Thanks Kat. Perhaps I'll just wait to see what everyone wants. Again, I was originally planning to do Tahuya first, as that sounds like a great trail to start with. But it sounds like you've done the Reiter trail several times, so I figured I'd go straight to the source.

All that being said, and if your group needs any background to decide, I'm equipped with a 2007 X two door. So no lockers and no sway bar disconnect. I do, however have Rubi wheels and tires and it does have a Dana 44 rear (but still the lower gears I believe). PureJeep bumpers but no winch. I do have a CB.

While it looks like a nice Rubicon, I recognize it is NOT a Rubicon. I just don't plan to (or at least hope not to) wheel on anything where I might roll it, do permanent or expensive damage, or where water would flood the cab (I have all the drain plugs pulled for summer doors off use).

So I don't know if this combination makes me a novice AND a wuss, or if that kind of idea is somewhat standard. But it is my daily driver and while I'm all for getting dirty in the name of fun, I don't intend to do anything dumb enough to be the weeks top hit on youtube.

So that's where I'm at. I completely understand if others are a bit more "hardcore" and I should wait to get some experience before joining up on this particular run. But would like to meet and learn from others so long as I'm not a nuisance for being a rookie.

Sorry to be verbiose but thought the info might help you decide if the Reiter trail is getting over my head.

 

The trails i was planning on hitting were the Izzabelle Lake trail, maybe down poop shoot and some of the power line trails. Nothing too exciting and if you flip or drown it will be caused by going off trail and going places that I would NOT take RubyDoo and she is a rubicon. I personally hate deep water and flipping is NO fun at all, getting stuck fine, helping a newbie get his jeep dirty and a couple of rock dents on skid plates fine but i drive RubyDoo everywhere to and from each wheelin adventure. I just wish i had my 8274 winch plate here but i do at least have a winch.

 

I too am a newbie. Never not been offroad. Still new to it. Its a constant learning experience, you learn something new everytime you go out and do something new or someplace new.

As for me, I have only ever been to tahuya. I like the trails. I get out in the woods and can play a little if I want and its close. I feel comfortable there. As for this last weekend. I went somewhere new, to check it out for the ORV group I am in ... organize.

I had a blast playing in mud and some puddles, I too do not like water. We have had to replace two engines now, one on our 04 ranger 3 years back and our XJ is our current project. Its sitting in our storage shed outside. From Tahuya in December, when it was flooded. From stupidity is how it happened.

BUT my husband was driving my jeep when it got stuck AND i need a new front drivers U joint, thats the least damage. The most will be a new front complete axle, gears and driveshaft and slip yoke, if the damage is that extensive. It hasn't been driven since it was parked sunday night, and is not driving anywhere til' its diagnosed by a 4x4 doctor "mechanic".

That being said, I am also more for safer, but also having fun and ngetting outdoors. You can take my spot on the trip if its okay with JKKat .. as I am MOST DEFINETLY NOT making the trip. Makes me really sad. I was really looking forward to it.

But hey, we'll have to plan another one when my jeep isn't OOC (out of commision!)

your more than welcome to join up our group, the link is iimn my signatura. The meetup.com site. We have a good amount of peole, and will hopefully be getting more active as spring rolls around and places are opening back up!

 

i am in so far. i am some what new to this as well. i would like to try some easy stuff first and go from there. we need to see who all shows up and go from there.. i have no lockers but i do have a lift and tires. i hope to have my winch on . and yes i want to get my jeep muddy as hell.
thanks cmyjeep

 

Hey gang,

New here and only on my second oil change in the JK.

I've been wheeling and camping up here in the PNW for awhile and look forward to exporing some new terrain. I had several Cherokees and really like wrenching Jeeps.

Elbe ORV off Storner Rd in Ashford has been fun this winter. Of course Evans has more to offer but currently is blanketed in snow. tuhuya sounds like fun but I havn't been up there yet. Reiter was flooded last time I went up there in November.

Theres some ok trails around the Lost Lake area a few miles past Snoqualime ski area. Mostly just rutted old logging roads but they seem to go on forever and few travel there. White River Valley on the East side of Rainier has some good stuff, again snowed in now but melting fast.
The second bridge on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River (behind North Bend) is supposedly open now. I'll head up there Sunday and check it out. Not many wheeling roads up there but some decent riverside3 campsites and 20 miles or so off pavent stuff close to the city.

For all you new guys, don't worry just get out there and do it. Buy some good tow straps and wheel with a second rig is about the best advice I have. Take it slow and get comfortable. I'd be glad to get together for a group run some time.

 

I had heard about lost lake from a guy that lives near there .... cle-elum?

He told me about it .. said its somehwaht near naches ... but that there is good campin. Woulnd't mind chekcing it out this late spring/summer.

 

Ellensburg washington, and im looking for ppl to jeep with. none of my freinds own rigs that can keep up.

i love the westbar and the quilamene

 

I've taken a few years off from Jeepin'. Just took delivery of an Unlimited Rubicon and hope to hit the trails 2-3 times a year.

 

Hey all,

In Olympia-- just ordered my 08 Rube from AEV today. Can't wait to get it, ditch the top and head to the woods.

 

my family lives in olympia. I am down there all the time. We'll have to hit the trails together!