Five Crosstreks Exploring the Central Oregon Cascades

[@dominicwilkerson]

Its great to see the crosstrek guys out and about. I need to venture out more with people.

[@2098elk]

Thanks. Just bought a Crosstrek about a month ago. Drove back from Medford in a snowstorm to the coaast. Love my Subaru. Traded in a 13 year old Legacy.

[@ztog]

Very good videography, especially at 4:14 capturing shafts of light through the trees and the dust.

[@richardburguillos3118]

What fun!! Beautiful country. Go Subaru.

[@armaniusmaximus]

Another great video! They just keep getting better and better. The cinematography is great!! I'd love to see more human interaction clips. Your videos are so inspiring! Thank you.

[@softroadingthewest]

Thank you. And yeah...I couldn't agree more, getting people into the videos is without a doubt one of my weak points, and I'd like to get better at it. Thanks for watching!

[@toxictabasco]

Awesome video adventure. Great content: the narration, camera work, and cinematic editing make your adventures some of the best. And they keep getting better each time. Keep up the great work.

[@softroadingthewest]

Thank you for the kind words! Learning as I go but really enjoying the process.

[@jmsuitter5]

liking the cross treks more and more i could see myself driving one

[@gregdaniels3347]

As soon as my lease is up on my 2022 Crosstrek Sport, I want to do this kind of trips!!!

[@ignitionoffroad5028]

I’m really enjoying your content! Makes me want to visit the USA and experience the wilderness for myself!

[@softroadingthewest]

Thanks! And yeah, you should get yourself up here one day. Might be less hardcore offroading to find in our national forests, but there is a vast diversity of stunning wilderness beauty to behold. On the flip side, I sure do hope to get down to Australia one day and experience driving some of the crazy tracks you guys have!

[@ignitionoffroad5028]

softroadingthewest I’m sure I would enjoy the experience wether the tracks are hardcore or not and would happily show you some of the tracks here in Australia!

[@dimitrimountaingeorgian6821]

cool cars with cool people!

[@lt.kettch4652]

That’s a great road, especially this time of year. I was up there last weekend.

[@avocadotortilla4991]

What forest Rd is it? If you don't mind me asking..

[@danhohman]

Outstanding as always! You just keep getting better and better. Thank you, I really do appreciate it! It gets me through those dry spells when I can’t get out myself.

[@artstar5994]

Thanks!

[@therootedprogress]

Awesome video as always. I enjoyed seeing everyones tent setups and how many options there really are out there. Gives me ideas to think about moving forward with compiling our camping gear. I just binged your latest 3 videos and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I wanna say that the music has really made a difference in setting forth the ambiance of the adventure! It truly adds to illustrating the adventure which you already do very well with! Thumbs up and keep it coming :D

[@softroadingthewest]

Thanks! Finding the right music (from within the KZbin collection) is time consuming but I really enjoy that element of the video editing and I love how it can underscore the mood of the moment and help tell the story. Oftentimes the music actually ends up driving the edit and how I cut things together, and I love this almost organic feedback-loop process. Thanks as always for watching, several more videos in the works as we speak!

[@therootedprogress]

@@softroadingthewest Yess! The music usually dictates my edits and overall video for me as well.

[@vyacheslavvyacheslav5373]

Beautiful video. Camera work is just great!

[@rolexr]

GREAT Video and a nice adventure trip with awesome pictures! And the "Subies" work really well!

[@fozzy_che]

Was really pleasure to watch the video! Greetings from Russia

[@justinbrown2044]

Definitely jealous of this trip and hoping there's more in the future, so I can tag along next time.

[@raksh9]

Man, this is the best Crosstrek softroading video I've seen, and I watch a lot of Subaru channels. Great action footage of so many awesomely modded Crosstreks.

[@softroadingthewest]

I really enjoyed filming this one...those Crosstreks are undeniably more fun to watch on the trail than my Forester. I eagerly accepted the invitation to join this little meetup and film all these interesting Crosstrek builds. Thanks for watching!

[@madeinjapanoverland1843]

Awesome trip! Finally have some time to catch up on SRtW -- can't wait to see the other videos!

[@jorges2000]

Florence OR Awesome 👍. Great video. Wonder if a Honda Pilot could handle this place 🤔 ha ha.

[@softroadingthewest]

I'm sure it would be fine. To our surprise we saw a low-slung Toyota minivan heading down the trail towards the highway. Can't have been fun getting past those ruts, heh. Thanks for watching!

[@gnarlynatureAV]

Where are these trails for someone looking to drive them and hike the area.

[@Geeoh392]

Great video! Big ups from Medford, Oregon! ✌🏼

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

Nice to have a meet up! Looking forward to your next adventure videos... I will be back in Oregon (Brothers) next month for the Coyote Works Invitational. George.

[@softroadingthewest]

Oh nice, that should be fun. I won't make it out there for that but I'll look forward to spotting your Jeep in the video!

[@teto6180]

Nice! I’m considering getting a crosstrek.

[@JonDZ_Adventuring]

Another sweet video Donald! I still need to visit you out there. Maybe we can get a Passport "Pilgrimage" out there :P so far I've I know two other Passports.

[@softroadingthewest]

Thanks Jon! And yes, you do still need to visit me out here. But then, I also still need to visit you all down there! Could happen soon(ish)!

[@dennischeslock7782]

What you need a Front Runner flip pop tent. It only takes 2 seconds to put it up,and a 6x6 ft canopy. That what I use when I'm out camping. I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sports 2 wheel drive. Dennis

[@javierlopez6804]

I like to see videos like this one i love crosstek .i just buy 2021 sport and is amazing im waiting for summer

[@ronman33]

Great video and I'm looking forward to the others coming up. I had to laugh because I'm trying to figure out a way to sleep in my Santa Fe instead of having to bring along any kind of tent set up.

[@softroadingthewest]

In all seriousness, I think sleeping in the car is great. I'll take it over a ground tent any day. Just a little joke at my own expense since everyone else had such nice roomy accommodations. 8^) The limited space to move around inside the car is my biggest issue with my sleep setup, but I really love that I'm off the ground, completely weatherproof, can go to bed instantly with no setup if needed, and never have to deal with a wet tent. Thanks for watching and good luck with the build!

[@ronman33]

The Santa's back seat is terrible when folded down. Not only is it not level with the cargo area, but there's kind of a gap, and the seats don't want to lay flat anyway. So I may end up getting a backseat air mattress. I'm taller than the seat is long, but I'm thinking if I just have that area with a quilt I can still be comfortable, probably more so than in a tent.

[@Deathfromblaow]

I prefer sleeping in the car! Wife and I did a 2 week road trip around the western US even stopped by Oregon for 2 days, we slept in our 16 Dodge Journey (RIP) the whole time never had any problems!

[@dominicwilkerson]

You can sleep in a crosstrek if you are under 5-10 lol

[@Deathfromblaow]

Dominic Wilkerson I have a ‘11 foz now. I am six foot two and can lay comfortably in the back

[@softroadingthewest]

Oh I definitely prefer my car to a ground tent. That was just a joke at my own expense. I think if someone gave me an RTT, I'd probably enjoy using it, though I'm still not sure how I feel about carrying all that weight and wind resistance up there. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewnasholm]

I'm heading up there next week sometime! I'm excited!

[@softroadingthewest]

You're gonna love it, so nice up there. The video doesn't come close to doing it justice. Enjoy!

[@pnw_element9822]

Damn awesome outdoor adventure meet

[@sarahtuttle5940]

Loved it!

[@VKSgtSLaughter]

7:57 Do you have a problem with condensation inside your Forester when you sleep in it at night? Do you have to use a moisture absorber like DampRid?

[@softroadingthewest]

Not in this weather...it was reasonably warm, I don't think it got below maybe 45°F at night. I do sleep with one window open fairly wide and covered with a screen, and at least one other window cracked. I do tend to see more condensation in extreme cold (like, some degrees below freezing) but even that is mostly just on the windshield and not elsewhere in the car. It may also help that most of the time I am camping in the cold, I'm over across the mountains on the desert side of the state. The air is pretty dry and moisture evaporates quickly.

[@macmurfy2jka]

I still find I funny that people get so excited to got to a place and just hang around a campfire. I know that in this case getting there was the adventure, but even still. I would have seen those mountains and been like, “Let me at ‘em!” I can see why it’s such a popular hiking destination.

[@outdooraaronify]

macmurfy2jka the next day was spent exploring the area further on foot and by car since we arrived to the camp spot late in the day. Softroading The West continued on for another adventure so there wasn’t much footage of the continuing days as we were busy having a good time without the cameras rolling.🙂

[@softroadingthewest]

Well, in fairness, we did roll into the campsite at sunset. The priority at that point was logically on getting camp set up and making dinner as darkness was upon us. Wasn't really the smartest time to set off on a hike. I headed off to other adventures the next morning and wasn't there to film whatever hiking and other exploring the rest of the crew did the following day. There are many amazing hikes which I'm sure you would enjoy if you ever do get this way. Thanks for watching!

[@macmurfy2jka]

softroadingthewest trust me I understand that. There are more than a few times that I’ve rolled up to a sight @0 dark o’clock. You also seem to understand that exploitation as such an adventure, but there still stands that there is allot of people who just hand around ad do nothing, even in cool locals. They stiff mystify me. The comment really wasn’t directed at you guys so much as more general one. Keep up the good work!

[@kevinnorwood7355]

If I’m late for work AGAIN because I watched another one of your videos expect a phone call from my boss. 😬 Can’t believe you that the car who slept in his car hang with you all. Highly disappointed lol. You should of kicked him to the curb, umm bushes. Another great video!

[@softroadingthewest]

LOL 8^D

[@gamingfishguy3546]

Nice! 👍

[@amandak1444]

😍😍😍❤❤❤ soooooo cool!!!!

[@ploponmybigredcouch]

I have to admit, I laughed a bit watching everyone air down for a relatively dry gravel road. Looks like you guys had a good time though!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

What's wrong with wanting a smoother ride?

[@outdooraaronify]

It’s mostly to smooth the ride out on roads like this.. This area can be rough in places that are not seen in the video so when exploring many miles of this terrain it makes it a bit more comfortable..🙂

[@softroadingthewest]

One certainly *could* drive this trail without airing down. As noted in the other replies, the main point is comfort...these treks are *immensely* more enjoyable with the tires softened. I always air down when leaving pavement. Given that my Subaru doesn't have low range, I've also found that my tires are noticeably grippier in the occasional challenging spot when they're aired down. Oh, I could certainly get past those ruts and all at 40 psi, but it would require hitting it with more momentum and result in a lot more tire spinning, churning up the trail even more. When my tires are softened, I can move at a nice slow but steady speed past obstacles like that with almost zero wheel slip. The final factor always in the back of my mind is having the tires more able to flex over sharp rocks. It's probably hard to see in the video, but this road is basically ultrafine ashy silt over lava, and the dirt constantly erodes away to reveal nasty spikey rocks sticking out of the roadbed. An aired down tire hitting an unseen rock like that is more likely to just flex over it and not be punctured by it. All in all, even though we're not rock-crawling Jeeps, I think airing down is actually a pretty legit choice in this scenario. 8^) And yes, we did have a good time! Thanks for watching!

[@viperbroncoalmasty]

Question. I am considering buying a crosstown. I am 6foot 4 inches tall. Would I have enough leg room in this car to comfortably drive it. Thanks for any and all answers

[@seba88alva]

Saludos desde chile hermano, acá igual se ven muchos subaru

[@ChrisWilliams-pu8pj]

Beautiful video with nice mix of sound tracks sprinkled with narrative. What soundtracks were used? Very enjoyable.

[@softroadingthewest]

It's actually all just royalty-free tracks which KZbin provides. I have to do some serious digging to keep finding music selections that fit the mood I'm after, and a few videos have some music sourced elsewhere, but for the most part I've managed to assemble everything using KZbin's collection. Thanks for watching!

[@bluntguts187]

💯💯💯💯

[@davidjuarez2215]

Great video man, do you have any geo-location tags for this adventure?Also do you think my tiguan 4mition with 10" clearance will make it?

[@kevinmedina2254]

I don't want to lift my crosstrek and i decided I'm definitely gonna do the 0.25 Sport springs from Rallitek F&R, but i can't decide on Bilstein 4600 or the KYB. What would you recommend for On/Off Road application? The OEM suspension is too soft. im at 45K miles right now.

[@softroadingthewest]

Sorry, I have zero expertise for advising on something like that. I'm still running stock suspension in my Forester and haven't looked into aftermarket springs or struts at all (though I do hope to make some upgrades someday). There are a number of Crosstrek forums out there, I would imagine you could find some people who have experience with those products. Good luck!

[@ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

Do you guys think that with a lift (spacers obviously) and a good set of A/T tires that the new RAV4 Adventure is just as off-road worthy as the cross Trek?

[@softroadingthewest]

I've never driven a RAV4 nor a Crosstrek so I can't comment either way. I've seen Lots of people doing offroad builds with the new RAV4, seems like a pretty capable platform and I would guess it would likely go just about anyplace a Crosstrek would go. Neither of these are hardcore offroaders, but both will certainly get you farther into the backcountry than an average front-wheel-drive sedan. Thanks for watching!

[@johnmackintosh7758]

This is a great video. I have a 2018 XV (Crosstrek) here in the UK I wonder if anyone knows what weight of rooftop tent I can put on it?

[@softroadingthewest]

I don't know myself, but I feel like between my friends with Crosstreks and Crosstreks I follow on Instagram, I've seen virtually every brand of tent perched atop Crosstreks. So I suppose looking at what some various Crosstreks are carrying and then checking the weight of those tents on the manufacturers' websites might yield some insights. Good luck, seems like a nice way to camp!

[@Central-Scrutinizer]

Great video and thanks! Any manual Crosstreks in the group? If so, how did they do?

[@softroadingthewest]

I think a couple of these guys have manuals. There weren't many challenges here, no one experienced any issues.

[@ThreePapaZeroXrayTwo]

Is there a Crosstrek auto club?

[@CrazyGreek80]

Great vid but those subis bottom out fast on basic obstacles. But hey to each his own.

[@nathancvetan7090]

Do you know if the Treks are running manual 6t or auto trans? Do you have a cvt in your Forester? Great video!

[@danbeaupain1063]

What is this trail?

[@MrVanFosson]

driving all day to sit around, fun.

[@softroadingthewest]

I know, right?? It was only sunset when we rolled into the campsite. I couldn't believe everyone's priority was to set up camp and make dinner instead of setting off on a hike or something! Buncha lazy @$$#$! LOL Thanks for watching! 8^D

[@MrVanFosson]

@@softroadingthewest sorry I just skipped to the end

[@softroadingthewest]

@@MrVanFosson LOL, well, you weren't wrong, that IS what we did. 8^D I do think some actual hiking occurred the next day, but I wasn't there to film it (instead I was in fact driving all day yet again, LOL)

[@MM-rf8ml]

I know this is a old video but what camera and filters are you using?

[@softroadingthewest]

At the time of this video, I was shooting a Fuji X-Pro2. No filters on the camera. Editing, color grading, etc work done in Adobe Premiere Pro.

[@MM-rf8ml]

@@softroadingthewest Oh cool. I meant your post color grading and filters sorry about that. I like the colors in this video very much as well as the content.

[@onefastr6]

Airing down tires seems a bit overkill for these roads.

[@softroadingthewest]

It's more for comfort than for traction, though it definitely does help in the deep rutted sections to keep from digging the road out even more. And there is a lot of sharp lava that sticks out of the roadbed in this area...an aired down tire is far more resistant to puncture. Feel free *not* to air down however, I promise not to judge or comment on your choices. :-) I, however, will continue airing down anytime I leave the pavement.

[@inveryamashev3028]

Cool trail. Where in Oregon this is at?

[@softroadingthewest]

This is up in the Cascade range in central Oregon. Thanks for watching!

[@dalegribble4308]

Where

[@samlopez8642]

Do you guys do this every year?

[@softroadingthewest]

No, this was just a one-time thing when friends from California were on a big road trip.

[@ValFinale]

low-key thinking about trading in my 2017 c300 4matic benz for a crosstrek. The benz sure looks nice, but its so "meh" to drive, and def not that fun.

[@murraywestenskow2896]

2:46 - Too funny.

[@softroadingthewest]

8^D

[@murraywestenskow2896]

@@softroadingthewest - You're the owner of a youtube channel with 6,000 subscribers. Act like an adult.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@murraywestenskow2896 Wait...what? "Grow up" ?? What is your problem exactly? It was your previous campfire comment that inspired me to make it clear to viewers this time that campfire restrictions need to be confirmed. I was trying to set a good example and inform viewers that you can't just go and build a fire in the woods any old time you want. I *truly* do not understand what your issue is this time. What I also don't understand is...if you find me so bothersome, why are you even watching my videos?

[@murraywestenskow2896]

@@softroadingthewest - If you don't know what 8^D means - you probably shouldn't use it. If you do know - then you truly do understand why I might have an issue with it. I'm done.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@murraywestenskow2896 Oh for pete's sake. It's the same smiley I use on all my comments and have for years and years. You're the first person who's ever seen it as anything but a smiling face. The emoticon I think you're referring to uses one or more equals signs between the 8 and the D, not a ^ symbol. Mine is not even close. It's two eyes wearing glasses: 8 plus a nose: ^ plus a big smile: D 8^D or I sometimes use the parentheses for the smile. 8^) Have a look through my comment replies on all my videos, you'll see I use it all the time for everyone. In fact, for many years I had a paid position as a forum moderator and also used it there, all the time. I honestly thought you found 2:46 funny, and I was simply and sincerely smiling along with you, happy you had laughed at that.

[@akalinh]

C'est beau un convoi de subaru! 😍 C'est vraiment une voiture sympa le crosstrek! C'est dommage qu'on n'ait pas le budget, sinon on en aurait prit un pour madame!. Vous avez quoi comme moteur sur ce modèle au US? Ici il est vendu sous le nom de XV, et en fonction des versions, il existe en 2.0 Diesel 150ch (Oui... Les français aiment le diesel 😫), 1.6 essence 114ch et 2.0 essence 150ch (il n'est plus proposé à la vente).

[@softroadingthewest]

Aucun Subaru diesel aux USA. Je crois qu'il n'y a qu'un seul choix pour les Crosstreks ici. le 2.0 essence. D'après mes amis qui les conduisent, la puissance n'est pas particulièrement impressionante, surtout une fois qu'on commence à y rajouter des modifications comme pneus tout-terrains et hausseur relevé. Je n'imagine pas ce que ça donnerait avec le 1.6! 8^O

[@akalinh]

Ah ba, je pense qu'il faudrait descendre et pousser! 🤣

[@MattCookOregon]

Any crosstrekkers?

[@softroadingthewest]

Pretty hard to find in Oregon.

[@MattCookOregon]

@@softroadingthewest im gonna be a tacomaer soon

[@MK3Richvr6]

I have a Subara Tank. AKA Accent. I wanna kick it lol

[@davealexander1866]

I noticed your all running the same wheels what’s the name and brand of the wheels please they look old skool rally bad A$$:) Thank you

[@softroadingthewest]

There are actually a few different brands/models here. The white Crosstrek and the orange Crosstrek with the RTT are running Method 502. The two other orange Crosstreks are running a couple different models from Motegi wheels (139 and 141 I think). The blue Crosstrek is running the "Bully" from KMC Wheels. And on my Forester I have the "Boxer" from Black Rhino Wheels. :-) Thanks for watching!