Off pavement travel/dispersed camping in Pennsylvania. Or anywhere

[devildodge]

Since I would rather spend my money on gas to get to the wilderness...I am going to swap tires with my 3rd gen. They only got about 400 miles on them and we currently are not using the 03 Hemi for anything other than a parking spot holder.

The tires are the size right between the 2 standard tradesman sizes...so it will look like I have over size stock tires...but will lose about 5/8 of an inch ground clearance over the chrome appearance wheels I have.

Very anxious to see the final results...but the evening fought me in every way. I got the bearing out and called the show for darkness and quiet time.

I am ready to get off pavement and camp.

 

[devildodge]

The swap

 

[devildodge]

Got my last map for my overland trip around central PA.

Purple Lizard finished their 2nd edition Moshannon/Quehanna map.


On the maps purple lizards call out the cool features...like vistas, local legends, waterfalls etc.

We must have picked one up at a vista lol

 

[devildodge]

They are not the Cooper Evolution MT I was planning to get...but the money saved is being spent well on trips the next few weekends...

Not a mud terrain...but I have had 3 sets of these on my 99...they will make exploring a little easier on traction control

 

[MG99]

Been in eastern PA for a couple days. Took the truck and the fam to see this cool boulder field and then a short hike to Hawk Falls. Happy to get the tires dirty.

 

[Bobbybob]

So, to repurpose this thread, show that I am not talking about offroad parks, but rather just drives that are off road and places to disperse camp, we hit the dirt again today.

View attachment 39243

The wind storms last week took the fall foliage with them
View attachment 39244

Wanted to show my son the fire tower. It was gated so we hiked in.
View attachment 39245

It also had a fence around it.
View attachment 39246

And he wanted me to climb this hill. View attachment 39248View attachment 39247

I backed back down, but looking at the pic I may have been able to go up, was afraid to drag the rear bumper.

I definitely need to take the front valance off...it sure does get beat up.

looks like fun! I took mine off for that same reason. Gives me a better approach but still have to watch the tail.

 

[devildodge]

Pennsylvania opened up some state gamelands on September 19th.


They will remain open til February 28th.

For those in Pa, this is a good time to take those RAM trucks out into some areas few people see.

We have been campground camping...so not much off pavement travel lately. Hopefully that is about to change.

 

[devildodge]

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/pennsylvania/bald-eagle-state-forest-pa/amp/

 

[devildodge]

Ordered a new atlas for off pavement travel.

Looks like they have a few states.

I got the eastern and western Pennsylvania. Since I am in the center of the state I had no choice lol.

Has alot of information about wildlife, camping, hiking, fishing etc.

Pennsylvania Outdoors Atlases | Sportsman’s Connection

Our All-Outdoors Atlases are built to guide you to the best outdoors opportunities Pennsylvania has to offer. These spiral-bound guides contain maps at twice the scale and 100x the info covering activities from hunting to hiking.

scmaps.com

 

[Snwjnky]

Those look great!
None for California

 

[AmericanRebelution]

Ordered a new atlas for off pavement travel.

Looks like they have a few states.

I got the eastern and western Pennsylvania. Since I am in the center of the state I had no choice lol.

Has alot of information about wildlife, camping, hiking, fishing etc.

Pennsylvania Outdoors Atlases | Sportsman’s Connection

Our All-Outdoors Atlases are built to guide you to the best outdoors opportunities Pennsylvania has to offer. These spiral-bound guides contain maps at twice the scale and 100x the info covering activities from hunting to hiking.

scmaps.com

Just ordered the Western PA atlas. Thanks for posting @devildodge !

 

[devildodge]

Got the atlases. They have alot of useful information. The maps are easy to read and will be great for getting around the back and dirt roads of PA. These with the purple lizard and state forest maps will give me plenty of things to explore and scout this winter

 

[devildodge]

PA State Forest Camp Sites

maps.dcnr.pa.gov

An interactive map with state forest motorized camping spots

Good for planning out that getaway and seeing the wilds of PA

 

[Willwork4truck]

There are 3 world class off roads parks all in northeastern PA.
1) Rausch Creek
2) Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA)
3) Reading Off road park

I’ve been to Rausch and AOAA several times with my Jeep Grand Cherokee . It’s super narrow in a lot of places. They actually offer special guided rides for fullsize trucks. My buddy has been on regular trail rides with me in his Silverado. He’s done some damage to running boards (due to high centering) and scratches the crap out of his truck because the trails are so narrow. I actually saw a guy wedge a lifted Ram between three trees. It’s took us an hour to get him out and he still dented the hell out of his bed side. Frankly those, parks are made for Jeep’s, not trucks. I’m not saying it can’t be done, just be prepared for what you’re getting into.

That should have been a YT vid, 1M views likely!

 

[Willwork4truck]

So, to repurpose this thread, show that I am not talking about offroad parks, but rather just drives that are off road and places to disperse camp, we hit the dirt again today.

View attachment 39243

The wind storms last week took the fall foliage with them
View attachment 39244

Wanted to show my son the fire tower. It was gated so we hiked in.
View attachment 39245

It also had a fence around it.
View attachment 39246

And he wanted me to climb this hill. View attachment 39248View attachment 39247

I backed back down, but looking at the pic I may have been able to go up, was afraid to drag the rear bumper.

I definitely need to take the front valance off...it sure does get beat up.

I wouldnt think you could do that... length...

 

[Willwork4truck]

So we went out again today. Total snowfall was only an inch...but ice underneath.

Explained some information to my son. He is only 6, but the more he hears and experiences it the more he will remember it.

Explained to him about how momentum trumps traction everytime. I showed how locking the brakes will make you slide out of control...also explaining how the ABS and Traction control work and the sound and feeling it gives.

Showed him how the anti spin works and how 2wd and traction control can keep you Showed him how stopping in the middle of an icy hill will make even 4wd useless.

I then showed him how the CAD front axle can run your day if your not prepared.

On the hill, the axle shafts were not quite lined up. And therefore would not let 4ed engage. Of course it was fixed by coasting back a few feet. But, I explained to him how had we been on flat in mud, we were screwed and to always select 4wd before the stuck happens.

We ended the trip when we came to the end of the trail, he made a snow angel and we drove back out. All the way him talking about what he learned.

Was a beautiful day Driving in the woods is always calming. Even saw a doe and her fawn.

Now I wonder what your wife is teaching her daughter?
“theres no set gender preferences”. Yea right...
Try as they do they won’t remake biology. Boys will be boys... thankfully.

 

[devildodge]

Hoping to hit a dispersed site in the coming weekends. Regular camping season opens in 40 days.

Right now the state forest roads are closed and campsites are not open. We got a lot of snow and as it thaws and freezes...it has stranded alot of people on the forest roads.

 

[devildodge]

We got out to Rothrock to scout the final 2 dispersed sites. Site 6 and 7. 6 was occupied and ir was dark when we got to 7 so no pics.

They are both out in the forest by themselves a good bit away from the road.

Did get a pic of the setting sun though. Sorry for the crappy camera.

 

[devildodge]

Just got back from 3 nights in the forest. 3 miles as the crow flies from the nearest camp. The social distancing we needed!

 

[LoNeStAr]

No camper I see. Tent camping this time huh?