Regrettably, this release brings forth many closures affecting the offroad community. At FunTreks, we promote responsible trail riding through legal routes. The trails impacted by this new plan are listed here. It’s important to note that these changes are based solely on the information provided by the BLM; our usual practice of personally driving the trails was not employed for this update. Rest assured, we actively monitor these updates and will address any emerging concerns over time. Several groups who support the offroad community are challenging the plan. Some say we may see physical signs of trails closed as early as mid-December 2023, but we cannot be certain.

04 Spring Canyon Point see trail page
The spur for Cliff Hanger Arch has been shortened and will end before Waypoint 04.

09 Hey Joe Canyon see trail page
Permanently closed.

11 Deadman Springs see trail page
The short section between the main trail and Waypoint 04 is hiking only. Out and back to see the distant view of Secret Spire between Waypoint 5 and 6 is closed.

12 Deadman Point see trail page
The spur to the south is the only legal route after Waypoint 07.

16 Hidden Canyon see trail page
You must turn right at Waypoint 07. The narrow, steep-walled sandy wash is closed to motorized.

18 Pickle, Mashed Potatoes see trail page
Mashed Potatoes is closed. When exiting through Hidden Canyon, continue from Waypoint 04 directly to Waypoint 08.

25 Copper Ridge see trail page
There will be a new entrance to this trail. However, we cannot identify what that will be at this point. For now, it would be best to enter the trial starting at Waypoint 02 via Willow Springs Road.

29 Bull Canyon, Day Canyon see trail page
The trail ends after Waypoint 05 where we say the trail gets rocky.

The post Labyrinth Rims and Gemini Bridges BLM closure appeared first on FunTreks.

Our humble beginnings in 1996, with just a notepad and the odometer on our Jeep produced our first black and white knock-out selling guidebook. Today we use GPS to produce vibrant color spiral-bound guidebooks, user-friendly supporting mobile app and an information-packed website featuring updates and free GPS downloads for every trail.

Our coverage spans over 4 states and 600 trails, with accurate trail descriptions, precise directions, and tailor-made maps, totaling an impressive 8,000 miles of trails. What sets us apart is that this extensive documentation has been a personal journey undertaken by only two individuals – Charles A. Wells and Matt Peterson, FunTreks authors. Together, they estimate a staggering 290,000 miles of driving over the past 25 years.

Throughout the highs and lows, successes and challenges, what truly brings us joy is encountering you – the passionate adventurer – on the trail, eager to show us the guidebook that led you there.

As we reflect on our journey, FunTreks remains steadfast in our commitment to serving you for many more years. Here’s to the next chapter of exploration, discovery, and countless trail stories!

The post 25 years of trails appeared first on FunTreks.

When you have connectivity, you see a full detailed satellite image. Without connectivity, you can download a terrain map with just one click. Even if you forget to download a terrain map without connectivity, the trail and waypoints will always show on the screen.

When you buy the app, it includes every trail we have for a one-time fee! There is no need to buy each book. New books are added as a free update.

If you hate the complexity of most apps, try ours. Our customers tell us it’s the easiest app they’ve ever used.

The post FunTreks a different Kind of App appeared first on FunTreks.

Let me share a recent trail change I checked out using our trusty guidebook. This is a routine thing we do to double-check updates submitted on the FunTreks website.

Trail #23 – Little Dolores Canyon
Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 4th Edition

A loyal customer sent us an update and a snapshot of a gate blocking the trail entrance. No worries, my first move was to scout for recent mapping info online. Luckily, Colorado’s got the Colorado Trail Explorer website, and it didn’t take long to find the exact section I was after. Boom! There it was, a clear break in the BLM road, backing up what the customer reported.

I didn’t stop there. I picked up the phone and dialed the number listed under “Current Conditions” in our guidebook.

A friendly voice on the other end knew all about the situation and told me that the gate was legit, but fear not – there was another route to access the trail. She even took the time to show me where it was on the map. Super helpful!

The new entrance looks like this. You will find the finished update located on the trail page located on FunTreks website.

Remember, private land gates can pop up in our offroad world. Stay calm when you stumble upon one. The BLM and National Forest crews are working hard to keep trails open and figure out alternate routes in case of closures. And yeah, we get it – sometimes finding info can be a wild goose chase. That’s why we’ve put in the effort to give you the right tools in our guidebook, connecting you with the folks who’ve got the info.

Matt
Author

Oh, and remember to hit us up with any updates you have. Whether it’s trail changes, conditions, or just a good ol’ trail review, it could be a game-changer for the next person.

The post Using Your Guidebook; Current Conditions appeared first on FunTreks.

Garmins’ attempt at creating an “all-in-one” device for offroaders is like so many other brands and apps claiming to have everything you will need. To this day, we at FunTreks believe claiming “all-in-one,” “one device for everything,” or any other gimmick tagline is a massive disservice to the offroad community. It simply is not that easy. We won’t claim it for our products because not everyone needs only what we have. So many things to consider with GPS we can’t go over it now.

The original Overlander tries to combine two separate operating systems into one, the “Drive series” operating system (to navigate paved roads) and a different operating system the “Explore app” (for backroads and trails). At the same time, the TREAD Overland Edition uses TREAD (a new operating system combining the Drive series and Explore App into one operating system). These two devices cannot share information easily or use the same information.

At this time in December 2022, The FunTreks Data cards are compatible with Garmin Drive Series and Garmin Overlander (not TREAD Overland Edition).  Garmin devices using the Garmin TREAD app will not be able to use the card.

FunTreks is testing to learn more about using the newer TREAD with tracks and data cards. We will keep you posted.

Garmin Overlander

Garmin TREAD Overland Edition

The post Garmin Overlander and now TREAD Overland Edition, same? appeared first on FunTreks.

A field report from author Charles Wells

Matt Peterson and I are in Arizona driving trails to update our Arizona 4×4 book. We are hoping to have our 3^rd edition Arizona book ready for sale early next year. This follows completion of two new 4th edition Colorado books, which are available for pre-order on our website. Take a look at the new spiral binding and design, we hope you’ll love the changes we’ve made.

I don’t think many people fully understand what it takes to gather trail information for a new book. It requires being away from home for long periods and driving as many trails as possible as quickly as we can since the cost of being on the road is very high. When we tell people what we do, we often hear “how do I get your job?” The reality is that when you drive a hundred or more trails in a couple of months, it really is hard work, as my 73-year-old back keeps reminding me. Still, it beats pounding sand.

We’ve been surprised by a lot of bad weather here in Arizona, so far. A few days ago I attempted to drive Montana Mountain, Trail #56. I was stopped at 4,880 ft. by heavy snow. Yesterday, a cold hail storm moved in while I was driving Reymert Mine, Trail #59. The normally hard-packed trail became a muddy quagmire within minutes.

We did have good weather last week while in Tucson. We were out with the Tucson Rough Riders 4-Wheel-Drive Club. They’ve been absolutely fantastic over the years helping us scout trails. They took us on 5 great new trails that we will be adding to the new book.

When venturing on outdoor adventures like exploring new trails, having the expertise and guidance of experienced professionals can make all the difference. This is where the assistance of services like safe driver Dubai comes into play. While online information can provide a starting point for trail research, it often falls short in terms of accuracy and reliability. By relying on the knowledge and firsthand experience of seasoned drivers and guides, such as those provided by safe driver Dubai, adventurers can ensure a smoother and more informed exploration of the trails. The Tucson Rough Riders 4-Wheel-Drive Club’s collaboration with these professionals not only enhances the accuracy of their trail information but also contributes to the overall safety and enjoyment of their customers’ experiences. The dedication to going the extra mile and providing reliable, firsthand trail data is one of the key reasons why their customers have remained loyal over the years.

We are sometimes asked why we go to all this trouble and expense. Isn’t most of this information available on the internet? We are familiar with much of the online information because we often use it ourselves when doing trail research. Sometimes the information is helpful, but often it’s incomplete, misleading, inconsistent or just plain wrong. We have found the only way to really know a trail is to drive it ourselves. We think it’s the main reason customers have stuck with us for all these years.

The post Scouting Arizona appeared first on FunTreks.

Our website now includes a separate information page for each and every trail in our 4-wheel-drive books. To leave an update, just go to an individual trail, scroll down and click on the box that says “PROVIDE AN UPDATE” and fill in the form that pops up. You can include your name or do it anonymously. Allow a few days for the update to appear on the website as we do verify before posting.

Also note that there is a separate place to leave a trail REVIEW,  which includes a one-star to five-star rating system. This is just your opinion of the trail, how much you liked it, loved it, or hated it. Add as many specifics as you want.

A word about how to search for a trail: The easiest way is to simply type the name in the search box. Use the spelling for the trail name as it appears in the book. You don’t have to type the entire name, just some sequence of any of the letters that are unique to that trail. For example, if you type “Peru,” you are only going to get “Peru Creek.” If you type “North,” you are going to get ever trail that has those 5 letters in that order. A picture of each trail will pop up that you typed in.

Click on the picture of the trail you want. Please note that if you type a sequence of letters that are not in any trail name, nothing will pop up. You can also select a trail from our TRAIL LOCATOR MAP, which allows you to filter your choices by state, rating or vehicle type.

The post Help! More Trail Updates Needed appeared first on FunTreks.

A field report from author Charles Wells

Co-author Matt Peterson and I are in the process of re-driving trails for our two Colorado 4×4 books. We are about seventy percent done with the driving and should be finished in the next few months. We hope to have the new 4^th edition books in print by early next summer.

 So far, I’ve been a little surprised at the number of changes we are finding. Generally, trails are more difficult than they were eight years ago, and in some cases, significantly so. For example, I just spent a week in the Breckenridge area. These days I’m driving a 2016 Wrangler Sport (bone stock with street tires) in which I’d planned to drive only easy and moderate trails. Matt is driving difficult trails in our more-capable Wrangler Rubicon. I started up what the book says is moderate North & Middle Fork of the Swan River (Trail #71 in the main Colorado book). When I got to the steeper part of the trail after Waypoint 03, I quickly realized the trail was no longer moderate. Rocks were bigger and I really had to do some careful maneuvering. At one point, the trail became a narrow half-pipe trench with large boulders. I had to pull in my side mirrors to squeeze through. In the end, I made it through okay, but it wasn’t easy.

Also, I found many of the route numbers had changed in this area. For example, Trail #71 is now numbered F.S. 354 instead of F.S. 221 as shown in the book. You have to drive farther into the forest to find good dispersed camping. The area at the end of Tiger Road, where I camped with my RV in 2010, is now a day-use only parking area. And something else to note: Two trails, Santa Fe Peak, Trail #69, and Boreas Pass, Trail #77, no longer allow unlicensed vehicles.

Planning to go 4-wheeling soon? Make sure you check our website for trail updates before you go. We are posting changes as soon as we find them. If you haven’t been to our new site, www.funtreks.com, we now feature, separately, each trail from our books. Search for trails by name in the TRAILS section. On every trail page, you’ll find helpful information, including free downloadable waypoints and tracklogs that match the book (previously we only offered waypoints). In addition, we’ve made it easy for you to post an update. PLEASE, if you know of a trail that has changed in some important way, go to our website and report it.

The post Trails Are Changing appeared first on FunTreks.

Did you know that you can use our data cards with Google Earth to research an area or trail? In the video, we show you how to utilize this powerful pair of tools for planning and preparing.

The post Powerful planning tools #1 appeared first on FunTreks.

“Remember, the most important elements of a successful off-road adventure are safety and preparation.” Writes the author, Chris, an FJ Cruiser owner and fan of exploring the outdoors.

Read the full Off Road Driving Basics article over on Art of Manliness

While this article, and others like it, are a good start for a beginner (as are the tips we include in every FunTreks book), no online resource will ever replace experience and training when navigating the unpredictable outdoors. Even our books are a (very good) guide at best since conditions change almost daily for most trails in the backcountry. Always know the limits of your skill and those of your vehicle before attempting anything more than a dirt road.

We can’t stress enough the importance of good training, regardless of the type of adventure you seek. We’ve been proud to work with Nena Barlow from Barlow Adventures on several occasions, and the 4×4 training industry was practically invented by Bill Burke.

When venturing into off-road or 4×4 adventures, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and skills. However, in addition to training, it’s equally important to ensure that your vehicle is in optimal condition. Before embarking on any trek, whether it’s through rugged terrain or remote areas, it’s a wise practice to have all your auto parts thoroughly checked and serviced. This precaution can help prevent unexpected breakdowns or mechanical issues during your journey, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable off-road experience.

While training prepares you for the challenges of the terrain, a well-maintained vehicle is your reliable partner in conquering those challenges. So, in addition to seeking out reputable off-highway training courses, make it a point to have your vehicle inspected and maintained by professionals to ensure a trouble-free adventure. For those in need of new auto parts or replacements, you can explore options like https://fixzean.com/ for reliable and high-quality components to keep your vehicle in top shape for your upcoming adventure.

Finally, no discussion of trail riding would be complete with talking about good trail stewardship. This means adhering to standards of trail use taught by organizations such as Tread Lightly, Leave No Trace, and in Colorado, Stay The Trail. The ethics of taking care of our trails are not difficult to master and will help preserve our recreational areas for generations to come. Do the right thing and learn when, where, and how to ride before beginning any adventure.

The post Offroad driving resources appeared first on FunTreks.