Media GX460 / Prado150 pic thread (13 Viewers)

[r2m]

Yeah, it's cliché. But you've still gotta take the same photo every time you go, because look at that place! Besides, the lighting is always different and maybe you'll catch your kid clowning in the passenger seat.

Looks like a marketing photo.

 

[K Dub]

Looks like a marketing photo.

That's what makes it so cliché. Every roof-top-tent on the market had its commercial shoot done at Alabama Hills.

 

[r2m]

That's what makes it so cliché. Every roof-top-tent on the market had its commercial shoot done at Alabama Hills.

I rolled (3/4 roll) my F350 crewcab overlander coming down that road from Whitney Portal on the weekend that we climbed and summited it.
Love that little Whitney Portal campsite! When my daughter was young, she caught a bunch of trout in that little pond.

 

[K Dub]

That's what makes it so cliché. Every roof-top-tent on the market had its commercial shoot done at Alabama Hills.

Here are a few more shots from my day-trip on Saturday, starting with a wide angle of the same location in Alabama Hills.

I'd read online that the road to Horseshoe Meadows was open, but that wasn't entirely true. There was a locked gate about 1/2mi from the end with cars stacked up in the shoulders. Plenty of snow drifts in the woods, but the road was entirely clear above and below the gate so I bet it opens fully for the holiday next weekend. I chose to backtrack to Cottonwood Creek and park there instead.

My tough lil' 7 year old then joined me on a 5.4 mile hike at 10,000ft elevation! It was more than I'd anticipated, and she needed me to carry her the last bit back to the car, but what a trooper. We were bushwhacking off trail, crossing snow fields and scrambling up steep faces. It was a really tough hike, I'm super proud of her. We heard about 30min of continuous thunder, followed by sleet, and the temp dropped 20deg while we were out there. Wild country. I snapped a couple more pics on the way out.

At about 450 miles, this one of my farthest destinations for a day trip, but it's also one of my favorites. I got a bunch of work done on Sunday, so you can take a mini vacation and still be productive, making the most out of a weekend. I'll be going back this summer.

 

[K Dub]

I rolled (3/4 roll) my F350 crewcab overlander coming down that road from Whitney Portal on the weekend that we climbed and summited it.
Love that little Whitney Portal campsite! When my daughter was young, she caught a bunch of trout in that little pond.

My first visit to Horseshoe Meadows was immediately prior to sumitting Whitney. We spent a night acclimating there prior to our hike and it wasn't a bad idea. I grew up at 9,000ft in Colorado, so I hate to admit I have issues with altitude, but I was also a chain smoker back then and I was feeling it on that trip. I haven't been back to Whitney Portal since that trip, but Horseshoe Meadow is in my top 5 spots and I go as often as I can. It's the same climate/ecology as Whitney, but not as steep or crowded. Frankly, if you're not trying to check a box of "tallest thing around" Mt Whitney is probably not worth the hassle.

 

[r2m]

My first visit to Horseshoe Meadows was immediately prior to submitting Whitney. We spent a night acclimating there prior to our hike and it wasn't a bad idea. I grew up at 9,000ft in Colorado, so I hate to admit I have issues with altitude, but I was also a chain smoker back then and I was feeling it on that trip. I haven't been back to Whitney Portal since that trip, but Horseshoe Meadow is in my top 5 spots and I go as often as I can. It's the same climate/ecology as Whitney, but not as steep or crowded. Frankly, if you're not trying to check a box of "tallest thing around" Mt Whitney is probably not worth the hassle.

For a while I was contemplating doing the, "tallest thing around" after I climbed Whitney and summited Mount Kilimanjaro also.
I was thinking of doing the "7 summits", the tallest mountain on each continent, but then reality set in and realized I haven't the time or money for all of them.

 

[K Dub]

For a while I was contemplating doing the, "tallest thing around" after I climbed Whitney and summited Mount Kilimanjaro also.
I was thinking of doing the "7 summits", the tallest mountain on each continent, but then reality set in and realized I haven't the time or money for all of them.

Mountains look best from the bottom, looking up. It took me a long time, and a lot of summits, to figure that out. What cinched it for me was a trip to Denali: you couldn't pay me to climb that godforsaken lump of ice and rock. My cousin got pulmonary edema on Mt. Logan earlier that year and she's a far better mountaineer than I'll ever be (she's climbed Denali multiple times). I decided to spend a week hiking all around Denali but not even approach the base. No regrets at all, that was one of my best trips ever.

ETA:
Here I am not climbing Mt. Blackburn, another highlight from my mountaineering carrier.

 

[5space]

Cruising around skyline in big bear. Love this place.

 

[r2m]

Cruising around skyline in big bear. Love this place.

View attachment 3640705

View attachment 3640707

View attachment 3640708

View attachment 3640709

Are these a few months old? Or is there still some snow in the upper elevations?
That looks like a lot of snow in those mountains for this time of year.

 

[5space]

Last few days! Not much snow on skyline but some good patches here and there!

 

[Meat Head]

So, we are back in a GX. Wife bought a 2023 last October. We have decided we will probably mod it next year into her DD/Trail rig. Going to be combing through the site again for ideas.

 

[Hiluxforever]

So, we are back in a GX. Wife bought a 2023 last October. We have decided we will probably mod it next year into her DD/Trail rig. Going to be combing through the site again for ideas.


View attachment 3642676

Congrats! If you want something well mannered on the road with some offroad ability, I highly recommend Bridgestone Revo3s my 285/70R17s E load range tires are great on the road, and in bad weather.

 

[r2m]

So, we are back in a GX. Wife bought a 2023 last October. We have decided we will probably mod it next year into her DD/Trail rig. Going to be combing through the site again for ideas.


View attachment 3642676

Congrats on your (wifes) new GX! Welcome back the forum.
As I mention to many noobies, especially if you're new to off roading, plan out your end game so you only buy once and you build your DD/trail rig.

If I may, I'd suggest that you grab a cup/mug/bottle of your favorite beverage, a comfortable seat and check out following sticky posts on the home GX home page at top:
"Builds" section of members build threads: GX460 / Prado150 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/gx460-prado150.271/?prefix_id=41
After market products: Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/guide-to-gx-460-builds-and-aftermarket-products.1168653/
Suggested trail tools/parts/recover/...: Ultimate Trail Tool Kit (carry on for off road) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ultimate-trail-tool-kit-carry-on-for-off-road.1231281/
And if you're a DIY, this: GX 460 Manuals - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gx-460-manuals.1129713/

 

[llm]

First time poster here but I have received a lot of valuable information and want to share:

Did some off roading in the Bishop area this weekend and had a great time with my family:

 

[K Dub]

First time poster here but I have received a lot of valuable information and want to share:

Did some off roading in the Bishop area this weekend and had a great time with my family:

View attachment 3642898View attachment 3642896
View attachment 3642903View attachment 3642908View attachment 3642905

Welcome to the forum! Trail pics are always appreciated around here.

We've got lots of locals and not-so-locals who also frequent that area, myself included. What trail is that in the last couple of pics? I'd like to check it out.

 

[llm]

Welcome to the forum! Trail pics are always appreciated around here.

We've got lots of locals and not-so-locals who also frequent that area, myself included. What trail is that in the last couple of pics? I'd like to check it out.

thank you. that particular part is from death valley road to papoose flats to mazourka peak. southbound direction.

 

[Arailt]

So, we are back in a GX. Wife bought a 2023 last October. We have decided we will probably mod it next year into her DD/Trail rig. Going to be combing through the site again for ideas.


View attachment 3642676

Welcome back, sir!

 

[Green4Gulf]

I had a good time this weekend! I can't wait to see some more photos from the group as they roll in! It's been a while since I've been able to get out and enjoy the trails. I took my brother, niece, and son out for the day. I'm probably definitely going to remove my Fumoto drain valve and put the regular drain plug back in. My stock skid plate isn't looking so hot after the trip, especially on stock everything except my wheels and tires. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

[Green4Gulf]

And some more

 

[Green4Gulf]

.... Not spamming, I swear....