Cancelled Washington BDR Overland Trip 2021

[nmorpus]

First major overland trip of the year! We will be heading up the Washington BDR in June to either complete the route or get as far as we can. Because of the time-sensitivity of a long-range expedition, it is important that we get on the road on time. We will meet at Thunder Island Brewing Co. in Cascade Locks, OR near the Bridge of the Gods by 9 AM and begin the trip at 10 AM. This hour will give us a chance to finalize any last-minute prep.

View Rally Point

 

[M Rose]

You’re crazy check out WBDR 2020...

 

[SugarGnar]

You’re crazy check out WBDR 2020...

Why Crazy? I don't see anything on forums for WBDR 2020.

 

[Neuvik]

Why Crazy? I don't see anything on forums for WBDR 2020.

Maybe this

US Northwest - June 2020 WABDR - Washington Backcountry Discovery Route

***Rally is delayed so we will modify this trip to exclude the Rally. Also adding more slots due to high level of interest. We will likely have a group that continues on to complete the whole BDR. Stay tuned for updates. *** We are exploring the first 3 sections of the Washington Backcountry...

www.overlandbound.com

looked like fun to me.

 

[M Rose]

Why Crazy? I don't see anything on forums for WBDR 2020.

Maybe this

US Northwest - June 2020 WABDR - Washington Backcountry Discovery Route

***Rally is delayed so we will modify this trip to exclude the Rally. Also adding more slots due to high level of interest. We will likely have a group that continues on to complete the whole BDR. Stay tuned for updates. *** We are exploring the first 3 sections of the Washington Backcountry...

www.overlandbound.com

looked like fun to me.

Yes that would be the thread... and while everyone said it was fun, everyone agreed the carnage wasn’t worth it... 4 miles traveled in one day... and this year is going to be even worse due to the late blizzards

 

[SugarGnar]

Thanks for the link. Looks like it was a fun but challenging trip. I need to check on some work dates but I'll likely jump in on the 2021.

 

[Ubiety]

It was a blast and I’d do it again given more vacay time. I’d suggest giving yourself plenty of time because there are plenty of roses to smell along the way and you never know where you will get gummed up or break down. I think we planned for 5 or 6 days and that felt too rushed; there were plenty of spots that we wanted to linger but felt the pull of the schedule. Make sure to have lots of alternate camp spots planned because there has been a lot more pressure on them over the last year. And make sure to have chainsaws and winches; this years WX probably means some downed trees and gumbo holes, etc.

I have heard some report easy going on this route and they typically have gone later in the summer/fall, I assume the closer to spring that you go the gummier it will be. There was really only that one spot that was really bad and some fun snow patches near the beginning (near OR border). Babyhead hill was a non-event and we got stalled leaving that one big ridge on about the third day.

I am a fastidious trip planner, let me know if you want my planning GPX. Probably over on the other thread linked above, but let me know if you don’t find anything.

 

[Ubiety]

Bad spot was on Bethel Ridge, have a waypoint named “mud”. Hahaha
46.72057, -121.06345

 

[Ubiety]

An omen of what was to follow. At least camp was dry.


Mud holes on Bethel Ridge. 4 mile progress in one day. Greasy.




This one ate my JKU and we had to winch out, bulk of mud hole not in the pic. I believe this was exiting the mud hole shown on previous pic. That branch was completely submerged and was dragged out with me.


A little bit of the day’s fun.

 

[Flatwatertherapy]

Hey all! I see this is rated a 3 what is that out of?

 

[M Rose]

Hey all! I see this is rated a 3 what is that out of?

3 out of 5

 

[Flatwatertherapy]

Hey all! I see this is rated a 3 what is that out of?

3 out of 5

Oh sounds good! Thank you.

 

[David H]

This trip sounds fun, but we'll be in Las Vegas for the E3 Conference the same weekend. Wishing all that do the Washington BDR all the best... :-)

 

[BruteFinesse]

Man Keep me posted. This sounds like a really fun few days. I have a couple of rigs that would love this trail. But the Brute would be the one to go for sure. Guys, the pictures look amazing.