Took a trip over to the Manastash area via Naches Pass trail over Labor Day weekend. After finishing up the Naches trail Saturday night we headed into Yakima because we weren't positive we'd be able to find the Manastash area to setup camp. The next day we found our way to the Manastash area and ran portions of the Divide, Tripod Flats, Lost Lake, Shoestring, Manastash Ridge and Lilly Pond trails. Once finished in the Manastash area we headed back for a night run on the Naches Pass trail to head home to Seattle. These trails were challenging and my eighty looked out of place amongst all the narrow shorter wheelbase rigs with giant tires. Even so we seemed to not be struggling any more than others.
Heading up the lower section of the Naches Pass trail:
Trying to remove the roofrack crossbar interfering with the tree on the Lost Lake Trail:
Stuck in the mud obstructed by roots and a tree:
This last photo was the one situation where we had to break out the winch to pull the truck away from a tree as it climbed over the root. Unfortunately that situation lasted longer than it needed to due to some people "helping" us but we probably could have done better with out their help and comments. Once out we took a rest and watched another group navigate through that spot. They made it through without a winch but with some measure of difficulty and body damage. We ran with this next group for a bit and they were fun to hang out with. They were intrigued by my attire (shorts and flip flops) and amazed that we were out there in my preferred daily driver with very little damage incurred.
Here are some of the things I learned:
Heading up the lower section of the Naches Pass trail:
Trying to remove the roofrack crossbar interfering with the tree on the Lost Lake Trail:
Stuck in the mud obstructed by roots and a tree:
This last photo was the one situation where we had to break out the winch to pull the truck away from a tree as it climbed over the root. Unfortunately that situation lasted longer than it needed to due to some people "helping" us but we probably could have done better with out their help and comments. Once out we took a rest and watched another group navigate through that spot. They made it through without a winch but with some measure of difficulty and body damage. We ran with this next group for a bit and they were fun to hang out with. They were intrigued by my attire (shorts and flip flops) and amazed that we were out there in my preferred daily driver with very little damage incurred.
Here are some of the things I learned:
- The stock running boards are good to have and better than not having anything but should be replaced by a step slider
- It is very difficult to prevent damage to the rear fender flares. Mine were still attached at the end of the trip but are in need of some patch work. I think I will paint them black in the future to make repairs easier.
- There is an app for Android phones called "Glue Trail" which displays your location on any map you can provide it in JPEG format. This is extremely helpful when navigating in unfamiliar areas and/or the dark
- Currently I have 1" coil spacers and stock springs with 285s. Loaded up the rear sags a bit, I think I will use air bags to help with this. I'm trying to avoid lift springs because it seemed that more height might make the trails more difficult and I really enjoy the ride of the stock springs.
It's a lot more fun when there's snow.
