Perhaps you're right. I imagine it depends a lot on how much one values one's front end...

I used to drive an OBS, and I took it over some seriously rutted roads. I do miss the extra clearance compared to the WRX I drive now, but I think that with some good skid plates and a casual attutude toward one's front lip, the missing half-inch is not too big a deal. ...that said, I'm looking into raising the thing...

It's the torque I miss. There was one road, "Jackass grade", that I drove in the OBS where I had to stop on a hill in THICK mud (and with no-one around to save my ****). I think that if I were there in the WRX I might have become a fossil.


Tell ya what, mayhap oneday we can hit up some gnarley terrain together. You take the lead, and we'll be sure to pack a tow-rope. Knowledge by experimentation!

Out of curiosity... how does that book classify road-dificulties? Is it: gravel < rills < ruts < road-gone?

 

You still have an XT!? Way cool. I wanted one of those back when they came out!

A really really cool offroad trail goes from Willits to Fort Bragg, 25 miles of dirt, ruts, forest, water...can't remember the name of the road but I'll find it in my book if anybody wants. I'd love to help plan this drive, but I am kinda far away (Fremont).

On this road, we had to rescue a Forerunner when it got in too deep (not that we could have gotten thru either, but we weren't stupid enough to barrel into a mud puddle of unknown depth):

 

Bluburu,

The OBS seems like it would be fun for some dirt/rut roads. Our wagon has a so-so approach angle and yes, we have been 'forced' to not worry about the front lip which is pretty scraped up. The plastic undercover scooped up a good amount of mud and is warped also.

I don't have it with me here, but if I remember right, the book has a few sentences describing each level, I think from 1 to 9. It describes the road, but also suggests that for an 8 & 9, for example, you'll be wanting off-road experience and a specialized/modified vehicle. The book simply kicks a**. It gives landmarks and GPS coordinates and odometer references so you will NOT get lost. Ex: At mile 1.4, go straight thru an intersection with a decrepit farm building, coordinates: xxx xxx. Reset your odometer. Drive up a steep hill. etc. etc.
Nice, 'cause I've gotten pretty lost before with all of those inevitable, unmarked spur roads.

Would like to go dirtroading again. Haven't done it in more than a year.

 

I'm glad someone has kept this thing going. I was going to let it slip away until i could get the chance to go up there agian. Or even start a new thread. Money is really tight right on all of a sudden and time is something i don't seem to have either.

I think the next drive i'm doing is my "wine tour #2" and that SCCA Yreka rally that psoper is putting on.

-rich

 

Would that be Sherwood Rd?

I've never driven it, but it has caught my eye on the road atlas more than once...
...good one, you say?...



Those plastic things are useless. You should get you some thick aluminum down there.

I've been a believer in real skid-plates since I oil-panned the old OBS. Primative Racing, up in Oregon, sells them. A good investment, if you like the chalenging roads.

Later,
Mike

 

I take it thats a negative on the Saturday morning scouting run, then?

Anyone else interested ?

See ya at the ranch,
Mike

 

Yes, Sherwood Road. From Willits, it is paved for several miles, then becomes unpaved and steep uphill. Turns into Fort Bragg Road, but not labeled. We had to turn back right near the Fort Bragg end due to a steep, slanted-sideways, wet uphill that a lifted SUV was having difficulty with.
Good one 'fer sure, but you will reach the car's limits unless they've filled in some of those deep ruts in some places.

Yep! The plastic undercover only served to scoop & store mud with its non-flush front edge. The diff protector was handy, providing a smooth surface to drag along when I slipped a back wheel into a large, long rut.

 

Mike, i don't even have a swaybar on my car right now. That's how much i'm not scouting this weekend.

-rich

 

Well the car still doesn't have new break pads but i have the sway bar back and Christina and i went up there to spend the weekend near Lower Lake. Giving us a chance to go scouting. WOW!!! Barletts Springs Rd over to Bear Valley Rd was mind blowing. 32+ miles of dirt and gravel as far as the eye can see. As well as many other off shotting trails i had no maps for. The even saw a Rattle Snake. It was in the middle of the road (crossing it) and as i was coming up on it i was thinking "wow that looks like a really big snake" Well i reacted quickly and went over the top of it Keeping it right between the tires. I would have been bumped out if i had hit it. Well i also realized that the lines on the snake didn't run the length to the snake but around it. I stopped the car and tryed to see it. With the car windows still down we could hear it rattling. Christina said that it had got to the side of the road so i backed up. Right there about three feet from her side of the car was a massive rattler. Holy ****. never in my life have i seen something like that in the wild so close. Blow me away.

But i did find some other GREAT dirt roads that i'll be adding to the TSD Rally. I may end up making it an all Dirt / Tarmac rally. where every one doing it will have to drive both surfaces.

-rich

 

Right on, Rich

So, are you thinking this would be after the Yreka rally, or before?
(Cool either way, I'm just thinking about who I should ask to be my navigator. If it's soon, it may be me and my girlfriend Lis from Scotland. If it's after she leaves, I'll ask my brother or a rideless i-clubber.)

Glad you're still doing this.
Mike

 

sounds good rich

Im heading out for a mini-thrash tommorow afternoon if you have some free time, or anyone else, PM me

 

Mike, this will be after Mt Hamilton surely. I need to get up there with psoper so he can get it all on the rally computer etc... But i believe i have the complete route all picked out.

Jeremy, i'm suppose to be playing basketball with a bunch of co-workers after work today so i know i can't make it. and if i'm not playing, i need to wash the car

-rich

 

Bagged it this morning.

You must have been up there much earlier in the year than I was: I didn't see a drop of water along the whole route, and the ruts were not big.

My girlfriend Lis says it was "kindergarten"

We drove it from Fort Brag to Willits; it was just a dust-fest the whole way. We did it in just under an hour.

Now ask me about "road 11" into the Warner Mountains... Bounced the chassis off rock SEVERAL times...







....and a bump for Rich.
Mike

 

thanks for the bump Mike.

man, i sure hope that Pete and i get some time soon. But man is life busy lately.

-rich