5th gen 4Runners in scenic locations

Very scenic drive along the salt river canyon with some local 4R fellows.

 

Nice trail, fun water crossings and good company…looks like a great time was had by all!

 

Coquihalla summit @ 4000ft on the way home from getting my daughter to the Taylor Swift concert in Vancouver. 4 hours each way over two mountain passes. The things you do for your kids.

 

Oh wow that is awesome! Is this canyon on the 60East by chance that you hit after Miami and Globe?

 

Yes more or less. Keep heading east past Globe (on the way to show low) u til you get to the salt river (where cibecue fall starts). The trail starts there and goes all the way to Roosevelt lake. You need to get a permit though as the first 10 miles or so, the trail is on the white mountain apache reservation.

 

Just outside of Alpine, WY. The snow has not really hit yet but it should be coming soon!

 

Down by the river.

 

On the edge of the Jefferson National Forest today.


It's a lot prettier before the leaves fall....

Fun note: I got the 4Runner 20 times more dirty/muddy traversing a friend's half-mile driveway than running 6 miles of unpaved road to get to that photo spot.

I played with the crawl control a little on the way back down the mountain. Holy smokes, does it make a lot of growing noises!

 

Yesterday in SW Idaho

 

Anza Borrego

 

[ATTAC

 

Joshua Tree a couple months ago!

 

This close to the Hagerman Valley? or somewhere between Twin and Mt Home! Those are my old stomping grounds! Best sunsets on the planet!

 

Photon was looking a bit sad this morning so I took her out on a little trail run…



I swear there's only one row of grill lights...

 

Looking for one just like that!

 

Arkansas last March.

 

bad ass dude

 

Stony Pass, CO

 

Frosty the 4Runner in the snow.

 

Ocala National Park

Sony A7II

 

I shall spend time enjoying all the posts.
I will share my sleeping ventilation solution.
Basically a luan plywood (about 1/8 thick)
Carefully fitted to rear windows. A hole in center with glued plastic screen. A couple metal clips at bottom, a rain shingle (a piece of flexible wall baseboard) at bottom.
In freezing weather I use one side, in warmer I use both sides. My DIY awnings can be over both sides to keep wind rain and snow flurries from directly hitting screen. Quick and simple to set up when making camp.

 

Where at in Arkansas?

 

Big Bend NP, River Road West

 

Ozark Nat'l Forest. We did 27-ish water crossings over 4 days.

 

I'm doing two weeks to that area with probably 3 days dedicated to Big Bend State and NPs. Camping. Last week of April, first week of May.

Advice on stuff I have to see / do in or near the park and renegade camping or free dispersed camping spots you would recommend?

Based on that pic probably gonna add River Road West to the list...

 

I unfortunately got nothing for camping in the area this time (haven’t gone since before the 4Runner came along) but I do know dispersed camping isn’t allowed in BBNP, there’s a lot of remote, dispersed-style sites but you’ll have to reserve ahead of time.

It was our first time visiting, albeit on a fairly tight and very basic timetable and what I’d say was nice was that scenic drive on the park’s west side (you’ll likely be driving on this anyway) plus POI’s along the way like the vista of the Mule Ears. Santa Elena Canyon and the short hike that comes with it.

(Old) Maverick Rd was fairly unremarkable washboard to me but it’s another way to the canyon if you prefer it.

River Road East and West were also a lot of dirt/gravel/washboard/dips (West had some more rocky, sandy sections but nothing challenging, a Subaru and non-idiot driver could probably pull it off) and a lot of views but it’ll be a few hour drive to do both back-to-back so it’ll be a commitment. Saw three horses but that was it for fauna.

I did not attempt Black Gap(?) Rd or Old Ore(?) but if I come back, I’d try to hit those but it might be tough being bone stock.

I forget which one had it on the way but Mariscal Mine was a neat historical attraction and probably what I’d call the highlight of River Rd. I’d plan to stop there and there’s a nice view at the top with an optional hike.

In Terlingua I liked Espresso y Mas for food (tamales, waffle, pancakes, ok burritos), the Chili Pepper Cafe’s chilaquiles disappointed me immensely but the breakfast burrito was better.

For next time, I’d want to see more of the trails/“primitive roads”, find a hike closer to the Chisos Basin/Mountains, and I hear BB State Park has nice MTB trails too.

Edit: oh, and an activity on the river would be nice too.

 

Great info, thanks.