Well, my dear wife was happy to get rid of me for 5 days, so packed some food, tools and gear to sleep out of the back of our 80. Makes it quick and easy to make/break camp. With the early nights (and pretty cool at 5000-6000'), it was nice inside with sleeping bag and some extra layers on top. Air mattress for the old bones. Once tucked in after enjoying a campfire each night, I could plan the next day's exploring on my digital maps and then could do some light reading prior to turning the brain off for the night
Just got back today in the late afternoon.
A few trip pics, fires had gone through some of the area - totally changes the landscape when you can see 'into' the forest.
This is the Trinity forest area south of hwy 36 in norcal. Saw 2 vehicles during the days exploring. One fellow with his dad exploring and another looking for his cows near one of the main roads into the area.
1st night at a spot called Red Mountain, about 6000' and actual LTE contact if you stood in the right spot. Even youtube
Nuts!
Exploring, lots of foresty roads to check out. From main, to less used (and required a bit of dead tree moving).
Must have the campfire going before dark. Nice to find spots where folk had already stacked all the necessary rocks. Even a rake at this spot to clear the 10' diameter ground cover.
Less used roads without recent tyre marks.
Hell to Find lake - quite sad with the forest burnt away - water is full of ash debris and what use to be a pretty mountain lake with deer coming down to wash and eat some of the plants is now just a pit. Well, a chance for regrowth to occur.
Bloody tree across the road - seriously, what are my taxes being used for?
M12k winch did the job of 'rotating' it out of the way.
I'm always impressed how easily the 80 suspension (well, upgraded springs & shocks of course) soaks things up and keeps tyres planted on the ground. Rarely needed 4L and only in one spot the CDL needed to be engaged as well.
Exploring an area that was labeled Scorpion Mine. No scorpions to be seen and the mine looked more like a bunch of gravel diggings. But the track in was sufficiently unused and deteriorated further on - a 4L and CDL situation to get through some deep rocky ruts in damp soil.
Spot called Natural Bridges. Quite an interesting place to walk through - with some very sad history (massacre of a native tribe).
Last day and figured the 80 could pretend to be a plane - an old abandoned airstrip).
Nice area to have a subtank for that extra fuel margin. Allows more carefree exploring.
cheers,
george.
