Off-Road and/or Overland Terrain Conditions

[BigBriDogGuy]

Thanks @LB Bill I'll snap off some picks next time I'm on property. There is a sizable natural pond in the far back corner of the lot. Has to be getting fed from somewhere. The more I think on it, the best course of action would be your loader idea. Even if I can get across that patch short-term, I'm willing to bet it's going to tear up that section of field pretty quick. That's fine if you just want to play in your own back yard, but if you want a dependable access road best to do it right.

 

[LB Bill]

The property sounds nice. Good luck!

 

[itsaguything]

Well, even after many years of driving very well off the beaten track while in the military, I learned something on the “Land Rover Experience”. We used LR4s. It was my wish as they were promoting the Defender. And let me tell you this: that LR4 of yours (if properly driven) can take much more abuse and rough terrain than you can. BTW, the Defender has nothing on a proper LR4 except for all that gadgetry…. Though cool, I don’t need it.

 

[BigBriDogGuy]

Walked the property this early evening and tried mowing a path to the side access road. It's going to take a brush hog or a tractor to clear that area out. The pond is in the far back corner and down below where I'm looking to clear for a dirt/gravel road.

 

[powershift]

I'm sure you get plenty of rain in Bellingham. I lived in Redmond for 14 years and the most consecutive days without clouds was about 4 weeks lol. There was 3 months of summer and the rest of the time was rain, drizzle and cloudy skys. The more you drive on it the more compact it will get which will be an advantage once it starts raining again.

 

[BigBriDogGuy]

Well, I used a plain ol' w-e-e-d eater with 4 long electrical cords attached to the house and a Toro lawn mower, but I was able to clear a trail wide enough for the LR4 to roll through to the side road on the back of the property I was looking to access. Drove it a couple of times and was nervous the first time through. I was in Off-Road Height and low range with the Mud Rut Special Program. I decided to let momentum be my friend and I probably took it a bit faster than I needed. I just didn't want to get bogged down and stuck. Second time, I put it into Off-Road Height and nothing else. Did just fine. Looking closely, you can see the leaves filling up the ruts I left in the field. I'd say they are about 1/2-1" deep. Not bad.

 

[ktm525]

I would drive a RWD S class through that.

 

[BigBriDogGuy]

@ktm525 It was heavy going clearing it. Canary reed grass, blackberry bushes and creeping vines, saplings, and field grass. Nothing that a few goats staked out for a week or two couldn't handle. The pics are a bit deceptive. There are raised tuffs of grass and soft spots. Also, there is a small ravine that spans about 7 feet wide and probably a foot deep at its lowest point. It's gradual enough that nothing bottoms out in Off-Road Height. I take it at a bit of an angle to help with the approach and departure clearances. Finally, the last bit that enters the road (basically a long wide driveway for the few houses located farther off the main road) is sloped up to the property and probably a 2 foot down drop to the road. But, again, it's gradual enough that nothing bottoms out (especially if I take it at a slight angle).

 

[ktm525]

pics look like a driveway lol. Passable if not wet I assume.