The Barlow Pass near Mt Hood was one of the final sections of the famed Oregon Trail. And while our ancestors may have died of dysentery in a covered wagon, in modern times you can navigate from the comfort of an imported Japanese van.
The proprietors of the Vanlife Northwest YouTube channel look like they’re having a ball with their imported Toyota boxes on a “Snow Run.” With elevations up to 3,900 feet above sea level, the Barlow Pass has no shortage of the white stuff, but the HiAces take to it like a duck to water. Followed by a pair of FJ Cruisers (one of which needs rescuing by a van), a Tercel 4WD wagon, and a Mitsubishi Delica, the caravan exemplifies yet another niche of Japanese enthusiast vehicles. It’s a type of driving we probably won’t get to do in SoCal any time soon, but one day we’ll make the trek. We’ll just have to stock up at Matt’s General Store first.
I was raised in Portland and Clackamas Oregon. My wife spent her childhood near the Oregon trail in Kansas. She remembers seeing the wagon wheel ruts still visible in the ground. I also played the Oregon trail game in school. Studio C made a hilarious video parody of that game on YouTube.
Fun video. They sure don’t make cars like they used to. Don’t forget about the AWD Mazda MPV.
Funny how the FJ Cruiser seems to be the only one having any difficulty.
Looks more like poor tire choice as the other FJ didnt have a problem.
Looks like a blast!!!!!