Exploring the Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Part 2

[@ConquestOverland]

Who else has explored the Gifford Pinchot National Forest?

[@danieltopolski6468]

I grew up in Western Washington, yes I have, it's amazing. Been a long time tho. Great part 1 excited for part 2.

[@ConquestOverland]

@@danieltopolski6468 Oh right on! There is simply so much to see out that direction, even better when visiting during Fall with the changing color! 👍

[@figglydash]

Only via foot!!

[@altitudesquirrel7298]

I too crawled through the Ape Caves upper route. My highlight in Gifford was a winter summit on St Helens on her corniced rim via Monitor Ridge route. The views of Adams, Hood, and Rainier from up there are spectacular! Great video Michael, love your finished products showcasing our home! 🤘

[@tylerrakes82]

I go into there quite a bit to go fishing. Some excellent lakes out there past Panther Creek.

[@davidallsup2375]

One of my favorite places on Earth!

[@scottalpine]

That looks like it was a really fun trip. If you ever do the Ape Cave in the summer here’s a pro tip for you: start at the upper entrance that way after your hike up in the heat you can cool down on the way back in the cave. We are pretty lucky that exploring close to home our state has so much to offer, Ocean, desert, rainforest, mountains, caves, more mountains, epic rivers and so many awesome lakes.

[@ConquestOverland]

I like your thinking, great idea! Would be nice to stay cool with how warm our summers can get! But I couldn't agree more, the Pacific Northwest has some incredible places to witness!

[@TheKPDX]

Excellent pearl of wisdom

[@thepdc6220]

Great one. That’s my back yard. Good to see you enjoying it

[@ConquestOverland]

Right on! Absolutely beautiful area! Thank you for the support!

[@DJ12Ema]

Thanks for adding your channel intro music for part II… I love it 😂😂 thanks to your channel we have visited many places here in WA and we have been here for just 2 months

[@ConquestOverland]

I had some requests, happy to have it back for our normal programming moving forward! 😆 That's awesome to hear though, glad to have helped provide some insight on places to explore. Washington has an incredible amount to offer in any direction you drive!

[@alpinetactics]

Another great one!

[@ConquestOverland]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[@pnw_element9822]

Wow so beautiful and it’s only 1 and a half drive from my house this place is definitely on my list thanks for sharing such a beautiful place

[@ConquestOverland]

Happy to help! Safe travels! 👍

[@pnw_element9822]

@@ConquestOverland Thanks I’m still learning all this man my element is build for it can’t do anything crazy but simple overlanding haha my main thing is that I’m always afraid of getting lost

[@ConquestOverland]

@@pnw_element9822 completely understand, it’s definitely a lot of information to take on! I would say to start with is download Gaia GPS and get very familiar with it. Lifestyle Overland has several fantastic videos going over how to use it from trip planning to overall navigation while on the trail. It’s been a lifesaver for me and I know it’ll help with the “lost” feeling (I’ve been there too haha)

[@TheKPDX]

@@pnw_element9822 I think you'll be surprised at what a Honda Element can do. Most Forest Svc roads are really about high clearance, and really you often need just a bit more than a sedan. Conquest Overland's videos are great for you, most of what he's accessing you could do fine, especially the Southern leg of the WABDR (3 areas of concern, the Beehive Washouts on the upper part of Section 3, the access just before and especially after Bethel Ridge from the South & Baby Head Hill just N of Nile - the last 2 have bypasses, the Bethel Ridge one is pleasant and my usual route after Bethel Ridge these days. I haven't driven the Baby Head Hill bypass so I can't speak to it). Starting with the WABDR will give you familiarity. Another great starter would be Stampede, especially if you are in the Seattle area. The best thing you can learn is that it's always okay to turn around. The only foolish move is to feel forced to attempt something with which you are not comfortable. Look at Overland Bound as they emphasize the "doesn't matter what you drive" philosophy. Gaia has been a game changer for me but I recommend also having a DeLorme Gazzetteer on you. You may not need it & generally Gaia surpasses it but it's always good to have a paper backup. If you start on major routes like the WABDR there is also a fair amount of traffic and for the most part you should be able to get assistance if you need it. Anybody who knocks you being out there in an Element doesn't really understand the spirit of backcountry adventure.

[@pnw_element9822]

@@TheKPDX Ooh yeah it took me to the top of browns camp where we found snow on a dry day haha yeah gets lots of look like what is a Honda doing here hahaha thanks my guy

[@aaronmiles8286]

I don’t know how I missed this when it came out but glad I went to your home page. Great video!

[@ConquestOverland]

Thank you!

[@jamesholloway2284]

Man! I miss camping! Thanks for taking us all along Michael!

[@ConquestOverland]

Appreciate the support, James! Thank you! Winter camping should be fun this year, especially with how much snow we've already gotten...

[@mrOLDPICKLE]

I’ve definitely driven past you and gave you a mahalo 😂 look out for the white Nissan Titan !! Happy trails my friend

[@ConquestOverland]

Haha that's awesome! I'll definitely be on the lookout! 😆

[@TheKPDX]

I LOVE the area between St. Helens & Adams Interesting to see Spirit Lake these days. It used to be mosty choked with logs - looks like alot have sunk. Back in the 90s the final approach there was through a forest of skelton tree trunks reaching for the sky from a barren ground. I'm surprised at the developedment at Ape Cave too - but then I guess it's been 20 years since I went and overanding has exploded in the interim. I don't mind the restrictions if they aren't onerous and those appear very reasonable.

[@juanmeyer3798]

I was there last weekend! 🤙

[@ConquestOverland]

Right on! Such a fun area!

[@47solar43]

Good stuff!

[@ConquestOverland]

Thank you!

[@midnightadventureswa]

Thank you Michael for sharing your wonderful trip glad you had a good time and enjoying your new set up on your rig and most important have fun out there

[@ConquestOverland]

Sincerely appreciate that Brian, thank you! Trip was a wonderful time and success further trying out the new setup. Can't wait to get out more for winter camping this year! Hope all is going well for you!

[@MyAlexWest]

very nice video. thanks buddy more video w/ dog. it looks cute.

[@ConquestOverland]

Thank you! An will do, plan to incorporate both Maverick and Stanley more as we get out on trips! 👍

[@jrada6875]

Bring a tall guy, hit my head hard a couple of times in the Ape Caves. But loved every second of it.

[@ConquestOverland]

Oh no! I can easily see that happening, there was some tight sections on that trail though it is incredible to check out 👍

[@carlogarcia4327]

great cinematography and editing !!!

[@ConquestOverland]

Those late nights staying up editing a slowly paying off, thank you very much for the support! Much more to come, stay tuned 👍

[@rocklander.project]

Always quality videos!

[@ConquestOverland]

Sincerely appreciate it, thank you!

[@UlyHeadsUp]

Stunning views bro. Thanks for sharing. 🙌🏽

[@ConquestOverland]

Appreciate the support, thank you!! 👊

[@grahamwood9842]

Awesome trip. Thanks for sharing.

[@ConquestOverland]

Appreciate the support, thank you!

[@TheKPDX]

Now that I've seen your truck bed I see why you don't feel the need for a topper, even with our rain. It's mosty protected by the tent and you have a Decked system to boot. How weather/dust tight are those Decked systems? You might want to consider a Plano Sportsman Case over that yellow topped case. The benefit of the Plano is that the top is convex and I find I can leave them out in our weather without rain accumulating on them, same for the dust when on the trail. They're not sealed but I find with them cam strapped on my roof rack I haven't really had rain intrusion and very little dust - enough so that I am now comfortable leaving our sleeeping bags & pillow in one of them. Another advantage of the Plano box is is makes a good bench & the larger one has wheels that my kids and wife can move around with relative ease. And they're pretty cheap.

[@ConquestOverland]

The Decked Drawers have worked perfectly for my needs. Very little dust gets in when driving on the summer forest roads and I've yet to have any water intrusion. All gear in there have stays perfectly fine and in working condition for the years I've had those drawers. Agreed on the Plano case, just need to find the right size. I only have the yellow topped one since it was very cheap and fits perfectly with the low profile bed rack along with other items I store on top of the drawer system.

[@mercurials54]

Nice; was at cleman mtn 2wks ago, camped around bumping lake and found some canine looking tracks along elk tracks 😳

[@ConquestOverland]

Oh wow! That would have been interesting to come across, we are certainly in their "backyard"!

[@widycano8760]

Las tomas son impresionantes y todo el viaje es genial, Saludos🏕🌄

[@ConquestOverland]

¡Muchos gracias!

[@michaelm4514]

What camera are you using? The first waterfall was amazing.

[@MeanOneMeanOne]

Awesome stuff!!!

[@ConquestOverland]

Thank you so much!

[@gearlist]

Just found your channel, incredible work. Subbed!

[@ConquestOverland]

Sincerely appreciate the support, thank you!

[@kingbrz5549]

Nice video

[@ConquestOverland]

Thank you! 👍

[@TheKPDX]

What drone are you using? Those are some great arial shots. Unique shot of the Eagles on that log in the middle of the lake as well. Also, really enjoyed your waterfall shots both last video and this one.

[@ConquestOverland]

Currently using the DJI Mavic Air 2, thank you! ☺️

[@TheKPDX]

@@ConquestOverland Excellent, I just got the Air 2S for Christmas. Any particular accessories you would recommend?

[@ConquestOverland]

@@TheKPDX ND filters, extra batteries, foldable landing pad, plenty of extra propellers, etc. 👍

[@TheKPDX]

@@ConquestOverland Thanks. I have all but the ND filters. I'm not really much of a photographer so it has been hard for me to determine which set I need since there are so many options. I will be extra fun for me now knowing that you're essentially flying my drone

[@marckevinnn]

would you mind sharing the gps coordinates for that camp spot or at least a sense of direction near panther creek

[@brianmason3458]

Great video I want to check out those areas. Be careful of those caves. Have you ever seen Time Trap? :)

[@ConquestOverland]

Thank you! Definitely put it on the list, this area so a lot to offer! Haha, I have not seen that yet, but I'll add it to the list 😉 👍

[@tylerrakes82]

Is that the 'spare tire style' trash bag from Amazon?? Been wanting one of those, but just have the tailgate like you.

[@ConquestOverland]

I believe so, but honestly it's not the best quality, as it already tore on me from just a coupe trips so I definitely would not recommend. I've since transitioned to a new storage/trash bag from Last US Bag Co. of which I'm finding to be x10 the quality and more versatile. I'll plan to showcase it more on future episodes but feel free to check it out here: lastusbag.com/collections/outdoor-recreation/products/oscars-mobile-hideout

[@tylerrakes82]

Thanks for the info! Let me know if you ever want to meet up somewhere for some fishing. I could show ya the ropes. Spinning gear or fly fishing, I'm pretty decent at both.

[@ConquestOverland]

@@tylerrakes82 just might take you up on that, fly fishing has been on the list for quite some time! Appreciate the offer, thank you! 👊

[@tylerrakes82]

For sure man. Shoot me a message on Facebook and we can set a trip up.

[@samnivo2921]

Actually missing your original content …. That’s what got me interested in your channel.

[@ConquestOverland]

Besides where I'm sleeping, what's changed? 🤔