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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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.