Did some Off-Roading in the Element [Archive] - Honda Element Owners Club Forum

: Did some Off-Roading in the Element


jeebus
10-08-2005, 07:49 PM
So today we went for an adventure! We drove East along the Clackamas River and took a neato off-the-pavement trail. I'm a noob to anything other than smooth road and I know the E, despite having 4 wheel drive, is no serious off roader.

It was a learning experience filled with a bit of fear (mostly passenger fear, not driver) but man was it fun. It's gravel for about 10 miles, then dirt and mud and holes and other crap for who knows how much longer. We only made it 15 miles in before we decided it was best to turn around. The E might have been able to make it all the way but our comfort levels were not where we wanted them to be and the last thing I want to do is get stuck IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!!!

Just down the road from the trail head:
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02761.jpg

1 mile in...still paved.
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02762.jpg

Hey, there's mud on my car!
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02764.jpg

Right about where we turned around...no that's NOT the trail, just looked perrty.
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02765.jpg

On the way back out...
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02766.jpg

Almost back to pavenment...whew!!!
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02768.jpg

jeebus
10-08-2005, 07:51 PM
Since we didn't make it as far as we wanted to, we decided to explore some more ON the road. So we went to a nearby boat launch into the Clackamas river and ate some lunch.

http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02770.jpg
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02771.jpg
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02772.jpg

After our stomaches were filled with plenty of pastrami, it was time for more exploring. Heading down HWY 224 you get some pretty neat sights.

http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02773.jpg
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02775.jpg

jeebus
10-08-2005, 07:52 PM
Saw this bridge and had to cross it...just looked fun.
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02777.jpg

More river:
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02778.jpg

What's that sign say? Hot Springs? Sure I'll check it out. Ended up being a long drive off road again. and turned out we had to pay...phooey
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02780.jpg

One last shot while FINALLY getting the dog to pee!
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02781.jpg


Fun day.

wankerklink
10-09-2005, 06:05 AM
Great pix! Thanks for sharing.

shawnblog
10-09-2005, 12:02 PM
Yeah, great pics! I did some E-offroading in Maine and a little in PA once. Not my thing, but it is an adventure!

beatpusher
10-09-2005, 02:01 PM
hello neighbor! Well Kinda. I'm in north portland. :roll:

Looks like you were out just before the rain rolled in.

jeebus
10-09-2005, 02:20 PM
hello neighbor! Well Kinda. I'm in north portland. :roll:

Looks like you were out just before the rain rolled in.

Yep. We were glad that we got done with the "rough stuff" before the rain. :-o

trickyvick
10-09-2005, 06:38 PM
looks like a great fun backroad trip......reminds me of a nice driveway here...lol

I haven't taken the E to Copenger Cove lately but maybe some day (no way in HECK) but I will probably continue to take the toyota or the bronco II....less likely to wash out the interior with the little sequachee river.

kal-el
10-17-2005, 12:00 PM
Yep. We were glad that we got done with the "rough stuff" before the rain. :-o
howdy jeebus. looks like fun. Where is that in Clackamas ?
Are you somewhere near Sunnyside ?
I'm close to 122nd by safeway (Sunnyside)

Can you tell me how to get to the area you've been ?

G-force
10-17-2005, 01:10 PM
howdy jeebus. looks like fun. Where is that in Clackamas ?
Are you somewhere near Sunnyside ?
I'm close to 122nd by safeway (Sunnyside)

Can you tell me how to get to the area you've been ?

Looks like it's out past Estecada. Up towards Indian Henry.

Great camping areas up there on the way to Timothy Lake.

jeebus
10-19-2005, 12:51 AM
howdy jeebus. looks like fun. Where is that in Clackamas ?
Are you somewhere near Sunnyside ?
I'm close to 122nd by safeway (Sunnyside)

Can you tell me how to get to the area you've been ?

I am pretty close to Sunnyside. I live off 212 if you head towards Boring. Anyway, I headed out 224 SouthEast towards Promontory Park which is 8 miles past Estacada. I turned left at Promontory Park onto Forest Road 4610. I drove until we we wussed out but I'm confident the E could make it all the way...I'd just prefer to go with another vehicle as well just in case.

After that little exploration we headed further down 224 along the Clackamas River as we headed up in elevation.

If you ever want to go out there, we should meet up and do the drive...hell, maybe some other Oregon E folks would like it too.

ozarkcanoeman
10-20-2005, 10:34 PM
Nice pics! Almost expected a glimpse of Bigfoot peeking out of the trees alongside that road (LOL)! TW

ICHING
10-20-2005, 11:09 PM
Does the dog's friend come in a hula version?
Saw this bridge and had to cross it...just looked fun.
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02777.jpg

More river:
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02778.jpg

What's that sign say? Hot Springs? Sure I'll check it out. Ended up being a long drive off road again. and turned out we had to pay...phooey
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02780.jpg

One last shot while FINALLY getting the dog to pee!
http://www.travisharrell.com/Element4x4/DSC02781.jpg


Fun day.

Metroscoot
10-20-2005, 11:42 PM
Nice pix! Looks like fun!

I am sort of a neighbor of yours.... over on the coast here. There are some awsome coastal drives you should consider if you haven'y already.

Been spending a lot of time driving up and down the coast line here. The Heceta Head drive is especially cool.

Glad you had fun and could share.

bsdowner
10-21-2005, 05:09 AM
looks like fun! did you dog play in the river? I know I would have a hard time keeping my Belgian Sheepdog out of the water. He learned to swim at Camp Gone to the Dogs in VT. After he fell in swimming pools, and ponds, he was not happy being in deep water. Once he learned water is FUN . . . now I see why some folks train Belgian Sheepdogs as retrievers - they have more energy then labs!

My husband takes his Jeep off-roading. We climb over rocks in 4-wheel low and low gear. The drop off on the passenger side is - a DROP off. Prefer to look up the clift on the other side . . .I would not take my E on THAT road.

jeebus
10-21-2005, 05:15 PM
Nice pix! Looks like fun!

I am sort of a neighbor of yours.... over on the coast here. There are some awsome coastal drives you should consider if you haven'y already.

Been spending a lot of time driving up and down the coast line here. The Heceta Head drive is especially cool.

Glad you had fun and could share.

I will check out more coastal stuff soon...I'm a noobie to Oregon. But what I've seen so far is amazing!