We just did this route with 3 built-out high-roof Sprinter Vans this past week using your Gaia track from your OTG website. We started the track at HWY 1 and USAL Road, camped at USAL Beach then continued on to Needle Rock and Shelter Cove through the backroads via USAL Road. Thanks for your time putting together all the routes on your OTG site!
@@DISABLED12-7 From HWY 1 and USAL road to USAL beach its about 40 min. From USAL Beach to where you divert to Needle Rock is 3 HRS. Definitely doable in one day but then you would miss an overnight on USAL Beach.
We have a 3500, 170’ 4WD dually sprinter. Do you think that USAL would be passable for our vehicle before the rains start? The video showed many low hanging branches with few pullouts for passers by. Thank you in advance for advising us.
I went on this trip (my vehicle is the large white Beast). Fantastic trip. Great views. Great stops for food. Great people on the trip. Ben is a fantastic adventure leader. Highly recommended. If you get a chance to join an Overland Trail Guides trip, do it. Oh, and Shasta is a fantastic dog to have along.
I was curious if you had any issues with your unimog for width or height on the trail? Was hoping you had your own YT channel with your adventures in that Great White!
@@chrismalysiak8330 Not a unimog. It's based on a Mitsubishi Fuso truck. It's still 9 feet tall and over 7 feet wide. No problems other than low hanging branches scraping the roof.
I did a report on that lighthouse in the 4th grade. It came from Cape Mendocino. Before it came here that life house saved a keepers family during a major storm before it was moved to shelter cove
@@OverlandTrailGuides Yeah, it is good for sure. I need to stop and get my drone in the air more, especially in the gnar. I'm so focused on survival I forget to shoot. Then when I get in post I get pissed at myself 🙂
We were in the area same time as you but didn't go for the Lost Coast, wish we had. Noyo Fish Company was awesome. Got the fish and chips. So much food! It was definitely cool along the coast and hot inland. Tricky to fine a nice medium. But we did! Really loved this video and damn, now I gotta go back!
Curious to know if this BDT can be driven by a Nissan NV3500, V8, 2WD, stock height with AT's? By the way... an incredible video and details! Thanks for taking the time to capture and share!
Do you all take Sherwood road or highway 20? We are headed out this Friday and originally wanted to do Sherwood road but this drive looks beautiful (unless it is Sherwood road lol)
How were the campgrounds at Usual? I've been there before and also heard stories of them being quite dirty with trash and other stuff. I want to go again soon but wanted to know you're experience this year.
are dogs now okay in that wilderness area? I was there over 20 years ago and we got kicked out because my friend had their dog with them. (Sinkyone Wilderness State Park/Needle rock. we stayed in the barn.)
Are there still structures at Bear Harbor?. I can remember going there as a kid 50-55 years ago when it was Bear Harbor Ranch. Rode horses on the beach. What is the Needle Rock Center now was then a private house that was a bit of another property in the middle of the ranch. The ranch headquarters was at Bear Harbor. I remember staying in small white house on the harbor, but can’t quite remember what other buildings were there. Quite a place.
love these videos, i live in santa rosa, graduated from mendocino high school (lived in gualala). Just getting a camping rig built now, been racing ultra4 for 10 years and trying something different. Fun to see local stuff and see mendo area, i havent been back there in years. Oh, and can you share a link of that water dohickey
@@ProclaimedHERETIC have you been past Usal Beach? The road is extremely rough from Usal to 4 Corners. It simply makes sense to air done as soon as we hit dirt for improved rode and less abuse in these vehicles suspension and drivetrains.
you got it! Lots of mountain biking trails in Jackson Demo as well. Congrats on making the move- wish we were out that way but not til the kiddo is off to college!
Watching this video I was a bit concerned my van would not fare well with all the overhanging limbs on Usual Road that appear to be quite low. I've got a lifted Econoline with a pop-top & skybox. I'm at 10'-6" tall. I think I'm a bit taller than a high roof Sprinter, but am not sure... Any thoughts from those that have done this road recently in a tall'ish vehicle? THX
@@glenstanley2208 we’ve done the entire stretch with a high roof sprinter in the group. You will undoubtedly pick up a few pinstripes and hit some low hanging branches along the way ;)
I have a high clearance 2x Ford van, 6 inch lift 33 inch tires but no 4 wheel. Good to go, or is 4 wheel needed. ant to plan a trip in May of 2025. Any way to plan to go with a group of "fellow travelers".... Going solo in my van or perhaps with the gf.... might be fun to caravan with others.
I love these videos, and I get it, but all they seem to do is make all these places packed with more people, defeats the whole purpose of "getting away"
@@davidblood9882 well "fyi" is FOR YOUR INFORMATION(pretty age old thing) "gpx" is a file format for maps... "onx" isnt and abbreviation... ONX OFFROAD is probably THE most used off road mapping app... "PCT"? PACIFIC CREST TRAIL, cmon... "CA"lifornia... and mb, really? MEGABYTE.... all the way spelled out for you : FOR YOUR INFORMATION(addressed to the website making this video/route) ONX(offraod app) only lets you upload GPX(file format) up 4MegaBytes... your PACIFIC CREST TRAIL route is 11MegaBytes(6Megabytes for just the track, no POIs or POINT OF INTERESTS)... thus it is not possible to upload the map your website supplies to the app you say it can work on, its too big of a file. better?
Who is the brave soul who has the bright yellow lights on the rear of his rig? I bet it's very comforting to have bright lights in your view the whole trip.
That dude with his amber rear work/back up lights on during the day while driving, with others right behind him, looks like a tool- especially since he does it in a couple of your videos
What a beautiful journey, views and the surrounding nature is breathtaking.
We just did this route with 3 built-out high-roof Sprinter Vans this past week using your Gaia track from your OTG website. We started the track at HWY 1 and USAL Road, camped at USAL Beach then continued on to Needle Rock and Shelter Cove through the backroads via USAL Road. Thanks for your time putting together all the routes on your OTG site!
Awesome, I'm thinking of doing this in October. How many days did you do it in?
@@DISABLED12-7 From HWY 1 and USAL road to USAL beach its about 40 min. From USAL Beach to where you divert to Needle Rock is 3 HRS. Definitely doable in one day but then you would miss an overnight on USAL Beach.
@@undefeatedcreative Thank you!
We have a 3500, 170’ 4WD dually sprinter. Do you think that USAL would be passable for our vehicle before the rains start? The video showed many low hanging branches with few pullouts for passers by. Thank you in advance for advising us.
I went on this trip (my vehicle is the large white Beast). Fantastic trip. Great views. Great stops for food. Great people on the trip. Ben is a fantastic adventure leader. Highly recommended. If you get a chance to join an Overland Trail Guides trip, do it. Oh, and Shasta is a fantastic dog to have along.
I was curious if you had any issues with your unimog for width or height on the trail? Was hoping you had your own YT channel with your adventures in that Great White!
@@chrismalysiak8330 Not a unimog. It's based on a Mitsubishi Fuso truck. It's still 9 feet tall and over 7 feet wide. No problems other than low hanging branches scraping the roof.
I did a report on that lighthouse in the 4th grade. It came from Cape Mendocino. Before it came here that life house saved a keepers family during a major storm before it was moved to shelter cove
Nice. You added a little bit to it. I did your route last summer and it was amazing. Thanks again.
We did some of this over this summer. We missed a lot of stuff though! This is a good one to do over and over again!
This is one of my favorite places on Earth
I love the fish and chips at Noyo Harbor!
The lost coast is a fantastic place to be.
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Great looking experience, seems like a perfect combination of dirt, sky, sea and comfort :)
Yeahhhhh buddy! Livin the dream.
epic...thanks for sharing
looks like a fantastic trip! loved the vid❣
Im a petrolia local, i remember all those rigs passing thru i think we even partied together who knows
Nicely done! Great shooting, narration and editing. I am currently on the north coast after camping at USAL. I hope to join the group one day!
awesome !
Excellent route and production values Ben!
@@AWDTransitOverland just trying to improve things little by a little, but I think this is our best video to date 🙌
@@OverlandTrailGuides Yeah, it is good for sure. I need to stop and get my drone in the air more, especially in the gnar. I'm so focused on survival I forget to shoot. Then when I get in post I get pissed at myself 🙂
Quality video production! Very nice work.
Pretty much our backyard. We did it on Honda 70's last year for a change of pace and were lucky enough to score the barn at Needle Rock .
We were in the area same time as you but didn't go for the Lost Coast, wish we had. Noyo Fish Company was awesome. Got the fish and chips. So much food! It was definitely cool along the coast and hot inland. Tricky to fine a nice medium. But we did! Really loved this video and damn, now I gotta go back!
That was awesome
Curious to know if this BDT can be driven by a Nissan NV3500, V8, 2WD, stock height with AT's? By the way... an incredible video and details! Thanks for taking the time to capture and share!
@@steadi_dreadi hit the website which has the complete route guide:
Www.overlandtrailguides.com
I fukn love this channel
And we love y’all!!
Do you all take Sherwood road or highway 20? We are headed out this Friday and originally wanted to do Sherwood road but this drive looks beautiful (unless it is Sherwood road lol)
How were the campgrounds at Usual? I've been there before and also heard stories of them being quite dirty with trash and other stuff. I want to go again soon but wanted to know you're experience this year.
Most times we’ve been the sites are dirty, Out house is trashed and there’s been a crowd of people down there
@@sevynblanes yeah same here last year the only clean spots were on the sand
are dogs now okay in that wilderness area? I was there over 20 years ago and we got kicked out because my friend had their dog with them. (Sinkyone Wilderness State Park/Needle rock. we stayed in the barn.)
Hello. May I ask what website or from where did you purchase the land. What are your thoughts on Zillow or landwatcher? Thank you!
Whats the minimum clearance required to do this trail?
Are there still structures at Bear Harbor?. I can remember going there as a kid 50-55 years ago when it was Bear Harbor Ranch. Rode horses on the beach. What is the Needle Rock Center now was then a private house that was a bit of another property in the middle of the ranch. The ranch headquarters was at Bear Harbor. I remember staying in small white house on the harbor, but can’t quite remember what other buildings were there. Quite a place.
is 4x4 or awd actually needed on this trail?
love these videos, i live in santa rosa, graduated from mendocino high school (lived in gualala). Just getting a camping rig built now, been racing ultra4 for 10 years and trying something different. Fun to see local stuff and see mendo area, i havent been back there in years. Oh, and can you share a link of that water dohickey
Any reason why you aired down for Usal beach? I went out there in a Camry a couple months ago without issue.
@@ProclaimedHERETIC have you been past Usal Beach? The road is extremely rough from Usal to 4 Corners. It simply makes sense to air done as soon as we hit dirt for improved rode and less abuse in these vehicles suspension and drivetrains.
Is that first dirt road pictured off of Hwy 20 the top of Little Lake Road? Just moved here from the Bay Area!
you got it! Lots of mountain biking trails in Jackson Demo as well. Congrats on making the move- wish we were out that way but not til the kiddo is off to college!
When did you take this trip? We are riding this in about 5 weeks and it looks like the road conditions are good after last seasons rain?
@@99SSC July. You can expect all of the Usal bumps along Usal Road.
Longer wavelength light penetrates dust and fog and rain spray better. This keeps you from getting rear ended.
Watching this video I was a bit concerned my van would not fare well with all the overhanging limbs on Usual Road that appear to be quite low. I've got a lifted Econoline with a pop-top & skybox. I'm at 10'-6" tall. I think I'm a bit taller than a high roof Sprinter, but am not sure... Any thoughts from those that have done this road recently in a tall'ish vehicle? THX
@@glenstanley2208 we’ve done the entire stretch with a high roof sprinter in the group. You will undoubtedly pick up a few pinstripes and hit some low hanging branches along the way ;)
I have a high clearance 2x Ford van, 6 inch lift 33 inch tires but no 4 wheel. Good to go, or is 4 wheel needed. ant to plan a trip in May of 2025. Any way to plan to go with a group of "fellow travelers".... Going solo in my van or perhaps with the gf.... might be fun to caravan with others.
Do you have a link for the water tank? Thx!
It was a DIY project. Followed these instructions
ruclips.net/video/Rk4EDT-ZRzA/видео.htmlsi=Y1GBPErNBGbIrTS7
You don't show anything very "technical" would this be doable with an AWD 2022 Highlander without sustaining any damage?
Can a sprinter van take usul rd down to the beach also ?
4x4 or AWD recommended, and you should be able to do the entire route. Just don't drive on the beach/sand as not permitted by CA State Parks ;)
What is the name of the last river that appears in the video?
;)
Can an 32 foot motorhome do this road?
@@ribarouhi8381 😳
15:51 lol
I love these videos, and I get it, but all they seem to do is make all these places packed with more people, defeats the whole purpose of "getting away"
fyi onx offroad only lets you upload gpx up to 4mb... you PCT ca route is 11(6mb track only)... cant upload to onx
Huh? Sorry but too many abbreviations to understand here.
@@davidblood9882 well "fyi" is FOR YOUR INFORMATION(pretty age old thing) "gpx" is a file format for maps... "onx" isnt and abbreviation... ONX OFFROAD is probably THE most used off road mapping app... "PCT"? PACIFIC CREST TRAIL, cmon... "CA"lifornia... and mb, really? MEGABYTE....
all the way spelled out for you : FOR YOUR INFORMATION(addressed to the website making this video/route) ONX(offraod app) only lets you upload GPX(file format) up 4MegaBytes... your PACIFIC CREST TRAIL route is 11MegaBytes(6Megabytes for just the track, no POIs or POINT OF INTERESTS)... thus it is not possible to upload the map your website supplies to the app you say it can work on, its too big of a file.
better?
Who is the brave soul who has the bright yellow lights on the rear of his rig? I bet it's very comforting to have bright lights in your view the whole trip.
Longer wavelength light penetrates dust and fog and rain spray better. This keeps you from getting rear ended.
I hope you didn't give your dog a burger with garlic in it!
Mendocino is a town not a village
Shelter cove is
@ people call shelter cove a village?
@@Heliumisleaving some do because it doesn't have a stoplight
That dude with his amber rear work/back up lights on during the day while driving, with others right behind him, looks like a tool- especially since he does it in a couple of your videos
Longer wavelength light penetrates dust and fog and rain spray better. This keeps you from getting rear ended.
Longer wavelength light penetrates dust and fog and rain spray better. This keeps you from getting rear ended.
I did it in my fully built out high top Sprinter
Nice video Ben.
fyi onx offroad only lets you upload gpx up to 4mb... you PCT ca route is 11(6mb track only)... cant upload to onx
please file a support ticket on our website. There are workarounds for OnX's 4mb cap.