Trip Report: Brush Mountain and San Emigdio Mountain

For the weekend of September 10/11, I decided to do a quick, one-nighter trip in order to test the current set-up and try out the new sleeping platform, the new tires, and take the 4Runner for some actual off-roading for the first time.  It'd be a solo trip, but with the dog.

Since this was the first trip, and it was a solo trip, a lot of time was spent planning and coming up with a checklist of items to bring.  The resulting checklist included all of the camping gear, food, personal and dog items that I would be bring.

Preparation

The Plan
We hit the road on early Saturday morning, heading out to the national forest.  Once we found the campsite, the plan would be to drive the nearby trails that run along the ridge and then go for a hike with the dog.  The hope was that both the drive and the hike would be challenging.  The real test for the weekend would be at night, when we would settle into the 4Runner.  The next morning, another drive or hike and then it was time to go home.

The drives were planned out using the Los Padres National Forest (South) map purchased from the Forest Service with some help from the Gaia app on my phone.

Storage

Strapped down and ready to roll

Most gear was stashed in a new Sterilite 27-gallon Industrial Tote.  The benefit of this plastic bin over many of the others I have bought for general storage are slots in the lid which allows for strapping the bins securely in place.

All food and water (other than some dry snacks) was stored in the Coolest cooler, which has a variety of capabilities but really for this trip, it was only needed as a cooler and a seat.

The Coolest cooler and the plastic bin were strapped down to make sure they won't be flung about in case of emergency braking, quick turns, or rough roads.  I bought a tarp which I hoped would be useful both as a clean camp floor as well as to help keep the sleeping platform clean.  Bungee cords keep the tarp (folded in half) in place.

Meal Plan
Due to fire restrictions, but mainly due to trying to keep everything as simple as possible, I did not plan on bringing a stove or having any kind of fire.  Therefore, food was going to be extremely simple as well.  The meal plan:
Day 1 Breakfast: a Power Bar Crunch bar.  We ate plenty of these when we were training hard for triathlons and other athletic events, so I knew this would do the trick.
Day 1 Lunch: Mixed nuts.  A mix of almonds, walnuts, cashews and peanuts.
Day 1 Snacks: Beef jerky; apple; Goldfish
Day 1 Dinner: MRE (meal, ready to eat)
Day 2 Breakfast: a Power Bar Crunch bar.

By lunchtime on Day 2, I expected to be back in civilization.

Day 1
The first day started as planned. Up bright and early, both the dog and I enjoy a quick and early breakfast.  Load up the 4Runner and off we go.  This happens to be the first time any real mileage is being put on the new KO2's, both on- and off-pavement.

After arriving at Marian Campground, the dog and I took a break to stretch out our legs and have a snack.  Then it was off to Brush Mountain, where we hit a steep hill with deep ruts that gave us a bit of trouble. It was a great picture taking opportunity though!

With a bit of fun in the dirt under our belt, the dog and I went out for a hike to explore Brush Mountain.  After we were done hiking around Brush Mountain, it was already a bit past noon.  We then headed east toward San Emigdio Mountain.  Along the route one of the maps showed an old quarry, which was our next stop.  We would have rested for a while longer after our hike of Brush Mountain, but there were a lot of buzzing insects flying around.  Though nothing stung us, it was rather annoying.  At the quarry, there were far fewer insects, so we spent a bit more time there just soaking in the view and enjoying the quiet.

The quarry had clearly become an off-road funpark, but after reading horror stories of sharp rocks piercing tires, I was a bit hesitant to spend too much time frolicking in the loose rocks.  However, we did drive down through the quarry, and at one point a rock's size surprised me when it lodged itself under the driver's side running board, pushing the board upwards.  I reversed off of the rock and the running board popped itself back into shape, but I think this is a sign that rock sliders are needed!

After the break at the quarry, we headed east on the dirt trail along the ridge again. This trail would take us up to the summit of San Emigdio and down it too.  By mid-late afternoon, we found a very nice ledge to camp, tucked a bit away from the trail.  Here we settled in for the evening.

I was very glad to have packed a plastic folding table.  Originally I wasn't sure if it would be necessary, but it was certainly a good idea.  There is a surprising amount of dust on everything and having the table meant one more platform to keep items off of the dirt.  It's also good for eating, reading and writing.

Day 2
I knew this day would be short because I had a flight to catch in the evening, so I had to get home, clean up and pack too.  The plan was to hit one more trail and then head on home.

Lessons Learned
 - Strap the Coolest on one side and the storage bin on another without criss-crossing straps.  It was a pain to undo both in order to get into one of them.
- Paper bag is not sturdy enough.
- Need easier access to snacks!
- It gets cold in the night.  No need to keep a window slightly open (in fact, I've been told I should get some Reflectix for the windows, especially in the winter).
- Dog needs to have his own water bottle for hiking.
- Coolest is just slightly too tall to be able to open inside the 4Runner.
- Get rock sliders.
- I really like eating jerky.
- Dust and dirt everywhere. Seriously, everywhere.

4Runner: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Meaty BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires

Bald tires are no good.  In keeping with the theme of building an off-road capable overlanding rig, all-terrain tires are called for in this instance.  After reading review after review, the BFGoodrich KO2's seemed like the natural choice.

OEM size: 265/70-16
New size: 265/75-16

Slightly upsizing.  A set of four were bought, but since we are upsizing the tires, a fifth for a spare will be needed soon.  For now, we'll just have to wheel carefully.

Installed and ready to roll!

4Runner: Sleeping Platform

4Runner: Sleeping Platform

Sleeping options; at right is the completed sleeping platform.

Having done a year of service as a grocery-getter, dog-hauler and triathlon support vehicle, the next phase of the 4Runner's life with us will take on the additional duty as an off-road capable overlanding rig.  The plan is to use it as a base for camping.

One of the most basic needs of camping is somewhere to sleep.  Three options come to mind: (a) a normal tent, (b) a rooftop tent, and (c) a sleeping platform.  You've probably already guessed which one I chose.

The drawback of a tent is the need to set up and break down a tent at every campsite, and finding an appropriate site for a tent.  A rooftop tent is expensive and puts a lot of weight very high up on the vehicle.  Finally, a sleeping platform seemed to be the a very good compromise.  While it added weight to the car, it is fairly low.  There's nothing to set-up or break down at camp, but it's also without certain drawbacks too.

L: Fuel filler notch;
R: Cut for passenger reclining

With a good friend, we built the sleeping platform approximately nine inches above the cargo floor, in order to clear the wheels (and most of the fuel filler on the driver side).  This allows a nice four foot wide sleeping platform, more than enough space to sleep two people.  For this fairly basic platform, we cut a semi-circular notch for the fuel filler and then took off two inches at the front of the platform behind the passenger seat.  The notch for the fuel filler was necessary since a nine inch height wouldn't clear the fuel filler; this was purposefully done in order to maximize the space available above the platform.  The two inches behind the passenger seat was cut out to allow the passenger to be able to recline the seat a bit while driving.

The sleeping platform itself is a 3/4" thick slab of plywood, mounted on three longitudinal supports with two cross supports.  Using existing D-rings in the 4Runner, the platform is held securely in place at 6 different points.  Total cost of the wood, screws and related hardware was just under $150.

Big thanks to my friend BK for the help building the sleeping platform.

Top: The support structure
Bottom left: Ratchet straps at the front.  Seat bottoms removed.
Bottom right: Using existing D-rings to secure the platform.

4Runner: An Introduction

4Runner: An Introduction

The 4Runner was purchased in June 2015 with approximately 90,000 miles on the odometer, while we were living in New York, just about to move to New Jersey.  Living in Manhattan meant not having a car, which was an entirely new experience for us and one we'd prefer not to repeat! 

The 4Runner was chosen for its Toyota reliability as well as enormous space for the dog and our triathlon gear (and any other gear we may have for other activities).  Plus, I've always wanted a 4Runner.  It seemed to be a natural successor to Trusty Truck, a 1991 Toyota Pickup with a 3.4L engine from a late model Tacoma, which I owned prior to moving to New York.  At the time, we were finishing up binge watching the entire Parks and Recreation series on Netflix and the 4Runner became known as "Johnny Karate".

Ready for a road trip to Syracuse!

The original plan for the 4Runner was not to become an overlander.  Rather, it was to simply be a grocery-getter that would be capable through the winters of the northeast.  While we lived in New Jersey, it served its purpose well.  It is an overly capable grocery-getter as well as a great triathlon support vehicle.  Many road trips were taken, include a girls' trip through Vermont and to Montreal, a jaunt to Niagara Falls with the dog and cat, and as a support vehicle at Ironman 70.3 Syracuse.

For the first year of ownership, we ensured all major maintenance items were caught up.  Within that time, life dictated a move back to California, which necessitated a three-day cross county road trip.  The trip had us stopping in St. Louis, MO, and Albuquerque, NM, essentially 1,000 miles driven per day.  We hit some nasty weather in southern Illinois, but otherwise it was smooth sailing.  Neither the 4Runner nor the dog had any complaints!  I wish there had been more time to really enjoy the trip and make a few more stops along the way.

Moving to California also meant the 4Runner could no longer be the only car in the family (the 911 notwithstanding; we're talking about practical daily drivers here).  A car was purchased for the wife and the 4Runner became my primary vehicle.  Plans of building an off-roading or overlanding rig started dancing in my head.

After 14 months of ownership, we finally hit the big milestone of 100,000 miles.  Coincidentally, this is when the fun began.

And so the adventure begins….

Version 2.0, Here We Go!

And we're back!  After a long hiatus, we are back to publishing online.  Only this time, it won't be about Ironman, triathlon or training.  It might be a little bit about those things, but it'll mostly be about new hobbies.

New hobbies will include motorized hobbies (which is really not a new hobby, but it has taken a new twist).  In part, this will be a blog of the "build" of the motorized hobbies.

The day we brought him home

Build 1: 2002 Toyota 4Runner Limited
Build 2: 1990 Porsche 911 C4 Turbo

The 4Runner will be built as an overlanding vehicle.  In short, a vehicle in which one can camp and live in.  With its off-road prowess (yes, it is 4wd), the aim is to enjoy the great outdoors off the beaten path.  The current vision is to build for primitive camping, or dispersed camping - camping away from established campgrounds where is running water and "facilities".  The starting point is a completely stock 4Runner.

The Porsche build will be for a street and track friendly vehicle. The starting point is a 1990 Porsche 911 C4 that has a 1991 3.3 turbo motor in the rear and turbo flares installed.