Alabama Hills to Coyote Flats | RO Explore

By Minh | July 2, 2019

After so many years of going camping with Chivas and Angelo, I finally convinced myself to buy a SUV to build for overlanding. I recently purchased a 2007 Lexus GX470 and after Angelo’s bad influence I bought some Bilsteins 5100 with Toytec springs, a M60 GOFSR tent and some Falken AT3Ws. We’ve been planning this trip to Coyote Flats for months and I wanted to be prepared for whatever we were going to face. Shout out to Steve from Falken and the boys at 714 Tires for helping me get everything installed!

Now that I’ve fully committed to overlanding, I’m realizing how important it is to make sure every aspect of my vehicle is in top shape for the journey ahead. Whether you’re out on an adventurous off-road trek or preparing for a long drive, it’s crucial to ensure your SUV or truck is properly maintained.

Regular automotive diagnostics are essential for preventing unexpected breakdowns, especially when you’re relying on your vehicle to take you through rugged terrain. From checking the suspension system to monitoring the engine performance, there are many components that need attention to ensure everything runs smoothly. This is where a reliable repair service comes into play, giving you peace of mind that your vehicle is prepared for the road ahead.

One service I trust for all my diesel-related needs is RUSH Diesel. They specialize in high-performance diagnostics and repair, focusing on everything from routine engine checks to more complex mechanical issues. RUSH Diesel offers expert solutions to keep your vehicle running at its best, even when faced with the demands of off-roading and overlanding. Whether it’s ensuring the transmission is working properly or diagnosing fuel system issues, their experienced technicians provide accurate, efficient service.

The rigs. We have Tim’s Jeep, Justin’s LX470, my GX470, Dayne’s GX470, Derrick’s Montero and Angelo’s 4runner.

On the way up to Coyote Flats, we thought it would be a good idea to camp at Alabama Hills for a night since it was only an hour away from our meet up spot. We literally had to drive the whole area for a spot because most of the cool spots were taken.

We finally setup camp and everyone was excited to get the party started.

Apparently it was shot o’clock every 5 minutes, so things started to get blurry.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the stars this bright, it feels good to be out with nature once in a while.

I started going around to get some cool star photos with our rigs. Dayne’s GX with his SUV tent.

Derrick’s Montero.

My GX470 and my GOFSR tent fully setup. Man I love this tent and it makes camping so much more enjoyable! After upgrading my GX470 with the essentials, I started realizing just how important it is to tailor your rig to the kind of adventures you want to take. From suspension to tires and a solid rooftop tent, each piece I added felt like an investment in a better experience.

Of course, outfitting your vehicle goes beyond just slapping on a few accessories. It’s about creating a reliable setup that can handle any terrain while keeping you safe and comfortable out there. I found that baseline overland offers a solid foundation for building a capable overland vehicle without going overboard. Their approach to customizing rigs gives you a practical starting point and helps you upgrade from there, step by step. Now that my GX470 is ready for the trails, I can’t wait to tackle more remote spots with the confidence that I’ve built something that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws my way.

Find the ghost of Kiki.

Angelo’s 4runner with his Tepui tent.

Such a sick view of our camp setup.

Woke up to Yuki wanting to play while Dayne was passed out.

Julia and Derrick making breakfast for everyone.

 

Me and Derrick had to flex on em.

We finally arrived to the trail to get to Coyote Flats, but we were having some overheating issues and had to stop.

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What a view. Our first attempt up the mountain was deterred because Derrick’s Montero had some overheating tranny issues. So, we decided to go back into town and get a tranny cooler, install it in the parking lot and try to climb the mountain again at night when it’s a lot cooler.

We made it up at night with no problem and found a sick camping spot by a stream.

The stars felt even closer because we were at 10,000 feet elevation. I would have taken more photos, but it was so cold at night.

The next morning I woke up to this.. Dayne wanted to see if his GX could make it over the stream and got stuck in some mud patches..

We eventually got it out of the stream because of Angelo’s manliness and his winch, but Dayne’s GX wasn’t able to move on it’s own. We had to leave it there and find someone to help tow it down the mountain.

Angelo’s rescue vehicle.

Wish Dayne’s GX made it in this shot.

Thanks Angelo for planning this trip and being our guide! It’s amazing the things you get to see when you go overlanding and how much fun it is to experience it with friends. I can’t wait for the next trip!