Wandering solo through the Oregon desert without a plan

[@BrienWood7.3]

That sunset with the clouds was beautiful!! Another great video. 👍

[@Boltedderg]

Lived in Oregon all my life and originally got into riding motorcycles, street bikes, and cruisers. I started wanting to know what was down certain gravel roads and forest roads and I'd often find myself taking my Yamaha Bolt (basically a Harley) down horrible roads. I only found out about Overlanding about two years back and felt dumbfounded that I hadn't heard about it sooner. Living in Oregon I also didn't realize how easy it is to find beautiful spots like this. I do most of excusions up near Vernonia, Tillamook, and the Trask mountain area as there are fire roads that snake all over and interconnect like spider webs. Safe travels out there! Also check out Nestucca River Road if you haven't before, right now theres a massive landslide blocking it but it is a beautiful road to drive on and there are forest roads all over the place out here!

[@GratefulOverlander]

Lmfao. Don't compare a pos Bolt to a Harley. It's a cruiser, not a Harley

[@Boltedderg]

@@GratefulOverlander Average Harley rider response

[@elizabethescher5445]

The desert is so green this season! Beautiful empty country.

[@KnittedSchnauzer]

True exploring and discovery.

[@subjectadventure]

Great video Donald! Glad to see you back out in the wilderness again!

[@joeystew2502]

What a time to go through that part of the country that can get so brown and dry later in the summer. Great stuff, as always.

[@JBlinky67]

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. Views, wheelin', following roads barely there, I love it. Thank you for such an awesome part 1!

[@STinGa157]

Great adventure. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@pnwxplore]

Funny, I have been to this same exact area and made a video about it too! Cool little area and great video!

[@masonstruckadventure9368]

Those views are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing

[@pleinairbarnettoutdoors]

Donald, I am always thankful for you to be sharing your adventure travels. I noticed your previous footage from about 3 years ago. Quite the difference in quality. Keep it up 👍🏻

[@richardplunk3910]

now that's the contents I love watching, thanks safe travels 👍🍺

[@OverlandAdventureTimes]

The desert is so beautiful when its that green! Missing it so far this summer, thanks for filling in!

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

My last two trips out this spring the flowers were everywhere. Really beautiful! The desert was still quite green in early June. I usually don't like to be out in the desert in June, July and August but with all the rain we had it was quite nice to be out. Thanks for sharing your experiences! George

[@campoutwestus]

Beautiful trip, those views...😍

[@kudraadk]

Those were some great views! I can't wait to get out west again for the solitude of wide open areas like that. I live in the Adirondacks in Upstate NY and it's hard to find a spot with no people around and incredible vistas.

[@johnhuff393]

Good morning from Godley Texas, always a pleasure travelling with you 😎 Stay safe and happy travels 😎

[@qhughes4555]

Music made me feel like i was watching pearl harbor with those slow cinematic scenes. lol

[@ericdanielson4177]

Just finished a 1000 mile, 1 week trip through SE Oregon. Spent the morning picking Harney Co. gravel out of nooks and crannies under my van.

[@OutandBackOregon]

Wandering without a plan, one of my favorite things to do. Looks like a fun trip!

[@vancamping]

Another very well done episode. Storytelling always on point. Jason

[@tommydyess3994]

Sure enjoy the drone footage that helps show the immenseness of the areas that you travel in.

[@Gravelbeard1]

These videos just keep getting better. Thanks for sharing!

[@prolificnorthwest]

Great video as usual! Keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@jeffreypreiss8191]

Another great video, Donald. Those views are incredible. Thanks for taking us along.

[@jamess662]

I was around Lakeview this last weekend, Up in the Warner mountains. I couldn’t believe how wet it still was there, we got thunder and rain more than once.

[@mikedevere]

You found what you were looking for, in the end 😊. As always 👍👍👍

[@davidmutschler9418]

Absolutely fantastic thanks. We usually go to the blue Mountains in June but this year we could not . Thank you for the flowers!!!

[@softroadingthewest]

I really need to spend more time up in that corner of the state!

[@dalecurrier5631]

Nice video thanks ,Donald.

[@louiskudlak2241]

Bloody beautiful country Donald ❤❤

[@flyfisher530]

Nice video and amazing sunset at the end! Hope to see you at Overland Expo PNW if you are going! 👍

[@softroadingthewest]

I will be there, the truck will be in the Asfir 4x4 booth (B41). I should mostly be around the Asfir booth, but you may also find me loitering at Topo Toppers booth or Alldogs Offroad booth. See you next week! 👋

[@SoloHiker1]

Great video, Mahalo for sharing.

[@scottminshall6420]

Donny what a great trip, you are really making me miss the west even more than I do already! I grew up out west living in, on, or near the mountains. The wife and I just relocated to Texas this year (we do really like it here) but I have found that I do miss the mountains and some of the great adventures I had growing up with them. Great video content and I really like your music selection for it, looking forward to the next video.

[@Aonexia]

Reminds me of the Desolation Unit 50 where I Bow Hunt Elk, or Eagle Cap Mountain... Beautiful shots mate!

[@gringo3009]

Beautiful skies! Great little trip.

[@bertkelly7650]

Wow Donny! What a view off that mtn top!

[@Dutch1951x]

Another great video Donald, Thanks!

[@silashelmer]

That was a moonshine still you found at the start.

[@GratefulOverlander]

No it's not, lol

[@stretch9952]

The rock outcrops (upheavals?) with their reds, grays and yellows are beautiful.Your simple camping meals were inspirational. Hope to see some again in the future. These vids are always a pleasure.

[@softroadingthewest]

The cooking segments are...how should I put it? Not universally appreciated. 😆 A lot of times after a long day on the trail, I don't feel much like cooking, so I've kind of let this slide a bit, but I do still plan to integrate some more camp cooking from time to time. I genuinely love to cook and enjoy throwing myself into it at home. It's good to hear some people liked the segments. 🙂

[@pala4833]

@@softroadingthewest I greatly appreciate your cooking segments. Especially those baked chickens.

[@softroadingthewest]

@pala4833 LOL

[@RedSandAdventures]

Nice little trip you had. Can't wait to see the next one 👍

[@Oregontrailblazin]

Look out got new tires all terrain. Those roads looks easy enuf .. for my AWD. Thanks Donald

[@softroadingthewest]

For sure, I would have tackled any of this in my Subaru without hesitation. Have fun out there!

[@pnw_element9822]

Nice new build Donald yeah from budget build to all out build but damn u had to buy a whole new rear cabin tho

[@Aonexia]

I know, right? I wish he would speak on this more...

[@hadynmcloughlin4661]

Great video my new favourite channel thanks for sharing your adventures

[@johndej]

Looks like a nice trip!

[@broinsocali]

You the man.. Got me car camping...

[@lynnheckart9366]

Great video!!!! Was great to talk to you at Jerry's last week. Hope you get to do more trips this year ..God Bless..

[@softroadingthewest]

Nice to meet you, thanks for saying Hi!

[@jeepersdelight]

Jase from MD here great installment! my kinda terrain!

[@terratrodder]

Great video! I love exploring the Oregon desert, mostly on two wheels for me currently. I would like to have the portable bed though. 😴

[@jamesbrashear1664]

such relaxing videos, always look forward to a new one. thank you. a question where did you get your rear bumper rack for hauling extra fuel.

[@softroadingthewest]

I built the bumper myself. I shot footage of the process (which took me months of weekends) but I haven't edited it together into a video yet. Should have it out in the the next month I think.

[@mitchhoten3922]

Awesome video man! 👍

[@GamerNxUSN]

One more cup of coffee for the road, one more cup of coffee before I go.....to the valley below.

[@mtnbound2764]

I need to go do some wandering, been alittle while.

[@softroadingthewest]

Get out there!

[@virtualstockholm]

Very cool video! Stay safe 👍👍👍

[@HoaLe-hv3ru]

love it

[@IcyReaper]

A good relaxing enjoy the scenery vid, really liked it.. How do you choose your music for these? Is it just what you normally listen to or do you try to find certain music types or themes?

[@softroadingthewest]

The music I listen to probably wouldn't be a good fit 😄 and isn't possible anyway due to licensing concerns. I pay to license music from a subscription service, and I spend a LOT of time hunting down just the right piece of music for each moment. I aim first and foremost for music that captures how I was feeling at any given moment, whether it's the upbeat optimistic start of a trip, or nervousness on an iffy trail, or a moment of triumph as I discover a glorious vista. But then I also look for styles that feel like the right fit for the location and overall feel of the video. The music I chose for this desert video has a bit more of a western vibe to it, but I wouldn't use this music in a video exploring snowy mountains for example. For me the music is not just something to fill silence, it's a key element of the storytelling process and I spend HOURS on each episode finding & editing music. It's a lot of work but it's a step of the process I genuinely enjoy. 🙂

[@pala4833]

@@softroadingthewest I really liked the acoustic riffing around 14:00.

[@scottymac5174]

years ago it was all good,

[@rickpeoples9597]

What sunglasses are those? My Ray Bans just went south - turns out large temperature changes makes the lens coating crinkle - should have never left them in the truck

[@softroadingthewest]

Cheap cheap things from Walmart. I lose/break sunglasses way too often to buy anything other than $15 cheapies. 😆

[@rickpeoples9597]

@@softroadingthewest lol - yeah Im switching from the $200 Ray Bans to $29 cheapies from Costco - as long as they're Polarized. I lost the last pair when my kayak flipped in the Chetco - you're right about private land - whenever someone comes out and makes an issue I wave and try another route - one guy said he "usually" calls police when he sees "trespassers" - I don't think so, but better things to do than argue - absolutely a public road, even had a street sign - but who knows the weirdos that go out there and cause problems for him?

[@hellboy3050]

Come on up to Canada and see some gorgeous mountains !

[@Aonexia]

Too cold... even in summer with the wind. Thank you though... 🙂

[@GratefulOverlander]

The US is better. 💯

[@pala4833]

Yay!

[@softroadingthewest]

Yay is for yorses

[@softroadingthewest]

LOLOL making myself laugh down here 😂

[@pala4833]

@@softroadingthewest Daaaaaaaaddd !!

[@IcyReaper]

A little off topic, are you going back to the Owyhees this year to continue the route you were trying out? Just came back from a few days in Owyhess, in Idaho and just west of Oregon line. Had a blast.

[@softroadingthewest]

We're going to do something in eastern Oregon this fall, but I think we're ready to push the route beyond the Owyhees. The whole route actually starts in Bend and there's a lot more of Oregon it eventually needs to wind through. 🙂

[@EdwardGomillion]

How did you manage that final hike to the summit without gear or water? 😂

[@softroadingthewest]

I'm hardcore yo 😂

[@kelsey809]

👍🏼😊👍🏼 Epic!

[@paulogden4722]

How did the Topo Topper perform in such windy conditions?

[@softroadingthewest]

So so well. I went into this camper fully expecting SOME tent-like behavior, but that canvas is so heavy and well-fitted that, while you can see it kind of huffing & puffing a bit with wind gusts, it doesn't make any crazy flappy noises. Aside from this windy night, I also camped at the beach one night with a crazy storm rolling in off the ocean. Super impressed. I think I actually sleep better on windy nights now because the gentle rocking motion overpowers any noise the tent makes. 😄

[@danielcargill8019]

My prius would not make it up that trail

[@sagebrushbob2321]

Having a wet, late Spring this year made the wildflowers explode everywhere out there. This year was one of the prettiest I've experienced out in the desert. I also saw a lot more ticks and rattlesnakes this year. In nature everything balances out in the end.

[@softroadingthewest]

Yeah I've seen flowers in the desert but I don't think I've ever seen this kind of show! There were still other flower varieties I noticed blooming out there I never managed to get shots of. Really interesting how dynamic the desert is across the seasons.

[@spunriver4344]

Are you up near madras or burns ?

[@GreensTrails]

Just popped up in my feed. So pleased I clicked your thumbnail! Great to see a Frontier, I have the UK version (Navara D40), and don’t see many edits with them being driven. You guys in the States have some absolutely fantastic trails. Not so easy to make edits in the UK, I do my best though. Your frontier looks much higher than stock, which lift are you running? Cheers, Duncan. (Ps, you get a sub from me 👌🏼)

[@softroadingthewest]

It's a 2" suspension lift made by Alldogs Offroad, a small company here in the U.S. that specializes in Nissan aftermarket. I have a video about the lift: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6GZooZtirx8j6c Alldogs also makes the rims you see on my truck. Thanks for watching & subscribing!

[@davidmaguire7420]

I'm excited to do some off-roading the summer and I'm running nisstech custom suspension from rad flow to inch lift on a my pro4x and it's ridiculous offering. Slapped on some 33-in tires and you can go almost anywhere.

[@GreensTrails]

@@davidmaguire7420 Fantastic! I'm probably going to get the Rough Country 2.5" coil lift, already running 33s - makes a big difference eh!

[@michaeljensen4293]

Can you share the name of the mountain you drove up to?

[@billmcmillan991]

Do you have map data or a route to share? I'd like to take that drive

[@jmichaelmilton]

I see you have a Spot X. How long have you had it? I just goy mine and haven't taken it out yet.

[@softroadingthewest]

I got it in December but only just got it set up prior to this trip. I had the Garmin InReach Mini before but lost it in Utah last year. The Garmin worked fine, but the interface was terrrrible so I decided to give the Spot X a try with its larger screen and full keyboard (also about a third less expensive). So far the Spot X has been fine. The messages get through. It can take some time for it to find a satellite and upload the message, but that was the case with my Garmin as well.

[@DavidHuffTexas]

So now that you're in the desert, is the Rok Block tailgate seal keeping most of the dust out of the camper ?

[@softroadingthewest]

Yes, quite well, in fact I edited together that Rok Block video _after_ this trip, so I took the opportunity to throw in my real-world experience: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anKbnnVtgNqSpck

[@grantfloyd3736]

Im from Bend, what part of OR was this?

[@BorellaFamilyAdventures]

does your digital gauge give you the trans temp?

[@softroadingthewest]

Yes, you can choose from an array of sensor readings to display, up to 9 readings on the screen, and you can set up three screens worth, all user-configurable. I've set mine up with things like trans temp, battery voltage, instant MPG, trip MPG & speed (with compensation dialed in for my larger tires so these calculate accurately), I don't even remember what else, heh. I pretty much just use the one screen and don't even need the others. The device can also read Check Engine Light codes, and clear them after you'd checked/addressed the issue. I was intending to make a video about it but just haven't got to it yet. :-) I am pleased with this purchase though.

[@BorellaFamilyAdventures]

@@softroadingthewest can you shout me the link please

[@softroadingthewest]

@@BorellaFamilyAdventures I’m traveling at the moment but you can just Google ScanGauge III. I bought mine directly from their website.

[@BorellaFamilyAdventures]

@@softroadingthewest okay perfect, thank you. Are you heading to OEX PNW?

[@softroadingthewest]

@@BorellaFamilyAdventures Yep, some preliminary activities this week but then will be at the show

[@scottymac5174]

private/pubic land. seems to be in a Flux up there.

[@Fish_InChips]

"This road must go somewhere." Donald, you should know better!

[@softroadingthewest]

LOL :-)

[@MrKeenaz]

Thank you Donald beautiful vid as always. Say buddy, when you get to the private property signs, why not fly the drone up high enough to see if there is a dwelling on it. Often I go scouting private properties to hunt vermin on and either find no one home or if they are I just ask if I can have permission to hunt. People are usually friendly and I do get the odd one that ain’t pleased and just says, No, but hey there’s no harm done, after all it didn’t say keep out ay. I do understand your respect to not bother anyone, but had I gone in that far I’d definitely throw a drone if I had one or proceed, you never know you might just meet a new friend that opens his land up to you. Cheers from Mario.🇦🇺

[@softroadingthewest]

In this case I had already seen there were dwellings ahead when the road came over a rise - you can see them in the drone shot at 9:52. That certainly further cemented my decision not to proceed. :-) In my travels around the west, I've encountered countless plots of private land interspersed with public land while on a road that _appears_ to pass through to other public land. The three most common scenarios I see when this happens are: 1. There is nothing marked, no gate, no signage, and if you didn't have a public lands map in hand, you would never even know you were passing through a private parcel. 2. There is signage indicating you're traveling through private land, usually accompanied by notices of no camping, no hunting, no fires, but no impediment to traveling through. 3. Signage plus gate. In the first two scenarios, I proceed. In the third, even if perhaps maybe it's okay, I just turn around and go somewhere else. I figure if someone has erected signage and a gate, they probably want to discourage people from coming onto their land. 61% of the land in my state is public, so compared to most people around the world, I cannot complain...there's always someplace else I'm free to explore. If someone doesn't want me there, I'm not going to insist. :-)

[@MrKeenaz]

Very good point. Cheers for the reply Donald. Safe travels buddy.

[@kfbob364]

Dude I hate to tell you that 60 miles East of Eugene is not Eastern Oregon. The cascades are not E Oregon either.

[@softroadingthewest]

Perhaps you have misunderstood where this was filmed. This is more than 60 miles east of Eugene. In fact it's also more than 60 miles east of Bend. This is nowhere near the Cascades...I don't know why you even bring up the Cascades as this obviously isn't in the Cascades. This area is well east of the region most Oregonians refer to as "central Oregon," in the region generally referred to as "eastern Oregon" by all Oregon residents I've encountered over my 50+ years of living here in Oregon. I will continue calling this area "eastern Oregon" as that is the widely accepted norm. You call it whatever you want.

[@GratefulOverlander]

​@@softroadingthewestI wouldn't even bother responding to a troll like that. He's an idiot

[@KL00100]

Most of those private property signs are lies. There should be a law saying you can’t post false signs.

[@softroadingthewest]

In this case, as I said in the video, it corresponded with the map I was using showing public/private land. I'm sure false signage exists, but saying "most" such signs are lies is probably a stretch. I keep a close watch on my mapping when I'm roaming anywhere near private land. I very consistently see private property signs when I hit parcels of private land, and pretty much never see such signs when I'm on land I know to be public. Having accurate, up-to-date mapping is enormously helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@DementedAugminish]

😂wind

[@hellboy3050]

Just wandering if you pack a sawed off shotgun or an AK47 for self protection. Now days you never know what evil can meet you! thanks