Trail Security

[CurrentlyRockhoundin]

I'm a believer in protecting myself and those around me and that's why I chose to train with my firearm to a high level and carry whenever I'm out of the house.

Sometimes in life things go bad and it can happen anywhere.

 

[M Rose]

I'm a believer in protecting myself and those around me and that's why I chose to train with my firearm to a high level and carry whenever I'm out of the house.

Sometimes in life things go bad and it can happen anywhere.

i felt naked and vulnerable when I was out yesterday, while in the mall I found myself constantly checking my 6, and readjusting for situational awareness. I don’t carry a crossed state lines, but I am starting to think I need to get my CCL for neighboring states.
it was nice meeting you yesterday Jared, I look forward to more adventures with you. I forgot to ask how your rock hounding went yesterday.

 

[Jaron Williams]

I’m with @472HemiGTX , Lock everything, and carry what you train with. Most people on the trail are there to enjoy it like us.

I carry a small arsenal with me because my family likes to shoot.

One trip I had a spooky experience. I always disperse camp at the end of untraveled FS roads. This spot was no different, except there was a nice turn around about 100 yards before our camp, and no place to easily turn around at our camp site. I had a tent set up back in the wood line, with my ATV trailer parked close by. I had my truck parked facing my tent next to the camp fire with the tailgate pointing towards the road we came in on.
After dark, I threw a couple of good sized logs onto the fire so I would have coals for coffee when we woke up. I woke a couple hours later and my spidey senses we’re going nuts. The logs were about 3/4 of the way burnt down and mostly smoldering with a couple flames licking the rocks from time to time.
Then I heard it.
The distinguishable sound of a rig bouncing down the road.
Our camp was only 1/4 mile from the main FS road, so at first I thought the rig was on it. But then I realized the engine sound was making a corner, and then I saw the headlights. The rig stopped about 200 yards from the turn out and they shut off the engine. Then they spotlighted our camp. I heard the doors open and people talking in the distance. So I grabbed my revolver and held it close as I watched the people at the rig.
After about 10 minutes they finally got back in the rig and started the engine and started down the trail towards our camp. They past the turn out and kept coming towards my camp. I had sliding side windows in my topper, so I opened the side furthest from them and crawled out of my truck to my tent where I grabbed my .22 pump action rifle. Then I crawled a crossed the road and sat on the edge of the tree line and waited.
A few minutes passed and they finally came. The rig was a dark colored Jeep XJ with some kind of roof rack on it. They pulled up into the middle of camp and the passenger got out of the XJ. I heard the passenger say something to the driver that wasn’t exactly friendly towards us. So, I stood up holding the rifle low.

”What’s up guys? Are you lost? Can I give you a hand?“ I asked the guy who got out of the XJ.
”There is only one, we can get him” I hear from inside the XJ.
”He has a rifle!” whispered the guy outside the Jeep.
I raised my rifle up so all could see it.
Just then I hear the distinct sound of my revolver cocking from inside the back of my truck.
”That would be my wife with my .357, you guys are a silhouette from the fire for her, and at this range she won’t miss. So boys, better start talking, or kick rocks out of here.” I stated.
The guy out of the rig jumped back in and they got out of camp pretty quick. They drove very fast down the trail back to the turnout where they stopped. Shutoff the lights and got out of the rig. All 5 of them. They started walking back towards camp at a quick pace.
I placed a shot just in front of their feet and told them and told them it was best if they got back in their car and leave.
that time they left.

Another time I was at a campground with my ATVS and a camp trailer. I was the only one there when a truck with a stock trailer (no animals in it though) pulled up kind of late. A guy walked up to me with a case of beer and started talking to me. He drank the whole case as we enjoyed my camp fire. He seamed awfully interested in my ATVS and my camp. Finally I made it clear it was time for me to head to bed. I let my shirt ride up to reveal my .45 as I entered my trailer.
he was gone by morning.

I am friendly but somewhat weary of people I don't know. I hope your story is a one-off for the most part. I may be doing some traveling with the dogs but just me sometimes and I plan to be prepared for the "just in case" scenarios!

 

[M Rose]

I am friendly but somewhat weary of people I don't know. I hope your story is a one-off for the most part. I may be doing some traveling with the dogs but just me sometimes and I plan to be prepared for the "just in case" scenarios!

Out of 22 years these are the only 2 scenarios I have encountered. The Travel trailer camp one happened in 2013, while the tent camp was in 2017 and about 100 miles a part. So, no they were both isolated instances and I still camp in both locations without fear of harm weather human or furry.

 

[Jaron Williams]

.

I travel the North American continent widely and regularly, going backcountry for weeks and months at a time and don't carry any weapons that need ammunition. My knife collection, though, is something else.

Too many state and national borders to cross, too many border checkpoints, and too many places that don't allow that kind of weapon. A lot of this is habit from decades of traveling when national parks did not allow guns, rifles, or shotguns.

In my experience--somewhere over 600 nights out in the last two years and many more in the decades previous--weapons are needed for security far more in urban areas than on the trail.

.

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Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

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I see your point of being safer out away from the cities and crowds. I guess being a Marine, I still feel that anything can happen anywhere and I prepare to protect myself accordingly. One interesting thing is carrying fire-arms in other states or even countries could definitely cause some issues! Loved hearing the amount of experience and lack of issues you've had though. True Overlander!

 

[M Rose]

I see your point of being safer out away from the cities and crowds. I guess being a Marine, I still feel that anything can happen anywhere and I prepare to protect myself accordingly. One interesting thing is carrying fire-arms in other states or even countries could definitely cause some issues! Loved hearing the amount of experience and lack of issues you've had though. True Overlander!

Yes the service kind of engraves that feeling of security into us. Thank you for your service, I know it kind of lost it’s meaning over the years, but I sincerely mean it. Thank you.

 

[Jaron Williams]

I always concealed carry as do my traveling companions. When out in the wilderness, I'll switch to open carry just as so anyone looking at us can see we are not defenseless. victims.

I also carry a SCAR and 870 in the truck easy to get to. Below is a link to a good article to the dangers in the Colorado outdoors.

Danger in the forest

I have never had an issue in the back country, however I always carry. I have a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan in .454 Casull which will deal with most anything. I also have a FNS 9C 9mm for concealed carry.

ScottE, I was thinking the same as what you do. To carry openly when out. I have the Rig always ready for trouble while praying none comes my way. Thanks for the article.

 

[CurrentlyRockhoundin]

i felt naked and vulnerable when I was out yesterday, while in the mall I found myself constantly checking my 6, and readjusting for situational awareness. I don’t carry a crossed state lines, but I am starting to think I need to get my CCL for neighboring states.
it was nice meeting you yesterday Jared, I look forward to more adventures with you. I forgot to ask how your rock hounding went yesterday.

I currently maintain my Oregon, Washington and Utah permits which covers me in most places I go.

The rockhounding went well, the area out there is pretty, and I found a nice sized agate.

 

[Jaron Williams]

My wife is not comfortable around firearms.So I decided to not take a firearm on this trip.
So a couple years ago, for our anniversary we decided to go backpacking to a lake that was about 5 miles outside of a small mountain town in the Cascades. We found an awesome spot at the back of the lake on the sandy inlet, completly exposed! It was november and we were the only ones there.
Well in the middle of the night we were startled awake by gunfire, really loud gunfire echoing across the lake. Then we heard yelling and someone screaming, "I'm going to Fu#^$%g kill you". This was repeated several times. As the voices moved closer to the back of the lake where we were camped I really started to worry. I exited the tent and gout a count of headlamps and their positions. I walked about 40 yards from the tent to the edge of the water, putting distance between myself and my wife who was in the tent. I decided to give away my presence by turning on my flashlight and sweeping on the ground and in the opposite direction of the badguys. My intent was to say "hey there is someone here so don't shoot this way" but not to target them with light which could escalate the situation.
I did this several times, and they went quite and seemed to setup camp and build a fire about 400 yards away.
I didnt sleep the rest of the night.
The next day I decided to make contact playing dumb. I had hiked my canoe in so I approached their camp from the water. I asked if they had heard all of the shooting. They said it was them and apologized for their drunken behaviour.
I commented that I thought maybe there was a bear or something in a camp. I told them I didnt want to get caught off guard by a bear, so I loaded my AR15 just incase.
Later that day we went for a paddle, when we returned someone had entered our tent. Nothing was missing but our space was still violated.

I have since told my wife that I will never go unarmed again. in fact i now have redundancies.

I guess the point is you just never know. Random things happen in random places at unexpected times. So be as prepared as you are comfortable with and never think "it wont happen here"!
Pics from that trip
View attachment 133847
View attachment 133848

I agree

My wife is not comfortable around firearms.So I decided to not take a firearm on this trip.
So a couple years ago, for our anniversary we decided to go backpacking to a lake that was about 5 miles outside of a small mountain town in the Cascades. We found an awesome spot at the back of the lake on the sandy inlet, completly exposed! It was november and we were the only ones there.
Well in the middle of the night we were startled awake by gunfire, really loud gunfire echoing across the lake. Then we heard yelling and someone screaming, "I'm going to Fu#^$%g kill you". This was repeated several times. As the voices moved closer to the back of the lake where we were camped I really started to worry. I exited the tent and gout a count of headlamps and their positions. I walked about 40 yards from the tent to the edge of the water, putting distance between myself and my wife who was in the tent. I decided to give away my presence by turning on my flashlight and sweeping on the ground and in the opposite direction of the badguys. My intent was to say "hey there is someone here so don't shoot this way" but not to target them with light which could escalate the situation.
I did this several times, and they went quite and seemed to setup camp and build a fire about 400 yards away.
I didnt sleep the rest of the night.
The next day I decided to make contact playing dumb. I had hiked my canoe in so I approached their camp from the water. I asked if they had heard all of the shooting. They said it was them and apologized for their drunken behaviour.
I commented that I thought maybe there was a bear or something in a camp. I told them I didnt want to get caught off guard by a bear, so I loaded my AR15 just incase.
Later that day we went for a paddle, when we returned someone had entered our tent. Nothing was missing but our space was still violated.

I have since told my wife that I will never go unarmed again. in fact i now have redundancies.

I guess the point is you just never know. Random things happen in random places at unexpected times. So be as prepared as you are comfortable with and never think "it wont happen here"!
Pics from that trip
View attachment 133847
View attachment 133848

NICE site! I agree totally and your experience is one reason why.

 

[Jaron Williams]

Your

I've done some very remote backpacking and camping and never had any problems. The only incident I ever had was at a rest area. I just turned 18 in Navy boot camp in San Diego (1985) and got orders to Groton, CT. I was driving from San Diego to Groton and was sleeping in my car along the way. I stopped at a rest area in Tennessee to go to the bathroom and splash some water on my face. As I got back to my car, there was an old van parked next to me and three guys who got between me and the car and was asking for money and then the asking went to telling me to give them money. I had my Navy seabag in the back seat along with a giant Rambo type knife next to it. I was a little rattled, but just looked at them calmly and laughed saying I was military and therefore broke. One guy saw the seabag and knife and asked if I was Army. I took that and ran with it and told them I just got out of Ranger school. They got in their van and took off. I lucked out, but it served as a reminder that there are bad folk out there and I'm not going to expect a bluff to work again, so yeah, I will carry when I'm in places where I can get jammed up. Plus I travel with my wife...my duty is to protect her and I take that seriously. 44 mag in the truck and a concealed 9 on me.

I agree! Great your wife travels with you and she should be your upmost concern! Thanks for your service... Squid lol (said in love brother).

 

[Jaron Williams]

Thanks for this thread. I had asked about camp security in on of the "Bootcamp" threads, but got crickets. This is giving me some good information. Again, thanks!

I am as well!

 

[grubworm]

The worst thing now is road rage. I see a lot of it and even out on the interstates going 80+ mph, people are cutting each other off and brake checking and just losing their minds. Some are even pulling out guns.
Its funny, a while back a guy was on the phone and coming into my lane and was about to clip me so I honked. Instead of being grateful I alerted him, he got pissed and forced me to the shoulder of the road. He got out and was walking back to me cussing because I dare honk at him and I noticed his truck was rolling down the shoulder...guess in all his rage, he got out and left it in gear. I got out and started laughing and he stopped and looked at me funny. I pointed to his truck rolling down the road without him and he he turned and took off after it. That was the end of his rage, but it just goes to show that even being a nice careful driver and minding your own business isn't always going to keep you from dealing with crazy. I do a LOT of traveling and see road rage all the time. I'm probably more concerned about GETTING to my destination than I am worried about something happening once I'm there.

Ha! That was pretty funny...to this day I still laugh at his dumb ass

 

[Jaron Williams]

I live in a beautiful area of coastline, no public assistance "services" nearby (so to speak), and encounter a small bit of what was described in the above article.

I'll be exploring quasi remote FS roads & lo & behold, there's some derelict camping trailer someone has hauled 15 miles off the highway (101) and parked it where it broke, and they're living in it.

They can hear me coming up the dirt road, me not knowing they're there, step out in front of my rig stopping me in my tracks & "ask" for money. So far, I've been successful in BSing them & I go on my way. But I can tell from the looks on faces, and the number of individuals, and the overall "condition" of their camp that they're sketchy. Maybe they're simply homeless. More than likely, they're manufacturing "meth" (or sh!t they call meth).

And they're out in the middle of "nowhere".

It's gotten to the point that I don't want to park at a trailhead & hike anymore. At too many trailheads, you pull up and sure as sh!t, there's a pile of broken vehicle glass on the ground.

Sad.

Good advice. Now days a lone vehicle with the person probably gone a few hours, for some make a good Target!

 

[Jaron Williams]

I used to work with a guy that was an avid hiker. He once returned to the trailhead to find his truck ransacked. Apparently, upon not finding anything of value inside the truck, the perpetrator attempted to steak the truck itself by hot wiring the ignition. When this proved unsuccessful, they cut the fuel lines in spite. Worked out to something like $3K in damage. Fortunately, insurance covered him, but it still proved to be a logistical hassle what with getting a tow truck to the remote trail head and dealing with the repairs, etc.

Meth heads gonna meth head.

Geez!

 

[Jaron Williams]

i felt naked and vulnerable when I was out yesterday, while in the mall I found myself constantly checking my 6, and readjusting for situational awareness. I don’t carry a crossed state lines, but I am starting to think I need to get my CCL for neighboring states.
it was nice meeting you yesterday Jared, I look forward to more adventures with you. I forgot to ask how your rock hounding went yesterday.

Reading these post I think I need to continue doing what I do.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

I appreciate your concern for my safety Jim... but an article is not going to change my deep personal beliefs. Please don't tag me in posts like that.

Gotcha

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

The worst thing now is road rage. I see a lot of it and even out on the interstates going 80+ mph, people are cutting each other off and brake checking and just losing their minds. Some are even pulling out guns.
Its funny, a while back a guy was on the phone and coming into my lane and was about to clip me so I honked. Instead of being grateful I alerted him, he got pissed and forced me to the shoulder of the road. He got out and was walking back to me cussing and I noticed his truck was rolling down the shoulder...guess in all his rage, he got out and left it in gear. I got out and started laughing and he stopped and looked at me funny. I pointed to his truck rolling down the road without him and he he turned and took off after it. That was the end of his rage, but it just goes to show that even being a nice careful driver and minding your own business isn't always going to keep you from dealing with crazy. I do a LOT of traveling and see road rage all the time. I'm probably more concerned about GETTING to my destination than I am worried about something happening once I'm there.

That is not an unusual experience in my area.
Many gangs, Mexican Mafia and Cartel all over the place. They are all armed with something deadly and looking for trouble where ever they can find it. You cant always avoid them. Staying alert and ready is a way of life for me and as I have grown old I am doubly cautious. Gangs like to prey on the elderly. Rural areas are safer but not without incidents. Many drug deals going on in the boon docks and they have better off road equipment than me.

 

[Offroadnutz]

I am one of the ones that have had a number of "incidents" happen over the years. Most recently about this time last year. I was on a hiking trail that circumvents a lake with one of my dogs. On the south side of the lake the trail parallels a county road for about a mile and the two are only about 40 feet apart. A guy was driving down the road, saw me, and started driving real slow and staying behind me. After doing this for some time I turned the opposite way and started running. He immediately swung his truck around to pursue me. I ran and hid behind a berm with some heavy thickets where I could see him but he couldn't see me. He stops and gets out of his truck and I see he has a gun. I promptly pull my piece, worked the action making sure it made maximum noise sliding back so that he was aware I was armed and ready to defend myself. He obviously hears it and then turns around, gets back in his truck and leaves in his original direction.

To this day I have no idea what that was about...

 

[grubworm]

That is not an unusual experience in my area.
Many gangs, Mexican Mafia and Cartel all over the place. They are all armed with something deadly and looking for trouble where ever they can find it. You cant always avoid them. Staying alert and ready is a way of life for me and as I have grown old I am doubly cautious. Gangs like to prey on the elderly. Rural areas are safer but not without incidents. Many drug deals going on in the boon docks and they have better off road equipment than me.

Sad but true. There really aren't too many places one can go now and be totally safe.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

I am one of the ones that have had a number of "incidents" happen over the years. Most recently about this time last year. I was on a hiking trail that circumvents a lake with one of my dogs. On the south side of the lake the trail parallels a county road for about a mile and the two are only about 40 feet apart. A guy was driving down the road, saw me, and started driving real slow and staying behind me. After doing this for some time I turned the opposite way and started running. He immediately swung his truck around to pursue me. I ran and hid behind a berm with some heavy thickets where I could see him but he couldn't see me. He stops and gets out of his truck and I see he has a gun. I promptly pull my piece, worked the action making sure it made maximum noise sliding back so that he was aware I was armed and ready to defend myself. He obviously hears it and then turns around, gets back in his truck and leaves in his original direction.

To this day I have no idea what that was about...

Some unarmed people never get to tell your story. Funny how the sound of loading a gun is such a good deterrent, but sometime that is all that it takes.