Texas to Alaska to Texas. 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid driving on the Dalton Highway and the Dempster Highway. July/August 2023.
- Thread starter PetitFrereArmada
- Start date
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
(31) Welcome To Nebraska
(32) Welcome To Colorado
(33) Welcome To Utah
(34) Welcome To Oklahoma
(35) Welcome To New Mexico
(36) Welcome back home to Texas!
(32) Welcome To Colorado
(33) Welcome To Utah
(34) Welcome To Oklahoma
(35) Welcome To New Mexico
(36) Welcome back home to Texas!
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I went offroading today in Moab, UT. This is the first time I am taking the car offroading and putting stress on the suspension components and AWD system of the car.
I put the car in SPORTS mode and TRAIL mode. I set my tires at 35 psi.
My Rav4 Plug-in did very well. I even got my drone to follow me on its own and take a video. I will try to upload it and post it. The footage is straight out of my drone. No music. Just offroading. Going up Gemini Bridges in Moab, Utah.
I put the car in SPORTS mode and TRAIL mode. I set my tires at 35 psi.
My Rav4 Plug-in did very well. I even got my drone to follow me on its own and take a video. I will try to upload it and post it. The footage is straight out of my drone. No music. Just offroading. Going up Gemini Bridges in Moab, Utah.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
2025 Rav4 XSE Plug-in Hybrid Offroading in Moab, Utah. Going up Germini Bridge.
In SPORTS mode and in TRAIL mode. PSI set at 35.
No sounds. No music. Footage right out of my drone.
In SPORTS mode and in TRAIL mode. PSI set at 35.
No sounds. No music. Footage right out of my drone.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Much respect to my Rav4. I took it up Black Bear Pass and it handled it very well.
I got to the trail all alone. I was a bit slow because my Rav4 has all season tires amd mot offroad tires. So I had to be extra careful with those sharp rocks.
In 3 minutes, a Jeep was already behind me. After about 3 minutes, the Jeep honked at me. I pulled over. He pulled over and came over to caution me about the trail and find out if I was trying to go all the way over Black Bear Pass to Telluride. I told him I was only going to the top and back. He put his hands together and said thank God because he was genuinely worried for me. He asked me for my name and introduced himself. Him and his wife were just going to the top and back.
At that point, I asked him if he could PLEASE help me video tape my car as we went up. He said sure. Went to his Jeep and asked his wife if she coukd please help to video tape my car. She said sure.
Thanks a lot Ed and Angie.
There are some very nice people out there.
The guys in their Jeeps who saw my Rav4 at the top were impressed by my Rav4.
On my way back down Black Bear Pass, I saw Ed and Angie having a picnic. I honked and waved and thanked them once again.
I got to the trail all alone. I was a bit slow because my Rav4 has all season tires amd mot offroad tires. So I had to be extra careful with those sharp rocks.
In 3 minutes, a Jeep was already behind me. After about 3 minutes, the Jeep honked at me. I pulled over. He pulled over and came over to caution me about the trail and find out if I was trying to go all the way over Black Bear Pass to Telluride. I told him I was only going to the top and back. He put his hands together and said thank God because he was genuinely worried for me. He asked me for my name and introduced himself. Him and his wife were just going to the top and back.
At that point, I asked him if he could PLEASE help me video tape my car as we went up. He said sure. Went to his Jeep and asked his wife if she coukd please help to video tape my car. She said sure.
Thanks a lot Ed and Angie.
There are some very nice people out there.
The guys in their Jeeps who saw my Rav4 at the top were impressed by my Rav4.
On my way back down Black Bear Pass, I saw Ed and Angie having a picnic. I honked and waved and thanked them once again.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
This is the video of me going up Black Bear Pass in my Rav4.
Ed was the guy with the Jeep behind me who honked at me to stop so he can make sure I am ok driving up in my Rav4. After I assured him that I have done this before but in a more capable vehicle and that I know this one would make it, he felt fine.
Then I asked him tk please help me film me as we go up. He asked his wife if she coukd please help. His wife said yes. The person filming is Ed's wife, Angie.
People that I just met like 2 minutes before I gave them my cellphone.
Theu were very kind to do this for me. Thanks a lot again, Ed and Angie.
Here is the video they took...
Ed was the guy with the Jeep behind me who honked at me to stop so he can make sure I am ok driving up in my Rav4. After I assured him that I have done this before but in a more capable vehicle and that I know this one would make it, he felt fine.
Then I asked him tk please help me film me as we go up. He asked his wife if she coukd please help. His wife said yes. The person filming is Ed's wife, Angie.
People that I just met like 2 minutes before I gave them my cellphone.
Theu were very kind to do this for me. Thanks a lot again, Ed and Angie.
Here is the video they took...
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Driving down Black Bear Pass. Not the switchbacks. I went up Black Bear Pass and returned the same way. I did not go to the switchbacks to Telluride.
This video is straight from my drone. No sound.
This video is straight from my drone. No sound.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Yesterday when I was at this spot taking pictures I saw a family setting up the stage for someone to propose. I saw the family start pointing at my drone. As I was aboit to leave, a guy approached me and said they are setting up the stage for his brother to arrive with his girlfriend and propose to her. He said could he please hire me to take video and pictures and he could please pay me $50?
I said I was about to leave but I could do it for them. He thanked me and gave me $50 on the spot. I landed my drone and got a new battery.
The brother came and I took a really good video of everything. It was lovely. And then I started taking tons of pictures of them.
When I was done, I downloaded the pictures to my phone and texted all the pictures and videos to the guy. He was so grateful and happy.
I went and said hi to them and then I took the $50 the guy gave me and infront of all of them, I gave it to the little girl in their group. The mom of the girl is the junior sister of the guy who gave ne the money. The little girl was good and did not want to take the money. The guy who gave ne the money encouraged her to take the money. The guy told his sister it is the money he gave me that I am giving back to them.
I told him that thanks a lot for the money, but I would like your family to have the money. I am glad I could help to put a smile on your faces with the pictures and the videos. It also put a smile on my face.
They were very happy. I talked a bit with the older guy and he said this right here is God who sent me here because they really love the way the proposal was captured in pictures and videos. Something they could not have done if God had not made it possible for me to be here at the right time to help out.
He asked if he could pray for me. The prayer was short and sweet. He asked God to send the AVENGERS to guide me throughout my journey until I get home. That was really a nice moment. I have never had a stranger pray for me like that on any of my road trips.
I have taken a lot of road trips and I have gotten a lot of help from many random people. I did not need the $50 and so I had made up my mind to give it back to the family before I left.
On one of my road trips, I was at Big Bend State park with my girlfriend. We had ordered our food and drinks when the waiter came to tell us that someone in the restaurant just saw us and called her to say she should please bring our bill to them for them to pay. I was shocked. I asked can we please thank the person? She said the person told her to specifically let it be anonymous and please not to reveal who they were. She said the guest would like to be anonymous and just wanted to let us know that they will pay our bill. This was many years ago. LOL, I scanned the restaurant to see anybody who would look suspicious. No luck. No way to thank them in person, so I thanked them in spirit.
There are some very good people out there. People have been very good to me in my life and on my trips. In my daily life I try to offer help as often as I can also. It makes the world a better place.
I said I was about to leave but I could do it for them. He thanked me and gave me $50 on the spot. I landed my drone and got a new battery.
The brother came and I took a really good video of everything. It was lovely. And then I started taking tons of pictures of them.
When I was done, I downloaded the pictures to my phone and texted all the pictures and videos to the guy. He was so grateful and happy.
I went and said hi to them and then I took the $50 the guy gave me and infront of all of them, I gave it to the little girl in their group. The mom of the girl is the junior sister of the guy who gave ne the money. The little girl was good and did not want to take the money. The guy who gave ne the money encouraged her to take the money. The guy told his sister it is the money he gave me that I am giving back to them.
I told him that thanks a lot for the money, but I would like your family to have the money. I am glad I could help to put a smile on your faces with the pictures and the videos. It also put a smile on my face.
They were very happy. I talked a bit with the older guy and he said this right here is God who sent me here because they really love the way the proposal was captured in pictures and videos. Something they could not have done if God had not made it possible for me to be here at the right time to help out.
He asked if he could pray for me. The prayer was short and sweet. He asked God to send the AVENGERS to guide me throughout my journey until I get home. That was really a nice moment. I have never had a stranger pray for me like that on any of my road trips.
I have taken a lot of road trips and I have gotten a lot of help from many random people. I did not need the $50 and so I had made up my mind to give it back to the family before I left.
On one of my road trips, I was at Big Bend State park with my girlfriend. We had ordered our food and drinks when the waiter came to tell us that someone in the restaurant just saw us and called her to say she should please bring our bill to them for them to pay. I was shocked. I asked can we please thank the person? She said the person told her to specifically let it be anonymous and please not to reveal who they were. She said the guest would like to be anonymous and just wanted to let us know that they will pay our bill. This was many years ago. LOL, I scanned the restaurant to see anybody who would look suspicious. No luck. No way to thank them in person, so I thanked them in spirit.
There are some very good people out there. People have been very good to me in my life and on my trips. In my daily life I try to offer help as often as I can also. It makes the world a better place.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today I went to Telluride to go up Imogene Pass. Too bad it was closed. What a disappointment. I was so ready to go up the pass.
So I went up the Black Bear Pass switcbacks to Bridal Veil.
I was very surprised to see 2 girls took this Ford up the Black Bear Pass switchbacks to Bridal Veil. How they did it, I do not know. No flat tires.
From there I went to Ophir.
So I went up the Black Bear Pass switcbacks to Bridal Veil.
I was very surprised to see 2 girls took this Ford up the Black Bear Pass switchbacks to Bridal Veil. How they did it, I do not know. No flat tires.
From there I went to Ophir.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I went up Ophir Pass. The Jeeps I met up there were quite surprised that my Rav4 made it. Bit Ophir Pass is really not that bad.
SVTRIT
Member
I live in Iowa and stop here for often as I travel home to Northern IL. The Jeep and Power Wagon are half the reason I stop. There isn't any good coffee or food....but at least the restrooms are clean.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I have always wanted to visit Ouray during the fall to see fall colors. Then I stumbled on a post that says there will be a Jeep Jamboree in Ouray at the end of September when Fall colors will be blooming. I would like to attend this Jeep Jamboree and see Fall colors in Ouray.
I am motivated to go back to Ouray because I did not do as many trails as I wanted to do. I wanted to take a picture with my Rav4 at the top of the following passes;
Imogene Pass
Yankee Girl Mine
Corkscrew Gulch/Hurricane Pass
California Pass
Animals Forks
Alpine Loop
Cinnamon Pass
Engineer Pass
So I am making plans to spend a week in Ouray to basically be on the trials when I know there would be enough people if I need rescue. And if I gather enough courage, my goal is to tag along a group and do the whole of Black Bear Pass with my Rav4. I just bought offroad tires to get ready for offroading in Ouray at the end of September.
Can my Rav4 do the whole of Black Bear Pass? I think so.
It would be scary, but I think I can complete it. I just hope I do not flip over my Rav4 at the steps. I also hope a sudden flash flood hail storm does not suddenly appear and make things more dangerous.
Well, I am still to make up my mind about completing Black Bear Pass, but I am very motivated to attempt it. I just know that if I tag along a group and there is someone who will be a spotter at the steps, I am sure they could help me find a line that would work for me to go down safely on that trail. Well, we shall see how it goes.
I am motivated to go back to Ouray because I did not do as many trails as I wanted to do. I wanted to take a picture with my Rav4 at the top of the following passes;
Imogene Pass
Yankee Girl Mine
Corkscrew Gulch/Hurricane Pass
California Pass
Animals Forks
Alpine Loop
Cinnamon Pass
Engineer Pass
So I am making plans to spend a week in Ouray to basically be on the trials when I know there would be enough people if I need rescue. And if I gather enough courage, my goal is to tag along a group and do the whole of Black Bear Pass with my Rav4. I just bought offroad tires to get ready for offroading in Ouray at the end of September.
Can my Rav4 do the whole of Black Bear Pass? I think so.
It would be scary, but I think I can complete it. I just hope I do not flip over my Rav4 at the steps. I also hope a sudden flash flood hail storm does not suddenly appear and make things more dangerous.
Well, I am still to make up my mind about completing Black Bear Pass, but I am very motivated to attempt it. I just know that if I tag along a group and there is someone who will be a spotter at the steps, I am sure they could help me find a line that would work for me to go down safely on that trail. Well, we shall see how it goes.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
While I am still trying to make sure I can get the time off to make this trip, this is my tentative plan of the trails I plan to run with my 2025 Rav4 XSE Prime. I plan to take pictures at the top of all of the named passes.
In preparation for this trip, I have already booked my hotel which offers free refund if I cancel 24 hours before arrival. Just in case things do mot work out and I cannot make this trip.
I also went ahead and bought the FunTreks Fourth Edition Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails.
The trails would be very busy with a lot of Jeeps, since it is during Jeep Jamboree. I kind of want it to rain a bit so that the trails would not be very dusty and make the trail a bit more challenging for me with no low range.
How I plan to run the trails....
FAY 1:
- Corkscrew Gulch
- Hurricane Pass
(stop at Lake Como)
- California Gulch
- Animas Forks
- Engineer Pass (make uturn)
- Cinnamon Pass (make uturn)
- Animas Forks
- Silverton!
- Ouray
DAY 2
- Imogene Pass (Start on the Ouray side. Drive to the top and back same way if the Telluride side is still closed. Complete the trail if the Telluride side ia open.)
- Complete Ophir Pass.
Day 3:
- Drive to the top of Black Bear Pass. If no rainfall, see if I can make up my mind to tag along some guys who are willing to help me with "spotting" at the steps on Black Bear Pass, so that I do not flip this Rav4!
Day 4. Start drive back home. Or think of going to visit the Mighty 5 National Parks of Utah (Canyonlands NP, Arches NP, Capitol Reef NP, Bruce Canyon NP, and Zion NP)
I was also looking at maybe buying a set of recovery tracks. But I do not know if I will really need them.
In preparation for this trip, I have already booked my hotel which offers free refund if I cancel 24 hours before arrival. Just in case things do mot work out and I cannot make this trip.
I also went ahead and bought the FunTreks Fourth Edition Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails.
The trails would be very busy with a lot of Jeeps, since it is during Jeep Jamboree. I kind of want it to rain a bit so that the trails would not be very dusty and make the trail a bit more challenging for me with no low range.
How I plan to run the trails....
FAY 1:
- Corkscrew Gulch
- Hurricane Pass
(stop at Lake Como)
- California Gulch
- Animas Forks
- Engineer Pass (make uturn)
- Cinnamon Pass (make uturn)
- Animas Forks
- Silverton!
- Ouray
DAY 2
- Imogene Pass (Start on the Ouray side. Drive to the top and back same way if the Telluride side is still closed. Complete the trail if the Telluride side ia open.)
- Complete Ophir Pass.
Day 3:
- Drive to the top of Black Bear Pass. If no rainfall, see if I can make up my mind to tag along some guys who are willing to help me with "spotting" at the steps on Black Bear Pass, so that I do not flip this Rav4!
Day 4. Start drive back home. Or think of going to visit the Mighty 5 National Parks of Utah (Canyonlands NP, Arches NP, Capitol Reef NP, Bruce Canyon NP, and Zion NP)
I was also looking at maybe buying a set of recovery tracks. But I do not know if I will really need them.
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04Ram2500Hemi
Observer
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