Back country discovery

[arctictraveller]

After many weeks of continuous upgrades to the van, it was time to stop working on it and hit the road. Yesterday was the first day of my trip down the Washington back country discovery route, and so far it’s been spectacular. The route is nearly 600 miles of mostly off-road travel. In over 24 hours, I have not seen or heard one single vehicle. At the beginning of the route, the road was narrow, rutted, extremely dusty and about 10 mph was all I could safely do. None of that was a problem though, the scenery has been spectacular. Deep gorgeous, snowcapped mountains, and Great weather although it’s been hot. Hot enough that my engine and transmission temperatures are considerably higher than normal, but not excessive. The route has taken me through many miles of burned out forest, but it’s amazing seeing how the land comes back to life. There are brilliant wildflowers everywhere, the hills are a dark green, and life is returning rapidly. Amazingly and I’ll probably regret having said this but there’s been a complete lack of insects, no mosquitoes and no flies it’s been great. I’m not much of a photographer, but I will keep trying. Now it’s time to break camp and continue the adventure. https://ridebdr.com/wabdr/

[daveb]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

In over 24 hours, I have not seen or heard one single vehicle.

Well you can't beat that.

[dhally]

Spring is the best time to adventure! (After the snow melts).

[arctictraveller]

Day two and unbelievably it’s getting even better. No critters on the game camera last night, but after about 7 hours of leisurely driving I only saw two cars on the trail. In the morning there was some mud and snow but nothing I needed 4wd for until I got to a side hill snow bank and the rear started sliding towards the edge. By then it was too late to put it in and but I sure wish it had been. I got through without sliding off the road, but I engaged the hubs after that. The afternoon was spent alternating between green Forrest and burned forests with plenty of blown down trees across the road to make it interesting. Most had been cleared very recently and clearly whoever did it was in a much narrower vehicle than my van. Still there were some medium sized logs that had to be driven over and the largest one I decided to drive around because sometimes it’s hard to get a 9000lb van up the log without a little run at it and I hate the hit it delivers. Current situation: camped on a scenic mountaintop above Chelan Wa. Cold beer in hand, dinner cooking. Tomorrow I’ll refuel and then hit the next section of the trail.

[Twoxentrix]

Subscribed - Since we're currently unable to get out and have fun, I'll gladly follow your adventure(s)...Thoroughly enjoy these types of trip reports!

[marret]

Awesome, looks like a great trip.

[doublevan2]

Greetings Arctictraveler -- any chance I could get dropped in by chopper to join this "mavelous" adventure !? Gotta get outa here -- I'l have some more beer and "wee" bit of Scotland dropped in too !! Travel safe --

[WhitH]

Looks incredible! Keep posting.

[arctictraveller]

Nothing’s better than a beautiful day in the wilderness. Sorry about the sideways photos.

[vandiesel]

Nice. My hydroboost conversion had a delay so I would not have been able anyway. Epic trip for sure. There is a spiderweb of dirt bike trails all around you. That’s an incredible piece of earth right there.