolvesSpareFrly]

You're supposed to encourage sliders and upgrades not keeping stock parts

Parroting the Overlanding Industrial Complex line, I see...

(Sez the FJC owner who currently has two boxed-up sliders waiting for installation... LOL)

 

[BrewsterII]

From what I understand, due to the FJ Summit being canceled last year because of the Covid thing, anyone lucky enough to have registered "in time" last year was transferred to this year.

The few people that canceled were refunded their money, and that means a small number of participants will be eligible this year. Unless you know someone that can pulls strings, good luck!

I'd love to go this year too. I wonder what would happen if you just showed up?

 

[Svensk120]

From what I understand, due to the FJ Summit being canceled last year because of the Covid thing, anyone lucky enough to have registered "in time" last year was transferred to this year.

The few people that canceled were refunded their money, and that means a small number of participants will be eligible this year. Unless you know someone that can pulls strings, good luck!

I'd love to go this year too. I wonder what would happen if you just showed up?

well you might not be able to OFFICIALLY join a certain ride but they really cant stop you from going and driving about and walking around and seeing the venders and all... you just wont have access to certain things is all ... i would guess.. like the planned meals and all

 

[Svensk120]

bringing this back from the dead.....

Talked it over with the GF and now she says she wants to go .... before it was just too much driving but she thinks it will be OK now.

Again I know with the event being put off for 2 years and people having their spots transferred and held that getting officially signed up might not happen but again... being that they are open trails they can not just deny you being there... the swag bags and raffles and meals you cant get into but the vendors setting up booths and the trails can be ridden and new people to meet will be there!

FJ Summit will be July 20-24, 2022. and We have put in for vacation just to hold it open to do.

GPS says 30 hours of driving so while it could be "iron-maned" in 1-2 days I was thinking a bit more relaxing 3 days would be nicer. Find some nice places to stop along the way and some basic hotel/motel for the over nights.
When there I was thinking about Camping out at the nearby KOA ... ground tent sites are about 50$ w/ water and electric and there are actual bath houses to keep clean in.

The weather would be in the lower 80's and nights in the mid 50's... perfect camping weather!!! They have cabins there as well there for more but.... they will be more comfortable I am sure.
The hotels in town are all in the 180$ and UP UP range.... so camping will be the cheaper way to go. Might look into maybe renting a teardrop trailer but that would really just up the cost of the camping into the hotel price range.

My idea would be leaving on Saturday (16th) getting there midday on Tuesday (19th) checking/setting camp and then the event starts on the Wednesday 20th with sign up and the majority of folks arriving... at least that's what all the reviews and things I have read online suggest.

I wouldn't mind being there a day early to just get used to the altitude! That air is going to be THIN!!!

Then its the trails on Thursday Friday and Saturday. The evenings are dinners and social type events. Sunday they do their big group photo on main street... Just for the FJC's though... and the local Fire Dept seems to have washed the rigs down to help raise money for themselves.... it would be cool if they used the fire hoses for the undercarriages LOL

But Sunday for us would be breakfast and pack up camp/hotel and roll out back home.... for 2 or 3 days....

We both agree that it looks amazing. Everyone says it is a place that is a must go see and experience... Just like Moab is a place that is on everyone's list. We feel that going with a small group to share the time and trails with would be best...at least one other but a group of 2 - 5 would be perfect we think.


.... and if the photos below don't make you want to go.... remember I'll be cooking too!!

 

[woody]

FYI....official FJ Summit registration occurs on a Saturday morning. It has filled 100% of those available registration slots within minutes....so of you want to be an "official" attendee, you best be on your computer A game to get registered.

We are here now, and have done 2+ weeks out here every July for nearly 10 years straight. Love this area.

This year has been tough....restaurants very limited to hours, or closed entirely, due to no staff. And one even has you order via App, prepay AND tacks on a 20% tip...before you've even received any service or food...not a fan.

 

[Svensk120]

FYI....official FJ Summit registration occurs on a Saturday morning. It has filled 100% of those available registration slots within minutes....so of you want to be an "official" attendee, you best be on your computer A game to get registered.

We are here now, and have done 2+ weeks out here every July for nearly 10 years straight. Love this area.

This year has been tough....restaurants very limited to hours, or closed entirely, due to no staff. And one even has you order via App, prepay AND tacks on a 20% tip...before you've even received any service or food...not a fan.

yeah i saw the registration is on Feb 7 2021 for the 2022 Summit... which i hope is a mistype ... and they meant feb 2022...

How are the trails though? is there a lot of folks on them?

Everywhere here in the bigger cities on the East Coast it seems like just about every business has a Help Wanted sign out... There was a news story that one Popeye's was offering cash payout at the end of each shift... and 13 an hour for regular workers and shift managers 15$.

Taking on a set 20% tip BEFORE service is crazy... I normally tip about 18% or more depending on service but I wont go back to places that include it into the ticket.

I would love to hear more about your time spent there Woody!

 

[woody]

How are the trails though? is there a lot of folks on them?

In a word, busy. Every year seems to get busier as it becomes more known. We've only ridden trails 2 of the 10 days we've been here this far. Hiking and MTB have taken up our other days, or just wandering around the towns.

Chatted with a guy yesterday from AZ who keeps his motorhome/family here all summer, then he flys in to visit on weekends.

The riding season is short, since some trails won't have snow cleared until mid July...and get snowed in by Sept.

If you plan to come, get your camp/room plans done now. We reserve a year in advance for 2-3 weeks. I know others who tried for a week with 4 months advance and we're put on a wait list. Plan ahead.

 

[Svensk120]

In a word, busy. Every year seems to get busier as it becomes more known. We've only ridden trails 2 of the 10 days we've been here this far. Hiking and MTB have taken up our other days, or just wandering around the towns.

Chatted with a guy yesterday from AZ who keeps his motorhome/family here all summer, then he flys in to visit on weekends.

The riding season is short, since some trails won't have snow cleared until mid July...and get snowed in by Sept.

If you plan to come, get your camp/room plans done now. We reserve a year in advance for 2-3 weeks. I know others who tried for a week with 4 months advance and we're put on a wait list. Plan ahead.

Well I am lucky that the GF loves to camp but her only request is a place to shower... So I am looking for a reasonable priced hotel or at a place like a KOA that has facilities. The KOA website won't let you book that far in advance but I have sent an email to them asking about it. My last resort and she said she would be "OK" with it would be a portable shower system... of some style.

Where do you normally stay at?

I was planning on the majority of the meals to be made at camp and lunch out of the cooler on the trails. A few dinners out ( have to support the locals! ) and I hope that the staff shortages and the other limitations are over with by then.

I hope to do at least 3 days on the trails... even if they are the short trips. I want to also roam about the town and go see some of the sites as well. Even though both the GF and I ride bikes... we are in NO shape to be sucking in the air way up there! Also since it will be our first trip like this together AND this far away we want to keep it simple and then we can make plans for more in the future for those trips.

ANY and I mean ANY info you can share or ideas where to stay and go I would love to hear about!

Thanks again @woody

 

[woody]

We put our RV at the 4Js in Ouray...
Waking distance to town. They have tent sites, but the KOA is more scenic.

The trails/routes list is unending....lol

Where do you normally stay at?

 

[Svensk120]

I was looking at the 4J site... I like that it is so close to town but it looks to be more geared towards the RV crowd. Walking distance is a nice bonus though. After trails just being able to park it at camp and stretch the legs into town would be nice. Also I am sure parking in town is crazy with the event going on!

How quite is that place at night? Remember it would be in a ground tent not an insulated RV.

The pool does look awesome though!

I might reach out to them on Monday to see about a reservation though just to get something set up in advance.

 

[Svensk120]

Reservations made for a place to lay out heads.... Vacation time approved for both GF and myself.
Its starting to look like it is going to happen... but plenty of time till next year!

 

[Svensk120]

Just posting a pic to bring this back to the top of the page.....

just in case anyone missed it and is up for a good ong road trip with some wheeling and then a long ass drive back!

 

[unleashd]

Interested in this. Will keep following for updates.