Northology Adventures April 2022

A MIDWEST OUTDOOR OVERLAND ADVENTURE PUBLICATION

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES APRIL 2022

The Travel Issue Isle Royale Mojave Road Garden of the Gods The North Shore Red River Gorge North Cascades

06 ISLE ROYALE

PODCAST DIRECTORY &CALENDAR

04 78

CABINS & CAMPING

86

THE GEAR BUNKER

A family flight

22

72

GARDEN OF THE GODS

SPRING MELT DOWN

Illlinois' bes kept secret

Chequamegon-Nicolet closures

30

82

ROADSIDE REPORTS

WOMEN'S OFFROAD WEEKEND

Mojave Road with UP Jeeping

A community gathers to connect

46

INTERACTIVE CONTENT Or, how to read this magazine!

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TRAILER BUILD WRAPUP

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Is David finally done?

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52 BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY Daniel Boone National Forest

54 THE NORTH SHORE Minnesota Nice

cover photo by Mark Cocco, UP Jeeping contents photo by Alex Eschen

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DMOS DELTA SHOVEL / OVERLAND TRAVEL APPROVED

remote, isolated, unknown AN ISLE ROYALE FAMILY ADVENTURE

BY DAVE BENNETT

I like maps. The older the better. I’ve pored over them, studied them, and dreamed about far away places my entire life. My eye is irresistably drawn to the remote places on any map, the isolated, less traveled areas and the unknown. One such place is Isle Royale.

Isle Royale National Park was

Arriving at Isle Royale Seaplanes I

established in 1940, then protected

quickly realized that my expectations

from development by wilderness area

were going to be exceeded. Not only

designation in 1976, and declared a

was the company extremely

UNESCO International Biosphere

professional, we were flying across

Reserve in 1980. At 45 miles long and

Lake Superior in the quintessential

just shy of nine wide, Isle Royale is

bush plane, a classic de Havilland

one of the least visited National Parks

DHC-2 Beaver. I may have squealed

– Yosemite gets more visitors in one

like a little girl when I saw it land and

day then Isle Royale sees in an entire

taxi towards the dock.

year. Located in the far north of Lake Superior near Canada, Isle Royale

An aircraft from a more civilized age,

National Park is actually an

it’s big rotary engine has a sound and

archipelago that covers an area of

feel like nothing else. Designed

850 square miles or approximately

specifically for the unique needs of

571,790 acres. It has 165 miles of

bush pilots and built in Canada after

trails, and no vehicles are allowed on

WWII, the de Havilland Beaver is a

the island.

workhorse, carrying 6 passengers and all their gear into short landing strips

The only way onto this remote island

or in our case, lakes. Our pilot, Ken,

is a several hour long boat ride

made us feel right at home and after

across Lake Superior to Rock Harbor

a quick safety brief and life vest

or Windigo, or a 35 minute ride by

fitting we were on our way.

"...we were flying across Lake Superior in the quintessential bush plane, a classic de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. I may have squealed like a little girl when I saw it land and taxi towards the dock."

bush plane. It was at that moment in my research that a rough plan began

This was the first BIG backpacking

to form. I was within striking distance

trip for my 9 year old daughter, and

of the seaplane base at Houghton,

our plans on the island were based

and meal planning. Backpacking on

Michigan, a mere 6.5 hour drive from

around that fact. A bad experience

an island like this is much different

our home north of Chicago. So, with

backpacking now could sour her on

than truck camping in the lower 48, if

school out for the summer we threw

the whole thing for the future, so we

you forget something you can’t just

caution to the wind and booked the

intended to take it easy over 4 days

run back to town for it and there’s

flight for the three of us. We’ve done

and 3 nights on the island. The idea

ZERO cell service anywhere on “the

a lot of family camping trips, but we

was to hike 3-4 miles per day

Rock” as it’s affectionately known.

wanted something truly different, off

between campsites. So a round trip

You’re out there in the elements with

grid, and challenging. This huge leap

itinerary from Rock Harbor to Three

the clothes on your back and, as the

of faith proved to be one of the best

Mile to Daisy Farm and back had

old saying goes, you “run what you

decisions I’ve ever made.

been laid out as well as hydration

brung, son”.

Arriving at Rock Harbor, we were faced with the usual brief by the Park Rangers about NPS rules, Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace principles, and we received our permit so they would know our itinerary. There is a small lodge and a very small store with supplies (fuel cannisters, food etc), so after a last call for snacks, water and gear checks we hoisted our packs and set off down the trail toward our first night’s destination at Three Mile.

The initial hike in was a bit of a challenge for us as the first day was all about acclimatization and getting our legs warmed up so I took less photos on the way in than I would have liked. Suffice it to say that the views of the surrounding islands, the sights and sounds of the forest, and the prodigious wildlife provided a stunning experience.

Once at Three Mile we were greeted with a very small and well organized campsite. Shelters make it easy on hikers, and we gladly settled right in to the first empty one we found.

Lightweight gear from Nemo, Snow Peak, and Marmot would pay off now.

Time for rest and relaxation!

We hadn’t been in camp long when lo and behold, a moose cow and calf walked right up the shoreline and decided to have lunch with us. Right in camp. They roamed around nibbling this and that for about an hour amongst the campsites, clearly uninterested in us, before wandering further inland.

This was day one on Isle Royale!

" a moose cow and calf walked right up the shoreline and decided to have lunch with us."

A NOTE FOR FAMILIES HIKING WITH KIDSTaking frequent breaks while hiking makes for better memories. Take time to hydrate, eat snacks and rest while on the trail, especially with children. When the smiles are gone and it gets unusually quiet, it’s probably break time. Take time to soak in all the sights and sounds around you!

We listened as a wolf howled, seemingly right outside our shelter the first night. Yes, there are wolves on Isle Royale, and as the days wore on we would see their scat on the trail during the day, and hear them at night. Funny how their song wasn’t scary or creepy as you might imagine it to be. Just the same, their soulful music reminded us of the struggle for life that all creatures face here on the island, ruling out any midnight bathroom breaks for the girls.

Soon the dawn came and with fresh socks, full bellies and empty bladders it was time to leave our shelter and Three Mile behind. These shelters are a happy sight for weary hikers on the island, providing a respite from bugs and inclement weather. Before moving on, we took some extra time to sweep it out and leave it better than we found it.

Once we topped off our water bottles at the dock we were on our way again with all our worldly possessions on our backs, this time hiking along the shore through forests, swamps, and rocky outcrops towards the aptly named Daisy Farm and our next night’s campsite.

We saw all manner of wildlife while we were on the island. Moose, frogs, ducks, snakes, huge rabbits, chipmunks and a variety of birds.

Mosquitos and bugs in general were nowhere near as bad as we had heard they would be, and we were thankful for that especially crossing the swampy areas.

Isle Royale has a human history dating back thousands of years. The island was a common hunting ground for native peoples from nearby Minnesota and Ontario with a canoe voyage of thirteen miles just to reach the island’s west end from the mainland. In prehistoric times, large quantities of copper were mined on Isle Royale and the nearby Keweenaw Peninsula. The region is scarred by ancient mine pits and trenches up to 20 feet deep, with further exploration and mining occurring on the island until the last mining company closed in the early 1890’s. We found several old mining ruins along the way.

Continuing on, we were met with more plank roads through sensitive areas, more sun beaten rocky areas and more shady forest paths. The vibe on Isle Royale is one of quiet loneliness, we saw very few people hiking in either direction and the occasional bird song or fish jumping was the only sound as we worked our way towards Daisy Farm. Nothing here but you, your family, and the sights and smells of the forest.

It’s amazing how your thoughts and priorities become crystal clear while hiking.

The land rush was on to find a suitable campsite and once we had

Arriving at Daisy Farm in the

settled into an empty shelter, it was

afternoon, the spell of the forest was

time for some much needed rest and

broken as we ran into people and

leisure time. We were lucky enough to

quickly realized this was a bigger

score a site with a nice view of the

campground than Three Mile, a busy

lake, and after a quick dip in the lake

“hiker hub” where many trails

(we swam every day we were here) it

connected.

was time for grub.

"your thoughts and priorities become crystal clear while hiking."

The Daisy Farm site was one of the

Fully rested we awoke the next day to

very first camps for the Civilian

make the trip back to Three Mile and

Conservation Corps on the island in

Rock Harbor. With one more night on

the 1930’s. From the Michigan DNR:

the island we set off again down the

“Most Michigan CCC camps were in

trail, taking frequent breaks and

either national or state forests. The

mostly enjoying ourselves with little

state’s only National Park Service

regard for any schedule.This is the

camps were on Isle Royale, which had

best way to live life. Unplugged.

been designated a national park in

We pulled water every day out of Lake Superior with a Katadyn Pocket filter with zero issues. NPS recommends a filter specification of at least 0.4 microns, the Katadyn Pocket filters at 0.2 microns (!), the filter’s silver impregnated ceramic element is effective against bacteria and protozoa, and can filter up to 13,000 gallons (50,000 liters) before needing a new ceramic element, depending on fresh water source and quality. I consider all surface lake and stream water to be contaminated with pathogens and so should you. Drinking contaminated water can make you very sick.

To be 100% safe, water collected should be filtered and then boiled at a rolling boil (Jetboil etc) for at least one minute because most filters (even this one) do not filter out viruses.

1931. On 13 August 1935, an advance

Arriving at Three Mile again, we

party of twenty men from Company

scored another shelter and made

2699, led by Captain Edward S.

ready for our last night on the island.

Thomas, arrived off the island in

At this point we really had a good

Siskiwit Bay. Forced to wade ashore,

routine going. Make camp. Eat.

the men cleared a living area for the

Swim. Relax. Once the sun goes

remainder of the company, which

down it’s bedtime, and we got on

arrived later that month. The 2699th

average of nine hours a sleep each

completed Camp Siskiwit and

day, something that NEVER happens

performed general forestry work

at home. Early to bed and early to

before returning to the mainland in

rise is a thing on the Rock.

October. The following spring the company returned to Isle Royale and

Our last morning on the island meant

constructed Camp Rock Harbor at

it was time for some rewards. We

present-day Daisy Farm Landing.”

were looking forward to a hot lunch at the lodge at Rock Harbor and our

At Daisy Farm we were able to really

scheduled plane ride at 3 PM meant

relax. A much larger dock there

hot showers and clean sheets that

meant I could get a running start to

night in Houghton. With this on our

jump into Lake Superior, an

minds, we made much better time

exhilarating experience any time of

from Three Mile to Rock Harbor on the

the year. Quick baths were a big hit

way back than we did on the way in,

here, and sore feet were soothed by

and we arrived there in time for lunch

the cool waters.

and a leisurely wait for the plane.

Four long days on the island and we

Retiring to our sleeping bags, we

were still smiling. It seems that life

spent a restful night listening to the

without Wi-Fi had not been the end

nocturnal sounds of forest and lake.

of the world after all.

Back at the seaplane base at Tobin Harbor, it was hurry up and wait and I was in no hurry to go back to the world. I seriously considered hijacking this small boat for the short crossing to Canada, and the never-ending adventures that life on the lam would bring us, but the damn plane came along and they would have spotted us in the harbor. This time it was a Cessna flying in to get us, a Cessna 206 Super Skywagon to be exact.

Back to reality, clocks, and a phone about to blow up with emails, voicemails and messages once we reached Houghton and civilization.

And just like that, Isle Royale was behind us, a distant memory of one fine summer where we said yes to Adventure and hopped on a plane to nowhere. This was our best trip yet and we can’t wait for the next Adventure!

"...a distant memory of one fine summer where we said yes to Adventure and hopped on a plane to nowhere."

Dave Bennett is the Founder of American Adventurist, a North America focused adventure travel lifestyle Forum and Independent Magazine.

American Adventurist is dedicated to environmentally responsible overland travel and exploration in North America. Since 2010, we’ve worked with the community of interest at the national level, bringing like-minded people together for weekend adventures ranging from overland style trips, remote camping, 4WD training, and our flagship Rendezvous events. We have an enduring commitment to give back to the local community at every Rendezvous event we host. Held in unique environments and steeped in the region’s local flavor, our community events share our core values with a focus on friends, family, and an active outdoor lifestyle. Adventurists turn to us online when searching for new destinations to explore, researching a gear or vehicle purchase, and for a little day-to-day inspiration to get them through the grind.

EXPEDITION SERIES The Expedition Series is a succession of yearly multiday trips to extend beyond the ‘Overlanding Weekend," challenging participants to work as a team, traveling from an origination point to a destination.

This year we've teamed up with KORC (Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition) to raise funds, and awareness through our Expedition. "The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition was created in 2019 to bring together a variety of user groups with one shared goal: Protect Keweenaw's vast landscapes for everyone, forever. Whether you bike, snowmobile, hunt, hike, or birdwatch, we need your help to make this vision a reality."

To learn about participation or sponsorship opportunities, visit orbisoverlanding.com

1) Not all visitors are eaten by wolves. Many are stomped to death by rabid moose or simply disappear.

2) Icebergs do not sink many boats during the summer. Michipishu claims most of them.

3) It does not snow all summer. There are often days when it rains.

4) Windigo is A. An Anishinaabe legend sometimes compared to the European werewolf.

B. A form of psychosis where the patient takes great satisfaction from homicide, mayhem and cannibalism (usually with family and friends).

C. The name of the westernmost outpost on the island. Just sayin'.

5) Most mosquitoes and blackflies die out by the end of July, due to gluttony.

6) Cell phones don't work, so anyone travelling with someone under 50 should reread 4) B. 7) Cloud cover is usually so thick that satellite signals won't penetrate them.

8) Some nights, the clouds disappear and you can see the northern lights. The air is so clear because all the moisture in the air has frozen and fallen from the sky.

You only have minutes to find your sleeping bags or your extremities will freeze off. This will be difficult because the cold has drained the batteries in your headlights.

9) Sat phones and GPS are great if they only could penetrate the cloud cover or the Northern Lights and if the cold hadn't already drained the batteries.

10) Your adventure begins with getting to the island.

Each ship comes “with a crew and good captain well seasoned”. Never you mind about what happened to the first 3 ships with that name.

11) Motion sickness happens. Just step out to the

railing and of course, spit first. That will tell you where the next giant wave is coming from. Don't worry! Your ship could be as much as 165 ft. in length. (The Edmund Fitzgerald was 728 ft. Just sayin'.)

12) You can avoid water travel by taking a seaplane over. These are very experienced bush pilots, who for generations, have been learning to fly while they were still in grade school. It's summer break so you probably will be lucky enough to help train the next generation. Don't worry! Even with practicing rolls, loops, skimming the waves and, of course, stalls, you will be there in just a fraction of the time the ship would take. You won't believe how little time it took!

Really. You won't believe it.

13) Keep in mind that many of the dangers you find in other parks don't exist here. No gators here. Sure, the beavers are carnivorous, but none have exceeded 200 lbs. yet. Besides the beavers are the reason there are no bears, anymore.

14) No altitude sickness! Sure people fall from the cliffs, due to icing, but ice cover seldom exists past July. Besides, this isn't Half Dome. There are plenty of trees and outcrops to break your fall. Not so bad.

15) Lastly, keep in mind that the island is a billion year old lava flow. It may erupt at any time.

I hope this has sufficiently warned you. If it has not; then keep in mind that Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin are all ugly, ugly, ugly and DANGEROUS! The only reason you see all those parks, forests and lakeshores on the map is because it is so DANGEROUS and it was cheaper to make all those parks, forests and lakeshores than wrap the whole mess in caution tape.

- Dave Bennett

BY OVERLAND ADDICT

AT THE MOORE EXPO

recovery room lounge

A PLACE TO RELAX AND UNWIND Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the MOORE Expo, in the North East corner of the East Hall you will find the Recovery Room Lounge. The relaxing space features comfortable indoor patio seating, live entertainment, local map reading, and refreshing cocktails served by trained mixologists. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy themselves, connect with friends afar, and create new friendships that will last a lifetime.

THE OTHER

GARDEN OF THE GODS

"One of the most photographed locations in the state, Garden of the Gods' scenic beauty is extraordinary. In the recreation area you can hike, camp, nature watch or picnic." - USFS

If you mention "Garden of the Gods" to anyone outside of the Midwest, they will most likely think you are referring to the National Natural Landmark and park in Colorado Springs, CO. It is interesting to note that not even everyone in the Midwest or Illinois knows about this amazingly unique geological area formed by ancient inland seas, four-mile thick bedrock heaving and giving way to rift valleys similar to those in east Africa as movement of Precambrian continental crust plates began to rip apart the North American continent. Phew! That was a mouthful but learining about the history and geology is almost as interesting as gazing out across the wilderness from a rocky outcrop.

DRIFTLESS ILLINOIS "The Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, located in the Driftless Area of southern Illinois, is one of the most highly faulted and geologically complex areas of Illinois. This area’s rugged surface has produced some of the most scenic landscapes in the state, formed mainly by differential erosion of Upper Mississippian and Lower Pennsylvanian age sedimentary strata consisting of alterations of bedrock types between sandstones, limestones, and shales. The ridges are generally underlain by resistant rocks, usually sandstones, and the valleys are underlain by relatively softer limestones and shales. Numerous faults cut across the strata and in part control the development of the ridges and valleys."

-Illinois State Geological Survey

A LITTLE HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS The Garden of the Gods is located in the Shawnee National Forest, whick covers over 277,500 acres. Historians and researchers say the first inhabitants arrived around 12,000 B.C. and the Illini tribes arrived around 1500 A.D. The first Europeans to reach Illinois were the French, who gave Illinois its name by referring to the land of Illini Indians as "Illinois."

"Sometime in the 1830s, Southern Illinois became known as Egypt or Little Egypt. The most likely reason this region is known as Little Egypt is because settlers from northern Illinois came south to buy grain during years when they had poor harvests in the 1830s just as ancient people had traveled to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 41:57 and 42:1-3). Later, towns in Southern Illinois were named Cairo, Thebes, and Karnak, just as in the country of Egypt."

-Egyptian Area AOAI

The "hike" at Garden of the Gods Observation trail is anything but strenuous.

A 1/4 mile long flagstone-lined path leads from the large (usually very crowded) parking lot to the bluffs. The risk-takers and adventurous can be seen hopping from rock to rock near the edge but be warneddeaths have occurred here. It is seriously a long way down, with little to break a fall, and emergency services can take longer to get to the scene here than in urban areas.

The trails has a few steps, inclines and narrow passages, so I wouldn't call it accessible for everyone, but you don't go there for the hike, you go to see the ancient formations and to gaze out over the beauty of the Shawnee Hills and wide wilderness before you in the valley below.

"Observation Trail is a quarter-mile-long interpretive trail that leads to areas on top of the bluffs, which feature views of Shawnee Hills and Garden of the Gods Wilderness. You can see rock formations with names such as Camel Rock, Table Rock and Devil’s Smokestack. Observation Trail has some short, steep grades and a few steps.

However, as a whole, the trail is not tiring." USFS website, click above for map & info.

SHAWNEE SIDE TRIPS MILLSTONE BLUFF ARCHEAOLOGICAL AREA "Traveling on State Hwy. 145, it’s hard to miss the forest covered hill of Millstone Bluff on the northwest side of the road. This unique archaeological site rises 320 feet above the valley. The top of the mesa-like bluff is ringed by a broken sandstone escarpment. It is here Mississippian peoples (AD 1350-1550) built homes, carved their religion into the stone and buried their dead in stone box graves." -USFS The hike will get your heart pumping but it is short, wide and maintained, and there are a few flights of stairs to the top. Don't miss the petroglyphs, stone forts, house foundations and the stone box cemetery. This is a really beautiful walk thru the forest and a great opportunity to see ancient rock art.

FERNE CLYFFE STATE PARK The Shawnee is a must-visit in the spring, the waterfalls are amazing and you can walk right behind or even drive over the creek at the top of some of them.

BELL SMITH SPRINGS

EXPLORING THE NATIONAL FOREST ROADS Many forest roads are open year-round, and those that are seasonally closed open in May for the most part. The Shawnee offers some mild challenges if you know where to look, and an awful lot of bauty around just about every corner

Seven miles of interconnected trails, featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge.

Haul your boats, bikes and camping gear in one eye-catching, affordable package.

C U S T O M

B U I L T

T E A R D R O P

C A M P I N G

T R A I L E R S

TCTeardrops.com

Wausau, Wisconsin

ON THE GO WITH UPJEEPING

ROADSIDE REPORTS Feb 6. - Feb 9, 2022

Mark left Michigan in mid January & is reporting from the road on an epic trip across the south and west .

Mojave National Preserve

BY UP JEEPING

I first heard of the Mojave Road a few months ago while researching my

Southwestern road trip. The road started as a series of paths that the Mojave Indians used to cross the desert to reach the Pacific coast from their homes along the Colorado River. From the mid 1700's the road’s usage increased and in 1859 the route became a military wagon road after Fort Mojave was built near the Colorado River.

The route remained a major link between Los

on a lot of adventure. There are many

Angeles points to the east until the railroad

interesting things to explore throughout the

came through in 1883. Today the route that

Mojave National Preserve along the way, old

runs through the Mojave National Preserve still

forts, springs, lava tubes, cinder cones, and sand

exists and makes for an epic multi day

dunes! There is fuel available near the start

overlanding trip. It took me 4 days to cover

point and also near the end, but if you're

about 130 miles of the Mojave Road; plus an

stressing about fuel you can sneak out midway

additional 50+ miles of adventure from various

to top off. I ended up doing a total of almost

excursions off the route. I could have easily

180 miles between fill ups and did not bring

done it in 3 easy days but I ended up spending

extra fuel. The fort is on a short out and back

one extra night camping a few miles off the

trail off the main route. The area around the

road exploring some neat old mines. I really

fort is closed to vehicle traffic and there is a

think if you stick to the route, or any "route" for

hiking loop you can do around the area.

that matter, you're missing out on a lot of adventure. There are many interesting things to

After exploring the fort I headed back out to

explore throughout the Mojave National

the main trail that follows the power lines

Preserve along the way, old forts, springs, lava

before heading back up into the hills. The road

tubes, cinder cones, and sand dunes! There is

transitions into a fairly narrow shelf road that

fuel available near the start point and also near the end, but if you're stressing about fuel you can sneak out midway to top off. I ended up doing a total of almost 180 miles between fill ups and did not bring extra fuel.

Day 1

Traditionally Mojave road travelers start by dipping their rear tires in the Colorado River and heading west. One of the first stops along mines. I really think if you stick to the route, or any "route" for that matter, you're missing out

wasn't much of a challenge besides skirting around a decent size washout that added a little pucker factor. Once out of the canyon the terrain really flattened out and gave me a chance to stretch the Jeeps legs a bit… A desert racer, this Jeep is most definitely not!

After a few miles of spirited driving the trail smoothed out and turned into a somewhat maintained dirt road. It was along this stretch I stopped at the Rock Cabin for a rest and did some exploring on foot. There is a short hiking loop around the cabin that leads past the remains of a miners' mill to the site of Camp

Crowds building fires along the trail.

Rock Spring, an old U.S. Army post. Fun fact, this is also the location of one of two vault toilets on the entire trail.

There were several good improvised camping sites along the way, but while in the Mojave National Preserve the National Park Service requests you use the designated dispersed camping areas. These dispersed sites did not disappoint, I found a great area just at sunset with plenty of sandy flat spots and metal fire rings. It was a little too cold and windy to sit around a fire but the sunset was epic as usual.

Day 2

The second day of the trip was a very long one, I didn't find camp until sunset again. If I would have stuck to the main route it would not have been as long, but like I said there are many interesting things to check out through the Mojave National Preserve. An interesting side trip off the Mojave Road is to hit pavement and run down to the railroad town of Kelso. The Cima Grade was too long and steep for locomotives to pull a train up without assistance. "Helper engines" provided the extra power. So a rail station and roundhouse was built here along with a small town.

After my side trip to Kelso junction I jumped back on the Mojave Road for a few miles and found the famous mailbox… I took the required selfie with the mailbox which should get tens of likes, wrote something witty and inspiring in .

the log book, and put my sticker on the box ensuring my legacy here will last several days.

Along with the mailbox there was a large collection of frogs arranged haphazardly around a random bush. There was also a growing collection of Jeep ducks claiming the next bush over. I’m a bit torn on the trinkets left by travelers, in one way it’s a harmless and interesting quirk to explore along the trail. On the other hand plain and simple its liter. The Mojave Desert Preserve agrees and says all the trinkets left behind violate the Wilderness Act. So this is one Mojave Road tradition that I didn’t take part in.

A few miles after the mailbox I began to see volcanic cinder cones and black basalt lava flows off in the distance. There are dozens of these cinder cones throughout the area, the ones along the route are said to be probably

Crowds building fires along the trail.

the best example of recent volcanic activity (8,000-10,000 years ago) in the Mojave Desert.

Crowds building fires along trail.

From here I headed off route again,the turning North on Ailken's Mine Road to check out some lava tubes. None of my maps had much of a description of the lava tubes but it wasn't far up the road so I decided to take a look. I drove up to the parking area where it looked like most people stopped, the road continued on from the parking area but turned into more of a trail.

It didn't show on my map but it went through eventually connecting back to the main road further north.

After exploring the lava tube I continued down Ailken's Mine Road looking for a good spot to camp for the night. I ended up going several miles down a few different roads before finding a dispersed campsite around a group of old mines. These were probably the most complete mine ruins I've come across, one still had a huge head frame intact. Once again another spectacular sunset which made for some great pictures. I believe the largest mine here was the Apex Mine, the mines in this area were mainly looking for tin and tungsten.

Day 3

this area is a little confusing but it's marked

After getting back on route from the previous

either by rock cairns or short wooden posts

days’ exploring I continued past the cinder

every few yards along the right side of the trail

cones and lava beds on my way to Soda Lake.

as you are traveling west. I did have tracks

I've seen some straight roads in my life but

loaded into Gaia on my phone just in case, but I

these desert roads seem to go on forever.

rarely needed them. The sandy washes

Eventually I made it down to the dry lakebed of

eventually led me down to the Mojave River

Soda Lake and picked up some speed, kicking

and the entrance to Afton Canyon. Before

up a salty trail of dust behind me. The Mojave

dropping down into the Mojave River I drove by

Road crosses through the middle of the dry lake, by the look of things though this dry lakebed doesn't always stay dry. About midway across the lake I came upon a very out of place pile of rocks, the travelers monument. It's tradition for Mojave Road travelers to carry a large rock with them to place here for good luck. There is also a plaque placed here dedicated to events that didn't happen here years ago. You will have to find the plaque for yourself to get the whole story.

Not far after traversing the dry lake bed I crossed the boundary out of the Mojave National Preserve and made my way through several miles of sandy washes. The trail through

what looked like an old quarry and decided it

After exploring the quarry I got back to the trail,

needed to be explored. I didn't explore the

which from here on out follows the river

whole area, but I did follow an old railroad

through Afton canyon along with the railroad

grade that went through the site.

tracks. Afton Canyon is sometimes referred to as "The Grand Canyon of the Mojave" for its dramatic geological formations, this is the only place where the Mojave River appears above ground year round as it flows into Soda Lake.

For several miles I played around in the sandy river, this was the first running water I've seen since the Colorado River. Unfortunately I didn't find any spots deep enough to be able to jump in and wash the trail dust off. As I was driving down the river I was following along on my GPS and I noticed it called out Spooky Canyon just off to the north. I stopped to take a look, there were no signs or markings, just a cement bridge under the railroad tracks and tight slot canyon. I hiked into the canyon until it started getting dark, I used my phone to try and light the way but it looked like the canyon was turning into a cave! I chickened out and decided it was a bit too dangerous to explore alone and unprepared. Once I got back to civilization I googled it and found you could hike through it. If I'm ever back in this area again it's on my list.

The trail twists and winds its way down the canyon, crossing back and forth over the river.

The canyon seems to go on for miles, this might have been my favorite section of the trail, or I was just excited to see water! After a while the canyon walls started to give way to an even more greener river valley. This is where the deepest river crossing is located. I wasn't sure how deep it was here, so I got out and walked the bank and poked around with a stick to check how solid the bottom was. I decided to ease into it, keeping my passenger side and air intake hopefully high and dry. I could hear my engine fan splashing into the water. I'm guessing it was almost 3' deep at the deepest, I had a high water mark just shy of halfway up my driver's side door. Just past this river crossing there is one more, although not nearly as bad. It looked like this crossing was filled in with 6" rock recently, it was only a few inches deep.

The sun was starting to set on another amazing day of exploring. After the 2 river crossings there was a BLM campground along the trail, Afton Canyon campground. I didn't even think twice about trying to find a more epic spot to camp. The campground cost an unbelievable $6, which for California seemed almost impossibly low. For $6, the same as a gallon of gas, I got a table, trash cans, vault toilets, and fresh water. These toilets are the 2nd of only two along the entire Mojave Road, if you have been keeping track.

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Day 4 The last day of my adventure was the shortest day of the whole trip, only about 25 miles. After leaving the campground I continued following the Mojave River southwest as it paralleled highway 15 that heads into Barstow, CA. At this point though the river is no longer above ground, so there isn't much to see. This was the end of the road for me, I started running into private property and couldn't continue any further. So why did I put myself and my poor Jeep through 4 days of relentless washboard roads, endless miles of sharp jagged rock, dust, and sand? Because it was there… It’s the only way to see a large portion of the Mojave Desert that still looks exactly the way it did to the first people to travel through it. I can't imagine the

Next month UP Jeeping reports from Utah.

desert has changed much since the mid-1800s, and doing this trip gives you a chance to experience the desert the way those first

Follow our Yooper friend Mark's epic cross-

people that crossed it did, but with air

country car camping tour and exploration of the

conditioning and 4 wheel drive!

Southwest on instagram at @UPJeeping

Got Your Six Coffee Co. #BrewingBetterDays gotyoursixcoffee.com

David Zemla BUILDING A TIME MACHINE OF MY OWN CONSTRUCTION Bug Out Hauler Build - Part Three Last episode of “Building silly things in your garage” had us extolling the virtues of planning one's work and working one’s plan. All well and good until a massive project at work torpedoes an entire month of after hours build time. Love my gig, so don’t get me wrong but as I write this there are fifty three days left before the bug out trailer and I are to leave on a roughly 1500 mile journey from South West Wisconsin to Flagstaff Arizona for Overland Expo West.

Panic? Not yet, but let’s say I’m mildly concerned. To make matters worse, I’ ve changed the design a half dozen times. Mostly minor tweaks, like pulling the jacks off the rear crossmember (pretty sure they’d impair departure angle in previous location), laying the kitchen box out completely differently (electronics now at the top) and relocating the solar panel. The water pump I bought was too small (1.3 GPM, is probably more of a fish tank than a shower), but the plywood for the kitchen and expanded steel came in under budget, so total spend is still right at $5000.

Panic? Not yet, but let’s say I’m mildly concerned. To make matters worse, I’ ve changed the design a half dozen times Let’s get you caught up on the progress of the build. Since the last issue (Feb 2022) we’ve added rear dampers, a must have for giant tires. The lower tube work is wrapped, effectively tying all the vertical pieces together and finishing in a ninety degree bend at the tail. Testing a low buck Amazon gas can to fill in the rear hoop, jury is still out on that one. The addition of 2” and 1.75” horizontal tubes has provided a pretty solid structure (all of the 1.5” and larger tubing is .120 wall steel) and I’m happy with the look as well. It’s definitely getting porky and I’m just about at the point where I can no longer lift the tongue by hand.

Next up and probably the centerpiece of any good Adventure Trailer is the kitchen. I wanted to stick with the metallic feel of the trailer on this one and framed it out in 1” square tubing (.085” wall). With the electronics now residing on the top, it will open up both top and side which may create an unlimited supply of leak paths, but should make it far easier to access electronics.

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Once the kitchen was framed out next came the heavy duty drawer slides, in a 52” length for maximum access (they effectively double in length).

This also locked down the exact width of the plywood section of the slideout (mount hinges to interior of frame, measure between them, build accordingly). I was able to construct the entire kitchen using a single sheet of ¾” ACX plywood.

There will also be a shelf above it to support electronics, luckily I have some suitable scrap for that piece.

Kitchen slide supports a 47 quart Hebron dual zone refrigerator and a two burner cooktop. Initial tests on the cooler seem to indicate it will do the job and I particularly enjoyed the included app. Cooktop is a simple propane unit and was relatively inexpensive.

The sink slides out as a separate drawer, has a bit of counter space and will be fed by the quick release sprayer that ties into the panel below it. That same quick release will also feed the water heater for the standalone shower. Entire unit is glued and screwed using outdoor style hardware. Will definitely need to ventilate the box where the fridge breathes to avoid overheating. That will probably roll out to a handful of 3” holes near the left side of the fridge with the added bonus of losing a few pounds of lumber.

The space under the sink slide is currently inaccessible, but I’m thinking I’ll open up that section, maybe build a drawer or keep it simple and pocket it with a mesh cover directly under the hinge. Should be a good spot for kitchen utensils and the obligatory fire stick. Plumbing this nonsense is still unknown. Propane and water lines have to tolerate a 50+” change in length as the kitchen slides out. I’ve left space under the main drawer in the hopes of giving the hoses a resting place. We’ll see if that works. Tying down the cooktop and cooler for transportation is still a bit sketchy as well.

Undecided on the finish of the wood, I’m leaning towards a gray stain and clear varnish, but the voices say paint it red. Will have to make a call pretty quickly. Steel frame of kitchen box will also get skinned with .030 aluminum (much like the exterior of your typical box trailer). Once it is all proven out,

"Undecided on the finish of the wood, I’m leaning towards a gray stain and clear varnish, but the voices say paint it red. "

the next step will be to blow it apart, finish weld the frame and create the top and side doors. I may also build legs for the slideout for a bit of peace of mind when it’s cantilevered out there!

Also added a simple six foot awning. Considered the cool kid 270 units, but could not talk myself into the

spend, although the first decent rain I may

is credited with saying “Everyone has a plan

change my mind in that one.

until they get punched in the mouth”, let’s

So what’s next? The expanded steel for the

hope there are no punches coming my way in

plan until they

the next four weeks!

get punched in

See you at Overland Expo!

the mouth."

floor just showed up. Installation is pretty low drama, although I added a door to access the water tank, so maybe it won’t be. Fenders will be constructed of the same 1” square tube as the kitchen box and skinned in steel. The fold down table on the kitchen side will use the same expanded steel as the floor and is framed in 1” round tube. At roughly 5’ long and 14” deep, it should provide ample counter space. Electrical has a solid plan and the components are rolling in (rough schematic in last issue). Solar panel and controller, power ports, inverter and 100AH battery make up the bulk of it. The water pump and cooler will be switched separately as will the exterior lighting and the switch housing will be accessible via same door that opens for kitchen slide out.

Once all of that is wrapped, it’ll get pulled apart and sprayed with a metal etching primer and then a two stage paint to match the Jeep (including wheels). If all goes well, I’ll tow it around for a week or so to make sure nothing breaks off. The infamous Mike Tyson

“Everyone has a

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WHAT IS THE DANIEL BOONE BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY ?

"The Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway (DBBB) is a moderately difficult, high clearance route for licensed, street legal vehicles. It utilizes historic county roads around the Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest. It contains terrain surfaces varying between one third gravel, one third trail, and one third asphalt. It can be completed within a full day or two, depending on various factors."

-Ride the DBBB

WHERE TO STAY Dispersed car camping is hard to come by on the DBBB and many folks choose to camp at Hollerwood Offroad Adventure or at Callies Lake And Campground.

WHAT TO DO Hiking, mountain biking, underground kayaking, rock climbing, zip-lining, you name it, the Red River Gorge area has it. Check out the RRG tourism website for guides, things to do and places to see.

WHERE TO EAT Miguel's Pizza. Period. They serve an amazing breakfast and great pizza. Don't forget to try an Ale8 while you're there.

MINNESOTA

THE NORTH SHORE

By Alexandria Eschen @Northwoods_Overland_Adventures

AN ADVENTURE WORTH TAKING

If you’ve never been to the North Shore, it’s an adventure worth taking. We’ve been taking multiple trips and only scratched the surface. Once you throw the season changes into the mix, one location becomes wildly new over and over again.

Headed north from Duluth you can drive Minnesota 61 along Lake Superior all the way to the Canadian border if you want. If you’re looking for a long weekend trip the Two Harbors area offers a great base camp to fan out on adventures.

Our initial trip to the area was in March, because of the weather predictions we opted for a small cabin room at the Grand Superior Lodge so we didn’t have to worry about the elements. Our room was so near Lake Superior's shores we could hear the waves crashing overnight and were able to watch the sunrise on the back patio. Temps ranged around 20-40 degrees depending on the day and we got some ice snow mix storms throughout the weekend, but honestly it made some of our scenery that much more mesmerizing. Weather depending, there’s a plethora of camping options in the area to pick from, just know if you're going in the summer or fall to book early.

Some of our favorite places in the area: Palisade Head Tettegouche State Park Gooseberry Falls State Park Black Beach Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

"...throw the season changes into the mix, one location becomes wildly new over and over again."

The colder days with those lake winds didn’t really bother us at all because we warmed up in the truck between stops.

Tettegouche State Park is the northernmost point on our list from Two Harbors, it had an amazing visitors center, and we hiked the Shovel Point trail while we were there. The hike definitely had elevation gains and steps, the views were completely worth it. Palisade Head is technically a part of Tettegouche but is not continuous with the park, it lies just a short drive south. Here you can look out over Lake Superior from 300-foot cliffs and have 280-degree views in many places. This stop is where it started the snow on our trip but with the white haze falling over the landscape you felt like you were in the clouds, and it was so silent and peaceful. Be mindful in the winterthey close the road leading to the top of palisade to vehicles so you’ll have to walk up it. It is somewhat challenging, but manageable. If you’re going with a lot of snow or ice, consider some crampons.

We’d also suggest Black Beach the same day. When you enter the area, there’s

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shoreline near the campground that is beautiful but doesn’t have the black sand but still worth exploring, the black sand beach is further down the road that runs along the side of the campground.

Palisade and black beach don’t have to involve a ton of hiking, so we made 30– 45-minute stops to take in the views.

Another day we stopped at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. While the up-close lighthouse tour was interesting, the best views were hiking the trails down the hill to view the lighthouse up on the cliff.

Gooseberry Falls was closest to our lodge and offered spectacular waterfalls and hikes to enjoy. We also enjoy supporting local stores in the areas we visit so we made stops at Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and picked up some local arts/crafts from the vendors. We got breakfast and lunch another day at the Rustic Inn, which was delicious, and the restaurant at Grand Superior Lodge was great as well. If your obsessed with rocks/agates/crystals, Beaver Bay Agate Shop is a must! Another good stop is Great Lakes Candy.

AD VEN TURE

CAMPING ON THE NORTH SHORE The primitive, solitary spots are farthest from the hubs along the North Shore and the Gunflint Trail. Several privately operated campgrounds are located along Scenic 61, near the villages along Lake Superior's shore and up the Gunflint Trail.

Large portions of northeastern Minnesota is public forest land. The Superior National Forest covers over three million acres, and includes the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). Camping is allowed anywhere in the Superior National Forest except where it is posted otherwise. In the BWCA, permits for entry are required and each entry point has a daily quota.

-NorthShoreInfo.com

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PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Glamping at it's finest

BY CINDY POPE

My girlfriend picked me up at the airport and we excitedly sped off across Seattle to her home in Arlington as our reunion week was just beginning. We chatted and talked over each other, giggling, catching up and eagerly sharing news and plans for the week. Then I would catch something out of the corner of my eye and lose all focus. Then again, another one. I would trail off or ask my friend to repeat herself since I was obviously distracted as we zipped in an out of traffic on the 5, past Everett, past Marysville... dang, another one! All these sick overland built trucks, vans, Jeeps and suvs were appearing as we drove along. I can go a week without seeing one in my hometown in the Midwest but every 10 minutes another kitted Taco or Jeep would come into view and I could feel my jaw slack, my eyes bug open...

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

I shook my head and knew that my friend was not amused. I apologized again as we pulled into her neighborhood and I spied another decked-out truck two doors down from her place. I wonder what she was thinking when I walked down to get a closer look.

I had been looking forward to this visit with her for months and my suspicions of an overland wonderland in the Pacific Northwest were coming to proof.

DAY ONEOkanogan NF Rainy Lake Mazama Eight Mile Creek We headed east, three adults and four tiny dogs in a stock Tundra with a bedrack and rooftop tent. I tried telling my friends that they might not know it, but they were possibly overlanders. They did not agree and although I did. not see a

skottle in their truck, I knew

better. Their plan was to drive around the Cascades, see some sights, take a hike or two and and stay in a different campsite each night...duh, so overland.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST We spent the day driving thru the valleys and

Some of the most popular destinations from Mazama.org include: • Goat Peak • Lake Ann / Maple Pass Trail • Blue Lake • Cutthroat Lake • Pacific Crest Trail • Washington Pass Overlook • Harts Pass • MVSTA trails • Okanogan National Forest • North Cascades National Park • Winthrop – a Western-themed town • Twisp – quaint Methow Valley town • Overnight hiking to Stehekin

mountain passes thru Darrington to Mazama, with a stop for a hike at Rainy Lake.

It is one of the very few

mountain lakes that can be accessed via a paved 1 mile trail. We may have gasped as not one, but two glacier-fed waterfalls appeared thru the trees and cascaded down the rocky slope to be caught in the lake below. The parking area there was a but busy, we only saw a couple of people on the trail.

After making Washington Pass, the landscape seemed to fade from lush, green forest to dryer, rockier treelined slopes. Our campsite at Eight Mile Creek was pleasant and green, but it felt more arid and dry than the landscape from earlier in the day. I don't even recall if we had a campfire that evening, we were so beat after all the driving. The next morning I was treated to french toast and coffee, then we were back on the road towards our next evening's campsite and on the way, found ourselves in the desert heat.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST DAY TWOWenatchee NF Twisp Chelan Columbia River Entiat Mountains I still had not seen a skottle in my friend's camping gear, nor a fancy coffee press. I was beginning to have my doubts about their overlandiness but held on to the fact that they did have a rooftop tent. Day two involved a LOT of driving. I was okay with that because the alternative was to walk around in the opressive heat of the western Washington high desert.

We opted to head for the hills but our meager elevation gain to a campsite on the Entiat River did not do much for the temperatures. Wading barefoot in the glacial melt of the Entiat Glacier did offer some relief. So did watching my friend's husband pitch a tent for me while I lounged in the shade. I glared at the distant peak named Devil's Smokestack with disdain, as if it were to blame for the firey heat.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST DAY THREEChimstick Mountain WABDR Leavenworth Day three was another hot one. We headed down the mountains towards Leavenworth, criss-crossing and running on some of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route as we had done also the day before. I definitely want to come back to this area somedaythe scenery was fantastic and we did not see hardly anyone til we neared Leavenworth. We did some touristy stuff in town but did not spend much time there. It was hot, crowded and people-y.

The lasting impression from this day was the absolute traffic jam we encountered on the way back to Seattle on 2. Throngs of people were headed back into town as well as out of town to enjoy a day wading, swimming and tubing in the Skyhomish River. There were cars pulling off & pushing in from both directions, it was a mess.

It took us 5 hours and 18 minutes to go

137 miles with an average speed of 25.9mph. Our patience was growing thin, and our stomachs were growling after a few hours. Should we stop? Should we press on, hoping the traffic will speed up? Do we risk getting farther behind? What if we starve and have to resort to cannibalism? My friend tried to squeeze through the rear window of the truck to retrieve snacks and drinks while we crept along, too slow to make much progress, too fast to stop for long. She couldn't quite accomplish the mission thru the window. At one point, she jumped out, grabbed a bag of Cheetos, jogging along the truck as it crawled. She jumped back out for the lemonade. We were saved, no, they were saved. Surely they had just narrowly missed being devoured by a hangry, crabby passenger. Maybe I would have eaten one of the small dogs first, who knows? In relief, I reverently held a Cheeto up and took a picture for posterity, respect for the life-giving sustenance that surely saved all our lives that day.

The remaining few days at my friend's house were spent dog walking, rockhounding, drinking margaritas, and staring at Mount Pilchuck & Three Fingers from the window. Maybe my friends won't buy a skottle, or a 12v fridge, but they did put a lift and bigger tires on the Tundra since that trip. It's a good start.

BUSINESS PROFILE

SKINNY GUY CAMPERS Name of business: Skinny Guy Campers Founded in: 2019 Owners: Jason “JB” Bontrager and Donavon “D” Frederickson Location: Bristol, Indiana Website: www.skinnyguycampers.com Phone (574) 891-0200 Email: info@skinnyguycampers.com Jason answers a few questions about the lightweight campers and company.

Tell us about the inspiration behind the name “Skinny Guy Campers”

When D and I first teamed up we started chatting about names for our campers. We struggled initially but I remembered that D’s wife Kelsie had a nickname for him, Skinny Guy. D is a pretty skinny guy. I threw that name out there as an idea for the product name. D didn’t like it partly because he didn’t want it named after him. I liked the name for a couple reasons, but mainly because it conveys what our camper really is - we build a superlight version of a more fully-featured camper, but without all the bulk. When I explained it to D that way, he agreed to let me commandeer his nickname.

What is a Skinny Guy Camper?

A “SGC” is an aerodynamic and lightweight, cab-high truck bed overland camper. It is offered from Bare Bones trim all the way up to a Kit ‘n Kaboodle trim to meet the needs of all customers’ requirements. If your truck fits in your garage, the truck and SGC will fit into your garage.

What makes SGC unique?

Our differentiating features include: a ⅛” powder-coated exterior and interior aluminum structure, a low weight design (400-1050 lbs. depending on the trim level and model,)

on-board water, internal shower, heater & water heater combo, water collection system from rainwater run-off, standing height inside, internal cooktop, sink, and refrigerator.

Who is it intended for? What is the typical buyer like?

Anyone who needs a place to sleep when they are on a trip and doesn’t want to stay in a hotel or pull/drive an RV. Typically they are someone who wants to be active, needs to escape, or has the itch to explore the country.

Where do they fall quality and price-wise in the light truck camper market?

High Quality and mid-market pricing. Our campers are constructed out of aluminum, stainless steel, and plastic. We overbuild them so they overperform.

What is your manufacturing process like? How does a SGC come together?

We manufacture our products on a production line in runs of common models and trim configuration. Our products are designed and made in Indiana, USA. The structural components are assembled by in-house human hands from start to finish. Some of our appliances and other features, like refrigerators or toilets are made elsewhere, but we bring those components in, warehouse them here, and assemble our product here in Indiana.

What is the lead time for a SGC?

The lead time for an SGC depends on what model is required by the customer. We are currently building Model 6.5 which fits in the bed of a 6.5’ bed. If that model is ordered today, it’ll likely be 2-4 months until it is ready for the customer unless a dealer has one in stock. Any other size/model will be this fall or early next year. We will have a model for every truck bed size.

How does the buying process work?

A customer can go onto our website, configure a model how they want and place a refundable deposit. They can also just reach out to one of our dealers and engage them. From there we (or their local dealer) will communicate with the customer to get their build in our production schedule. When it comes time to build their product, we or the dealer will reach out to get a 50% deposit on their build. Once built, we ship that product to their dealer for fitment and installation into the customers truck.

What kind of options do you offer on your units?

We offer 4 different trim levels, Bare Bones, Skin ‘n Bones, Skinny Fat, and Kit ‘n Kaboodle (low-featured to highfeatured). All of these are detailed on our website in the “Build & Configure Your Own” page. We offer 4 different exterior color options: Raw Aluminum, White, Gunmetal, and Black. We also offer an option for a nicer flushing toilet, black tank, and macerator called PrimoLoo. The last two options are the UV sterilization/purification kit for the freshwater system and the foldaway roof gear rack.

What kind of trends are you seeing in the truck camper world?

We are seeing the desire for well-built, lighter weight products that are easy to use, put on and take off of your truck.

Are you guys overlanders or outdoor adventure enthusiasts?

Yes both.

What kind of future plans does SGC have?

We desire to continue with our current design and construction method and fill out the remainder of our product line. We plan to attend any and all Overland and adventurebased shows where products like ours can be displayed. We will likely develop similar products that are lighter, made of different materials, and also those that can be towed behind a myriad of vehicles (even hybrids and EVs).

What direction is SGC going in?

We will continue to head in the direction that allows customers with trucks and SUVs to be able to have a lightweight accessory to add to their offroad/adventure kit.

How has SGC weathered the uncertainties in supply chains and labor in the past two years?

Supply Chain has been “challenging” to say the least. I give all credit to my team. Our team is made up of a very creative bunch that can solve any problem ahead of us. Also, I give credit also to our partners (suppliers) that took a leap to work with us in the beginning. Regarding labor, because we are a company that builds products to be used in the outdoors we changed up our schedule from a 5-day workweek to a 4-day workweek. This gives us all an intense 4 days of work, but allows us one less day of fuel of driving to work and an extra day to travel, mountain bike, or do whatever is that we love to do outside.

How would you sum up the SGC philosophy?

We are a dynamic and creative team which loves adventure and just happens to build Skinny Guy Campers at this time. Pay attention, because we have big ambitions for the future.

What events/expos will SGC be at in 2022?

Southeast Overland (FL), California Outdoor Expo, Moore Overland Expo (MO), Overland West (AZ), Overland NW (Bend, OR), Overland Mtn. West (CO), Overland East (VA), and SEMA (NV). We don’t have the whole schedule dialed yet but we may be at a couple other MTB-based (Mountain Biking) events in regions where we aren’t well covered by our dealers.

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Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Trails closed, roads open?

spring breakup Cindy Pope April is the cruelest month. In addition to the frost heave and snow melting into mud, confusion about seasonal closures and the old question of what is a trail vs. what is a road makes a mess of things every spring. Add to that the cabin fever we are all experiencing, and you have a recipe for conflict and disagreement among and in user groups in Wisconsin.

FYI, There are no "trail systems" for trucks and suvs in the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF. The classifications are atv/utv, motorcycle and street legal, licensed, insured vehicle (that's us.) Some rec maps refer to a "Pipeline 4x4 Challenge Trail" but that is actually a Forest Service road and as such, subject to the MVUM rules and any opening & closure dates. Forest road MVUM rules are not the same as the atv/utv/snowmobile/ horseback riding or biking regulations.

There are no offroad "trails" in the CNNF for trucks & suvs.

Spring came early last year, so did the confusion.

I observed a situation last spring when the atv, horseback riding and biking trails opened early. Typically, they open around May 1, weather depending. The problem was that a person with the Forest Service was telling people that all "trails" were open, even the forest road locally know as the pipeline, which is classified as a forest road. That just did not seem right.

Did a new MVUM come out? No. Was there an alert or announcement on the USFS website regarding forest service road closures and openings? Again, no.

But people on social media were buzzing with excitement- a road normally not open til June 1st was going to be open for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. I suspected that something was amiss and contacted the FS on messenger (apparently, their facebook feed was the source of this "news.")

Above: here is the anouncement for "trail" closures this year.

Note it does not mention forest roads at all.

"

"

Maybe a bit harsh, but I did not want people getting citations due to bad information!

At this point, that people would go out before June 1 and get tickets for being there outside the open dates was a huge possibility, even though they felt confident that the info they had was correct, since it came from the Forest Service directly. And that's the kicker, the info was from the Forest Servce's social media team, not the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM.) The MVUM is the legally binding source for motor vehicle use in the national forest. As you can see from my conversation, their social media representative did not realize this or the difference between a trail an a forest service road.

There is a super cool ending to this chapter of the story, though. Because of these conversations, the local ranger now knew what was going on and said they would not issue any citations if people were out on that road early. He also said that the opening date did not make any sense and they would look into getting it changed to an earlier date for people to enjoy it on Memorial Day weekend. Stay tuned to see if that happened (it has not yet to my knowledge.)

So while the forest roads are not all closed, there are still seasonal closures you need to worry about. Picking up a map from a ranger station is a must, or download Avenza to use the maps offline and track yourself in real time.

Another thing to think about- early damage to trails during the thaw can last all summer. Although it is perfectly legal to be on an open forest road, it may not be the best decision. Always proceed with caution and if you are experiencing excessive wheel spin or very soft trails, it may be wise to wait til things dry out a bit.

The cabin fever won't kill you. Will it?

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY The Northology Adventures magazine is free to read but it is not free to produce. Your support helps with publishing & other expenses. You can join for as little as $5/mo and help us serve this community.

MONTHLY ADVENTURE MAGAZINE // TRAIL ADVOCACY & STEWARDSHIP // CONTENT & DESIGN SERVICES WINTER EVENTS // BASECAMP GATHERINGS // ADVENTURE EVENTS // WOMEN'S OFFROAD CAMP EVENT

Tread Lightly! QUICK TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE FOUR WHEELING Travel responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas.

Travel only in areas open to four-wheel drive vehicles.

For your safety, travel straight up or down hills.

Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.

Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle.

Cross streams only at designated fording points, where the road crosses the stream.

When possible, avoid mud. In soft terrain, go easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting.

Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain or unstable ground. Back up until you find a safe place to turn around.

REMINDER

2m ago

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The Field, Pembine, WI

A place to come, Park and Ride the Trails, setup your camper/tent and relax overnight after a fun day on the trails.

Protecting the Keweenaw's vast landscapes.

For everyone.

Forever.

[ broadcasts ]

PODCAST DIRECTORY We have curated a list of our favorite Midwest overland, offroad and outdoors podcasts for your listening pleasure. Email us to suggest additions.

ALL OVER OVERLAND ALL THINGS OVERLANDING LADY OVERLANDER RADIO OFFROAD GARAGE PODCAST

SPOTLIGHT The All Things Overlanding Podcast was created to fill a void in overlanding podcasts.

Each episode will cover general overlanding topics, overlanding events and expos, vehicle mods and more! My goal is to provide the same great content as I do on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and my website for all overlanders, new or experienced.

OZARK OVERLAND ADVENTURES WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY WANDER. WONDER. REPEAT 146 episodes 193,905 downloads 234K listens

[ events ]

APRIL

CALENDAR EV

BROUGHT TO

YO U BY

MOORE Expo 4/8-10 Springfield, MO

NDAR ALE TC EN

MAY Midwest Women's Offroad Weekend 5/6-8 Langlade, WI Overland Expo West 5/20-22 Flagstaff, AZ KOAR-Northology KORC Keweenaw Cleanup Campout 5/20-22 Copper Harbor, MI

JUNE Big Iron Overland Rally June 10-12 West Mineral, KS Summer Adventure Camp June 17-19 Pembine, WI & Norway, MI

JULY Overland Expo PNW July 8-10 Bend, OR

Sunday ADVENTURER'S MEETUP HOSTED BY XJP OVERLAND & NORTHOLOGY

5397 Edith Ln. Roscoe, IL

Overland vehicle community LAST S U NDAY OF T HE MONTH APR - J U N E- JULY - AUGUST - SEPTEMB E R

AUGUST Overland Expo Mountain West 8/26-28/2022 Loveland, CO

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Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat 9/15-18/2022 Copper Harbor, MI

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SUBMIT YOUR EVENT AT INFO.NORTHOLOGYADVENTURES@GMAIL.COM

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Code NORTHOLOGY20 for 20% off at MyMatchBar.com

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES

Midwest

Women's Offroad

Weekend

LEARN // CONNECT // GROW MAY 5-6-7 LANGLADE, WI

Join us for a women-helping-women off-road and overland camping weekend filled with learning, laughter and support. All vehicle types are welcome and we promise a fun and educational weekend for all as we gather in the northwoods to learn, grow and connect.

Learn Get to know your rig, basic offroad driving techniques, self recovery, mapping, navigation clinics and more.

Connect Network with women in the industry & in your area, forge friendships around something you are passionate about.

Grow Learning about products, equipment and procedures that can enhance safety and enjoyment in the outdoors.

Speaker Profiles

KERI PORTER

DISCOVER4X4ADVENTURES Keri has been around the off-road world for almost 17 years.

She is owner of Discover 4x4 Adventures, where together she and her husband instruct, host events, and guide many people on their offroad journey. She has taken her trail skills to higher levels by competing in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Rebelle Rally.

You can find Keri leading other women to paths of confidence on any trail she’s on. Always willing to pass along her many years of experience and skills in wrenching, navigation, survival, and on the trail.

JILL CARR

1941_Adventures

Jill bought her first jeep in 2013 and was immediately hooked.

Along with her husband they started 1941_Adventures and began documenting their builds and travels. Although partial to jeeps, she loves all things off-road. She is an admin/organizer for Wisconsin Jeep Owners Group and enjoys teaching new jeep owners about their rigs and getting drivers familiar with how their vehicles work and perform off-road.

ALEXANDRIA ESCHEN NORTHWOODS_OVERLAND_ADVENTURES

Alex says she first got interested in vehicle based adventures in 2018 after moving to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and being surrounded with so much beauty and nature ripe for exploration. "Northwoods Overland Adventures is about enjoying everything nature has to offer with my adventure partner and living a life we love." Alex is an ICU nurse and will be teaching about trail safety, first aid, emergency response, and medical care. "Womens only events are important to me because we need to show that we aren’t just passengers on the trail we offer crucial knowledge and guidance."

CINDY POPE

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES Cindy is owner of Northology Adventures, an outdoor adventure events and media company. Her involvement in offroading and overlanding is a byproduct of her love for all things outdoors. Cindy will be sharing her knowledge of navigational aids, mapping software and communications and etiquette on the trail. "This is a great event for beginners to come and learn in a way that works best for them, and for the seasoned driver to get out and have fun with a community of women with the same goal and love of the path less traveled.

2022 TITLE SPONSOR

Important dates for 2022 January 1- 30, returning vendor & sponsor registration February 1, 2022 -new vendor & sponsor registration opens March 1, tickets go on sale to the public May- TBA- gathering for KORC Cleanup September 15-18 Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat 2022 TBA - KORC/GLA Beach Cleanup KeweenawOverlandAdventureRetreat.com

WELCOME TO

THE CABIN

Make yourself at home!

ABOUT THIS FEATURE

Rustic Retreat Reviews We don't always camp and we definitely have standards when it comes to non-camp lodging. Chain hotels? No. Haunted houses? No. Never-remodeled-orupgraded-in-60-years? No. We do love the rustic, the quirky, the historic, the off-the-beaten-path stays. In this monthly feature we plan to review some of the places we have stayed and give you an honest opinion.

We are compiling a listing of our favorite Hipcamps, Air bnbs, cabins, lodges, yurts, whatever- if its fun, fresh or funky, we will let you know.

If you are an establishment owner, please reach out and let us know about your place, we want to find the unique and share it with other adventurous travelers!

If you are a traveler who wishes to submit review, please email us immediately!

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES

Lodging Directory Cabins, lodges, cottages Looking for a unique stay in the upper midwest? Ditching the tent for a day or two? Need a respite to relax & unwind?

We have your back- check out our list of one- of-a-kind lodging options, curated for the adventurous kind.

ILLINOIS White Pines Lodge Mt. Morris, IL MICHIGAN Aqua Log Cabins Lac LaBelle Fresh Coast Cabins Eagle Harbor, MI Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Copper Harbor, MI Trails End Camper Cabins Copper Harbor, MI The Outpost Big Bay, MI

Elk Creek Cabin

"A rustic retreat where you can escape the city lights, but yet are only a 15 min drive from the sought after destination of Eau Claire. Travel back in time to days before we had the modern amenities we have come to rely on." rustic, solar lighting, pit toilets private & close to town Proprietor on site woodstove heat sleeps 2-4

EAU CLAIRE, WIsconsin

Fresh Coast Cabins Fresh Coast Cabins offers the ultimate rustic Keweenaw cabin experience with the small details you would expect from a boutique hotel. fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms with showers community bonfire area Charcoal grills sleep up to 6 depending on selection

Eagle Harbor, MIchigan MINNESOTA Hungry Hippie Hostel, Grand Marais, MN The ReTreet House Two Harbors, MN WISCONSIN Elk Creek Cabin Elk Mound, WI Camp Lake Resort Mountain, WI

Camping WISCONSIN The Field Pembine, WI

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge A historic wilderness resort at the top of the Keweenaw. Ideal for individuals, families and groups who value history and outdoor activities.

1, 2 & 3 bedroom cabins Queen sized beds Mini-fridges & microwaves wood & gas fireplaces pet-friendly accomodations

copper harbor, michigan MICHIGAN Trails End Campground Copper Harbor, MI

As our list grows, we will be adding info to help you find the coolest, most rustic, out-of-the-way stays in the upper midwest! Let us know if you have a place we need to check out!

Trails End Cabins Camper cabins at the end of the world.

Enjoy all that the Keweenaw has to offer from these rustic modern cabins.

Open year-round and close to Copper Harbor, Eagle Harbor & Lac LaBelle. solar lighting & 12v & USB charging stations pit toilets near cabins woodstove heat sleeps 1-6

Copper Harbor, Michigan