Travel from Mexico to Canada on dirt roads

[TObject]

Can this be done?

[Paradiddle]

Didn't Mark Smith already do this in the 70's - up to Alaska?

Probably - but you'd better speak spanish if you are on dirt roads south of the border - unless you like prison.

[TObject]

From Mexico to Canada not inclusive: border-to-border within US territory.

[Stu Olson]

I would say check with a local coyote and see if you can get one of their travel maps they give to their clients.

[Robert J. Yates]

Its been done - several times. I just read something on that - I'll try to remember where

[DsrtJeeper]

Originally posted by TObject
Can this be done?

Either you've done something highly illegal or you're sneaking relatives through the long way!

Dirt roads are highly overrated.

[derf]

Originally posted by TObject
Can this be done?

You'll have to cross over paved roads from time to time but I imagine you could find a way if you were motivated.

[speaceman]

I bet you could still do it.

A third of california is Desert afterall.

Still, if I had my choice of driving through Calif from top to bottom, there is no way I'd pick driving through Death Valley when I could be heading up the coast.

There are some dirt roads that head through state parks along the coast, mostly north of Santa Barbara.

After that though, you are stuck on paved roads, due to all the private land between there and Big Sur.

In any case, I think an expedition/road trip from the Mexico border to Canada's would be fun. I don't think I'd bother going out of my way to make it "dirt" only. That seems like it would be more work than it would be worth and you'd possibly be picking less interesting places to drive through for parts of the trips.

[Robert J. Yates]

Sergey,
Search for both Mark Smith and Rick Pewe - I think both those guys have done it.

[kranky_kel]

I believe a couple of issues ago in National Geographic's Adventure Magazine they had an article on it. They took a brand new Rubicon from the top of Idaho, through Nevada, and California to Mexico.

Edit: I found a piece of the article: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ad.../excerpt1.html

[Tim H]

There is the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. I found this link

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_trail/pacific.htm

I think it is only for hiking/horses though, it goes near my parents house near Idylwild above Anza.

Tim

[TObject]

Tim,
I was actually looking at the Pacific Crest Trail on the maps today, and that is what prompted me to post the question.

Thank you for the leads everyone! I am starting to collect information if something like this can be accomplished. This could be a real trip in the future. Not this year, but a definite maybe.

[Tumbleweed]

Sergey: Contact the Best in the Desert series of off road promoters. I think they are out of Las Vegas. Whomever is running SCORE now may also be of help.
BITD runs a race from Reno to LV, or used to. Rod Hall out of Reno may be able to help you in the Reno area. Or Big Rich off the VORRA site, or catch him on Pirate board. He promotes races in that area.
Getting from Southern Idaho to the Snake River is not a big problem if you stay on the west side of the state. North of there you will have to cross and run some pavement. From central/north Idaho you can run dirt from near Grangeville to Darby, Montana which is just south of Missoula. That trail is forest serviced owned and runs between the two wilderness areas-it is called the Magruder Corridor or Montana road. At least from mid July to late Sept. You have to cross some 8000 ft peaks. Most of the land north of Missoula or Great Falls is privately owned. Let me know if I can be of any help. I have a good link to the Magrudor Corridor site if you want it. I am leaving in the morning to attempt this trail-116 miles worth. They say there are 4' drifts on the north facing sides, but we are trying it anyway.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/map...s/magruder.pdf

[Matt N]

Originally posted by kranky_kel
I believe a couple of issues ago in National Geographic's Adventure Magazine they had an article on it. They took a brand new Rubicon from the top of Idaho, through Nevada, and California to Mexico.

Edit: I found a piece of the article: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ad.../excerpt1.html

Sergey,

That's the article I read at Bond's place. Hopefully he's still got the mag.
I'll give him a call and check, who knows, he may be able to photocopy the article and send it to you.

Or try Aventure magazines for back copies.

[Scott Hill]

They are or where working on a road that runs close to the PCT but I know here in SBNF it has not been completed there was some law suit or something. Ranger Greg was talking about it about 18 months ago.

And count me in for that trip I also want to Jeep the ice highway if any one think that sounds like fun.


Scott

[John]

I saw a show on this a couple of years ago, but it was all done on quads. Honda or somebody sponsored the ride I think.

IIRC they went up through Utah or Colorado, not this far west.