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Off Road Enthusiasts - Oregon - Bates Road - Tillamook State Forest - Off Road Trip - February 25, 2012
February 25, 2012 – Bates Road Tillamook State Forest : Oregon - Off Road Trip Report
Attendees: Brandon, Becky, Peter, Joe
Rigs: 1996 Toyota Tacoma & 1992 Isuzu Pickup
My brother Brandon, his wife Becky and myself met Pete at his place so we could caravan to the Tillamook State Forest. Brandon drove his 1996 Toyota Tacoma that has a 4" lift and 33" all terrain tires and Pete drove his 1992 Isuzu P'up which has too many modifications to list here.After topping off our tanks Gales Creek Shell gas station and purchasing an ORV pass for Brandon we hit the road bound and determined to find the infamous "tippy trail". I've only been on this trail once myself and it was an adrenaline rush. It starts with a big, way off camber ditch that you have to drive into, hence the name. Once in the ditch you climb a steep passenger side bank which about midway through switches to a driver side off camber climb where you fight your way up a rather rutted crossed up section...anyway it's a really great, memorable trail.
Pete had a plan for the day which included exploring the less traveled areas. We turned off HWY 6 just past mile post 30 on University Falls Road and headed to the Bates Road trail section. At the trailhead we aired down in the blowing snow and began our fun. I rode with Pete in order to get a chance to see just how well his "little grey tank" would perform...
We led the way up an easy section just to see what the snow traction was gonna be like and in a truck set up well like Pete's traction wasn't too much of an issue. The Tacoma did very well too even without any kind of differential locker or limited slip. When we arrived at the first of many steep hill climbs, Pete went first and made easy work of it. At one point he engaged both front and rear lockers and I got the feeling it was more out of fun than real "necessity". We radioed for Brandon to come up after cresting the hill, which he also ascended without any trouble. When we had nearly completed the Bates Road trail the airline on Pete's front ARB Locker blew and without a spare he was down to one locker for the day. We finished this trail system without too much effort even with 6+ inches of fresh snow on the ground.
After completing Bates Road we headed back to HWY 6 and re-entered at the "prison camp" entrance where we had hoped to find the elusive "tippy trail" but with all the snow and more than a couple years passing we couldn't find it. So we decided to run as much of archers firebreak as we could...which was quite a bit actually. On one particularly nasty hill climb Pete snagged his rear spring hanger on a rock and instead of continuing to chew up his tires he decided to winch...I mean why not since he has one. Besides a little "recovery practice" here and there is a good thing. Brandon chose a slightly different line and was able to claw his way up and nearly clobbered me in the process (note to self: stand further away when filming!).
So with that we decided to try our luck locating a new trail (new to us anyway) called "truck dent" on the other side of HWY 6. Unfortunately, we couldn't locate the trail head and ended up just driving around on a bunch of snow covered gravel roads and eventually called it quits. We made our way back down to the Shell gas station to air up and then headed for home. This was my first trip out in a few years and I had forgotten how much I love just being out there...more to come.
(written by: Joe Hope)
Off Road Enthusiasts - Oregon - Bates Road - Tillamook State Forest - Off Road Trip - February 25, 2012
February 25, 2012 – Bates Road Tillamook State Forest : Oregon - Off Road Trip Report
Attendees: Brandon, Becky, Peter, Joe
Rigs: 1996 Toyota Tacoma & 1992 Isuzu Pickup
My brother Brandon, his wife Becky and myself met Pete at his place so we could caravan to the Tillamook State Forest. Brandon drove his 1996 Toyota Tacoma that has a 4" lift and 33" all terrain tires and Pete drove his 1992 Isuzu P'up which has too many modifications to list here.After topping off our tanks Gales Creek Shell gas station and purchasing an ORV pass for Brandon we hit the road bound and determined to find the infamous "tippy trail". I've only been on this trail once myself and it was an adrenaline rush. It starts with a big, way off camber ditch that you have to drive into, hence the name. Once in the ditch you climb a steep passenger side bank which about midway through switches to a driver side off camber climb where you fight your way up a rather rutted crossed up section...anyway it's a really great, memorable trail.
Pete had a plan for the day which included exploring the less traveled areas. We turned off HWY 6 just past mile post 30 on University Falls Road and headed to the Bates Road trail section. At the trailhead we aired down in the blowing snow and began our fun. I rode with Pete in order to get a chance to see just how well his "little grey tank" would perform...
We led the way up an easy section just to see what the snow traction was gonna be like and in a truck set up well like Pete's traction wasn't too much of an issue. The Tacoma did very well too even without any kind of differential locker or limited slip. When we arrived at the first of many steep hill climbs, Pete went first and made easy work of it. At one point he engaged both front and rear lockers and I got the feeling it was more out of fun than real "necessity". We radioed for Brandon to come up after cresting the hill, which he also ascended without any trouble. When we had nearly completed the Bates Road trail the airline on Pete's front ARB Locker blew and without a spare he was down to one locker for the day. We finished this trail system without too much effort even with 6+ inches of fresh snow on the ground.
After completing Bates Road we headed back to HWY 6 and re-entered at the "prison camp" entrance where we had hoped to find the elusive "tippy trail" but with all the snow and more than a couple years passing we couldn't find it. So we decided to run as much of archers firebreak as we could...which was quite a bit actually. On one particularly nasty hill climb Pete snagged his rear spring hanger on a rock and instead of continuing to chew up his tires he decided to winch...I mean why not since he has one. Besides a little "recovery practice" here and there is a good thing. Brandon chose a slightly different line and was able to claw his way up and nearly clobbered me in the process (note to self: stand further away when filming!).
So with that we decided to try our luck locating a new trail (new to us anyway) called "truck dent" on the other side of HWY 6. Unfortunately, we couldn't locate the trail head and ended up just driving around on a bunch of snow covered gravel roads and eventually called it quits. We made our way back down to the Shell gas station to air up and then headed for home. This was my first trip out in a few years and I had forgotten how much I love just being out there...more to come.
(written by: Joe Hope)