North Medow Creak Rd

[rc51kid]

I hiked up North Medow Creak yesterdat with my wife. The road is pretty rough right now. That would be good if somone wanted to teat out a built truck. Everyones opinion of a "hard trail" id different so take it all with a grain of salt. But i would say 35" lockers and armor at a minimum. But maybe you are a better driver.

Hopfully someone will go give it a try and have some fun. Maybe my estimations of difficulty are way off. You might find it a piece of cake.

 

[PIZZZZA]

A few us of brave souls are going up there October 5th. I'm stoked to test out my rig and see just how capable it is.
I was watching videos from only a few years ago of a 2nd gen 4Runner with 33s and no lockers make it. With a fair amount rocking and bashing.
Every year these trails are getting more and more rocky...... Mother nature just making it more interesting

 

[rc51kid]

A few us of brave souls are going up there October 5th. I'm stoked to test out my rig and see just how capable it is.
I was watching videos from only a few years ago of a 2nd gen 4Runner with 33s and no lockers make it. With a fair amount rocking and bashing.
Every year these trails are getting more and more rocky...... Mother nature just making it more interesting

If you are looking to test out your rig then you will have a good time. You probably wont find it hard but let me know what you think. There is a section of mud. Maybe 200 yards long? I personally wouldn't enter the mud hole without a winch. No real way around it. Maybe it will dry out by the time you go. in the center it looked like some buggies had dug it out and someone made a huge log pile in the center. I mean logs that would require a frontend loader piled up like straws. So maybe forestry tried fixing it or blocking the deep hole. It was a strange pile of logs.

Most of the parts I thought looked harder the rocks were well planted in the ground which can be good or bad. A lot of the bigger rocks you can pick a line and get a wheel on them. But i saw serval spots where lines were really limited by rocks or trees. I think these spots just require a good spotter, maybe stacking rocks so you dont take out a drive shaft or diff. I personally might have used winch in some spots because I dont like hammering my drive train. If I cant crawl over it in a few tries I will run line so I am not tempted to use too much right pedal.

One nice thing is all three bridges are much wider and cleared out around them. One of the things I didnt like when I drove up it about 8 years ago was one bridge had a tight approach corner and was narrow.

But I look forward to hearing what you think. I often wheel alone so I dont go looking for harder trails. But then often I come across a section that I think "oh s***", and the truck just crawls right up it. Until things go sideways and i regret being alone and stupid. Honestly steep inclines or off camber stuff when I am alone kind of bothers me. I have gotten myself wedged in bad positions before where a little wheel spin slides me into a bad angle that is really hard to correct. A lot of this trail is relatively steep but most of those sections are not super off camber. Also they have a lot of trees around if you need anchor point for straps or winching. Also the fact that it is all wooded means not huge cliffs to role down like a lot of shelf roads around here.

If I wasn't working the 5th I would consider tagging along with you guys. Not sure I feel like taking my truck up it but maybe just ride along or something.

PS. Is that your truck in your avitar picture? reading your description of mods you will have fun and not find it too hard. Its become more that kind of trail than a "overland truck on 33s".

 

[ttFJC]

yeah ive heard the swamp is gonna be interesting

 

[secretasiansam]

I winched through the swamp on the way up. Went around on the way down. Just send Aaron through first and have him winch everyone else through.
I had some tree clearance issues, but only because of kayaks on my roof.
Dana, your truck would be fine. I solo this trail all the time.
I suggest camping at the second lake where the trail ends. I've had moose stroll through camp multiple times.

 

[PIZZZZA]

I personally might have used winch in some spots because I dont like hammering my drive train. If I cant crawl over it in a few tries I will run line so I am not tempted to use too much right pedal.

PS. Is that your truck in your avitar picture? reading your description of mods you will have fun and not find it too hard. Its become more that kind of trail than a "overland truck on 33s".

I will definitely be doing the old man dual case crawl through the trail and trying to minimize throttle bumping rocks.
But that's why I got this rig because over time these trails are getting harder and harder.
Gonna be getting lots of pics and videos of this trail run for all to enjoy!

 

[PIZZZZA]

I was watching the most recent youtube video of McKelvey lake trail and found some good news.
Montana JEEP TRAIL: McKelvey Lake (part 1) 2024
Mud bog is at the 24 min mark.
The gnarly mud bog was pretty bad in the video but a club of jeepers re-stacked the logs so it was easier to make it across.
Waiting for part 2 of the video to see just how they fixed it and hopefully it holds.

 

[REZARF]

It’s a good trail. Lots of our “trails” in Montana are rough fire roads. This is a pretty normal “trail” in other parts of the west. Take it slow, speed kills parts.

It’s worth the drive it has a great payoff. Beautiful lake at the top.

 

[PIZZZZA]

Here is part 2 of the video that shows the "bridge" through the mud bog they slapped together.
Montana JEEP TRAIL: McKelvey Lake part 2 2024

 

[elkun1]

Here is part 2 of the video that shows the "bridge" through the mud bog they slapped together.
Montana JEEP TRAIL: McKelvey Lake part 2 2024

Pastor John puts out some great videos. they are a wonderful source of trails as they have covered most in the state and beyond.
also for those of you who follow itchy boots she has recovered and is back with a new bike, "alaska" is retired