People often ask me what it’s like to go to a large event like Overland Expo and how it differs than a smaller regional rally. The Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail stretches 19 miles across Chautauqua County, offering users some of the most well kept and marked trails in all of Western New York. Distance: 145 miles The LJ already has a brake controller […], Picking up where we left off, this episode continues the discussion on planning a build. Hey overlanders, I live on Long Island, NY. Head to Colorado to check out the magic of winter in Rocky Mountain National Park. An overland destination all to itself is Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Water sports such as kayaking, kite-boarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving are all popular activities in different areas of the Baja, and in most areas it’s legal to drive and camp right on the beach, making finding a spot to post up for the night a breeze. ———————————————————–, Back to Basics 2: On the essence of travel, A response from Backcountry Discovery Routes Board of Directors, An Open Letter to the BDR Board of Directors, Echoes of Adventure: Season 2, Episode 12, Echoes of Adventure: Season 2, Episode 11, Echoes of Adventure: Season 2, Episode 10, Plug & Play Brake Controller Install: The REDARC Tow-Pro Elite, Rig Profile: 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. While not technically in the United States, you won’t find a better winter overlanding escape this close to the U.S than the Baja. Cutting across the Mojave National Preserve, the Mojave Road pairs a stunning desert landscape with the rich history of the region, the road itself a former Native American trade route and wagon trail for western settlers. Trails Offroad All-Access membership gives you the highest grade of information before you hit the trails. Every major event and most minor events have been canceled. It follows the Appalachian trail all the way from the southern terminus in Georgia to the northern terminus in Maine. Distance: (variable) If your new year’s resolution involves more overland trips — or just getting into overlanding — this list will be the perfect start. It started off with an overly ambitious plan, had a major false start, and a few mechanical woes. The Dalton Highway. Running… So in 1984, he set off to create an off-pavement, cross-country trail of epic proportions. Evans Northern Cherokee Trail Coming Soon! When you hear about […], One of the most influential variables for what I do as an adventure travel enthusiast was the decision to pull an off-road camping trailer. To do the full Alpine Loop/Engineer Pass route see the link above for directions. Recommended Time: 2 weeks – 1+ month Weather can cause road conditions to change quickly and, due to travel on remote and unmaintained roads, it’s recommended to travel in a convoy of 2+ vehicles. The route can be started from the north (just west of Horseshoe Bay) or the south (Fredericksburg) and passes along the outskirts of Mason and Doss, small towns that are excellent places to resupply and grab a bite to eat. Recommended Time: 5 hr – 2+ days The Texas Hill Country Route is a non-technical route that is great for beginners. The Ozark Overland Trail, also known as the High Water Mark Trail, is a popular overland route through the Ozarks, including a patchwork of roads and trails through Ozark National Forest. Recommended Time: 1 week+ When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall. When to Go: Summer to Fall. The roads and trails are mostly dirt forest service, power line, and county roads, with some rougher trails cutting through the forests. Distance: 600+ miles Location: Queen, NM to Estes Park, CO Route: Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route In the end it was still worth it! more! Looking for More? For more information, visit eastcoastoverland.net Our 2021 Sale is On! Pony Express Route. Commentary Recommended Time: 1-2 days Location: Livengood to Deadhorse, Alaska When to Go: Winter (January-March). Location: Baja Peninsula, Mexico Looking for More? Things here on the ECOA […], What happens when you get five Jeep enthusiasts talking about Jeeps? If you’re looking for a peaceful trail to ride, this is the place for you! Info: Friends of the Rubicon. It’s a mission. Hand-picked overland trip, route, and trail suggestions for each month of the year to keep you busy through 2020 and beyond. So here’s how it’s going to work. The Uwharrie ORV trails are owned and operated by the US Forest Service and is located northeast of Charlotte, NC off Highway 109 between Denton and Troy, NC in the Uwharrie National Forest. We set off over the mountains from central Virginia with plans to snake our way into West Virginia via nothing but back roads and forest service roads. In addition to breath-taking scenery, the route traverses through several ghost towns and historic sites including the abandoned Mickey Breen Mine, the Mineral Point ghost town – including the San Juan Chief Mill (a silver processing mill abandoned in 1893), and the Animas Fork ghost town. This is a breezy beginner’s overland thoroughfare with wondrous views of Yucca Valley and the San Bernardino National Forest. If photos of 4WD vehicles ripping down wide-open beaches or seaside campfires get you stoked, look no further than an overland adventure in the South Core Banks, the middle of three islands that comprise Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. It showed me a photo of the cargo box Jim and I built just before I left on the 2015 No Highways Tour. Virgil Dessouroux lives in New Brunswick and operates East Coast Overland Inc. - an adventure travel company. Looking for More? We’ve also kept much of the list beginner-friendly and included routes from around the country. Get 20% OFF trips between Jan 1 -May 31, 2021. The trail, blazed by Peter Lassen while leading a wagon train of pioneers to California in 1848, was used by thousands of goldseekers and emigrants for nearly a decade. The Brute: The Dalton Highway, Alaska. Other great regions to explore include chasing the bright reds of the sugar maples in the Great Smoky Mountains and the vivid yellows of the fall aspens in Colorado. Location: St. Joes to Russellville, AR Engineer Pass can be combined with the popular Alpine Loop Trail via the Alpine Loop Connecter. Looking for something a bit longer? When to Go: Spring and Fall. Head north to explore the Outer Banks, barrier islands that stretch from Corolla to Ocracoke, NC. When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall. Beginning three miles south of Ouray, the iconic Engineer Pass Road traverses a route through the stunning San Juan Mountains, a must-do for all overlanders. Although not required by law due to its weight, it does have electric drum brakes. 2020-10-24; A Weekend on the Trail Earlier this month I set out on a two-day weekend adventure with some friends. From here, there are over 20 miles of undeveloped beach perfect for driving. I think the 12 episode format works well for keeping things organized. Save time, save money by utilizing the All-Access content filters and unlock our All-Access Member only trails. Looking for More? The ability to easily pop into and out of towns also makes the route easily customizable if you aren’t able to tackle the whole thing in one go. The trail starts near Quesnel BC, 641 km North of Vancouver, and travels East to Bella Coola on the coast. Keep your eyes peeled for Texas longhorns along the route. Location: Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina Because the route does cross over some high passes, it is important to pay attention to the weather. The Westside and Eastside combine to give you over 40 miles of trails to explore, each with unique points of interests, wildlife, scenery, and varying difficulty levels. Enchanted Rockies Trail - Lifestyle Overland’s route that takes you along 800 miles of unpaved routes through New Mexico and Colorado.. Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route - 675 miles through some of the most mountainous trails in Colorado, starting at the Four Corners and winding up to Wyoming.. Great Continental Divide Ride - A total of 2,767 miles from Canada to Mexico. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. From affordable gifts under $25 to luxury options. I like having trailer brakes because they are just as useful off-road as they are on-road. The Trans-New Hampshire Overland Adventure Route is an overland route that was developed with a scenic journey in mind, rather than a specifically “off-roading” trip. Distance: 17-mile loop Route: Mojave Road Besides the main North/South highway, Mex 1, there are very few paved roads, other than a … Route: South Core Banks Location: Southern Wisconsin to Lake Superior There you have it, overland trip, route, and trail suggestions for each month of the year to keep you busy through 2020 and beyond. The Overland Trails are a great way to get outside and adventure through the diverse ecosystems in Chautauqua County. Dispersed camping is allowed along the route and there are many great places to camp. An Overland Route for the East Coast. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already heard of the Dalton … Looking for something a little further south? Californian Overland, Off-Road Trails The overland trails featured here will hopefully inspire you to go explore the amazing backcountry of the deserts and mountains of California. Don’t forget to pick up the cult-level “OBX” sticker for your rig! A Rally, a Trail Ride, and a Video. Due to the amount of water, mud-terrain tires are also a good idea. Over the years I have logged countless miles along many of the routes. Route: Valley of the Gods Road While open year-round, the best time of the year to travel the Dalton Highway is from June to mid-July. Why not cross the entire country. Wandering its way between desert springs, the route amidst the unique Joshua trees is mostly non-technical, though there a few spots that can be more challenging, such as the hill into Watson Wash, which is best navigated with the use of a spotter. Whether you are a novice or experienced offroader, we have routes and trails … The trail was developed to be a mild, family-friendly route, is mostly non-technical in nature, and can be accomplished with any stock 4WD vehicle in dry weather. I’ve decided the time has come to pen my thoughts […], Vehicle electrical systems can be somewhat scary for the uninitiated. When dry, the route can typically be covered in even a two-wheel-drive vehicle; however, an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle is more suitable for the rough road and any potential wet road conditions. Although most travelers hike the trail, it is still open to vehicles, but the lack of traffic and the changing conditions can make the week-long (one-way) trip an ordeal to complete, even for the most competent trucks and drivers. I also learned a lot and those experiences […], Picking up with the theme of the last episode, this time I take a look back at some lessons learned during the 2016 No Highways Tour. Looking for More? From the deserted coast of North Carolina to the red-rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau, these routes should be on every overlander’s bucket … Women packed and unpacked the wagons, cooked, milked cows, tended to children, and aided in childbirth. Location: north of Mexican Hat, Utah Sign up for our newsletter and get early access to seasonal sales, When to Go: Summer (June 1) to First Snowfall. There was a brief period of adjustment since prior to that I had been driving a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 330,000+ miles on it. The George Washington National Forest and Jefferson National Forest both offer some great trails and terrain (at least in VA), plus all of the great forests/parks in NC (not too familiar with them). Some of the overland routes and trails included here are also overland rental-vehicle friendly (always check your rental agreement), so even if you’d just love to try the overlanding experience, there’s no better time than 2020! Despite a broken tooth, a 2 day detour getting lost in Tonto National Forest, and more than a few closed sites along the way, I wouldn’t change a thing! Adventure is closer than you think. Men were responsible for yoking and unyoking the oxen, driving the wagons, and making up hunting parties. While the entire route is around 800 miles, it is divided into nine segments, which could easily be completed as their own shorter overland adventures. Route: Ozark Overland Trail (aka High Water Mark Trail) What’s happening with the blog and podcast? The Baja is well-traveled by the overland crowd, so information and route suggestions are not hard to find. This is what you get. Despite being home to the lowest elevation in North America, Death Valley is surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and off-road routes and trails to keep you busy for weeks. Travelers themselves were either stuck at home or relegated to short trips in their own […], Last month I announce the ECOA YouTube channel. Go Forth and Enjoy! While the route is short, it’s worth it to take your time and enjoy a night (or more) at one of the amazing wild and dispersed campsites. While originally designed for dual-sport and adventure-style motorcycles, the Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail, which winds its way from southern Wisconsin (Winter, WI) to the shores of Lake Superior (Cornucopia, WI), is also suitable for high-clearance vehicles with a few slight route changes. What better place to travel in October than through the stunning fall foliage of New England. Recommended Time: 3+ days Possibly a bit warmer? Death Valley National Park is a veritable playground of 4WD and off-highway roads and trails. https://www.thoughtco.com/routes-west-for-american-settlers-1773612 This time around we focus on modifications and the resulting complexities that accompany them. East coast, particularly the area you're near, is actually great for exploration. Synopsis: The original route of the Pony Express Trail ran all the way from St. … Check out the other Backcountry Discovery Routes in CA, AZ, UT, CO, WA, NM, and beyond. With 390 miles of mostly off-pavement travel through a combination of county, state, and Forest Service roads, the George Traverse will provide a tour of parts of Tennessee, North Carolina, and a lot of Georgia. exclusive travel tips from expert outdoor explorers (that’s us), and Its remote setting, enchanting landscape, and abundant dispersed camping options make for another great overlanding trip through the southwest. Discover the best backcountry skiing locations in Colorado for all skill levels, and how you can stay safe while doing it. Due to the nature of overlanding, permanent or seasonal road closures may also occur, so be sure to do your research before setting out. When to Go: late June to early September. Location: Jarbidge, Nevada to the Canadian Border While I wanted to bring attention to what had happened, […], Dear Backcountry Discovery Route Board of Directors, I am a longtime fan of the Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) Series. When he isn't organizing and hosting NB Expedition or guiding overland tours, he can be found mapping trails for trailsoffroad.com. While many are looking to escape the snow in the winter, still others want to navigate to the best ski slopes and backcountry winter wonderlands, and there is no better vehicle to handle winter conditions than a 4WD Jeep, truck, or campervan. Overland Expo® is the premier overlanding event in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world's leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to get outfitted and get going. Now, many years and a lot more experience later, I honestly can’t say I’m any less nervous when doing vehicle electrical systems. I bought a new camera. This week I’m taking a look at my […], In this episode Dan Zehner of the Anthem of the Adventurer hosts a virtual campfire with me, The Road Chose Me, and Family Adventures Overlanding. It’s for everyone who feels the call of the wild, and anyone willing to go find it. Be sure to pick up your ORV Education Certificate before you head for the beach and always check the weather before your trip, particularly if you plan to travel during hurricane season. Route: Dalton Highway Laid out on the Georgia Overland website, the traverse is written from east to west, so you’ll need to reverse the directions. Cherokee Trail, a.k.a. … When to Go: June to September (snow dependent). Depending on the exact route taken and the season of travel, the route may have anywhere from 15-25+ river crossings. Looking for More? Location: Ouray, Colorado Some of my favorite travel memories in recent history are from traveling portions of the Utah (UTBDR) and Arizona (AZBDR) routes. Try the Smoky Mountain Highway, a 78-mile point-to-point 4×4 overland route that runs from Page, AZ to Escalante, UT, passing through the jaw-dropping terrain of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Use code BYEBYE2020. Backcountry Discovery Routes 3250 Airport Way South Ste 733 Seattle, WA 98134, USA With a combination of paved, dirt, forest, and logging roads and trails, the route includes some of the most scenic roads through New Hampshire, beginning at the Canadian border and passing by waterfalls, through forests – including the White Mountain National Forest, over historic covered-bridges, through small towns, and finally to the seacoast. Southeast Overland is a retail company specializing in sales of overland-based products that help improve your vehicular explorations. James Path, Pennsylvania. Sign-up for our newsletter to get a bunch of great information The paths of the East Coast Trail take you past towering cliffs and headlands, sea stacks, deep fjords, and a natural wave-driven geyser called the Spout. Recommended Time: 3-5+ days There are few better ways to spend two to three days behind the wheel of a 4x4 than traversing the Mojave Road. 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Milked cows, tended to children, and cell phone coverage is mostly.... Each trail and our write ups are photographic accounts of each of the cargo box Jim and I just! See the link above for overland trails east coast or impossible in certain seasons the other Backcountry Discovery route will satisfy anyone to!