Monache Meadows in stock GX460? (3 Viewers)

[BoredAlmostOldMan]

Would a 100% stock (tires, suspension, etc) 2017 GX460 be able to get through Monache Meadows? I’m thinking of dipping my toes in the overlanding/off-roading thing and before blowing a bunch on moda (just to find out I don’t like it), I thought I’d see how much I enjoy the experience first

A friend of mine is going with a group to Monache Meadows and invited me, but as I watch more yootoobs, Im not sure if the stock GX460 can make it (e.g., i came across a 10" clearance minimum). It would seem like I'd need at the very least new tires (and perhaps a lift kit to get to 10")? just wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts.

if I do need some upgrades, any suggestions on ”bare minimum” (I.e., cheap/simple) up grades would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[r2m]

Can you do Monache Meadows as a ride-along with a buddy? Then you can see, first if you even like the whole bouncing around eating dust, and second probably give you an idea of how bad (or not so bad) the run is.
Funny, I've never heard of Monache Meadows before. After Googling it and looking at images of it, it looks to be pretty straight forward. Also, often times there is an "easy" go-around on most trails that aren't designated for more aggressive wheeling like rock crawling.
If you can find the specific trail, you can sometimes find the difficulty level also.
BTY, if you love the outdoors, views, getting away from concrete, steel, glass, plastic, and when you see someone, they're friendly, then you'll love overlanding!

 

[ypyun]

> Would a 100% stock (tires, suspension, etc) 2017 GX460 be able to get through Monache Meadows?
yes though it is highly likely you will damage your front bumper, steps, and rear bumper. personally i wouldn't do this trail without tires, engine skid, and sliders.

> I’m thinking of dipping my toes in the overlanding/off-roading thing
i'd recommend going to alabama hills if you just want to dip your toes into overlanding/off-roading. closer to LA there is libre mountain, hungry valley, rowher flats, and cleghorn. these are all easier and don't have big nasty rocks (except for rowher flats).

> i came across a 10" clearance minimum
i doubt that is necessary if you have sliders. always place your tire on an obstacle that you do not have ground clearance to go over.

 

[r2m]

> Would a 100% stock (tires, suspension, etc) 2017 GX460 be able to get through Monache Meadows?
yes though it is highly likely you will damage your front bumper, steps, and rear bumper. personally i wouldn't do this trail without tires, engine skid, and sliders.

> I’m thinking of dipping my toes in the overlanding/off-roading thing
i'd recommend going to alabama hills if you just want to dip your toes into overlanding/off-roading. closer to LA there is libre mountain, hungry valley, rowher flats, and cleghorn. these are all easier and don't have big nasty rocks (except for rowher flats).

> i came across a 10" clearance minimum
i doubt that is necessary if you have sliders. always place your tire on an obstacle that you do not have ground clearance to go over.

I know Cleghorn is very do-able. There are some more difficult round-abouts if you feel adventurous, but wouldn't suggest it.
It's also a lot closer than going all the way up to Lone Pine for the Alabama hills. From L.A., Cleghorn should less than 2 hours with no traffic, my guess. That's about how long from my home at the very bottom of Orange County and I believe Cleghorn is about in the middle of L.A. and O.C.
You can also do Saddleback (Santiago Peak) which is a nice half/three quarter day trip with great views if you're not hit with this May Gray.

Or if you just want to get out in the open, try Anza Borrego, Death Valley, Joshua Tree or any of the local deserts. It'll be a blast driving out there, with beautiful views and easy trails.
My wife (and navigator) and I also use this excellent book:
Amazon product ASIN 1934838071
Here's a great book for our local deserts.
Amazon product ASIN 1938072111

 

[AgentOrange]

I know Cleghorn is very do-able. There are some more difficult round-abouts if you feel adventurous, but wouldn't suggest it.
It's also a lot closer than going all the way up to Lone Pine for the Alabama hills. From L.A., Cleghorn should less than 2 hours with no traffic, my guess. That's about how long from my home at the very bottom of Orange County and I believe Cleghorn is about in the middle of L.A. and O.C.
You can also do Saddleback (Santiago Peak) which is a nice half/three quarter day trip with great views if you're not hit with this May Gray.

Or if you just want to get out in the open, try Anza Borrego, Death Valley, Joshua Tree or any of the local deserts. It'll be a blast driving out there, with beautiful views and easy trails.
My wife (and navigator) and I also use this excellent book:
Amazon product ASIN 1934838071
Here's a great book for our local deserts.
Amazon product ASIN 1938072111

This book is great! I grew up running the Mojave Road and this book covers it all. That trail is a great way to see if you enjoy getting out there.
I can also recommend just a weekend trip to Afton Canyon. There's cool hiking there and rock hounding.

 

[BoredAlmostOldMan]

Thanks so much for the input and the suggestion to try Cleghorn. Will also take a look at the suggested book!

At this point, I think i'm going to try to find a set of takeoff wheel/tires that would at the very least be a cheap way to protect the stock wheels and tires (so my wife doesn't kill me). Seems like a few good cheap deals who up every now and then.

 

[r2m]

Thanks so much for the input and the suggestion to try Cleghorn. Will also take a look at the suggested book!

At this point, I think i'm going to try to find a set of takeoff wheel/tires that would at the very least be a cheap way to protect the stock wheels and tires (so my wife doesn't kill me). Seems like a few good cheap deals who up every now and then.

Are you looking for another set of wheels to put your current tires on or an entire second set of tires and wheels?
If you can swing it, I'd suggest getting a second set of wheels and tires. If so, DO NOT get 18" rims again. 17" rims and tires will be cheaper and easier to find. There's been recent posts on this forum of finding 4Runner TRD wheels for a couple hundred dollars and you'll be hard pressed to find a better wheel than the TRD's. Assuming you like the style, which myself and most folks think is great.

 

[BoredAlmostOldMan]

Are you looking for another set of wheels to put your current tires on or an entire second set of tires and wheels?
If you can swing it, I'd suggest getting a second set of wheels and tires. If so, DO NOT get 18" rims again. 17" rims and tires will be cheaper and easier to find. There's been recent posts on this forum of finding 4Runner TRD wheels for a couple hundred dollars and you'll be hard pressed to find a better wheel than the TRD's. Assuming you like the style, which myself and most folks think is great.

Yup - would love to find a set of 4Runner TRD wheels and tires for $200 - that would be the dream right now.

Any advice on how to find those? obviously, I can check the classifieds here and also craigslist/ebay - not sure what other forums might be a common place for these sorts of items to be listed for sale?

thanks again for all the help!

 

[r2m]

Yup - would love to find a set of 4Runner TRD wheels and tires for $200 - that would be the dream right now.

Any advice on how to find those? obviously, I can check the classifieds here and also craigslist/ebay - not sure what other forums might be a common place for these sorts of items to be listed for sale?

thanks again for all the help!

Try Facebook Marketplace. I'm not on Facebook, buy my wife is and says a lot of people use that for local sales of "stuff".

 

[ducktapeguy]

You'll be fine. I did it at stock height and towing a trailer and fully loaded so I was really dragging.

You might scrape a bit so skids would be helpful, but with some careful driving you'd be ok with stock ones, just have to go slower. I’d also remove the stock side steps those might get damaged. I had both skids and sliders but I don't think they're absolutely necessary unless you start going onto some of the smaller offshoots which get a little rougher.

 

[K Dub]

You'll be fine. I did it at stock height and towing a trailer and fully loaded so I was really dragging.

You might scrape a bit so skids would be helpful, but with some careful driving you'd be ok with stock ones, just have to go slower. I’d also remove the stock side steps those might get damaged. I had both skids and sliders but I don't think they're absolutely necessary unless you start going onto some of the smaller offshoots which get a little rougher.

View attachment 3331714

Been there, done that. Love those rental trailers! I'm stock with 17" wheels and bigger AT tires. The climb back out had a couple of interesting moments, but the ATrac did it's thing and we made it.

I just called the ranger station last week and they said that Sherman Pass Rd is still closed from the Blackrock turnoff to the far side of the pass above Kernville, so it's going to be a late season this year. I'm looking for a spot for next weekend but there's still a lot of snow. Might just do Alabama Hills.

 

[r2m]

Been there, done that. Love those rental trailers! I'm stock with 17" wheels and bigger AT tires. The climb back out had a couple of interesting moments, but the ATrac did it's thing and we made it.

I just called the ranger station last week and they said that Sherman Pass Rd is still closed from the Blackrock turnoff to the far side of the pass above Kernville, so it's going to be a late season this year. I'm looking for a spot for next weekend but there's still a lot of snow. Might just do Alabama Hills.

If you're doing Alabama Hills, wonder if Whitney Portal camp site (at the trail head) is open? No reservations needed.
But it may still be buried in snow.

 

[K Dub]

If you're doing Alabama Hills, wonder if Whitney Portal camp site (at the trail head) is open? No reservations needed.
But it may still be buried in snow.

Turns out they've shut down most of the dispersed camping in the hills, starting this year. So many places have been overrun and trashed in the past few years as this "over landing" trend has taken off. I wish people would take the time to learn basic camping etiquette before running out and destroying a place for likes on Instagram. Sigh.

So now I'm thinking maybe White Mountain. Last I checked the Whitney Portal is still closed, as was Cottonwood Pass, but it may have changed in the past couple of weeks. Time to explore some alternatives on the 395. Open to suggestions...

 

[r2m]

Turns out they've shut down most of the dispersed camping in the hills, starting this year. So many places have been overrun and trashed in the past few years as this "over landing" trend has taken off. I wish people would take the time to learn basic camping etiquette before running out and destroying a place for likes on Instagram. Sigh.

So now I'm thinking maybe White Mountain. Last I checked the Whitney Portal is still closed, as was Cottonwood Pass, but it may have changed in the past couple of weeks. Time to explore some alternatives on the 395. Open to suggestions...

HWY 395, one of, if not our most favorite drives, taking it all the way to Tahoe.

 

[K Dub]

HWY 395, one of, if not our most favorite drives, taking it all the way to Tahoe.

I once drove it from Victorville, CA to Kennewick, WA. Not the entire length, but the vast majority. Someday I'll pick up the spare. It's a beautiful drive the entire way, and I had a blast (despite being in a Nissan Juke in the dead of winter).

Near Olancha, CA

Near Burns, OR

As for this weekend, I've been up White Mountain as far as they'd let you drive in December. Spent the night of Christmas Eve to Christmas Day alone, looking down at Lone Pine, shivering my butt off while the wind caved in the side of my tent. I think it would be nice to try that again in better conditions, but honestly I'm not terribly enthusiastic about it. I prefer the Sierra side to the desert side, especially in June. I just don't know what will be accessable this year. Even if the roads are plowed, it might be tough camping, especially with my 6yo daughter in tow. Any other recommendations for dispersed camping south of Mammoth?

 

[MotoDave]

Turns out they've shut down most of the dispersed camping in the hills, starting this year. So many places have been overrun and trashed in the past few years as this "over landing" trend has taken off. I wish people would take the time to learn basic camping etiquette before running out and destroying a place for likes on Instagram. Sigh.

So now I'm thinking maybe White Mountain. Last I checked the Whitney Portal is still closed, as was Cottonwood Pass, but it may have changed in the past couple of weeks. Time to explore some alternatives on the 395. Open to suggestions...

If you're exploring on White mountain, check out Wyman Creek Road. Can take the 168 past White Mountain road, and head up a manageable 4x4 track that will take you all the way up to White Mountain road, just below where the turn of to the patriarch grove is. There are several camping options along the trail. Can head down white mountain road or down Silver Canyon Road.

I've gone up Silver and down Wyman last fall in a stock GX and it was fine. Last time I went up Wyman was a few years back in a Tundra with a camper. I wouldn't have concerns taking my GX up it either (still basically stock except 32" tires).

It is remote, I wouldn't do it solo personally.

 

[K Dub]

If you're exploring on White mountain, check out Wyman Creek Road. Can take the 168 past White Mountain road, and head up a manageable 4x4 track that will take you all the way up to White Mountain road, just below where the turn of to the patriarch grove is. There are several camping options along the trail. Can head down white mountain road or down Silver Canyon Road.

I've gone up Silver and down Wyman last fall in a stock GX and it was fine. Last time I went up Wyman was a few years back in a Tundra with a camper. I wouldn't have concerns taking my GX up it either (still basically stock except 32" tires).

It is remote, I wouldn't do it solo personally.

This is precisely the kind of input I was hoping for. I'll check it out. Thank you!

 

[r2m]

I once drove it from Victorville, CA to Kennewick, WA. Not the entire length, but the vast majority. Someday I'll pick up the spare. It's a beautiful drive the entire way, and I had a blast (despite being in a Nissan Juke in the dead of winter).

Near Olancha, CA

Near Burns, OR

As for this weekend, I've been up White Mountain as far as they'd let you drive in December. Spent the night of Christmas Eve to Christmas Day alone, looking down at Lone Pine, shivering my butt off while the wind caved in the side of my tent. I think it would be nice to try that again in better conditions, but honestly I'm not terribly enthusiastic about it. I prefer the Sierra side to the desert side, especially in June. I just don't know what will be accessable this year. Even if the roads are plowed, it might be tough camping, especially with my 6yo daughter in tow. Any other recommendations for dispersed camping south of Mammoth?

Don't think anything in the high country will be available unless you're planning on dispersed snow camping. It's pretty thick up there still.
They will probably be having to remove snow in August in Mammoth just to let the mountain bikers be able to have access.

 

[K Dub]

Don't think anything in the high country will be available unless you're planning on dispersed snow camping. It's pretty thick up there still.
They will probably be having to remove snow in August in Mammoth just to let the mountain bikers be able to have access.

Yeah, that's the vibe I'm getting. Hence looking to the desert side of the range. According to the forest service site, Wyman Canyon is closed due to flood damage, but I'll call to confirm because those pages are not always up to date.

Back to the original topic, there's a good chance that Monache stays closed all season. When I talked to the ranger, he said they're still waiting for the paved access roads to be cleared. Once that's done, then they can get in there and appraise the tree fall and erosion needs. Both are going to be worse than usual due to the extreme snow. There's a lot of work to be done before anyone can get all the way in there. I remember going over Sherman Pass this time of year in 2011 and there being tons of snow on the ground. This year was WAY heavier than 2011.

 

[K Dub]

Just got off the phone with a ranger from the Inyo NF. Both Silver and Wyman canyons are closed. Official advice is the stay low altitude and paved. Ugh. I really shouldn't complain about the much needed precipitation last winter, but it is seriously messing with my birthday plans.