The Humboldt / Lost Coast / surrounding areas thread

[08t4rsr5]

I’ve been really restless the last few weeks and need some mountain air in my lungs. My Suzuki is gone partly because of recalls that had to be fixed in Canada and gas was killing me. I’m driving a ‘16 Versa Note now which is great for commuting but can’t get too far off the pavement obviously. Borrowing my dads ‘13 Wrangler this weekend and going out to Petrolia. I’ll take some pics to share. Hoping to pick up an old Toyota in the next couple months and get back out adventuring. This last year my adventuring was put on hold due to an illness my wife has. We finally had surgery in August and she’s doing better enough where I’m not caretaking daily anymore. Time to hit the trails even if it is a Wrangler...

 

[xwake4lifex]

It's a 3-day (4-day) weekend for me coming up! Is anyone open to checking out some local stuff? I'd like to take my 4R out and do a little more 4-wheeling than just driving on totally flat forest roads (as fun as that is).

And MeefZah your photos of the Sierra trip are killer! I love that area. Haven't been up there since 2008 or something like that.

 

[MeefZah]

It's a 3-day (4-day) weekend for me coming up! Is anyone open to checking out some local stuff? I'd like to take my 4R out and do a little more 4-wheeling than just driving on totally flat forest roads (as fun as that is).

And MeefZah your photos of the Sierra trip are killer! I love that area. Haven't been up there since 2008 or something like that.

I could do something on a Monday of your 3 day weekend if you want to keep it to a day trip. I work Fri-Sun every week though. You talking the Mon after Veteran's Day?

 

[4RunnerIdiot]

It's a 3-day (4-day) weekend for me coming up! Is anyone open to checking out some local stuff? I'd like to take my 4R out and do a little more 4-wheeling than just driving on totally flat forest roads (as fun as that is).

I've been trying to find time to go do something that actually requires 4WD, especially while it's still dry, but haven't really made it out. I was thinking I might this weekend. I still haven't replaced my very, very shot stock suspension, though, so I'm a little wary of anything TOO intense.

 

[xwake4lifex]

I could do something on a Monday of your 3 day weekend if you want to keep it to a day trip. I work Fri-Sun every week though. You talking the Mon after Veteran's Day?

I would be up for something on Monday. Nothin' too crazy. Just wanting to get her a little dirty.

I've been trying to find time to go do something that actually requires 4WD, especially while it's still dry, but haven't really made it out. I was thinking I might this weekend. I still haven't replaced my very, very shot stock suspension, though, so I'm a little wary of anything TOO intense.

I've gotta be careful myself. I'm super new to it and my car has stock pretty much everything, plus it is my DD. I figured it's only a matter of time before the rains come. Better sooner than later!

 

[MeefZah]

The roads are more fun after the rains start! Plus no dust for follow vehicles.

I think one of you is in Eka and one in Arcata... if you want we can do an relatively easy loop out of Arcata on Monday. Get breakfast in Arcata and head out for half a day? There's some stuff I want to explore off of Bair and Hundred Acre Prairie near Hoopa.

 

[xwake4lifex]

The roads are more fun after the rains start! Plus no dust for follow vehicles.

I think one of you is in Eka and one in Arcata... if you want we can do an relatively easy loop out of Arcata on Monday. Get breakfast in Arcata and head out for half a day? There's some stuff I want to explore off of Bair and Hundred Acre Prairie near Hoopa.

I'm in McKinleyville. Breakfast and a half day sounds good to me. I'd like to explore those roads. Been on my to-do list.

 

[MeefZah]

I'm in McKinleyville. Breakfast and a half day sounds good to me. I'd like to explore those roads. Been on my to-do list.

8:30 at McIntosh Country Store (Giuntoli Ln) for breakfast, followed by a spin up the mountain?

I'll bring radios for us. My wife might come ride shotgun so feel free to bring someone with you.

 

[xwake4lifex]

8:30 at McIntosh Country Store (Giuntoli Ln) for breakfast, followed by a spin up the mountain?

I'll bring radios for us. My wife might come ride shotgun so feel free to bring someone with you.

Sounds good to me. I'll shoot you in a text in a bit just to confirm again.

My girlfriend might tag along also. Not sure yet.

 

[4RunnerIdiot]

The roads are more fun after the rains start! Plus no dust for follow vehicles.

I think one of you is in Eka and one in Arcata... if you want we can do an relatively easy loop out of Arcata on Monday. Get breakfast in Arcata and head out for half a day? There's some stuff I want to explore off of Bair and Hundred Acre Prairie near Hoopa.

Yes, I'm in Eureka. 8:30 at the country store sounds good. Pretty sure every good trip out 299 is legally required to start there.

 

[MeefZah]

Cool. I'll see you guys there. I'll bring 3 radios. I'm thinking pavement the back way to Korbel, crossing over to 299 on dirt (5 Mile Cutoff Rd), then Bair Rd, 100 Acre Prarie, messing around on some spurs, maybe French Camp, Dowd Rd, etc. Suggestions welcome. Random last minute shit encouraged!

 

[xwake4lifex]

Cool. I'll see you guys there. I'll bring 3 radios. I'm thinking pavement the back way to Korbel, crossing over to 299 on dirt (5 Mile Cutoff Rd), then Bair Rd, 100 Acre Prarie, messing around on some spurs, maybe French Camp, Dowd Rd, etc. Suggestions welcome. Random last minute shit encouraged!

Sounds good man. I'm open to exploring around. This will all be new to me and give me a good idea for future trips also. Kinda working on putting together a "master list" of drives and roads.

I still only have Avenza Maps for navigation in the back woods.

Eventually I'd like to lift my 4R a couple inches and just get outfitted enough to do some road trips with it.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

 

[MeefZah]

Good 165 mile lap of northern Humboldt dirt roads today with Meredith, Josh, Danielle, and Kai. Great to meet you guys!

 

[4RunnerIdiot]

My pictures from today. At some point I'll post some of the dashcam video.

 

[MeefZah]

Nice pics, Kai!

 

[xwake4lifex]

My girlfriend Danielle and I had a great time meeting Mark, Meredith, and Kai this past weekend! Thanks all for being friendly and encouraging the exploration. Planned up a nice route exploring all over the Redwood Valley area in Humboldt County. Didn't seen any bears unfortunately though.

This was a good experience to learn a little about what vehicle is capable of. Next time I'll have to find a beginner, true 4x4 trail. I'd like to learn about the situations to work 4Hi and 4Lo, in addition to when to drop the transmission into 3rd, 2nd, or L gear to supplement the abilities, approach angles, proper recovery techniques, etc. All the fun stuff!

My photos and videos from the trip.

 

[4RunnerIdiot]

My girlfriend Danielle and I had a great time meeting Mark, Meredith, and Kai this past weekend! Thanks all for being friendly and encouraging the exploration. Planned up a nice route exploring all over the Redwood Valley area in Humboldt County. Didn't seen any bears unfortunately though.

This was a good experience to learn a little about what vehicle is capable of. Next time I'll have to find a beginner, true 4x4 trail. I'd like to learn about the situations to work 4Hi and 4Lo, in addition to when to drop the transmission into 3rd, 2nd, or L gear to supplement the abilities, approach angles, proper recovery techniques, etc. All the fun stuff!

My photos and videos from the trip.

Its a lot easier to "need" 4WD around here after it rains a bit. Wet leaves, mud, etc. If it had been a little wet, that Lacks Creek road probably would have needed 4Hi in a few places.

I was down into 3rd in a few places, but that was just for engine braking in some of the longer downhill sections on the gravel/dirt roads because I felt like I was riding my brakes too much and didn't want them to get too hot.

Great photos, too. The two trees over the road were pretty great.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Its a lot easier to "need" 4WD around here after it rains a bit. Wet leaves, mud, etc. If it had been a little wet, that Lacks Creek road probably would have needed 4Hi in a few places.

I was down into 3rd in a few places, but that was just for engine braking in some of the longer downhill sections on the gravel/dirt roads because I felt like I was riding my brakes too much and didn't want them to get too hot.

Great photos, too. The two trees over the road were pretty great.

Yeah I guess we'll just have to venture out after we get some rains.

I was in 3rd and in 2nd in a lot of the downhill sections because I was having to use my brakes a lot. Still probably managed to get a little warm.

Your photos came out well too! Curious to see how your dash cam footage turned out with the glare being present.

 

[MeefZah]

Excellent pics!

Yes, once it gets wet those roads get goopy! Even (quasi) maintained county roads like Showers Pass need 4WD in a few spots in the wet.

I used 4hi once, after we turned around on Midslope Rd, going uphill it was a little loose a few times. I basically had it engaged from a bit after we turned around to just after we crossed over the last downed tree. I generally use the transmission in manual mode and keep it in the lower 3 gears except for longer high speed stretches where I am in 4th, sometimes 5th.

The only legit 4WD trail I know around here, that genuinely requires 4Lo, is Devils' Backbone off of Mad River Rock Lookout. We can go do that one anytime you guys want! Josh, you might get to learn a lot about recovery etc on that one, LOL!

 

[4RunnerIdiot]

It'd be hard for me to know if I needed 4Hi or not, since the V8 is always in 4Hi.

Here are a few videos:

The worst sounds of the drive. The first one is plants on the side, and the second is bottoming out on the last crossing.

Meeting JJ Abrams, also known as "the dude with his huge light bar on in the middle of the day". Doesn't show up that well on the dashcam though.

Timelapse of the Bald Hills Road section. This is at 4x speed which works pretty well in open areas like this. In the more forested areas with trees right by the road, you can't really see anything when you speed up the video too much. At about 0:21 the traction control got mad at me and beeped.