Hello all!
I just got back from scouting the trails and they are all awesome this time of year. We will be sending out a trail list and instructions for providing your trail preference. We need to distribute vehicles on these routes - so we ask for your patience with route assignments during the event.
All medium and hard trails require a 2.5 - 3" lift with the exception of the Easy Voyager Rock route.
Now the gory details! I'll try to help as much as possible in this thread of epic. I can't launch into this without letting you all know we are creating an app for Overland Bound Members to make this all so much easier! One Overland Bound App for everything called OB1. Ok, now...
We have created GPX, KML, and KMZ files for you to download. I HIGHLY recommend getting the individual KMZ files and opening those in Google Earth so you can see the terrain and the details. The GPX files (device compatible) are routes and waypoints only. GPX works with your off-road navigation device. You can log on to our forums now to get them, or wait for the trail sign-up and instruction email coming shortly. These trail files include routes, waypoints, points of interest (like big rocks), and telemetry data created by yours truly so you can see route statistics (see attached Image).
Go here to get the trail files now (or wait for email in the next couple days):
https://www.overlandbound.com/…/overland-bound-rally-west-…/
Interested in buying a Gaia Subscription? If you are an Overland Bound Member, you get a discount because we called them and said, "You should give Overland Bound Members a discount". Link here:
https://www.gaiagps.com/overland_bound/
Additional Trail Information:
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On all trails, take your time. If you lose traction, or spin tires, don't give it more gas. Back up a few inches, and try a slightly different line. Often, a slight angle will allow your vehicle to regain traction. Done correctly, none of the trails should require momentum with a properly prepared rig.
The Bald Mountain Loop: MEDIUM This is the trail we do each year and we rate it as medium. A stock 2WD will not make it. A stock height Tacoma 4WD will make it, but it's probably not worth it. There are two gate-keepers that rate this route a medium due to pitch and clearance required, but the rest of the trail is fairly easy.
Bald Mountain "The Hard Way": HARD This route has a number of 6 to 10" vertical steps on steep trail, and a wide variety of obstacles and terrain. The first real gatekeeper is just beyond a small creek likely to still have water, which means with multiple rigs, it will be a slick pitch. I said pitch.
Brewer Lake: HARD This trail is medium, except for one off-camber area on a ledge that casts it into difficult. On the ledge, it gets tippy, and impatience or carelessness with too much throttle will end poorly.
Voyager Rock: EASY This is an awesome drive past Dinkey Creek into the John Muir Wilderness area, ending at a scenic reservoir. Mason and I called it "Mini-Yosemite". It is mostly paved. The last part of the route is an easy trail with tight corners, and one "Medium" obstacle requiring clearance. We recommend low clearance and long vehicles park just before this obstacle and ride along as passenger in a better prepared rig.
