Tour of the Olympic Peninsula

[sbisig]

I just completed a solo three day tour in my Jeep via backroads (non-4x4 on forest roads) of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington.

This is also my first attempt of writing about an adventure.

The write-up is posted at http://www.the4x4blog.com/adventures/mini-expedition-olympic-peninsula/

The trip photos can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/locked4low/

 

[Brian McVickers]

Welcome to the forum!

Great pics, looks like a fun area to explore:rappel:

 

[Scott Brady]

Very nice Steve. Cool dog too!

What are your thoughts on fuel storage in the YJ? I really like the idea of a bigger main tank, keeping the COG as low as possible and making room for water on the rack.

I think you mentioned a body lift too. I bet you could squeeze 25-30 gallons out of a big tank.

For all of my long trips with the Wrangler, I pulled a trailer, which allowed for 10-15 gallons of extra fuel.

Just some ideas :camping:

 

[smbisig]

Just for clarification, there is me "smbisig" and my dad "sbisig". Just incase any of you are confused. And the funny thing is, we pretty much have twin YJ's:smiley_drive:

 

[Scott Brady]

Just for clarification, there is me "smbisig" and my dad "sbisig". Just incase any of you are confused. And the funny thing is, we pretty much have twin YJ's:smiley_drive:

Ah... :beer: I was actualy a little miffed, as it seemed like your avatars were changing every thread. That is too funny.

Well, I hope that we can arrange an adventure with you both sometime soon! :camping:

Oh, and if you get to drive that gem of a 4runner much, you are a lucky man. What a great truck :luxhello:

 

[sbisig]

Very nice Steve. Cool dog too!

What are your thoughts on fuel storage in the YJ? I really like the idea of a bigger main tank, keeping the COG as low as possible and making room for water on the rack.

I think you mentioned a body lift too. I bet you could squeeze 25-30 gallons out of a big tank.

For all of my long trips with the Wrangler, I pulled a trailer, which allowed for 10-15 gallons of extra fuel.

Just some ideas :camping:

Currently I have the stock 20 gallon tank. As my budget allows, I'll invest in a tire carrier with duel fuel cans. I haven't investigated larger fuel tanks for YJs.

My YJ does not have a body lift. With the TJ flares and the XL OME springs, I'm not getting any tire rub when flexed.

I'm thinking a trailer would be the way to go. Possibly one with good storage for fuel, water, food etc. and the ability to have a roof mount tent attached.

I need to win the lottery.

 

[smbisig]

Ah... :beer: I was actualy a little miffed, as it seemed like your avatars were changing every thread. That is too funny.

Well, I hope that we can arrange an adventure with you both sometime soon! :camping:

Oh, and if you get to drive that gem of a 4runner much, you are a lucky man. What a great truck :luxhello:

that would be great, you know where i work, so im pretty easy to look up.

i love washington state, and there are 1,000's of miles of back roads that need to be explored. not to mention our rich mining history. i'm sure we could show you around a bit.

the 4 runner is an awesome truck, however, its not as pretty as when you had it. it got a few scars in moab, and few more on the rubicon. but in my personal opinion, it looks good with the scars:sombrero:

 

[Scott Brady]

that would be great, you know where i work, so im pretty easy to look up.

i love washington state, and there are 1,000's of miles of back roads that need to be explored. not to mention our rich mining history. i'm sure we could show you around a bit.

Consider it done! I know we will have at least a few adventures out of Renton next spring. I can't wait to explore Washington and Canada more.:1888fbbd:

the 4 runner is an awesome truck, however, its not as pretty as when you had it. it got a few scars in moab, and few more on the rubicon. but in my personal opinion, it looks good with the scars:sombrero:

Yeah, Chris mentioned that. He did a great job squeezing that machine through the Con though. No mechanical failures.

 

[Willman]

It seems that more Washington people are signing up!! I like it!! Looks like we need to schedule a few trips!!!!

Welcome to the Forum smbisig and sbisig!!!

sbisig- Great storage on your Jeep! They look awesome!! Looks like you had a great time!! Nice pictures by the way!

 

[paulj]

I was in the SE corner of the Olympics a couple of weeks ago. We camped on the Sound at small state park, and then drove to Shelton and Lake Cushman. The highest we got was the Mt Elenor trailhead. Some roads in that area are closed due to a forest fire on the north shore Cushman. It's a low intensity fire that is mainly buring in the understory, not the tree tops, but the slopes are steep enough that rocks and logs are falling down on the road along the lake shore.

You mentioned returning on FS 23 to the Skokomish valley. The local Mason county guides talk about a high bridge on a branch of 23, 2340.

paulj

 

[sbisig]

You mentioned returning on FS 23 to the Skokomish valley. The local Mason county guides talk about a high bridge on a branch of 23, 2340.

paulj

I broke out the forest service map and found what you are referring to.

From the east, just before entering the national forest lands, it looks like FS Rd 2340 heads northerly a few miles to what is marked on the map as the Skokomish High Steel Bridge.

I did a web search for "Skokomish High Steel Bridge" and found this link:

http://www.co.mason.wa.us/tourism/steelbridge.html

According to the map, 2340 eventually loops back to FS 23. Sounds like an interesting side trip when in the area.