Elbe Hills: 8-22-15

[TORX]

I wanted to wheel this weekend, and with most of Oregon's trail systems closed due to the fact that their state is on fire, I looked at other options. Elbe Hills being one of them. Elbe is located about two and a half hours north of Vancouver, and just southwest of Mt. Rainier.

I checked fluids on the Jeep, respooled the winch, and put a few pounds of air in the tires Friday night. It hasn't really moved since returning from Naches, but all seemed okay.

Left Vancouver 0700, set the cruise, and hopped on I5. Fueled up in Morton, bought my Discover Pass, and continued onto Elbe. I pulled into the campground around 0920 to find the Piston's Wild and Evergreen Crawlers just staging to leave, perfect timing. Pulled the cores, dropped a few pounds, and joined the group.

Started with Sunrise Trail just outside the staging area.

We had a good variety of rigs in the group from JK's, TJ's, Zuk's, and an FJ.

Tony making his way down the trail, the tree line to the right was a fun optional line.

Heading into the Busy.

It's pretty impressive just how dug out some portions of the trail area. Doug's cage barely above ground level.

JK got high-centered on one of the many stumps you had to watch out for.

Tate in the other XJ.

Dropping in.

Threading the needle in a few spots with the JK's.

 

[TORX]

There's been some work done on the Busy since the last time I ran it. Some fun optional rock crawl areas along the trail have been added.

Another optional play area.

I'm always good to do something stupid. Managed to roll this behemoth under the front end when realigning.

That's the line.

Continuing on the Busy.

Paul got a little detained between a stump and a log.

 

[TORX]

Done with the Busy.

Continuing onto the Gotcha log crawl.

Tweaked steering, nothing a quick winch pull could fix.

Rainier Vista hill climb.

Finished up Rainier Vista with a fun rock crawl at the end, and then played around in the rock pit while the others finished the trail.

Darel's tweaked steering finally gave out and sheared a TRE at the end of the trail. Luckily he had a trailer waiting for him at the staging area.

I aired up, and then proceeded to make the drive back home, no bubbles no troubles.

 

[Jbh97009]

Looks like fun! I wouldn't mind making a trip up there before the rains come!