I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Colorado, Ouray to be precise, for some offroading and some camping. This will likely be in the summer of 2021, I don't think I'll be able to make it this year and beat the weather. The colorado trip will be approximately 2-3 weeks including drive time from Florida and back. While in Ouray, I plan to hit Black Bear if I can meet up with other people, I'm not comfortable making that trek by myself. I'll certainly travel Ophir and other less technical trails. The objective is to get some wheeling in, but also camp in the middle of nowhere, ideally near water if possible.

I intend to take a trip to the Carolinas/Tennessee sometime this year as a dry run to see what works, what doesn't, what I need, what I may not. I realize the landscape and terrain are very different, but from a camp perspective I should be able to flush out some problems. This prep trip will be about a week with drive time from Florida and back.

Vehicle is a 2017 4Runner TRD Off Road with BFG AT/KO2, stock height, full length roof rack.

Camp equipment I'm planning to bring:
Tent and sleeping equipment
Canopy of some sort
Lantern(s)
Camp Stove
First Aid Kit
Axe/Hatchet/Saw
Shovel
Camp Chair
Camp Table
Pistol and long gun

Vehicle Equipment I'm planning to bring or already have:
Recovery straps
Traction boards
Sliders
Additional LED lighting (this is a maybe)
5 Gallon Jerry Can
Flat tire repair/fix a flat/full size spare with BFG AT/KO
Air Compressor
iPad for NAV
Storage case for roof rack
Some system to keep all of my shit from banging around constantly.
Portable jump pack.

Anyone been on extended offroad/overlanding trips that can offer some advice? I've done a lot of offroading here in FL but never added the camp aspect, certainly not at Colorado elevation.

Thank you in advance for the the insight.

ETA: Portable jump pack.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeGLI,

You will be in an absolutely FANTASTIC part of the state for off-roading! Don't be put off by Black Bear, I've done it twice. Once in a Tacoma and once in a Jeep. I've seen it done in a Suburban. You should be fine in your 4Runner. Although the day before I did it in my Jeep, there was an "incident"....



So there's Ophir, which as I remember isn't overly technical. Also Imogene, Engineer and Cinnamon. Those are the more technical ones.

Owl Creek Pass is nearby, and there's a lot of flat camping spots in that area.

Check this out for additions to your library, I have a few of those - www.amazon.com/s?k=colorado+of...guide&ref=nb_sb_noss

That should get you started....

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:
Although the day before I did it in my Jeep, there was an "incident"....

Is there something that isn't obvious from the picture, or did the person really just drive right off a nice flat road and roll down the hill?

Under where my Jeep is now, there's a water seep. It's also a little off-camber, although the photo doesn't do it justice. They MAY have hit it early in the day when it was cold/ possibly frozen, or they may have hit it a bit fast, or they may have slipped on it a little (I did) and panicked. But I'm only guessing.

Intrepid-Thanks for the recommendation and info, I'll check it out.

I'm no off roader but I'd suggest a few camping trips, most anywhere, to see how your gear works out.

I'd also suggest the Moab area too. it's stunning.

I thought about suggesting SE Utah, but he's already got a long enough trip on his plate. And I do love southern Utah.

Not seeing a cooler or camp fridge on your list.

Are you planning a dual battery setup?

If you feel like coming up a bit more north I could try to hit some trails with you.

http://annessky.net/kat/

A woman would be a nice addition

I just got back from Ouray. We took Engineer Pass from Ouray to Lake City. We had a blast! Plenty of camping along the way (Nellie Creek). Enjoy...

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Camp equipment I'm planning to bring:
...
Axe/Hatchet/Saw
...
Anyone been on extended offroad/overlanding trips that can offer some advice? I've done a lot of offroading here in FL but never added the camp aspect, certainly not at Colorado elevation.

If by "axe/hatchet/saw," you mean one of the three, definitely take the axe. Just last week I was up a trail in the Uintas and had a tree fall behind me that would have been impossible to cut with a bow saw or triangle saw.

I don't know those exact trails, but you can go 40+ miles in a lot of the remote areas in Colorado and Utah with no cell coverage, and days without seeing another car if you happen to break down/get stuck. I recently invested in a satellite messenger (I do a lot of hiking/climbing in those areas), and although I hope to never need it, it could be be the difference between life and death in some situations. I think there are some companies that rent out sat phones/messengers if you don't want to have to drop the money on one.

We just started getting our 2015 GX460 slowly ready for trips like these. We are a big fan of the family from YouTube's "Lifestyle Overland". They have alot of videos on their trips in their 4Runner and GX460, and several videos on equipment they use. I would highly suggest watching some of those. Good luck and be safe.

quote:

Originally posted by WingedMedic:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Camp equipment I'm planning to bring:
...
Axe/Hatchet/Saw
...
Anyone been on extended offroad/overlanding trips that can offer some advice? I've done a lot of offroading here in FL but never added the camp aspect, certainly not at Colorado elevation.

If by "axe/hatchet/saw," you mean one of the three, definitely take the axe. Just last week I was up a trail in the Uintas and had a tree fall behind me that would have been impossible to cut with a bow saw or triangle saw.

Electric chainsaw is the way to go.

I can spend a week at a time without cell service and would also recommend a sat phone. I have a personal locator beacon but still rent a sat phone for my off-road trips.

Some things to check as far as navigation, does your iPad have GPS capability? I had an iPad Pro that didn't have GPS and relied only on cell towers for navigation. Does your navigation app have the ability to download maps? If not, it's relying on cell service to download maps of your location. I download maps over WiFi and double check my routes before I even leave the house.

quote:

Originally posted by Alpine79830:
I can spend a week at a time without cell service and would also recommend a sat phone. I have a personal locator beacon but still rent a sat phone for my off-road trips.

Some things to check as far as navigation, does your iPad have GPS capability? I had an iPad Pro that didn't have GPS and relied only on cell towers for navigation. Does your navigation app have the ability to download maps? If not, it's relying on cell service to download maps of your location. I download maps over WiFi and double check my routes before I even leave the house.

Here is something for you to consider for your iPad.
https://bad-elf.com/collection...products/be-gps-1008

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by Alpine79830:
I can spend a week at a time without cell service and would also recommend a sat phone. I have a personal locator beacon but still rent a sat phone for my off-road trips.

Some things to check as far as navigation, does your iPad have GPS capability? I had an iPad Pro that didn't have GPS and relied only on cell towers for navigation. Does your navigation app have the ability to download maps? If not, it's relying on cell service to download maps of your location. I download maps over WiFi and double check my routes before I even leave the house.

Here is something for you to consider for your iPad.
https://bad-elf.com/collection...products/be-gps-1008

I've since upgraded the iPad but used both the Bad Elf and Dual XGPS before I upgraded, both work fine.

A crapper, baby wipes, garbage bags.

Since you are not running a winch a good come along will do 80% of a winch...albeit much slower. This is the one I have.
https://www.wyeth-scott.com

Extra batteries and lights

Cb and or ham radio, frs radios are handy

A good tarp with 550 cord lines already secured.

Complete tool kit, I would add a 2lb sledge and

A heavy duty air compressor, I have this one and it can do multiple 33" tires.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004...tag=tool-deals-us-20

A heavy duty bottle jack with extensions, I carry a 4 ton bottle jack that locks and an extension kit from these guys.

https://safejacks.com/collecti...tle-jack-accessories

Also a solid jack base, the above company sells the or a a 12x12" 1" board works.

Muck boots...hip waders are better.

Probably forgetting a few things

Oh if you have not already go to expeditionportal.co

There's a ton of good info there