Running trails with a vehicle vs. hiking them

[CSG]

From casual observation here and on another overlanding site, it seems as though most members are into running trails with built rigs vs. hiking trails with their legs. I'm a hiker first and foremost and have been my whole life. I have a 4x4 rig so I can drive into more interesting (and less crowded) places so I can get out and hike. While I've driven some difficult 2-tracks to get somewhere, I park the vehicle as soon as I can and get out and walk.

I must not be the only guy here who approaches the outdoors this way or am I?

 

[Cougar1968]

I share your view that a 4x4 can help you get to the better trails etc. I also like to mountain bike so kind of the same principle of getting to the better trails. Sometimes I’m lazy and want to drive the trail!

 

[Smileyshaun]

if I can drive to a spot I will drive , I like to hike where I'm not going to see or hear rigs driving around .

 

[CSG]

if I can drive to a spot I will drive , I like to hike where I'm not going to see or hear rigs driving around .

I'm with you, Shaun.

 

[Owasco]

I find I like doing both. The two tracks and 4x4 only trails are fun in their own way. Sometimes being a means to get to a trail to hike or a camping spot. I also like hiking for its own rewards, most of the time being able to drive to them without even needing my Jeep to get there. I imagine it is the same for a lot of people here. Everyone doing whatever they can to enjoy the great outdoors, in whatever way they can.

 

[CSG]

I find I like doing both. The two tracks and 4x4 only trails are fun in their own way. Sometimes being a means to get to a trail to hike or a camping spot. I also like hiking for its own rewards, most of the time being able to drive to them without even needing my Jeep to get there. I imagine it is the same for a lot of people here. Everyone doing whatever they can to enjoy the great outdoors, in whatever way they can.

I do understand that some are unable to be mobile in the outdoors and if nothing else, at least they can drive to many places. I'm glad we have so much wilderness in Idaho that those lands will be preserved forever (even though many won't be able to access them).

 

[vdeal]

My truck is my means to further human-powered adventure, whether that be hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing, canoeing, etc. It gets me and my gear to my destination which can be quite a way off the beaten path. I seldom walk on a path that is drive-able unless it's necessary to complete a loop.

That being said, I'm phasing in to using my truck more as a base camp from which I can adventure out from and have an overnight camp so I'm not so constrained by the clock.

 

[Arailt]

I was into 4-wheeling and camping long before “overlanding” was a popular term. For me, it’s more about enjoying driving my vehicle off road.

I do hike, mountain bike, raft, and kayak, but I’ve never found having a capable vehicle to make any of those activities more accessible or enjoyable.

 

[rustyhardwood]

I like to do both. Sometimes the truck will get me to a remote area i want to hike. Sometimes all i want to do is drive.

 

[old_man]

I have hiked and backpacked well over a thousand miles in the Rockies in my lifetime, but now I have worn out my body and after 16 orthopedic surgeries, I can no longer do that. I am getting a double knee replacement this summer and hopefully I can hike more. The Jeep gets me close, but that last mile is the best and the only way is on foot.

 

[CR-Venturer]

I started out backpacking, and I still go hiking now. I find that the 4x4 extends my range immensely and lets me explore areas that I could never reach on foot alone. I still enjoy day hikes, and actually have a plan to do an overnight camping trip that begins with the rig, but launches off on foot to ascend the mountain.

I actually find the mind set of overlanders to be much like backpackers, the prime difference being the rig itself. Someone on here even said once that our rigs are like bigger, more capable backpacks in a sense.

As the armoured guys in the army always say, "Why carry your kit when your kit can carry you?" lol

 

[CSG]

I started out backpacking, and I still go hiking now. I find that the 4x4 extends my range immensely and lets me explore areas that I could never reach on foot alone. I still enjoy day hikes, and actually have a plan to do an overnight camping trip that begins with the rig, but launches off on foot to ascend the mountain.

I actually find the mind set of overlanders to be much like backpackers, the prime difference being the rig itself. Someone on here even said once that our rigs are like bigger, more capable backpacks in a sense.

As the armoured guys in the army always say, "Why carry your kit when your kit can carry you?" lol

I don't know. Most backpackers travel light and simple. That is the total opposite of what we see here and other sites from most people doing what they call "overlanding". Don't get me wrong, as I get older, all my travel is now vehicle based but my camps are simple and light on the land. In the morning, you'd never know I had been there. But to the subject, I go places so I can walk around them. Drive, park, walk, repeat.

 

[cmadness]

I enjoy hiking, mtn biking, and off roading. I think since this site is more geared to traveling by vehicle and vehicle outfitting, you're going to find more people preferring that method.

 

[TravelingDog]

I’ve crossed the country a couple times on my bicycle, switched over to backpacking and now use the vehicle to get to day hiking spots. Traveling with my dog brought about some of the change but more so an aging body. Overlanding is a good way to adventure into more remote locations and then find hiking trails that we can explore.

 

[CR-Venturer]

I don't know. Most backpackers travel light and simple. That is the total opposite of what we see here and other sites from most people doing what they call "overlanding". Don't get me wrong, as I get older, all my travel is now vehicle based but my camps are simple and light on the land. In the morning, you'd never know I had been there. But to the subject, I go places so I can walk around them. Drive, park, walk, repeat.

I would say that backpacking is not so much about "simple" as it is about "light" for the obvious reason that ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. The selection of gear is heavily influenced by size and weight constraints primarily for that reason. There are some pretty skookum pieces of backpacking kit that really aren't "simple" per se, but they're light as a feather. In vehicle dependent travel, overlanding, the size and weight constraints are greatly reduced, which allows the comfort factor to increase. I would argue that backpackers are not into backpacking so much because they love to walk, but because they love to explore the majesty of creation and get away from the pressures and noise of modern civilization. The physical fitness/exertion part of it may be one aspect - they like the challenge, for example - but ultimately it's not the main point, or they'd be better served just hitting the gym and running on the treadmill.

Likewise, I would argue that overlanding is driven by the exact same core desire to explore, to find wild, hidden places that few are able to see, and witness the beauty of creation first hand. By using a vehicle, our range is massively extended and we can get to places that would be utterly impossible to explore solely on foot. The technical off road driving aspect of overlanding is a ton of fun, and many including myself enjoy it immensely, but again, I think I speak for most here when I say it's not the main point for us.

As for "light on the land" - the tread lightly mindset is a core value of Overland Bound, so I would say the majority here have that covered.

 

[CSG]

As for "light on the land" - the tread lightly mindset is a core value of Overland Bound, so I would say the majority here have that covered.

One would hope but review the photos on this site and others and ask yourself if that mindset is actually pacticed by most.

 

[CR-Venturer]

One would hope but review the photos on this site and others and ask yourself if that mindset is actually pacticed by most.

I haven't seen anything on here to suggest it isn't.

 

[MOAK]

I would say that backpacking is not so much about "simple" as it is about "light" for the obvious reason that ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. The selection of gear is heavily influenced by size and weight constraints primarily for that reason. There are some pretty skookum pieces of backpacking kit that really aren't "simple" per se, but they're light as a feather. In vehicle dependent travel, overlanding, the size and weight constraints are greatly reduced, which allows the comfort factor to increase. I would argue that backpackers are not into backpacking so much because they love to walk, but because they love to explore the majesty of creation and get away from the pressures and noise of modern civilization. The physical fitness/exertion part of it may be one aspect - they like the challenge, for example - but ultimately it's not the main point, or they'd be better served just hitting the gym and running on the treadmill.

Likewise, I would argue that overlanding is driven by the exact same core desire to explore, to find wild, hidden places that few are able to see, and witness the beauty of creation first hand. By using a vehicle, our range is massively extended and we can get to places that would be utterly impossible to explore solely on foot. The technical off road driving aspect of overlanding is a ton of fun, and many including myself enjoy it immensely, but again, I think I speak for most here when I say it's not the main point for us.

As for "light on the land" - the tread lightly mindset is a core value of Overland Bound, so I would say the majority here have that covered.

Well said, there is no longer a need for me to post on this subject as I’d only be repeating what you have stated.

 

[MOAK]

I haven't seen anything on here to suggest it isn't.

Unfortunately the image of large convoys suggests to many, including myself, that “it” isn’t .. that is the one practice I disagree with. Imagine you’ve been out backpacking for a few days in the absolute peace and quiet. As you near a two track the serenity is broken by a large convoy blowing by you, kicking up dust, and being very noisy. That would leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. If, on the other hand you had encountered 1 to 3 vehicles the taste would not have been nearly so bitter. Sorry, I just can’t get behind the convoy thing. It is not an image that I want to portray to groups that work hard to shut down our access. Why give those groups any more ammunition then they already have? I could go on and on about the access subject and my opinions about what we need to be doing, but then I’d be accused of ranting, and I’m certainly not doing that. (Lol)... I lead a very small group every summer through the back woods of the Appalachians and I’m very clear in limiting it to 6 vehicles total. This year the organizers stepped it up to 9, if 8 actually show up, it will be the last year that I volunteer to do it.

 

[CSG]

Unfortunately the image of large convoys suggests to many, including myself, that “it” isn’t .. that is the one practice I disagree with. Imagine you’ve been out backpacking for a few days in the absolute peace and quiet. As you near a two track the serenity is broken by a large convoy blowing by you, kicking up dust, and being very noisy. That would leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. If, on the other hand you had encountered 1 to 3 vehicles the taste would not have been nearly so bitter. Sorry, I just can’t get behind the convoy thing. It is not an image that I want to portray to groups that work hard to shut down our access. Why give those groups any more ammunition then they already have? I could go on and on about the access subject and my opinions about what we need to be doing, but then I’d be accused of ranting, and I’m certainly not doing that. (Lol)... I lead a very small group every summer through the back woods of the Appalachians and I’m very clear in limiting it to 6 vehicles total. This year the organizers stepped it up to 9, if 8 actually show up, it will be the last year that I volunteer to do it.

That's just one example of what I was thinking about. The other is all the images of the group campsites with all the gear, lights, fires, drones, music, etc. These events impact the land and others' rights to a little piece and quiet more than the participants would like to admit, especially in more fragile environments. That's why I don't travel with groups.