Summer Vacation 2009

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 10:27 AM

Last year I hit up Mount Rainier National Park and did not get much peace.
People constantly stopped to ask me about my roof top tent, cars, hikers, ect would slow down to gawk.
Nothing wrong with that, but I was there to relax, not play salesman.

This year I decided to hit up the forest service roads past the little town of Greenwater.
I have camped quite extensively up there in the past with my two sons when they were younger.
It is all back country camping with no tables or other pay camp site amenities.
I always try to get by a creek or river so I have a water source for getting water for dish washing instead of using up my supply or having to bring a ton of water along.

I arrived up there around 7:10 am and a lot of the good spots were already taken, so I settled for one that was a little smaller than I wanted, but it was smack dab on the creek.
Beyond my tents window the creek was only a few feet.
The creek there had split into three forks with a calmer one on my side.

Down where I was there were no views of majestic Mount Rainier, but if you drive further up the forest service roads you are treated to fantastic views of the mountain.
Also the area I was in has a road that goes to the top of Sun Top Mountain Lookout, an old fire lookout that was used years ago.
Today it has been restored and is more like a visitor center where you can stop by and talk with the attendant who lives there for a duration.
From up there you can view numerous peaks to be on the lookout for fires.

Also in that general area are some of the best mountain biking trails around.
One such trail is Skookum Flats.

The link above says to enter the trail from a different forest service road, but there are a few different ways to get on it.
As soon as you turn off for the area I camped at, it is on your left only a minute in.
You can see in a few of the pictures below the entrance to the trail.
It does turn into some gnarly single track a ways in.
This entrance too was about a one mile ride from my campsite.
I rode part of the trail, but I did not get to do the whole thing.
One weekend day I am going to head back up there just to ride the trail then head home afterwards.
It is only a short 36 miles from my door.
From my door to my campsite it was about 38.9 miles.

This is why I like the area, you have lots of back country camping, and it is close to home.
I have gone up there for years and not seen all what the area has to offer.

My brother arrived later that morning on his expedition motorcycle, a BMW R1200.
His bike is all setup for expedition use which it has seen quite a bit of.
He has onboard air for airing backup after airing down for back country travel.
Nice aluminum cases for holding gear and a lot more.

After we retired that evening a college age crowd came into a site across the creek from us, they were noisy until 3 am the first night.
Barking dogs, screaming, all the kinds of stuff that would get you kicked out of a pay campsite.
Kind of took the joy out of camping that first night up there.

The conversion I did to my Zodi shower earlier in the year worked out great.
When taking a shower you just pull the trigger on the kitchen faucet sprayer, and let go to stop the flow.
This works much better than the head that comes stock on the Zodi showers.
And using the new Outback Privy tent was great, it sets up much quicker than the PETT one that came with my PETT toilet system I bought last year.

There are also more pictures in the Camping Gear Review thread on the forum.
I am going to look into a helmet cam system too for taking pictures and shooting videos while mountain biking.
My digital camera is a little to big to carry along on a trail, and I would have been upset if I had dropped it, as some areas on the trail are quite rough.
A helmet cam would be perfect for that.

Also made a new video on setting up the tent to replace the driveway one I made last year.
This shows you the ease of setting up my style of roof top tent and deploying the ladder.
It can not get much easier than that.

On my way out I also stopped at a favorite campsite I use to take my sons to long ago when we had the tent trailer.
Back up into the site, and you could park within feet of the small hill to walk right down into the same creek I was at this time so you could park a camping chair out in it to the side, or get out where it ran faster and body surf.
There was also a nice ten foot swimming hole there.
The site is ruined now, half of it has been washed away by past storms and the creek changing its course.
Now the creek is further away.
I could hear it, but not see it.
Funny how things change over the years like that.
It was one of the better sites up there.

Here are some pictures I took up there.
Most are just shots around the campsite, as there was not a whole lot else to look at.
If I had that helmet cam, I could have got some nice shots along the White River of Skookum Flats mountain bike trail.

Arrival at the site, setting up the tent.
I have a few other videos to go through still.

YouTube Video

Closeup of the solar panel setup to keep the batteries charged while running the fridge and tents 12v interior light.

My backwoods still

Actually it is the Zodi shower setup.
Works fantastic, I should have tried it washing the dishes, but did not think to do so.

Toiletry kit I have had for years.
Tree made a good spot for it and the tent stake hammer.

Cabelas folding picnic table.
Perfect for back country camping where there are no sites setup such as pay campgrounds.
I have a Cabelas roll top table too I bought months back, but I did not see the need to set it up.
This table was fine for eating at and holding extra stuff.

The new expedition rig, a 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro.
It came in handy for exploring the area, and hitting up Skookum Flats mountain bike trail.

My brothers expedition motorcycle, a BMW R1200 GS.

Solar panel voltage reading in indirect sunlight.
It puts out around 18.5 v with more sunlight.

My brothers tent.
He also has the Big Agnes sleeping bag system that has the blow up mattress that fits into a sleeve on the bottom of the sleeping bag.
Nice, as it keeps you from rolling off the pad.
I use to hate that when backpacking Mt. Rainier years ago,
I would wake up rolled halfway off of my Thermorest mattress.

All those cases on the bike make bringing gear an ease.

Huckleberry Creek from the bridge which is just beyond the entrance to our site and to the right a short distance.
You can see two forks here, and down by my rig a third fork runs right below the bank a few feet from the rig.

The Engel Wireless Fridge monitor.
Cool gadget that shows the time, outside temperature, and the temperature in your fridge.

The Cabelas kitchen setup I reviewed last year.
The two cases below the stove hold all the silverware, plates, bowls, knifes, foil, pots, skillets, just like home.
I converted the stove over to run a 5 lb propane tank instead of the throw away 1 lb bottles.

A few campfire shots.
Across the creek a few hundred feet are where the party group was camped at.
Not seen are the 6 or so tiki torches they had setup, looked pretty cool.
Bike locked up for the night too to keep it from walking away overnight.

Also seen above is the battery powered pump for the water bottle.
Pretty cool gadget if you are into that sort of thing.
I found the pickup tube does not hit the bottom of the 5 gallon water cooler bottle though, it is shy about 2".

The shelf mod pioneered by fjcruiserforums.com member bjorno.
Gets a few things off of the bed, place to organize a few things.

A view of the creek that forks right below my rig and next to our campsite.

Entrance to the Skookum Flats mountain bike trail.

Biting black flies, resistant to the Cutter Advanced Sport with Picaridin I bought last year.
It worked great up at Mt. Rainier last year, but had no effect on these biting monsters.
I am covered all over pretty much.

And a few videos I stitched together with Windows Movie Maker.

YouTube Video

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murdarunna19 · 08-19-2009, 10:37 AM

good stuff corey! looks like you had a nice time.

Toddski · 08-19-2009, 11:46 AM

Right on!
Glad you had a great time. How was the weather?

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 11:50 AM

Thanks guy's.

Todd, weather was quite warm up there in the 80s, but as soon as the sun goes down, it cools off fast.

Sky was clear, it was great seeing all the stars out.

desertcamper67 · 08-19-2009, 12:04 PM

Nice rig and very cool gear. I think that soft solar panel is pretty slick. Looks like you've got everything you'll ever need except the kitchen sink.

HazMat · 08-19-2009, 12:46 PM

I dig the reclining folding chair. Man you got some cool gear.

BT17R · 08-19-2009, 12:57 PM

Looks like adventure touring is in the Tando blood! Your bro has an amazing setup too. I'll check out his site.

Entertaining pics and writeup, thanks. Glad you had a great vacation and got to deploy most of the gear.

Skookum Flats trail looks anything but flat, whew. How much elevation change to the top?

About the bug bites, I think repellents have a short shelf life and need to be replaced (annually?). I think bugs are attracted to the aroma of soy milk.

Edit: Just saw 800' gain on Skookum Flats trail.

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BT17R

About the bug bites, I think repellents have a short shelf life and need to be replaced (annually?). I think bugs are attracted to the aroma of soy milk.

I will research it for sure.

Nooooooooo, soy flows through my veins

I cooked up a big breakfast Monday with fried eggs, hashbrowns, Morningstar maple flavored vegi sausage, and Millstone Vanilla nut or some other flavor coffee in the French Press.
My brother really enjoyed the coffee, but almost barfed on the sausage

I guess he can not eat soy products.
Needless to say, I had almost four full patties that morning.
Also the taste was not appeasing to him.

Funny how we get use to stuff, as I eat those daily at home and at work for breakfast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMat

I dig the reclining folding chair. Man you got some cool gear.

That recliner indeed is very comfortable.
Only thing is it takes up an awful lot of room, but I am glad I brought it along.
It will come on every trip for now on.

algranger · 08-19-2009, 01:29 PM

Looks like a good time. Your brothers BMW is the 2 wheeled equivelent to your FJ heheh

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algranger

Looks like a good time. Your brothers BMW is the 2 wheeled equivelent to your FJ heheh

I will get his addy later where they have their trip pics.

**4x4Fink** · 08-19-2009, 02:02 PM

Corey, that is a rockin' camp site my friend.
I wish had even HALF of the gear you have.

One of these days when I strike it rich I'll be camping in style.

Fink

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Thanks Fink.
Some of that gear is from more than twenty years ago when I started putting together gear.

The silverware and Paul Revere stainless steel pans with the copper bottom were my grandparents, and those items are from the 60s.

My brother recognized the silverware being our grandparents from years ago.

I have a lot of other gear too that I will probably not use.
Some new stuff replaces the old stuff.
I was all for getting a new stove later, but really that Sears Hillery propane one I bought 15 years or so ago works just fine.
Same with the Sear Hillery lantern.
I made the switch from white gas to propane many years ago.
Much easier to transport, and not priming/pumping.

**4x4Fink** · 08-19-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey

Thanks Fink.
Some of that gear is from more than twenty years ago when I started putting together gear.

The silverware and Paul Revere stainless steel pans with the copper bottom were my grandparents, and those items are from the 60s.

My brother recognized the silverware being our grandparents from years ago.

I have a lot of other gear too that I will probably not use.
Some new stuff replaces the old stuff.
I was all for getting a new stove later, but really that Sears Hillery propane one I bought 15 years or so ago works just fine.
Same with the Sear Hillery lantern.
I made the switch from white gas to propane many years ago.
Much easier to transport, and not priming/pumping.

I really need to start accumulating some stuff - I love to camp.
While I don't think I'll drop the several grand on the rooftop tent I do want to invest in a good, large tent as well as a nice smaller tent.

It's nice to have the smaller tents for when it's a group of buddies going out for a weekend of hiking and the like.
Having a larger "cabin" type tent is nice when it's a large group of mixed company, co-ed if you like.

Fink

**4x4Fink** · 08-19-2009, 04:49 PM

I also forgot to ask, did you get a pic of the FJ all loaded up and ready for the trip?
You brought a crap ton of stuff along, I'm amazed you fit it all in the FJ with the fridge, etc...

Fink

Lumpy · 08-19-2009, 05:01 PM

That nice looks like you had a real nice getaway. Great camping setup!!!

BigBluePile · 08-19-2009, 05:17 PM

Lookin good Corey, nice setup!!!

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Fink

I also forgot to ask, did you get a pic of the FJ all loaded up and ready for the trip?
You brought a crap ton of stuff along, I'm amazed you fit it all in the FJ with the fridge, etc...

Fink

There are some good family size canvas tents out there by Oz Tents, Springbar, and Kodiak if you :ggogle: them.

Did not get a pic this time, but I could not see out the rear window coming back.
I could some going, but coming back I had the garbage and dirty clothes bags back there too.
That nice Cabelas lounger takes up a lot of room too in its zippered case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumpy

That nice looks like you had a real nice getaway. Great camping setup!!!

Thanks, it was fun getting out.
I am looking forward to trying some winter camping this year if I get motivated enough.

***Corey*** · 08-19-2009, 05:22 PM

Thanks Logan, looks like we were posting about the same time.

Lumpy · 08-19-2009, 05:26 PM

If there were more hours in the day, more days in the week, more weeks in the year...I'd be out there as well. I'm finally getting things settled down and in the next year or so I hope to get out a few times and keep it going yearly!!!! I really miss camping!!!

BigBluePile · 08-19-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey

Thanks Logan, looks like we were posting about the same time.

lol! I meant to post earlier, but I was at work...

scuba · 08-19-2009, 07:49 PM

Looks like a good time Corey !!

I wish I was that setup for camping

olharleyman · 08-19-2009, 09:38 PM

Ain't no go'n cowboy camp'n with you huh?

***Corey*** · 08-20-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba

Looks like a good time Corey !!

I wish I was that setup for camping

Thanks.
I am working on condensing stuff too so I do not have to pack the rig so full.
I bring the same amount of gear whether it is for a weekend trip or one to two weeks.
You never know how long you might stay, and I like to be prepared for the worst.
If I would have stayed longer, I would have been out of drinking water this time, but I do carry an MSR water filter I could have filled back up my container from the creek.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olharleyman

Ain't no go'n cowboy camp'n with you huh?

I ain't no cowboy.
They ride horses, not mountain bikes.

obibosk · 09-12-2009, 07:40 AM

does the solar give you enough charge to keep the fridge running at night?

***Corey*** · 09-12-2009, 08:26 AM

The fridge can run alone on the stock Toyota battery for up to four days before killing it with no solar hooked to it.

But with the solar setup, you could run it forever and keep the battery charged.

The solar can also power the fridge with no battery hooked to it, as it puts out enough amperage to power the fridge.
But at night you would have to go with the battery.

Easier to just leave it hooked up as is to the battery, and let the solar keep the battery juiced up.

08-19-2009, 10:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
murdarunna19 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: seattle Posts: 328	good stuff corey! looks like you had a nice time. __________________ Matt D 2000 4runner. supercharged, flowmaster, 3" toytec lift, sitting on BFG 33's. 2009 fj, arb bumper, warn winch, bfg ats, 2" lift, IPFs. 4runner Build - http://www.yotatech.com/f191/murdaru...thread-190270/

08-19-2009, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Toddski Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Graham, Wa. Posts: 923	Right on! Glad you had a great time. How was the weather? __________________ Todd '91 4runner SR5. OME 901 coils, Bilstein shocks, 31" Wildcountry TXR Tires. Lightforce Lance 140 offroad lights.

08-19-2009, 11:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Thanks guy's. Todd, weather was quite warm up there in the 80s, but as soon as the sun goes down, it cools off fast. Sky was clear, it was great seeing all the stars out. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

08-19-2009, 12:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
HazMat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 334	I dig the reclining folding chair. Man you got some cool gear. __________________ 2004 3.4l Taco TRD SR5 Lil' bit-o-Lift, 32" General Grabbers, Softopper, 05TRD Wheels 95.5 2.7L Taco (RIP) Burned up!!

08-19-2009, 12:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,673	Looks like adventure touring is in the Tando blood! Your bro has an amazing setup too. I'll check out his site. Entertaining pics and writeup, thanks. Glad you had a great vacation and got to deploy most of the gear. Skookum Flats trail looks anything but flat, whew. How much elevation change to the top? About the bug bites, I think repellents have a short shelf life and need to be replaced (annually?). I think bugs are attracted to the aroma of soy milk. Edit: Just saw 800' gain on Skookum Flats trail. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T Last edited by BT17R; 08-19-2009 at 12:59 PM.

08-19-2009, 01:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
algranger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here in the PNW Posts: 3,264	Looks like a good time. Your brothers BMW is the 2 wheeled equivelent to your FJ heheh __________________ . . . I said lie, for me lying under a process tree . . . .

08-19-2009, 02:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 5,952	Corey, that is a rockin' camp site my friend. I wish had even HALF of the gear you have. One of these days when I strike it rich I'll be camping in style. Fink __________________ 1985 4Runner 22RE 4WD "Ratchet" 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA "My work number is 9-1-1."

08-19-2009, 03:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Thanks Fink. Some of that gear is from more than twenty years ago when I started putting together gear. The silverware and Paul Revere stainless steel pans with the copper bottom were my grandparents, and those items are from the 60s. My brother recognized the silverware being our grandparents from years ago. I have a lot of other gear too that I will probably not use. Some new stuff replaces the old stuff. I was all for getting a new stove later, but really that Sears Hillery propane one I bought 15 years or so ago works just fine. Same with the Sear Hillery lantern. I made the switch from white gas to propane many years ago. Much easier to transport, and not priming/pumping. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

08-19-2009, 04:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 5,952	I also forgot to ask, did you get a pic of the FJ all loaded up and ready for the trip? You brought a crap ton of stuff along, I'm amazed you fit it all in the FJ with the fridge, etc... Fink __________________ 1985 4Runner 22RE 4WD "Ratchet" 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA "My work number is 9-1-1."

08-19-2009, 05:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Thanks Logan, looks like we were posting about the same time. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

08-19-2009, 07:49 PM	#21 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Looks like a good time Corey !! I wish I was that setup for camping __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

08-19-2009, 09:38 PM	#22 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	Ain't no go'n cowboy camp'n with you huh? __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

09-12-2009, 07:40 AM	#24 (permalink)
obibosk Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 13	does the solar give you enough charge to keep the fridge running at night?

09-12-2009, 08:26 AM	#25 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	The fridge can run alone on the stock Toyota battery for up to four days before killing it with no solar hooked to it. But with the solar setup, you could run it forever and keep the battery charged. The solar can also power the fridge with no battery hooked to it, as it puts out enough amperage to power the fridge. But at night you would have to go with the battery. Easier to just leave it hooked up as is to the battery, and let the solar keep the battery juiced up. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

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