South Puget Sound gathering @ Straddleline ORV?

[OlyWaFJ]

I made a trip to Straddleline ORV park (border of Thurston & Grays Harbor County) last weekend with my 4 year old son. It looks like a good beginner park that feeds into Capitol Forest which is basically just forest service roads but is still off-highway and has some pretty good views up top on Rock Candy Mtn & Capitol Peak. We climbed a hill using A-Trac in Straddleline that a fairly stock Heep Strangler couldn't get up it was a site to see! I LOVE A-Trac! I stayed away from some of the pucker obstacles as I don't have rock-rails or recovery capability at this point and I was essentially by myself. The only thing I have done to my FJ is replace the stock Duelers with a set of Nitto Terra Grappler ATs, they are awesome especially when aired down. It's pretty dry so I am also carrying a fire extinguisher and aid kit. Don't get me wrong there is a man-made mud pit that I would love to see any FJ owner try to get through but it won't be me!

http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/ORV/index.asp


It would be a lot more enjoyable with a group of FJ owners instead of going at it surrounded by a bunch of Heep folks...

I am thinking of heading up Saturday Sept 23, I should have some basic recovery gear by then, anyone care to join me? I don’t have a CB yet but do own a set of FRS radios to keep in touch with those of you that do own CBs or FRS. Straddleline park does charge a $10 admission but according to their business plan this could be a "go to" OHV park in the near future as improvements are continually being made. WA State IAOR has backed them financially via grants and Grays Harbor County has taken over mangement from Thurston Co so things should definately be getting better. Plus I figure its easier than spending $10 in gas/mileage getting to Tahuya, Evans or Elbe...

I have a full size map of Capitol Forest and printable online versions are available via http://www.dnr.wa.gov/dataandmaps/maps/trail_maps.htm.

There are a couple of pics in my member gallery of both Straddleline and Capitol Forest (the Black Cherry ones) http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/galle...user=3762&sl=o

I am open to other trail ideas if you know of any in the South Puget Sound area...

[Zurn]

Man, I'd join you but my sister is getting married that weekend. I also just bought a new house so I'll be moving the weekend before and after that date as well. Maybe if you go for a second trip in November or October I would be in. Sounds like fun!

[OlyWaFJ]

I'll definitely be doing it again when it gets muddy in October!

[chewey46]

I think a run in October would be good. Do they have camping spots there??

[OlyWaFJ]

They officially close the end of September but I see a couple of open days as well as a few events that we may want to join in on. I will email the Park Manager and verify the schedule of open trail days.

They have camping facilities as well as restrooms with showers. See online brochure for details:
http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/ORV/Brochure.html

[FJCameron]

I live up in Vancouver, BC and would love to join up with my FJ in the early spring when I gear up for some basic and intermediate off-roading, the really technical / up on a mountain cliff road stuff scares the bejesus out of me, but the hills / muds / back roads / logging roads all keenly interest me.

I would come down for a ride along sometime this fall / winter as well.

[Got Moab]

I am new to the site as well as the area. I just picked up my FJ last weekend and would like to get it out on some trails. I also have a 75 FJ40 that I would trailer out for the mud and rocks. If you are still going, count me in.

[ironmind]

when i can afford new tires I'm in too. Love to meet you all out there and get stuck in a mudhole. What kind of regulations do they have there regarding dogs or drinking a beer or two?

[OlyWaFJ]

Check out their page for regulations as I'm not too sure.
http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/ORV/index.asp

I just spent the afternoon up there today and got my first "pinstripes"! They rubbed out with ease so no worries...

We had a great time today, as you know it has been very dry this summer so the FJ had zero promblems with this park's terrain. Once it rains it is going to be a completely different story! I would imagine in some areas the mud will be hub deep! The first time I went off road with my FJ I didn't air down and spun the tires a few times getting up hills even with the help of A-Trac. Today I dropped the tire pressure down to 20psi and didn't even need A-Trac or the lockers, I was amazed at the difference / improvement it gave me.

We spent about 3 hours playing in the park today. Basically there is two major trails paralleling each other going strait up the main mountain. I got my pinstripes by heading down some side trails that haven't had any love from the maintenance folks for a couple of years. If we stay on the main trails pinstripping shouldn't occur on rigs. I wanted to explore Capitol Forest a bit more today but my Dad's allergies got in the way and we had to leave early. The A-Line trail head is right next to Straddleline and would be a good place to dive in after we get board with the park.

For those of you that want to bring your trailered rigs in, there is a very cool 4x4 obstacle course that is basically a huge mud pit that would be a blast to go through. I was by myself again today so if I got stuck there was no one there to pull me out, plus I didn't feel like cleaning mud out of my suspension this evening.

I am still in for the 23rd unless there closures due to fire hazard. I keep you guys updated...

I'll post some pics of today soon.

[OlyWaFJ]

Ironmind if it doesn't rain between now and the 23rd you won't have any problems with these trails and your stock tires.