After spending time learning what the truck could actually do, it was time to finally get it out on some proper trails and see how it handles the real world.
The last few months turned into a massive blur of dust, rocks, road trips, and meeting up with some great groups.
May: Warner Valley with Ride With Rich
We kicked things off in May by heading out to Warner Valley with Rich and the Southern Utah Relaxed Explorers crew.
It was a great introduction to the local terrain with a solid group of people. Warner Valley gives you a little bit of everything—sand, rock steps, and some open desert paths where we could get some easy trail practice.
Getting out with a group that knows the local trails makes a huge difference when you’re still figuring out your lines.
June: The Caliente Run
In June, we grabbed some friends and made the run out to Caliente. It was SO HOT.
The trails out that way are a nice change of pace from the red rocks, offering different dirt and some fun, winding tracks.
We ended the day by stopping for a late lunch at the Side Track Cafe in town.
Nothing beats a solid local diner after a morning of breathing in dust. Good food, cold drinks, and a chance to air up the tires before hitting the road back home.
August: Petroglyphs, Reno, and the ET Highway
August was a wild month with a ton of windshield time.
We started locally with another run hosted by Rich, checking out a petroglyph site tucked away just past the St. George airport. It’s always cool finding history hidden right in your backyard that you’d normally drive right past.
After that, we packed up for a massive road trip up to Reno and Lake Tahoe.
We took the long way through the Nevada desert, including a stretch down the Extraterrestrial Highway. It’s a lot of empty space, but there’s a strange kind of beauty to it. Had to stop for a burger at Little A’Le’Inn in Rackel, NV. (tip, they’re closed on Mondays)
Tahoe was such a refreshing change of scenery! Since trees and water aren’t exactly part of our usual wheelhouse anymore, taking a ‘Happy Hour’ cruise on the Tahoe Gal was the perfect way to soak it all in.
September: Colorado and High-Altitude Trails
Last month, we headed east to Lafayette, CO to visit some friends and decided to try a mountain trail run.
We tackled the Kingston Peak trail, which was a completely different beast than Southern Utah. Rocky, steep, and a lot higher up than we’re used to. The views at the top were incredible, even if the air was a little thin. We saw some Elk, some pretty nice fall color, and a lot of rock.
While we were in the area, we also drove Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a one-way dirt road that winds its way up the mountain. It isn’t overly technical, but the switchbacks and steady climb give you a real appreciation for the landscape.
What I Got Out of It
The truck isn’t pristine anymore, and that’s exactly the point. We need better skid plates.
Putting all those features to use across different states, altitudes, and terrains proved that the training paid off. We’re figuring out the packing setup, gotten comfortable with the air-down routines, and met some awesome local drivers along the way.
Next up is staying local for a bit and exploring more of what winter trail season in Southern Utah has to offer.