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Looked for vehicle access to that dirt road next to the crack, but it's off limits to us peasant folk.

Most of the time in the highest gear (with engine at 2,000-2,200 RPM) because the snow really peels off that blade the faster I go. But up hills or seriously deep drifts, I drop it into the middle gear. (This B26 with HST transmission.)

Thanks! Yes, a beautiful area and I would look for any excuse to go back there.

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Oh.... did you say something?

BIG plans for 2025!

If only I was capable of such a thing.

Yes, Parks Creek Road! Beautiful drive, but haven't been through there for three years. I'd be nervous taking sports car through there, think you might be just a little too low. Have ridden motorcycles and sports cars Highway 3 north over Scott Mountain, then turned right on the road to Gazelle, though. Fantastic drive!

Oh man, sorry to say I have sold all those chains in the past year. Only ones left are for dually trucks....

@@PavementEndsOverland UNDERSTOOD. YOU GOT PAID TO HAUL OFF A PALLET OF SOMEBODY ELSE'S HEADACHE

Nice! Have a great time out there.

Thank you for your fabulous comment! I'm privileged to hear your family history connected with this beautiful area. Family stories are absolutely the best! Having grown up in the region (Trinity County), I have a strong affection and connection with the north state. Also please give my best regards to your father, and my respect.

Wow, that takes me back! Haven't been there since the 80's. But this spot was an offshoot of the Castle Crags road, a bit further south from Ney Springs.

So many areas to explore in Siskiyou. This entire area is magical. I am now out in Montague so I am now exploring Ball Mountain area @@PavementEndsOverland

Nice! I have driven Ball Mountain Rd couple times, last time in 2020, and absolutely love that area. (2 or 3 videos out of those trips, including my very first camping vid. A little cringey, but good memories!)

Overall I'm pretty impressed with what I can do with it. And while it seems more robust than my neighbor's BX of similar size, it still feels less durable than my old '83 L275; lots of plastic and stickers. (I'm chipping away on a new video listing my likes/dislikes but working way too much lately!) The backhoe is substantially better and faster than my neighbor's too, but I use mine for work so it's definitely paying for itself.

Thank you! I'm with you... look forward to the snow, as long I'm prepared for it.

Oh yeah, that's a beautiful drive. Haven't traveled that way since I got the cameras, but it's definitely on my to-do list.

Yes! I would consider any back road as long as it gets me out of the house.

Oh man, which Silver Lake? I have seen a few!

Come to think of it, there was a road from Silver Lake off OR31 to US97. Don't recall how much, if any, video I shot tho. Drove it around 2018 before I did much recording.

Thanks.

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Thanks for sharing that story! Great to hear!

Thanks so much! Always nice to hear from my northern neighbors!

Same here! The overnighters are sure nice, but nothing beats a long back road trip.

Thank you! It IS a beautiful area, that's for sure!

I'm guessing his cardiologist isn't subscribed to the channel!

Hahaha! Actually, he is! We'll see what he has to say next visit...

There's some info in the description. But yeah, I'd be interested to know if it's growing. Or will it suddenly slam shut when I go hiking through it?

Yes, I put what I knew in the description but I'm afraid I didn't go into much detail. One of my very early videos included a bit of the interior, if you can sit thru it: th-cam.com/video/mGFkTQwRO7E/w-d-xo.html

It's a fissure volcano from the Four Craters Volcanic Field. There are actually hundreds of fissure volcanoes all over Oregon and Washington, this one is just really young. The whole pacific north west was basically under a lava ocean at once point.

Haha, that's why I don't talk in this one... keyword: knowledgeable!

No, we never made it there. Guess I kinda put it on back burner cuz it isn't on public land. Isn't it privately owned by some club?

@@PavementEndsOverland Not to my knowledge. I had heard that the Masons have some kind of meeting there. When I was there, it seemed to be likely true, as there were bleachers there and what looked like some sound equipment for a sound system. I went there on a whim, with some other people that were at Crane hot springs. We were not prepared, and abandoned the walk. I have never made it back. I hope that I will someday.

Hey, I finally looked it up. Malheur Cave is owned by the Masons, but looks like they closed it off in 2019 due to constant vandalism. Too bad a few idiots ruin for the rest of us! Thanks for mentioning it, though!!

@@PavementEndsOverland A lot of the lava flow tubes are now closed with locked gates, I think Arnold Ice Cave, Wind Cave and Skeleton Cave. Back in the early 1960s, we used to love trekking as far back as you could go. Arnold Ice Cave had a wall of ice near the bottom of the steps. Some years, the ice was almost up to the handrails of the steps. We'd rope our way down. The closure to the caves, as you said, was primarily because of vandalism. Some caves, so it's been claimed, is that the caves are used by bats. I don't think I've ever seen any bats in the caves I've been through, but I did see a tiny owl looking at me. Skeleton Cave was so named because the bones of an ancient bear were found there. Wind Cave has a hole in the roof of the cave. You could feel the wind inside the cave. The chamber inside (where the hole is) was lit up from daylight making it look amazing. It's a pity a how handful of people can ruin such an experience for everyone else.

Lol

I think you're right, but my biggest issue is the slick ice that forms after everybody keeps driving on it before I get there. My older tractor does have the better tires, but the ice defeats them too! Good point to discuss in a future video, thank you!