the kid has it nailed for conditions. most of the trails are closed or inaccessible right now due to low snow levels and erosion concerns. that said the area is so big you could still go up there right now and have a blast, there's still plenty to do. Due to the snow though, i highly recommend going with somebody that has a winch, so...when we goin kid? lol, j/k, sorta.
i was up a couple weeks ago with a buddy and we wanted to see how far up into the snow we could get. we went as far as we could and when we went to turn around my buddy go into a rut and anything he did to get out got him closer to the ditch. he's experienced but in those conditions it doesnt take but a blink of the eye to find yourself in a bad spot.
between my rig and his winch we got him out no problem but without either he/we would have been screwed. Moral of the story, DONT go alone, and if at all possible, have a winch, or a friend with one.
So i suspect there may be some intrepidation for some people wondering what they might getting into with browns camp. so here's my take fwiw. my runner is for the most part my daily driver and i have zero interest in beating the crap out of her. that said i love the adventure of pushing her/my limits, going where others cant etc. The beauty of browns camp and TSF OHV area is that there is something for everyone.
Many of the trails have signs at the trail head that have the name of the trail, a number designation, a vehicle designation (single track, quads, 4x4 etc,) and a difficulty rating. this information can be cross referenced with a trail map you can get with your permit or here:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/tillamookstateforest/docs/TSFOHV09.pdf
the closest thing i can compare it to is a ski resort with the trails, the names, etc. so if you know how to read the map and you are aware of your surroundings, there is no reason to get into anything beyond your comfort/skill level. so no double blacks if you dont want them.
it really is like disney land for 4x4. this is why $12 for a 2 year permit is something im happy to pay. in addition to the state forest management a lot of areas and trails are maintained and improved by local 4x4/riding clubs.
if you look at the map you will notice that the majority of trails are off limits to our runners but again, the area is so big you could ride all day and not do the same run twice, so fear not.
Nate, i hear what you're saying on asking for help and depending on others, im the same way so all good. the good thing about this community and out on the trail is ive found that people are happy to, if not seek out the opportunity to help others. when we were up a couple weeks ago we got to winch out a jeep from the ditch. there were like 5 jeeps up there but it took a couple 4runners to complete the rescue. that was pretty gratifiying the whole toyota winching the jeep thing. wish i had some pics.
so as for me im not a pro by any stretch nor is my ride. i dont have sliders yet so no boulder gardens for me. ive only been up there a handful of times so im no guide by any stretch. that out of the way, i live in hillsboro, maybe 30 min +/- from there, and i recently lost my job so my schedule is pretty wide open. Only prob is i have temporarily stored my 4runner at my moms house in salem in exchange for my recently deceased fathers 2007 corrola. with gas prices it was a no brainer to trade out the runner as much as i miss it.
so if anybody wants a passenger to ride with them id be happy to meet up and join you pretty much any time. today tomorrow, saturday whatever. securing my ride will take a little bit of advance planning, gas money etc.
i suspect that trail conditions will be opening up and improving steadily over the next month or so. as for right now there is plenty but i think tires are everything and will make or break you out there right now.
here's a video from a nice run we did last fall to give you a taste of the kind of runs i like:
YouTube - Trail
so, forgive the wordy reply, it happens when youre unemployed. so...when we goin?
