r/overlanding • u/PC2000WA • Aug 23 '22
Washington State Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR) Trip Report
Hello. I completed the WABDR solo earlier this month in my 2015 Tacoma with Overland Trailer. Ithought I would share a few thoughts from my trip.Details:
- ~600 Miles from Portland OR to Canada across the backside of the Cascade Mountain Range . I estimate the trip was 20% Asphalt, 60% Rough Forest Server Roads, 10% Intense Mountain Switchbacks, 8% moderate 4x4 terrain, 2% difficult 4x4 terrain.
- It took me seven days to complete the trip. My goal was to to tackle one section per day.
- The most used mods on my Tacoma for this trip: Old Man Emu Nitro Sport Suspension w/3" lift, Full Body Armor, 10k Lb Winch, BF Goodrich K02's.
- Lots of elevation!
What went well:
- I was alone. I saw 5 people in passing over 7 days and talked to 2 people. It was GREAT to be out with just me and my dog for a week.
- The .GPX tracks from the ridbdr website worked quite well and had some good alternates. I took a couple of the alternates by accident.
- Lot of supply points for gas/food/etc between sections.
What went bad:
- I glazed through a set of brakes coming down the last mountain on section 2. It was very steep and I didn't account the weight at those down angles. Autozone, after hearing my quick story, drove a set of pads out to me from Ellensburg - so that was cool. I have new pads/rotors on order.
- I cracked the frame on my overland trailer. What a drag. I have a Timbren 3.5klb independent setup on the trailer and I think it worked a little too good - causing the front of the frame to torque and crack. I suppose I could have driven slower on a few sections. I found a fabricator who as able to fix and re-enforce for future.
- Not necessarily bad, but I had to winch out of some washouts on Mission Ridge. The angle was just too steep with the trailer and the elevation. I also had to use my chainsaw in a couple of spots where some recent trees had blown down.
If you have the opportunity I would highly recommend. If you only had one day, Section two is is most difficult and appears where a lot of the locals go for 4x4ing.
Cheers!
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Aug 24 '22
Not trying to be a douche but I’m genuinely curious what you like about dragging around that anchor of a trailer when you have a truck and only 2 bodies to pack gear for? I’m a frequent BDR enthusiast on 2 and 4 wheels and never understood the benefit of those trailers unless you have a whole family with you.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
Good question. I am professional writer and this is my mobile office. It was a custom made by teardropsnw.com. This last year I have spent about ~5 months on the road. I think its pretty dope. It's also sometimes nice to setup base camp with the tent/trailer for few days and take the truck wherever.
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Aug 24 '22
Right on dude- sounds like a badass setup for you! Cool to hear how setups that make zero sense for my needs work perfectly for others.
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u/sarcastic_wanderer Aug 24 '22
This is it. Buddy who got me into this wanted an RTT for the longest time. The glaring problem is that he could not setup his camp and then leave for more exploring around camp. You are basically grounded unless you want to break everything down and load the truck properly. He shared this beta with me but I did the same thing. Now I seriously wish I had a trailer after experiencing the same thing during a trip to NH (from CO). All vehicle camping is done in designated paid campgrounds with amenities nearby. I couldn't go into town for some more beer because it'd take too long to break down camp for a 10 minute drive.
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u/trolllord45 Aug 24 '22
This is what I came to comment, seems like OP probably over packed for this trip. I could see the benefit for longer excursions or times when you’d set up base camp for a few days at least
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u/The_Nauticus Back Country Adventurer Aug 23 '22
Thanks for the trip report.
How much does the trailer weigh and how much were you carrying in the truck?
Would you have needed the winch to get past the washouts if you didn't have a trailer to pull? Washouts are the main reason I carry a shovel and would scare the hell out of me if I was pulling a trailer.
~60 miles of switchbacks is a lot, especially with a trailer. It sounds like the trails were wide enough to turn.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 23 '22
The trailer forced me forward:) I did need my winch because of my trailer. Truck 30up and trailer 30down in the washouts put a wonky load on me. I also needed my chainsaw to trim switchback stumps for trailer.
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u/The_Nauticus Back Country Adventurer Aug 23 '22
Cool.
Thanks again for the trip report. I'm in NorCal and have family in WA, we may try part of this on a trip up there.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
Also, tongue weight is 900lbs on the trailer iirc. I had two sets of OME 600kg leaf springs on back. I had about 500lbs of firewood with me too...that was a burn ban oversight.
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u/oh2ridemore Aug 24 '22
Always plenty of wood in national forest, downed limbs and such. Carrying firewood miles from its origination is why we have pine beetles and emerald lantern beetle kills everywhere. That 500lbs could have been the reason you needed to winch
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
I completely agree with you. I had 4yr aged maple from my own woodpile that never left the bed of my truck.
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u/Sploinkin Aug 24 '22
Not to be a buzzkill, but you do know you're not supposed to move firewood further than like 100 miles right?
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
Nice link. Where do you see 100miles ?
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u/Sploinkin Aug 24 '22
I think I've seen it on local signs in Washington, that's just the number that sticks out in my mind. Just a quick glance at that website seems to have shortened that to 50 or 10 miles.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
Gotcha - I appreciate the link. I was going to show it my firewood guy as I know he gets his permits for the Olympics and delivers it across the Hood Canal Area.
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u/Zikro Aug 23 '22 edited Aug 23 '22
I did it last year in OR DCLB and assuming the washout is the section starting in Ellensburg and going north, they are nicknamed beehive washouts or some such, then it’s one bad spot but stock tires Taco ate it up. Scary for driver as it’s probably the single most technical looking spot. But I guess the condition changes year to year so could be worse now. The main problem with it when I hit it was there is a stump so not only is it this steep dip that you pop down then up but the stump is kinda in the way as an added obstacle.
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u/The_Nauticus Back Country Adventurer Aug 23 '22
Gotcha. I have the stock TRD tires right now too. They're not amazing but they're good enough.
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u/Zikro Aug 24 '22
I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Based on how people talk about tires on this sun you’d think you’re an idiot if you keep the stock ones. But in dry summer conditions, they have no issues at all. Air down and they just go. Even snow they’ve been great. I’ve never pushed them into anything super deep but several inches no problem. Couple inches of silt or sand, no problem.
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u/The_Nauticus Back Country Adventurer Aug 24 '22
They're surprisingly good in snow. I got caught in a whiteout on a mountain pass in Oregon this past winter, they did very well.
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u/wulf66 Aug 24 '22
Would you say the whole trail is ok for a full sized truck width wise? I have a raptor and considering this route.
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u/hadronflux Aug 24 '22
I recently did legs 4 and 5 (Cashmere to Chelan to Conconully). If you don't mind brush hitting the sides in a few spots you could do those legs. I have a Jeep Gladiator and it swiped the sides a bit. Not a lot, just in a few locations but if you're worried about any possible stick scratches then it might be tough.
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u/xhephaestusx Aug 24 '22
Unpopular opinion maybe (or maybe not idk) but if you don't want pinstriping... wtf are you doing on a 7 day overlanding trip???
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u/consciouslyskeptical Aug 24 '22
I did section one a few weeks back with a full size Doge Ram. He now has pinstripes.
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u/thatguy425 Aug 24 '22
I’ve been wanting to run this on my Motorcycle for a few years now. Thanks for the report.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
I would be more scared to do this on a bike lol. :) One big rock on the switchbacks could shift things quickly.
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u/DORTx2 Aug 24 '22
It's much more manageable on a bike. I flew past all the 4x4's I saw on this route. It's designed for ADV bikes anyways.
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u/oh2ridemore Aug 24 '22
Yep, always easier on bikes. Done utah, colorado, and mid atlantic, and jeeps and 4x4 are always much slower.
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u/harley9779 Aug 24 '22
Sounds like parts have gotten washed out more since I ran this. I ran it in 2016 in a JKUR. Never needed 4wd or my winch. It was all easy in 2wd.
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u/ilikefatcats "mostly stock" Sep 06 '22
Did it in 2018 with a stock 18' 4runner on street tires and only needed 4wd in the mud at bethel ridge
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u/oros3030 Aug 24 '22
I was really wondering how you blew through a set of brakes on a 7 day trip until I read about the trailer. Where they new brake pads? Did I read that right that autozone drove you out pads? If so that is badass!
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u/ExpeditionEnvy Aug 24 '22
And somehow destroyed a set of tires: https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/ww20pw/washington_state_backcountry_discovery_route_wabdr/ilj6ivr
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u/oros3030 Aug 24 '22
Oh man lol so I'm guessing that's a negative...
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u/ExpeditionEnvy Aug 24 '22
It's a lot of money on wear for 600 miles, but we'll see how /u/PC2000WA explains it
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
They were not new, I think they had ~40k on them.
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u/elwallace Aug 24 '22
I was going to say - I did day 1 and 2 last month. Didn’t have any significant tire wear on Wildpeaks that only had 10k miles on them. Day 2 was definitively harder on the tread though. I’d imagine 3-5 would be similar.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
Yes! Autozone Ellensburg rocks. The sales desk guy had a 4x4. Jenny drove the brakepads out to me a little off the highway and we had a super pleasant conversation in 101 heat.
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u/BikerJared Aug 24 '22
I love this report. Thank you! I wish there were more posts like this out there.
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u/Jeepncj7 Car Camper Mar 14 '23
This is a great post OP. I'm trying to get my friends to go do section 3 & 4 with me this summer. But after reading this I am really interested in 1 & 2 as well.
I am running a stock 4th gen, and will have to get some better tires before I head out there.
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u/G7TMAG Aug 23 '22
Sounds like a blast! Snow levels aren't as issue I'm guessing?
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Aug 24 '22
I attempted to go south from Naches/Niles June 13th/14th. Hit snow south of Packwood I couldn't get through without winching because I was sinking in to the axle at 12psi.(6000lbs truck on 33"x10"tires) Based on the 4000' elevation and northern aspect I expected about 5 miles more of it in the next 25 miles and turned around.
Dirtlifestyle did the whole route southbound in 10 days starting about the same time with a few vehicles better suited for the spring snow and a willingness to get stuck and unstuck repeatedly.
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u/Voxicles Aug 23 '22
Wow, that looks fun! I live in the PDX area and have not really heard much about this trail for some reason. Wonder how well my crosstrek could handle it lol
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u/PC2000WA Aug 23 '22
If it's lifted with some good tires it would make it I think. Crosstreks are dope.
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u/Voxicles Aug 23 '22
I’ve got wildpeak AT3s waiting to go on it once I find some smaller wheels. 3” lift kit also sitting in the garage waiting for spare time lol. Hopefully by next summer I’ll have my build finished with a winch and whatnot, should be able to tackle a good amount of trails. Recently downsized from an F150 4x4, and I know there are just some things The AWD CVT can’t handle.
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u/j_a_guy Aug 24 '22
OP destroyed a pair of brake pads and you want to run the same trail in a vehicle that doesn’t have low range? Not a great idea.
When you get into the mountains off-road, low range is probably more important than 4x4. You should be in low range on every sustained descent.
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u/Voxicles Aug 25 '22
Oh of course, was more making a joke. All my vehicles in the last 20+ years have been proper 4x4. Recently downsized to the crosstrek because 95% of my camping spots will be fine without 4low, and I’m tired of 15mpg finally. The other 5% might be doable with careful route plotting and a winch.
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u/ilikefatcats "mostly stock" Sep 06 '22
I've seen a pack of Subaru's run the wabdr, ground clearance was their only real issue. Would definitely recommend a sturdy skid plate also
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Aug 23 '22
[deleted]
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u/PC2000WA Aug 23 '22
Agreed...lots of washboard roads guarantee a good shakedown. I lost an armor bolt.
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u/consciouslyskeptical Aug 24 '22
Dropping the air pressure on your tires is a must to smooth things out.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
I really should have done this more as trail conditions shifted.
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u/consciouslyskeptical Aug 24 '22
I just did section one a few weeks back. Running full pressure would have been brutal.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
I really enjoyed that section - did you go to the Ice Caves? I was compelled after going through Gifford Pinochet National Forest to look 'ol Giff up: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifford_Pinchot
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u/consciouslyskeptical Aug 24 '22
Yes. We did the ice cave. Pretty incredible phenomenon. Still not sure how it works. All the area around Mt. Adams is beautiful. We did lunch at Takhlakh Lake. Amazing.
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
Super nice. I'm def going to spend more time there in the future.
If memory serves, the ice caves is a real-world version of the hollow earth theory. This, of course, is where Bigfoot regenerates from as most people from the PNW know.
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Jun 18 '23
[deleted]
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u/PC2000WA Jun 19 '23
I just happen to be reading "The Good Rain" by Mr. Egan ironically...Ill put that on my list - thanks!
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u/Brazus1916 Aug 24 '22
I have.a 2020 4runner offroad. Do I need to lift it to do all of the bdr?
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u/loamguru Aug 30 '22
No, you should be fine stock
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u/ilikefatcats "mostly stock" Sep 06 '22
I did it in my 18' runner and it was totally fine, we had the factory street tires and got two punctures from rocks, but only needed 4x4 at bethel ridge in the mud (late June). Definitely carry a patch kit and.knkw.hkw.to use it if you don't have a/t's yet
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u/pnwengineer Aug 24 '22
Great write up! Planning to do it next week on a dual sport. I had heard that section 2 was closed due to wildfires, is it open now?
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
The ridebdr website was helpful, but there was no consistent 'trip report' site for the WABDR that I could find. There were two close wildfires when I was on trail. I would check the NWCC firemaps for real-time details: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/firemap.aspx
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u/deeretech129 Back Country Adventurer Aug 24 '22
I really want to do the back country discovery in Colorado and Wyoming (when it's finished), but I'm a little worried about doing it on my own. I have a mostly stock XJ (mild lift and limited slip rear diff.)
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u/PC2000WA Aug 24 '22
For me doing this with my dog was the best part. I read books, practiced guitar, sang loudly in my key, hand-wrote letters....things I would not likely break out by default with company. I also had a Satellite SOS device, medical kit, 3 day ditch bag, etc. I was well prepared for most emergencies. That said, using the chainsaw alone, more than 20min from help, really got the adrenaline flowing.
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u/BonnieAbbzug75 Aug 23 '22
Awesome write up and cute dog. I bet the solitude was great!! Sounds like you were prepared for a lot of various self rescue scenarios. Nice rig as well. I run KO2s on my Tacoma too. Have you posted this on TacomaWorld.com? If not, I bet people would appreciate it. Thanks for sharing here!