Today I joined my offroading friends for a day of wheeling in our “back yard” trails. It was a big day for me and my rig, as it marked the first time I was meeting up driving a Toyota. This group of friends had grown and bonded over our common JKs – build parties installing coil overs, and offroad/camping trips in Moab, the Rubicon, and elsewhere.
So it was a moment of truth for me – was selling my JK and buying a 25 year old Land Cruiser a good choice?
After the initial ribbing and airing down was over, we hit Archer’s Firebreak. This was an awesome trail choice – Archer’s was my favorite trail in the JK, and one I led every year for the Jeep Jamboree. So I had a lot of history with it and knew it well. However, I had never wheeled it in anything other than the JK. Now I was in a Toyota. And an automatic.
Me following a comp-cut JK on one tons and 40s. Seemed like a good idea.
The biggest difference for me this time, was that I would bypass the burly stuff. I was without rock rails, skids, and confidence in the new rig.
I always laugh at the often obscure names given to trails in our area. Some, I am sure have a backstory (Stick in the Nose is an actual trail name) while others I think are a lame attempt at sounding intimidating. But Crushers has always had that scary spot in my mind.
Not just due to the name, but due to the massive boulder field that is the trail. It is probably the ultimate rock crawling trail in this area.
The trail begins with a common filter that has a pretty easy line even though it looks menacing.
I pulled into my driveway at 12:30AM this morning. The Jeep is covered in beach sand, trail dust, and mud. Camera parts, snack bags, and camping gear still litters the Jeep. This is all the result of one thing: an amazing 1st Annual Jeep Jamboree for Tillamook, Oregon.
The first day, I setup my makeshift camp in the open field at Tillamook Fairgrounds. It was awesome to see all the Jeeps filing in as the day progressed. Jeeps of all ages and makes made the journey – Cherokees, Grands, and Wranglers from early CJs through the latest JKs.
Of all the trails sprawled throughout Tillamook State Forest, Cedar Tree is one of my favorites. No, it is not as technical or advanced as Firebreak Five, or as perilous as Airplane Hill or Can Opener. But for a scenic trail that winds through beautiful forest with just enough challenge to keep you guessing, it is the best.
Quick fill up and snacks at Chevron.
As with most Jeeping trips, our day began relatively early, meeting up with our buddy Rob at the North Plains Chevron station. I swear these small businesses survive on the dollars brought in from all these pre-TSF offroad trips. Continue reading Trail Report: Cedar Tree [Oregon]→
I always get excited the night before a big Jeep day. I meticulously pack all my recovery gear, load up the ARB with my vegan goodies, check under the Jeep, check the fluids, and try my best to get some sleep.
As I lay there in bed, I think about what the next day will hold – will I break anything? Will anyone do something awesome (i.e. will they break anything?) Will we all have an awesome time?
The answer to the latter is always a resounding yes. And this day was no different.
My morning began by speaking into this lovely box. On the other end? A Soy latte!
I departed Rhododendron early, in time for a mandatory coffee stop and to pick up some veganaise at Fred’s. Once on the road, I made my way to our typical meeting place in North Plains. I arrived about 30 minutes early.
We pulled into Brown’s Camp to air down and plan our route. I was always interested in Little Rubicon (I mean, I did ‘Big Rubicon’ how hard can this one be?) so we headed off in that direction.
The early morning sun had not yet warmed the rocks of the Little Rubicon. Click to enlarge.
We all decided to walk the hardest part of the trail, choose our lines, and determine who would be the crazy one to go first. As Robert had the best rig for the job, we decided that he would be the guinea pig.
Jeff, claiming the best spotter’s spot. Click to enlarge.
After climbing the initial trail segment, Robert soon hit some of the famous TSF mud. Even his well-equipped JK with Tera Grapplers could not tame the mud, and we all decided it was in his (and his Jeeps’) best interest if we save this trail for another day.
Robert navigating the Little Rubicon. Click to enlarge.
After a regroup, we decided it was time to hit the famous Firebreak 5, similar in it’s intimidation to the Vonnegut namesake, yet lacking the intellectual depth. Nevertheless, we were off to sling some mud, do some good ol’ American cursing, and eat some Beyond Meat.
The lower sections of Firebreak Five. Click to enlarge.
The initial segments of FB5 were fun yet uneventful. At this point, the early morning clouds were burning off and the sun was filtering through TSF’s majestic pines. Of all the things I love about Jeeping in this forest, the smells are my favorite (and no, not just the burning rubber). Sadly, I was amazed at the timber harvest along this famous trail – it was unrecognizable.
GoPro Still: The rocky sections of FB5.
We stopped for a quick lunch break, and I busted out the Beyond Meat, giving everyone a try. My trailing buddies also got free Beyond Meat coupons and recipes to make their own goodies at home.
Vegan goodies on the trail!
After lunch we continued up the hill.
The one spot that we all struggled with (even Robert spun his tires once, I think) was a short muddy section with just enough of a mud/rock ratio that we needed to winch. Robert was the only one in our group to make it on his own.
Jesse hung up on the muddy rocks. Click to enlarge.Even Jeff with his 37 M/Ts struggled in the slop. Click to enlarge.
We all (except Robert) got stuck and needed to be strapped and winched. And, before my friends blame me for not putting photos of my own recovery, well I was driving…
GoPro Still: Jeff getting tugged by Robert.
Once past this section there were a couple of small hang ups but for the most part we made our way along.
The final section saw us punching through the snowline for a nice change in scenery. The white forest was a stark contrast to the brown, mucky slop we had been fighting with.
Jeff navigating the tight trees on upper FB5. Click to enlarge.
The forest changed her challenge for us in this upper section, from mud to tight, narrow trees. These trees threatened to take off mirrors, fenders, and door handles, and could really make a mess of a nice JK hard top.
We all made it through this gauntlet without issue and soon popped out into a beautiful sunny opening that signaled the end of our day in TSF.
The required group photo at the top of Firebreak Five. Click to enlarge.
My day ended where most days should end – in front of a Buffalo Bomber wrap (with mac, of course) at Veggie Grill!
Frank, parked at Veggie Grill.
I struggled mostly in the mud on this trip, so most of my recommendations would focus on ways to get me the traction I needed in the slop.
![Trail Review: Crushers [OREGON]](https://offroadvegan.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/img_2631.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![Trail Report: Cedar Tree [Oregon]](https://offroadvegan.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/2014-03-29-13-18-53.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![Trail Day: Tillamook State Forest [Oregon]](https://offroadvegan.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/dscf3324.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
Off-road Vegan 