I just recently bought a new SUV, with 4X4 capability. I am looking for easy to drive trails, not serious trails where I need a jacked up truck, but trails where street cars wont or shouldn't be going. I have found some "gravel" roads. But I am looking for something a little more fun than a dirt road, such as a logging road that is not gated off.
Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated
Welcome! The one everyone will probably recommend first is Hill 60. Here’s the entrance to that area:
https://goo.gl/maps/GeFaKYfzk7gFeSpE7
Beyond that, I’ll save you from my poor memory and recommend that you scroll through past forum posts. There’s a ton of recommendations, maps, etc. that others have posted, and they’re all more knowledgeable than me :-)
We also do group drives once in a while, so keep an eye on the forums for that, if you’re interested.
Cheers!
If you plan on driving your 2020 rav4 on trails like hill 60, I would greatly reconsider.
If I were you, I'd buy a backroads map book and just cruise main logging roads and the odd side road. You can still find some pretty cool stuff without beating the hell out of your brand new suv.
A toyota rav4 is a fantastic vehicle, but it's not meant for actual 4x4 trails.
To me it's not worth beating on my daily driver. Everytime I do go to a place like hill 60 I come back with scratches and other little damages.
Awesome, thanks for the advice. Where can I acquire such a book?
Any gas station should have it.
One of your first trips should be to the red creek fir. The road will slightly challenge your suv and it's the largest douglas fir in Canada.
There are tons of cool little camp spots and other areas that you can find just by driving back roads and looking for ways down to the lakes or rivers.
You dont need to do serious 4x4ing to get to some awesome spots.
Enjoy!
Well Thank you very much I look forward to trying and find these places
where do I find red creek?
It's in the backroads mapbook, or you can do a google search for it.
I googled red creek fir and multiple sites with directions popped up.
I sit down with my backroads mapbook some evenings to plan out weekend exploring.
I've found a lot of dead ends, gates, and terrain too hard for my truck, but once in a while I'll find an gem of a camp spot, or photo opportunity.
It's not always easy to find some of these cool locations, but the journey is half the fun.
Jonathan is spot on. I always have an urge to find out what's down every turn. Planning it out can help alleviate some of that.
Another couple places to explore up by me are Nanaimo Lakes and NW Logging Bay Road.
This is awesome info, I'm looking forward to doing some exploring... Thanks again =)
I found lots of great places using google earth. Between google earth and a decent gps track app i plan my routes and always find cool spots.
Found some nice cabins here and there as well.
Also if you are looking for a known land mark or attraction youtube is your friend.
Example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLYWilSwvFo
I recommend ash road north or port alberni or comox lake road. Just fairly basic gravel roads with turn offs that you go on if you feel like it. Great scenery, tons of camping spots tons of little lakes. However I would suggest gaia maps or a island backroads mapbook