Right to Left Coast Tour, June 2010.

[XJLI]

First off, to say I'm amped for this trip would be a huge understatement.

A few buddies and I will be going cross country June 5th-27th (maybe longer?). We'll be taking two rigs; mine, and ktmracer419's XJ. I started a thread over on ExPo but it hasn't seen much action so I figured I'd post it over here as well.

We plan on pretty much winging it, obviously we wanna hit spots in Colorado like the Alpine Loop, run trails at Moab, hit parts of the Rubicon, etc. Nothing too crazy, if the sam (locked/locked 35s) is having trouble we're getting too hardcore. I'm not sure how they rate trails out west but high blues, low blacks at PAP or RC would be my rating for highest of what we'd want, occasionally we'd prob hit a harder trail. Breakage is something we do not want, and you can break something stupid even on the easy stuff as we've found out many times before. We've all been wheeling/building for a while, and we're gonna have plenty of tools from air tools to a 120v welder on the trip. I'm confident my 170k drivetrain will make it but equally as confident to be able to swap out the motor in a couple hours just in case it goes sometime during the trip *knock on wood*.

The goal of the trip is to just have an awesome time on a trip we may not ever have the chance of doing again.

We'd be starting from the Tri-State area (I'm from Long Island, NY; other guys are from CT & RI) probably taking I70 out, then 15 through Vegas for a night just because (hehehehehe) then once we make it out to California we'll figure out how we'd drive back.

Here's a potential route we have:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=new+york,+ny&daddr=grand+junction+co+to:moab+utah+to:Point+Impe rial,+North+Rim,+Coconino,+Arizona+86052+to:las+ve gas+nv+to:long+beach+ca+to:south+lake+tahoe+ca+to: yellowstone+national+park&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=37.857507,-97.734375&sspn=33.166113,67.148437&ie=UTF8&ll=43.961191,-93.251953&spn=30.376566,67.148438&z=4

I know a lot of you guys have plenty of trail time out there (I'm talking to you Randy! Your pics have been causing me endless pain for the past four years lol) You guys have any input?

[DrMoab]

June is too early for the upper elevations out west. Most of the trails around Silverton Colorado will still be buried in snow.

[XJLI]

ha. that is terrible.

[IGOCOMMANDO]

Well, you could always swing up here to Idaho and run with us this weekend.
http://www.ride-rally.idaho4x4.com/

[Fred]

The Alpine Loop might be open then.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/conditions/roads/passes.shtml

[OverlandXJ]

I could turn you on to a couple nice cabins in Montana.. whats your plans in that area?

Also, i see you running 80 from NE PA, it's a long boring ride. 70 all the way to Denver is the better ride in my opinion.

[XJLI]

Well, you could always swing up here to Idaho and run with us this weekend.
http://www.ride-rally.idaho4x4.com/

hmmmm we dont know how we're heading back at this point, or how we're getting there.. its still up in the air at this point. we're not sold on one specific route.

The Alpine Loop might be open then.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/conditions/roads/passes.shtml

awesome thanks for the link. i'll be sure to call when we're in the area as well.

I could turn you on to a couple nice cabins in Montana.. whats your plans in that area?

Also, i see you running 80 from NE PA, it's a long boring ride. 70 all the way to Denver is the better ride in my opinion.

like i said, no idea if we're going up north, south, or hell even both! but sounds good, thanks for the tip!

[IGOCOMMANDO]

I could turn you on to a couple nice cabins in Montana.. whats your plans in that area?

Also, i see you running 80 from NE PA, it's a long boring ride. 70 all the way to Denver is the better ride in my opinion.

True Dat.

[JohnX]

In step 63 you'll be a few blocks from my house. Let me know when you get aroound that area and maybe we can hit something local. I am also planning a trip to Pismo Beach....Sand dunes open for camping and driving right on the beach. It will be sometime in that time frame, and I can show you the way around.

[XJLI]

that would be awesome, i'll def let you know!

we're gonna set up some sort of blog thing once we get on the road

[OverlandXJ]

Forgot to provide this earlier. I stayed at Horse Prairie back in 07... great cabin in Dillon district.

http://fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTSw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAng7kaQ!!/?ss=110102&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003705&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&recid=5659&actid=101&ttype=activity&pname=Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest - Cabin Rentals

Check ou the NF home page and you can find stuff in each state..

[XJLI]

awesome link, thanks a lot!

[OverlandXJ]

If you head towards Dillon,MT you have to run Sweetwater Road...

Keep heading north and see Glacier NP, then east through Custer, Mt Rushmore, Badlands NP..

[fishjeep]

you guys would be crazy not to drive up the pacific coast highway! amazing! Oregon and washington are worth the detour.

[XJLI]

we're def doing the PCH, probably southbound.

as of now, it looks like we'll run up california through death valley, and up 395 possibly through all the parks/forests until we hit the rubicon. run some parts of that, then head to san fran, and run down the PCH, then head into arizona/NM as much as we can, maybe take I40 back up and run through the smokey mountains.

we talked about it over the weekend with like 20 or so road and trail maps in front of us and decided (regretfully) that heading far up north isn't going to be a possibility.

[Phil]

It's too bad you guys aren't going in July or you could hit Sierrafest over July 21-25 and Coloradofest over July 26-31.

If you post in the chapter forums I bet you could get some interest for some trails.

[ktm racer 419]

In step 63 you'll be a few blocks from my house. Let me know when you get aroound that area and maybe we can hit something local. I am also planning a trip to Pismo Beach....Sand dunes open for camping and driving right on the beach. It will be sometime in that time frame, and I can show you the way around.

pismo sounds excellent



If you post in the chapter forums I bet you could get some interest for some trails.

thats the plan once the time draws closer

[XJLI]

so is there anything we should know about running these trails and camping as far as permits go? this legal trail running on state maintained land and roads is a new thing for us east coasters :laugh2:

[MrSimon]

I don't know anything about the PCH in northern CA, but I once drove it from Malibu to Newport Beach .... sucked! Nothing but redlights, traffic, strip malls, and some of the areas were lock-the-doors scary.

[ktm racer 419]

I don't know anything about the PCH in northern CA, but I once drove it from Malibu to Newport Beach .... sucked! Nothing but redlights, traffic, strip malls, and some of the areas were lock-the-doors scary.

i figured much of it would be like that. or you get stuck behind some family in a station wagon doing 20 mph.

anyway the route has somewhat changed since this thread was first made.

way west:

81 south from pa to knoxville
40 west to amarillo texas
route 60 to 70 to get to roswell
south on 285 to carlsbad caverns
82 to white sands
then 25 north to I-40 again
cutting off to canyon de chelly
back on I-40
cutting off to the grand canyon
back on I-40 into socal where we will relax for a few days, pismo beach, some of the pch.

heading back east:
hop on 15 through vegas to zion until we hit 70.
next stop moab until we hit colorado

then some stuff happens in colorado, we still need to figure out our route through there and make sure the trails are open. but ultimately we will end up back on 70 and take that home.

[OverlandXJ]

I'd continue west from Roswell/White Sands through AZ and into SoCal directly.. be less time/mileage than running up to CDC/GC and back down. See that area when you head east and through Zion.

[ktm racer 419]

I'd continue west from Roswell/White Sands through AZ and into SoCal directly.. be less time/mileage than running up to CDC/GC and back down. See that area when you head east and through Zion.

the reason for heading through north az is simply the grand canyon, i could personally skip it, but the others would like to go so i'm not going to object.

i hear it's grand, but much like canyonlands natl park (which i have been to) just more tourists.

perhaps the north rim when we are taking the north route back would be easier on us?

i hear the south rim is the more touristy area

[Glenn B]

81 to 40 is a nice drive. 40 is not bad, but Arkansas and Tenn are quite boring. I just did the same drive from the N.E. to Albuquerque a few weeks ago. It is great once ya hit NM and the speed limit goes up.

i figured much of it would be like that. or you get stuck behind some family in a station wagon doing 20 mph.

anyway the route has somewhat changed since this thread was first made.

way west:

81 south from pa to knoxville
40 west to amarillo texas
route 60 to 70 to get to roswell
south on 285 to carlsbad caverns
82 to white sands
then 25 north to I-40 again
cutting off to canyon de chelly
back on I-40
cutting off to the grand canyon
back on I-40 into socal where we will relax for a few days, pismo beach, some of the pch.

heading back east:
hop on 15 through vegas to zion until we hit 70.
next stop moab until we hit colorado

then some stuff happens in colorado, we still need to figure out our route through there and make sure the trails are open. but ultimately we will end up back on 70 and take that home.

[ktm racer 419]

good to hear. depending on the time we make, we may get on 10 in NM and take it straight into socal. might hit the north rim of the grand canyon on the way back east, and track down to canyon de chelly as well.

we met a couple friendly people in rhode island over the weekend that used to/ currently live on the route we are taking and were reccomended a few places to check out.

If anyone can reccomend some nice restaurants or bars along the route that would be excellent as well. there will be many pb&j dinners, but some nice meals cooked for us are always nice.

[XJLI]

droppin a link-

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

if conditions in colorado are anything like last year we should be good to go *crosses fingers*

[XJLI]

made a blog for this trip and future ones-

http://eatsleepexp.wordpress.com/

[karstic]

Any idea where you'll be staying when you're in SoCal?

[ktm racer 419]

we are meeting a friend in la and trucking his ass back to new england (he is currently in new zealand) so we plan on spending a couple days there just relaxing. and plans are heading north a bit to pismo and possibly hollister. seeing as we have a set time to be back home, we might have to cut some things out of the trip due to time complications granted something happens along the way. so there will probably be a lot of "playing it by ear" so to speak

[XJLI]

we are meeting a friend in la and trucking his ass back to new england (he is currently in new zealand) so we plan on spending a couple days there just relaxing. and plans are heading north a bit to pismo and possibly hollister. seeing as we have a set time to be back home, we might have to cut some things out of the trip due to time complications granted something happens along the way. so there will probably be a lot of "playing it by ear" so to speak

we're not taking him back actually, hes gonna fly back. his g/f is all crazy about not seeing him since january so hes gonna see her sooner than later she she doesnt kill him.

his aunt lives in seal beach, so we'll probably be staying there for a night at least.

[KSXJ]

If you decided to take I-70 through KS you can stop in manhatten at tuttle creek and wheel there.

[Phil]

Driving to California from the east coast and you're thinking Pismo and Hollister?

[karstic]

Driving to California from the east coast and you're thinking Pismo and Hollister?

:rof::rof::rof:

[ktm racer 419]

Driving to California from the east coast and you're thinking Pismo and Hollister?

:rof::rof::rof:

tis where we had people offer to show us around. personally i can pass on those.

we have concluded that the rubicon is too far out of the way
jv is a pile of rocks in the desert

hollister looks like a man-made playground
pismo actually looks like a fun time and is not at all out of our way.

If anyone can reccomend some good trails in socal where a xj on 33's and one locker isnt going to explode enlighten us.

Looking forward to utah and once we hit colorado we will see what passes are open by then.

[XJLI]

If anyone can reccomend some good trails in socal where a xj on 33's and one locker isnt going to explode enlighten us.

Looking forward to utah and once we hit colorado we will see what passes are open by then.

explode? nah.

i dont baby my rig, but i'm not gonna flog it 3000 miles from home either.

[Mtb Jak]

im driving back to NY on tuesday :-(

sounds like fun! make sure your cooling system is above par!

[XJLI]

im driving back to NY on tuesday :-(

sounds like fun! make sure your cooling system is above par!

aww man. and yea, mines pretty good. i'm gonna add some water wetter to it before the trip, that stuff is legit. all my cooling stuff is fairly new- pretty much replaced it all since i've owned the truck the past 4 years.

[Phil]

Swamp Lake trail or Bald Mountain, east of Fresno. Swamp might not be open yet. Bald is a good time and is real Sierra wheeling. Have you tried posting up in the local chapters?

[XJLI]

Swamp Lake trail or Bald Mountain, east of Fresno. Swamp might not be open yet. Bald is a good time and is real Sierra wheeling. Have you tried posting up in the local chapters?

We're gonna pretty soon, we were gonna wait til the dates got closer, but its coming up real fast!

[XJLI]

ONE WEEK!

[n1ywb]

as of now, it looks like we'll run up california through death valley

Death Valley? In June?? :wow::flame::flame::flame:

I'm just asking because I don't know you, have you ever been out to the desert?

[srmitchell]

You should at least come see the redwoods!

(Theres lots of trees up here.)

:)

[XJLI]

Death Valley? In June?? :wow::flame::flame::flame:

I'm just asking because I don't know you, have you ever been out to the desert?

death valley is out as of now. and it would be cooler than going through in august though right?:anon::laugh:


You should at least come see the redwoods!

(Theres lots of trees up here.)

:)

I wish! too far north, unfortunately. and i REALLY wanted to go up to nor cal.

[Sniggs]

You can hit Nor Cal on your way up here to the Pacific Northwest! :wave:

[iant333]

Just saw this and that blog you started today, looks really cool. I'm definitely gonna be following this, I've been wanting to do a similar trip since I was a little kid and hope ill get to do it maybe next summer.

Wanna see how it turns out for you guys.

[XJLI]

so uhhhh....

anyone along the route have access to r12 refrigerant and want to hook me up?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Trumbull,+CT&daddr=I-81+S+to:I-81+S+to:I-40+W+to:7701+E+Ih+40,+Amarillo,+TX+to:Roswell,+NM+ to:Carlsbad+Caverns+National+Park+to:White+Sands,+ NM+to:I-8+W+to:Joshua+Tree+National+Park+to:Huntington+Bea ch,+CA+to:Santa+Maria,+CA+to:Bakersfield,+CA+to:Ho over+damn+to:Las+Vegas,+NV+to:Area+51+to:North+Rim ,+AZ+to:Zion,+UT+to:Moab,+UT+to:Silverton,+CO+to:R ed+Rocks+Amphitheatre+to:huntington,+ny&geocode=FfpQdQId4wuj-ykp8fWSEgnoiTFAMeZ3bSkGBw;FRRBdgIdduB7-w;FeKZYwIdum9i-w;Ff5kGAIdqqqh-g;FcACGQIdRVfv-SmbiQjT9UgBhzHkBY2kx_-dJQ;FVmO_QEd8BrF-SlV7axlE2XihjF-18905Asb5A;Fa706gEdD1DG-SG1FbQuSYqkOA;FUAk7gEdXvmm-SmFFLrWA5_ghjGfa3RWJya5Fg;FbwN8wEd3i8r-Q;FaL8AgId-aoY-SE3yyb3bCxdKw;FYmdAQIdhnn3-Cm1Ksj5IiTdgDEBO2akyYXtRQ;FUpXFQId-UvS-CkJxlQMqg_sgDGONFqKZVL9Cw;FezAGwIdKOvn-CkNy5S5yGvqgDHIdP6YCQw2WQ;FZmPJQIdZj8p-SEaWOf8my3hiA;FdYQJwIdMJoi-SnRffWkgre-gDGjebPV5tXMOg;FWpBOAId9OAY-SHABrjK-TYLyg;FWqHKAIdoBRS-Sk3BYEqcG4zhzEKxcXAAl3LqA;FUSAOQIdLA9D-SFS85OadotVcw;FQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw;FeX2QAIdhiuV-SlNPz7U-Oc-hzE_y321LjjfaA;FX4-XQIdt6-6-SnHw0W82YJrhzERcGM695NshA;FTqZbwId9Jyf-ylndmETKiboiTHhf7FDLwgEsg&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1,2,8&sll=36.747705,-96.816&sspn=44.930782,93.076172&ie=UTF8&ll=36.879621,-109.291992&spn=8.590091,17.314453&z=6

i will make sure you are supplied with fresh, cold, delicious beverges of your choice.

[XJLI]

Little over 100 miles east of Nashville on 40 right now, jeeps are doing well. Sam overheated on 81 in PA and I changed my waterpump as a precaution in the hotel parking lot in Lexington VA but it was fine anyway. We're both running at 210 or lower hope fit stays that way. And hot damn it's hot without carpet. We're doing dinner and a drink or two in Nashville then the goal is at least Forrest city AR tonight.

[XJLI]

hey guys check the updates!

http://eatsleepexp.wordpress.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mysteryman3846/sets/72157624058593325/

[XJLI]

made it to moab.

[srmitchell]

NICE!

[XJLI]

ran fins n things and hell's revenge. the low cog east coast rigs continue to impress the west coasters. sam walked up potato salad hill (twice) after some moab veterans from california warned us both that is was a bad idea to try. i was denied at the VERY top.. with a front locker i would've gone right over. pics will be up from wheelin today pretty soon.

we're running golden spike and top of the world tomorrow.

[XJLI]

colorado.

check it.

http://eatsleepexp.wordpress.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mysteryman3846/

[OverlandXJ]

Outstanding guys.... keep the updates coming.

[XJLI]

sam bitched out on the six pack i bought, so i'm finishing up the ska brewing company true blonde ale out on the patio of the motel while surfing the internets. we're running a few passes around ouray and telluride tomorrow. colorado rocks.

[Glenn B]

Great job on the updates! So when ya moving West? :)

[XJLI]

within the year.

seriously. the east coast is a joke.

[Glenn B]

I agree. I lived out ther for 4 + years, that was more than enough. While I loved working and visiting Manhattan, I am much happier back west.

within the year.

seriously. the east coast is a joke.

[fscrig75]

Very nice!

[HeepSpeed]

GREAT TRIP!

[ktm racer 419]

sam bitched out on the six pack i bought, so i'm finishing up the ska brewing company true blonde ale out on the patio of the motel while surfing the internets. we're running a few passes around ouray and telluride tomorrow. colorado rocks.

my front locker> your front locker

[XJLI]

you make bunny sad :(

[rweaver138]

jealous

[XJLI]

just got home. poor old girl has had it. almost a full rotation of play in the steering wheel, dumping unburnt fuel out the haggard together exhaust, burning oil like never before, leaking power steering all the way back to the rear axle.

enjoying an avery ipa i've had on ice since boulder.

[in4aride]

sounds like you guys had an interesting trip..

the jeep may be beat but considering its done a whole lot more than a lot of jeeps on this site every will i say you guys both accomplished something very cool between getting cherokees to drive coast to coast and back and wheeling some killer trails (specifically here in colorado)
:cheers: to you guys for a killer trip and awesome adventure!!!
cool meeting ya guys...

[XJLI]

yea dude it was the trip of my life. i'm upset about the cherocar but i'll get over it. gonna keep saving cash now then build a new one.

we'll be back to the no coast asap!

[JohnX]

So did you guys make it to the coast or what, I was hoping for a PM when you got out this way. Guess I missed out :(

Sounds like you had fun though :D