We Traveled 1,000 Miles Searching for an Epic Campsite

We pack up our Jeep Wrangler and leave San Diego, California to meetup with some old and new friends for an overland adventure along Highway 395 that will take us more than 1,000 miles north into Oregon. Along the way we will explore the Bodie Ghost Town, some scenic off-road trails, search for the best camping spots, and enjoy some delicious camp cooking.
Our caravan consists of a Ford F250 towing a trailer, a Jeep Gladiator, Ram Power Wagon towing a trailer, a well built Toyota Tacoma, and our Jeep Wrangler 392 towing our Patriot Campers Trailer. It was my job to lead this overland expedition and I spent a lot of time planning and coordinating this journey... I hope it all comes together in the end.
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🍽 RECIPES 🍽
If you're looking for the recipes featured in this video, you can find them on the TrailRecon blog!
Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Muffins: trailrecon.com...
🎥 RELATED VIDEOS 🎥
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ℹ️ PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO ℹ️
Omnia Stovetop Oven: trailrecon.com...
InstaPrivy Portable Toilet Chair: trailrecon.com...
GIS Outdoors Camp Cooking Set: trailrecon.com...
Front Runner Outfitters Camp Chair: trailrecon.com...
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[@TrailRecon]

For those of you who have asked, we've just added a link in the description to the recipe for the sausage and cheese breakfast muffins that Regena made in this episode.

[@lawrencek9748]

Did you guys post the recipe for the chicken pot pie too? That looked fantastic !

[@keithcroshaw]

Thanks. Might have to look into the Omnia.

[@dougfarrell9268]

Regena's meals are the hit of these KZbin episodes. She is simply amazing. Plus she has the most positive attitude. And yes Brad. Your chosen destinations and narration of your travels gives many the confidence to get out there. It works for me. Keep 'em coming and I hope to see you on the trail. Or the Off-road Show at Pomona in October. Now if I could just find a good off-road APP that shows trails. Cheers!

[@Cesaraguirre79]

Gracias for the recipe

[@Krondor03]

The food game has been stepped up. Marco would be proud. Great adventure with awesome towns, rivers, camps, and food! Thank you for sharing them with us. ✌

[@WaslonLopes]

I missed Marco, too.

[@tfcooks]

Pro tip. Canned diced potatoes are actually pretty good, and they are pre (par) cooked. Great for camping and don't use a lot of fuel to cook. Just par boiled potatoes that don't need refrigeration.

[@regenakowitz]

Good to know! Thanks for the tip. 🙂

[@sandrakramer1520]

As much as I prefer to cook from scratch I think boxed mashed potatoes would have been fine.

[@timreynolds2935]

I always love the history and comments you add to your videos Brad. To me, it's better than just listening to music and watching wheeling. Another great video!

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258]

TR always goes to great places, heard so much about Bodie

[@dougfarrell9268]

Going to Bodie really is going back in time. Call ahead and schedule the tour. You learn so much and they take you inside one of the mines. You can even take the back way to Hawthorne Nevada. Air down. Watch the stream levels and the bowling ball size rocks that appear out of nowhere.

[@johnganshow5536]

@@TrailRecon How many thousands $$$ were spent on fuel?

[@errhka]

Shout out to the mountain house boys - that's some real camping right there haha

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

I’m really diggin Regena’s added commentary! In fact, I think you should have her do an entire episode. Or perhaps do two videos, one with your commentary and one with hers. Lol!!

[@brunnie]

$7.99 a gallon??? Holy Moly!! Loved the fire pit inside of the dispersed fore ring. Excellent idea for fire prevention. It is always a pleasure to "be with you" as you travel along. Thank you very much. Regena.... need that recipe for b'fast muffins. Until next time... Travel safe.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 Thank you for sharing

[@Antoine_Jldt]

Hey great vid Do you what’s the name of the off-road trailer behind the Ram2500 ?

[@FlawedOffroad]

Im more like the KC guys, nothing wrong with keepin it simple on the meals. I survived a whole week in colorado on PB&J and 2 packs of hot dogs haha

[@TrailRecon]

Nothing wrong with PB&J and hot dogs.

[@eddison50]

I have been to Bodie several times over the years. The best trip we had going into Bodie was from Mono Mills around the eastern side of Mono Lake and up an old trail into Aurora. We would base camp near June Lake and set off to explore. Not only is there some great history to Aurora, but you will find some hidden treasures. Geologically speaking, you want to look up the Long Valley Caldera. My first trip was ten years before any type of GPS device hit the market. It was all about USGS maps and a compass. Doin' it old style. Putting down GAIA (or other GPS related mapping and direction finding devices) for a trip like this could up the adventure. Just follow the old narrow gauge rail line from Mono Mills to Bodie. Late spring or early fall is the best.

[@joeh7840]

Great video. Bodie is amazing! I'm curious which river you spent the first night on. After passing through Bridgeport numerous times during our 5 year stint in Reno, I can say that it is the most expensive place to stop for fuel on 395.

[@scottymac5174]

Shell around here locally always has the highest PPG. Chevron a close #2.... Not many options though in those small towns.

[@ditoiantorno2131]

I love you you make the best videos

[@sgtmac21]

Okay Brad, you need to get a backpacking fishing pole and keep it in your rig! Great trip!

[@chrisc3668]

Brad, I love and appreciate your videos! They are therapy for me. My wife and I picked up an 80th Anniversary Gladiator 2 years ago to aid us in our adventures here in the mountains in NY. I wanted to give you my 2 cents on Starlink and our personal experience. Starlink is a total game changer! My young family and I live and camp throughout the Adirondacks where there is ZERO service in many places. I was skeptical at first but once I was getting equal to and/or better than 5g speeds in areas where there was no service, I was sold. Sometimes the satellite will sit on its stand on the ground and sometimes we mount it to a long telescoping metal pole on the side of our rig to give it better clearance when there's a heavy tree canopy overhead. Our last time at Meachum Pond (another dead spot) we had 5 people connected throughout our 3-4 days there. I tap youtube videos and they load as quickly as they do when connected to my at-home Spectrum wifi. Of course, it's not always perfect (although most of our experience has been). It's surely a huge net positive and has made my late nights at camp much more entertaining when everyone's asleep. Chris

[@dougfarrell9268]

Hi Brad...glad you stopped at Bodie. I do have a question? With the meals you and especially Regena prepare how come you aren't 250lbs by now!? Your wife is a sweetheart and deserves her own series of preparing back country meals. I can't even cook like that at home. And yes, I can burn water. Cheers from Murrieta.

[@TrailRecon]

LOL! I've got a good metabolism!

[@regenakowitz]

Thank you! ☺

[@andysolorzano4126]

Man... with each new vid, I'm more and more envious. With my two closest off-road buddies still working, I'm tied down to their work schedules. Thanks for all the exploring you do. It gives us a never-ending list of places we need to visit! haha

[@bobcooper1055]

Or make some solo trips.. then your buddies might be envious..

[@LimitlessOverland]

Gotta just get out there! Maybe there is a local off roading group near you?

[@1REYESdeREY]

I love your videos and I send you my blessings from Las Vegas ✌️😎

[@nativetexson]

Yum, I can smell the sausage and egg biscuits here in southern France. 😋

[@franzcomorposa]

The KC guys are rockin’ with those breakfast meals!!! 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@dixiemae5042]

Can your wife share that pot pie recipe. And especially details on using biscuit as the pastry top. I’m a driver and like to cook from the road as well. Txs

[@TrailRecon]

Keep and eye on the trailrecon.com blog, she has been posting recipes on there lately.

[@JoseHernandez-jh7ht]

AMAZING...wow I've travel through these places for years and never thought you have opened up my eyes to new territory thank you amigo to you and your wonderful wife

[@XqeDiosxqe]

It's a 12 hour drive but it took you 3 days because of all the camera shots , angles , setting up equipment and all of that stuff.

[@TrailRecon]

It does take some work to create a video, but we also like to limit drive time so we can actually enjoy the places we go.

[@Fishingforjits]

You should keep a tenkara rod in your Jeep. They are perfect for streams and creeks, and need minimal tackle. They are great travel rods (they don’t take up precious space), and they usually come with a hard case. And they bring a little challenge to fishing.

[@user-qy1my7yr5c]

Thank you for showing all the sides of overlanding like the privacy tent. No one talks about how to deal with bodily functions.

[@regenakowitz]

We actually have a blog about it on the TrailRecon.com website....trailrecon.com/Taking-Care-of-Business-on-the-Trail_b_30.html. 😉

[@luisSoto-ry9er]

Me falta poco para mi retiro y me estoy preparando para este tipo de aventura , puede que nos encontremos por el camino. Hy big fan love your adventures.

[@stevej7139]

Did you see the newest grave at Bodie ? not that long ago one of the last residents was buried there , I can't find the photo but I think he died in 1964 and was buried at that graveyard . Freeze dried food is fine for a meal but I tried 3 days of only freeze dried once and never again , got to have something fresh or out of a can mixed in there also every meal or it gets old really fast . Haha Starlink , I debate on the mobile version but since I'm not a youtube video maker it's not a huge deal to go off grid for a couple days , I have had Starlink at my house for well over a year now and I like it . For some reason having Starlink while getting away from it all seems wrong , next thing you know you're streaming movies at night which is the main reason I've resisted getting the mobile version . Maybe it's just me , I think if I had kids I would certainly have it along but for just me , I have a decent telescope and like star gazing plus I like to hike at night depending where I am so having Starlink along isn't really needed . As for highway 395 , I consider it the only way to travel north/south through California , I avoid interstate 5 if at all possible . At the campfire did I see someone's shoe smoking ? As an old desert rat (3 wheelers) I've seen many people melt their shoes at the campfire LOL I do plan to get one of those cookstove ovens for our family outings . Loved the video !

[@TrailRecon]

We didn't see the grave, but looking forward to going back there, still a bit we didn't get to see.

[@scottymac5174]

I enjoyed your video. But at the end of the day. You could have done this same trip in a Prius....

[@TrailRecon]

... and would have gotten better gas mileage! It's doesn't have to be a crazy hard trail to have a good adventure.

[@zacsalter3194]

Love seeing the Vegemite in the Patriot pantry 🇦🇺

[@Super_overland]

Awesome video, love the white super duty of course

[@robertwhitemoto]

Wow y'all have so much fun... Yum Regina, those meals looked awesome... Wow that gas price!! Brad what psi do you typically "air down" to ? I would have been fishing at that second spot :) I so enjoy overlanding vicariously through y'alls videos :) Thank you.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! 15-20 depending on the situation.

[@dwaindiffey6145]

I disagree with your comment there is no overland route from northern cali to southern Oregon. There is a BDR type route from the Oregon off highway vehicle association. They 6 routes and have done a really good job with them. Great video.

[@TrailRecon]

100% the Oregon BDR is a great route, but it doesn't extend into Mid / Northern California. I should have clarified. I scouted many trails (logging roads) trying to find a long route that would connect and just kept coming up at a dead end.

[@dwaindiffey6145]

That’s interesting. I thought the Oregon one started closer into Cali then that. It may have started too far east for what you were trying to do.

[@caryrichardson338]

@@dwaindiffey6145 There is a section that starts in Doris, CA. About the middle of the state (East to West)

[@davidwhisman6683]

I like the history part of the videos

[@MFkattaf]

Hey big fan of the videos and adventures you guys post, I'm wandering if you organize trips and if I can join in on an adventure! I'm in San Diego. Thanks

[@Straw0610]

Love your videos. Can't really afford to get my wrangler up to overland speed just yet so I'm living my dreams through your videos. Keep them coming.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you and just remember, you don't need much to get out and have an adventure!

[@LimitlessOverland]

Agreed! Not all adventures need all the crazy equipment!

[@bobcooper1055]

Just like car camping, but with 4WD.. take what you have and get going.. enjoy, but mostly have fun and make memories..

[@Straw0610]

You're all right. I guess I get caught up in all the luxuries that I see in the videos. Wish they were more affordable. But, I will definitely get out there and give it a go.

[@brianmoeller6839]

Better air down for those Klamath River pinecones🙄

[@TrailRecon]

Have you seen the size of some of those pinecones?!

[@canaanjh]

Drove by that campsite last Oct (we were trying to avoid smoke from the fires). Original destination was Rock Creek. The mosquitos were something we wanted to avoid, plus we had just dropped camp elsewhere. Ended up seeing fall leaves dusted with snow. Amazing timing that only happened because we were forced North of Mammoth by the fire. Probably only looked like that for a few days at the most. Beautiful though. Cheers

[@ron343]

Brad another great episode be careful your wife will be taking over the channel she is doing great she adds to the channel for sure.

[@gogriffs2541]

Hi Brad. Love your channel. You said you put a .75 spacer up front. Did you leave the front LCA’s stock? Thinking of doing the same with mine. but love how it rides and don’t want to Jack up the geometry.

[@brbadventurer]

Mostly Wendy and I tent camp in primitive places but we do have a 5 gallon pail in the tent to avoid those long walks in the cold to find relief of bladder pressure. I like to keep it light and nimble but for a long trip I would seriously consider pulling an adventure trailer on our JKU. I would love to have a meet up on the playa maybe in Nevada some day. Mind you we are in Canada in the province of British Columbia so it is two days of driving to get to Nevada, never mind California. @brbadventurer

[@dreamsofsnow6521]

The guys with the MOUNTAIN HOUSE food are guys after my own heart , KEEP IT SIMPLE , FAR less stuff you have to think about. My favorite mtn. house food is BEEF STROGANOF , it has never let me down , spaghetti is also really good.

[@P4rkerMann]

Hey! Absolutely loving the video! Bridgeport is such a sentimental place for me, and love camping there every year. Is there any way you can share the first stop? I'm guessing it's along Robinson creek but I'd love to setup camp around the same place!

[@andypaskmack9309]

Lol at the KC highlights hipsters. Not to sound rude, but I can identify an outdoors person within the moment. They aren’t. Likely brand managers? Supply chain of marketing experts? KC Is a great brand. I run Cayce lights on my truck. I hope you gave them a few lessons. By the looks of these two, they couldn’t start a fire with 1000 matches

[@Vodafone16v]

IPA GRAVY!??! 🤤 Great addition seen Regina integrated and explainin' whut she's cookin!!! Cheers!!!

[@johnkemple]

Yay.. now your getting back to being fun..lol great vid

[@bettyteh7745]

Well I miss watching Marco doing his fantastic cooking. This group seem very mellowed and simple but you got great camping spots. Not as adventurous as previous terrain with rocky challenging road. But happy travelling and I love to watch this channel and the different composition in the group. Good job.

[@organicmechanic8170]

@TrailRecon you might want to point out to the guys in the KCHilites Gladiator that their Icon Vehicle Dynamics Billet Rear Lower Control Arms are installed backwards. The FK Rod end goes on the frame and the bushing end goes on the axle. The rear upper is opposite with the bushing on the frame and the FK Rod End on the axle. When properly installed the engraved Icon and logo are both visible at the front of the wheel well. I doubt they've noticed it.

[@SuperSpectus]

Next time you plan a trip to the Klamath River area, you might want to bring along a couple of gold pans! Thar's gold in them thar hills! Geologically, the region is related to the Sierra Nevada: geologists tell is it was a northern portion of the Sierras, wrenched westward as the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate was pushed west. And like the Gold Rush districts along the western slopes of the Sierra foothills, the mountains were mineralized with gold-in-quartz veins. The region around Happy Camp is also jade country. So, if your interests lean towards rockhounding strongly enough to entice you away from the trout lurking in the river, it has entertainment potential in this as well.

[@tuanaz6322]

Another great video. I found myself waiting too long for your new video every time 😄

[@highclearanceoverland7796]

Looks like an amazing trip and sites. Still loving the James Baroud? Holding up well? Any wear issues? Definitely considering one.

[@cjtitche2325]

Hi Brad - I noticed right around 14:41 of this video your 392 may have been making the notorious squeaking noise that happens on a cold start. I was wondering if you've had any luck in diagnosing this?

[@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258]

I'm not much for muffins but Regina's sausage and egg muffin is on a much superior level - what a clever idea! I often winder why Marco hasn't gone silicon baking toold/molds like Regina has

[@regenakowitz]

Oh, Marco has an Omnia too with the silicone inserts, but he's not a baker. 🙂

[@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258]

@@regenakowitz ​ Have you used fried egg rings made of silicon? I love mine. They make the PERFECT shape for an egg McMuffins on the Trail and also optimize frying space space so everyone eats at once! I love the Trail Recon GSI kitchen organizer I bought from you - THX and these stow right inside too - perhaps something to sell on TR?

[@oldterm6978]

Another great video. Went clear through you kitchen products. Need link to the bunt pan cooker with insert for muffins. Could replace heavy Dutch oven. Thanks

[@OlderLander379]

Hey Brad great adventure as always. Since you are the percolator master when we use ours the coffee is so hot it takes an hour to cool enough, any tips? Also we live in carson city so keep going up 395 a little farther.....then south on 88 for some of the best of the Sierra Nevadas.

[@trailpoppy3.0]

I sent your buddy Marco a raspberry habanero sauce that's amazing to dip those sausage biscuits in... Looked amazing Regina!!

[@bretpemberton2968]

what lake did you camp out at and what chair does your wife sit in that rocks back and forth. I am the retired IDC and Diving Med Tech that you have met a few times at Burgers and Beer in Temecula

[@blackwolfoutdooradventures]

Any chance of getting a recipe on how Regina made that gravy for the bangers and mash?? I've never been able to get gravy to look that good! I think she should start her own channel on camp meal recipes!

[@tbrew6852]

Bodie is a must stop. Just like you i need to go back and spend more time looking around and get the stamp mill tour also. Next year you should look into traveling the coast on the way up to the expo. Redwoods, Beaches and clear clean rivers you can see to the bottom.

[@v8srock]

Quick tip, To stop your chopping board from sliding around so much and risk cutting your finger, put a towel down first.

[@JennyLong-nj5xe]

Wish I had a jeep & could’ve been there with yall!! Fun fun fun!!!!!

[@davidsuarez6128]

7.69 a gallon for regular?????? Damn I feel good about my cheap living 😅

[@ucandoit555]

would love to wheel you buddy !! Im in grand junction CO, next time your Colorado let me know or in the surrounding areas looks like some good memories ..

[@ericbogusch5578]

You should add a link to a telescopic fishing pole. They don't take up much room and you always have it with you :)

[@renaissancepoet]

I giggled a little too hard when Regina opened the can of biscuits. 😆

[@TrailRecon]

I laughed way to hard myself!

[@regenakowitz]

Every time...for years!

[@guilhermemoreira9973]

Why do I feel that the guys from The Hills Have Eyes will show up at any moment in the ghost town?? 👻👻😅

[@cynthiamgentles6781]

When you camp in bear country think about packing an electric bear fence. 2.4 lbs for huge peace of mind.

[@Bob-Campbell]

I stopped carrying a stove and now carry a 22” blackstone. I don’t carry pots and pans anymore and I don’t miss it.

[@classicrocker81]

Love it! Keep up the amazing content!

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you!

[@leightonoc]

Brad, Who’s cooking do you like better Regina or Marcos? Lol

[@bigoldavey]

I knew you guys did the test of your lil camper, but when did you actually buy it and what made you decide to say yes we need this....?

[@nazali4518]

Amamzing video and company Do your location for the campsites?

[@2010gt1]

Just curious, do you guys drink? Never see any camp brews or whiskey by the fire

[@justlivelovelaughfrugally]

How much do you charge to take people on these trips? If you don’t, you should. I would love to do this.

[@yknowgirl]

Oregon native here...current residents of Dewey Arizona. Miss the water.

[@RC-qh9wj]

interested in sharing the GPX file - route for this trip? Looked awesome ;)

[@MotorBoating1413]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing. Absolutely love that Regina is able to be apart of your adventures more. The memories are priceless

[@regenakowitz]

Thank you! ☺

[@Briantan1911]

Idahoan instant potatoes are actually pretty good for instant and a good solution for mashed potatoes on the trail.

[@trailbosschrispayne5454]

Hands down the best ghost town around. Lucky enough to get a private tour..

[@roninrisin]

surprised no one was fishing

[@TrailRecon]

Next time!

[@overlandingbeerbacon5370]

Very well planned and executed on it. Leading and hosting a group needs a good amount of preparation time and you invested it which was obviously appreciated from your friends.

[@arlenenolte8475]

Regina, so nice to hear your voice-overs too. I love your cooking too! mmm.

[@cryonsjr]

I love that little church in Bodie, I would like to preach a sermon there.

[@robnobrc]

Fun trip! Was stop #1 by the Walker River Brad?

[@ratnadipmajumdar7100]

Amazing 👌 spots nice racepe very enjoying video 👍😊.

[@johnssmith4005]

Brad have you thought about painting the wheels on the trailer to match the ones on the Jeep ?

[@TrailRecon]

Oh ya, I'm going to come up with something!

[@equanimityconsulting]

Great video and awesome food. Certainly EPIC!

[@overseerjplalo9411]

Awesome campsite trail...see you in your next video

[@peterzeller5736]

Watching these videos makes me look forward to retirement.

[@ttorres503]

Do tim and Carrie have a Instagram? Love to see more of that super duty

[@TisforTech]

Looks like so much fun! Awesome vid.

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks for watching!

[@jaygonzales7198]

welcome to OREGON i hope you enjoy your time here in the PNW

[@thehoofersclub]

Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine they sell tri tip hamburgers in a vacuum sealed pack. They also have cooked vacuum packs of their ribs and tri tip to go. Easy 20 minute warm up in boiling water, open the pack n eat.

[@thehoofersclub]

I bring the pit master and manager Al Patterson avocados, citrus, and other foodie goodness from Ventura County for the crew. CTB feeds me on my way up, and feeds me on my way down from my Eastern Sierra trips. Hook them up with the same and they'll feed you too! Food makes friends!

[@e.c.8668]

Your Day 1 location. We camped along there and then when to the end and hiked up tot he lakes. we went up in early July [a couple years ago] and the bugs were so bad we had to leave. And this, coming from a guy who grew up in the Everglades of Florida. We ended up camping in the flatlands below Mt. Whitney. The bugs in the sierra Nevada are no joke. That spot along the Klamath looked sweet.

[@TrailRecon]

We always bring lots of DEET!

[@RFMaster6]

How much do you spend on fuel these days ? Has to be outrageous.

[@timothystone5785]

When I am ready I would love to go with you all and learn. Thank you.

[@randy1203]

That sure looks like fun. Thanks for sharing. Toledo.

[@jonathonjensen7989]

Brad, what’s the name of the song that starts around 12:40? It’s a great tune

[@anthonylee2099]

What a great Adventure Brad snd Regina. That oven is off the hook. Seen Regina use f it in one of your other video. Two awesome camp sites. Great job scouting it out. That took time yo do and plan this trip. Everyone enjoyed it. 🤙😎

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you for watching!

[@chrissavage6464]

What is the name of the piece used to make the pot pie and sausage biscuits

[@LizardBoy007]

Have you been hiding Virginia? Have her on more often!