Adventure into Arizona's Kofa Wildlife Refuge
Have you ever wanted to explore the Kofa Wildlife Refuge area in Arizona? It's a region I've been wanting to visit for a long time and this year I was invited once again to the Centerforce Overland Adventure run and we begin our first couple days of the drip in Kofa. We explore over 60 miles of trails, camp at the old Kofa Cabin and visit the Wilbanks cabin, soak in the surrounding geology, plantlike and scenery. The next leg of this adventure gets even more interesting so keep an ey out for part 2 coming soon!
Part 2 of this adventure: • Miles of Flooded Trail...
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0:00 Introduction
Пікірлер: 218
Just a small donation to say thank you for all you share with us!!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Wow! Thank you so much, that really means a lot!
You're just out here living your best life. I'm living vicariously through you until my daughter is old enough to start camping with me. 🤣
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
I'm trying! Being out with family are some of the best memories, I'm sure when your daughter is old enough she will cherish being out camping with you!
@backwoodstherapy
Жыл бұрын
@@TrailRecon I'm counting down the days until she's old enough to get her first fishing pole. Still jealous of all the public lands and camping that's available to you! It's much more restricted on the east coast where I live. Hoping to drive a jeep out to the west coast one day and get to have some new experiences!
@andyackerman7123
Жыл бұрын
The other day, I came across a 2 door jeep with a family of 4… top off, two toddlers, in car seats, in the back. Raising them right!
@backwoodstherapy
Жыл бұрын
@@andyackerman7123 I'm at the park with my daughter now. Top down, doors off. She's 20 months. 🤣
@adventureswithgnomie6553
Жыл бұрын
@@backwoodstherapy I was about that age when I went camping for the first time. I am 50 and some of my fondest memories are tent camping off grid.
I enjoy living in Arizona. A lot of great places to explore. I still have so much to explore even after living here for more then 12 years.
@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258
Жыл бұрын
So many Indian Ruins too - AZ has got a lot for Jeeperos!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
You all have a lot of public lands, great place to live and have adventures!
@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258
Жыл бұрын
@@TrailReconYes, but North to UT border too; Grand Escalante/North Rim. LMK if you need a guide or suggestions as I'm planning a series of 3 day trips in the N area
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
@@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258 I've been up to the North Rim a couple its an incredible area!
Thank you for kindly taking us along, Brad. I really enjoyed it, sir! I appreciate you also reiterating the "leave it better than you found it" mantra!
Brad you are living your best life. Bravo sir! 👏
Thanks for bringing some awareness to my favorite refuge and wilderness! Especially love the quick shot of the regulation sign in the beginning. Need all the help we can get keeping our wilderness pristine.
looks like some YEEYEEin was goin on in the next video! Excited to see it!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Oh ya, we had some fun on the next leg!
Without recoveries and mechanical issues, it's just another overloading video! Can't wait for part two. Bing it on Brad!
Brad wonderful description of the desert area. Very much enjoy your information about the geology and plant life. Your videos really show how the different rigs handle the terrain and that is alway of interest.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, really appreciate that!
Great Content. Always capture the bad weather in your content it adds to exciting drama to show how weather can effect your adventure. Thanks for sharing your always extraordinary great content. I also love the size of your convoy. You are also an amazing narrator. Thanks again.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Never know what Mother Nature will throw at us as you will see in the next episode.
Just love the JK and the new lift, those red seats is just super.
Always a great memory time capsule ❤ looking forward to day 2!
Haven’t watched the video yet but from the comments of part 1 and 2 I’m gunna watch it on the big tv, I can’t wait.
I’m a simple man. I see XJ’s in a thumbnail, I click Like 🤷♂️
"39's and six inches of lift, maybe I'm done for awhile?" 😄 My favorite Rocklander 🍻 I do enjoy learning from your videos for this end of the spectrum that is Overlanding. imho, ymmv
I love the amazing variety of places we have to get offroad in AZ.
Thanks Brad always for the videos.I’m at work in my lunch break and I’m on vacation mode watching it 👍👍🤙👍
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you and hope you had a good lunch!
Love your trip reports. We're RVers with a "day trip" overland bent and I love to see these multi-day efforts. Thanks! love to see an update on your radio installs at some point.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! I've done a few radio install in the past, just have to search bit on my main page.
man some of those rigs are cool and nothing better than adventures with mates
Delivered a load of steel pipe to Leadville CO after spending the night in the Freightliner one snowy October 30 yrs ago. Rolling off the mountain in the still early morning sunshine (now unloaded), decided to pull over in a turnout and wash my head. Kept a 5 gal container on the passenger side just for such occasions. As I was drying my hair (still had some then!) I realized a bighorn sheep (Ram!) was up above me, watching me do my thing. I wished him a very good morning and felt blessed to have seen such a majestic sight right on the pavement. One other time, rolling south on I-15 in the high desert of Southern California maybe south of Baker, saw another one, just having a look at all us humans going up and down the highway. They're out there, brother Brad. Keep your eyes peeled!!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
One of these days, fingers crossed I'll get to see one!
I am excited to explore the KOFA area as that is about 30 minutes from our new winter home! Thanks for taking us along and I look forward to part 2. Cheers!!
Beautiful cowboy country. Seeing it on horseback would be my first preference. Otherwise I'd be happy to see it from a jeep. Thanks for sharing.
Love watching your videos with my 8 and 4 year old boys! Thanks for putting out content we can watch together!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Keeping the content family friending is an important value for this channel!
Summit 4x4 is my shop in Prescott, Jesse and his crew are awesome people!.. looks like it was a blast out there 🌵
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Great guys to have out on the trail as well!
The Wagoneer in the mix with over-under headlights is pretty cool. Gives it a little of that K-5 Blazer vibe.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
It was a great rig to watch get after it on the trip
Agree, KOFA is a great place to Overland. Found some natural springs near the KOFA monument that had lots of wildlife. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like it is going to be a very interesting trip. Saddle up, grab a deep seat and hang on. Here we go.
It's an amazing area, surrounded on 3 sides by the Yuma Test Range! Exhilarating to say the least. :))
I live on the Navajo Rez and take my 99' 4runner limited all over the place and it's spectacular. They don't like outsiders offroading here but I keep it low key and blend in, riding solo with my classic rig. The Rez could have a yearly overland rally if they wanted to, and it would bring jobs and eyes to their people. But I get wanting to keep the land the way it has been.
I just came back from Kofa a couple of days ago! Camped out off of Kofa Queen Canyon Rd! What a cool place!
Looks like another fun drip Brad. ;)
We did our maiden Arizona Homeward for Heroes trek in the Kofa in mid-March, Super Cool Place!!!
thanks fantastic adventure gracias amigo órale órale
You should mark the Harqua Hala Peak Trail to do when you come back to the area. It's a moderate 10 mile trail to the top of the highest peak in the area- just on the other side of I-10. I love that red XJ with the dual JCR tire carriers- looks like a Wagoneer model!
with all this rain we have been getting here in AZ, plant life really has bloomed beautifully we just went on a ride in the superstition mountains and it was stunning!!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
The desert was beautiful, but wait until you see part 2!
The image of the new moon silhouette just before the end of the video is phenomenal!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! I think that was Jupiter just below it... wasn't sure it was going to be in focus, but thankfully it turned out.
Pretty cool you can camp on the National Wildlife Refuge. We have a few of those here in Virginia. You cannot camp on any of those. These scenery/area looked cool. I can see why you would want to go back.
Great scenery and cool rigs. Whenever TrailRecon posts I hit like before I hit play because I know it's worth it. Random observation, I like the Wagoneer front end and export taillights on the red XJ. I also like the custom-fit MB front end on the diesel-sounding LJ.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, greatly appreciated! There were some great vehicles on this group.
@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258
Жыл бұрын
I know, good wholesome exploration is a welcome change from what is on TV these days. Glad to see a new multi-day trip unfold!
genuinely excited to see the rest of this journey.
Wet and muddy - my favorite! 😁
Excellent, can’t wait for part 2😎⭐️🤩🥃
Another great video!
Remindful of CCC cabins at Palo Duro. Did New Year's in one on the rim 20 years ago.
I understand you have a lot to do and when you get to camp you want to relax but if you ever have the chance I love to see everyone’s setup “in detail” when you used to go around and ask people what they have and why. I loved that if you can do a extra video or make a patreon to include that. Either way love what you do and thanks for everything!
I was waiting to hear "Mario, whatcha cooking?!"
Can’t wait for part 2. I really enjoy these videos.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Coming soon!
Very nice 😊
Awesome video
My favorite vehicle that you own. Reflective mirror tinted windows would look nice on your Jeep. Enjoyed the video.
Beautiful area. I love the old ghost towns. Those folks did live much harder lives.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Incredible area, but wait until you see where we go next in episode 2!
Great video, can't wait for part 2. Kofa is an amazing area. I was there in February 2020 attending Dave Bennett's American Adventurist - Desert Rendezvous event. Trails everywhere and Palm Canyon is a beautiful area to check out as well. Oscar Mike, on the move! 🤙😎
Just got back from Arizona with a jeep club, 3 nights. I'm going to have to check out this trail you did
It's pretty green out there
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Very green!
Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for joining me!
Always love your enthusiasm on all your adventures. Jeep looks great. Camp meals just aren’t the same without Marco….just sayin.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Food is always better with Regena, Marco, Josh or just about anyone else but me cooking! LOL!
@andyackerman7123
Жыл бұрын
@@TrailRecon LMAO I’m dying
Nice Video! However, one thing always surprises me. The fuel prices are so low where you live. Here we pay around 7,50 Dollars per gallon. Would love to see prices go down in the future. Nonetheless, your videos are inspiring me to go overlanding and camping more often. Keep them coming! Thx!
Great video as always Brad, also note great music awareness and selection.a lot youtubers botch this. Perfect audio, perfect visuals.
Good morning ☀️
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Good morning!
@gregoryblock9083
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, awesome episode looking forward to its continuation. Confused by your use of the term wilderness in the name and description of the area. If it’s capital W wilderness how are the vehicles allowed, apologies in advance for my ignorance. ✌🏼❤️😊
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
@@gregoryblock9083 I misspoke, it's Wildlife Refuge, not wilderness.... sorry about that confusion.
Incredible trip! Loved seeing this unique part of the AZ desert!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Man is it beautiful out there, that crisp blue cloudless sky against the rock formations is just awesome, very jealous, look forward to heading out there one day…great vid Brad, keep it up!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
We hit it at a perfect time of year, gorgeous the entire trip!
Great content Brad!!! Living in AZ you would think I spend a ton of time exploring Kofa but to the contrary I get most of my free time for travel in the summer months so I head to Flag then over to the Eastern Sierra’s. I can see now from your trip I better make some time for winter/spring travel in my own backyard. Cant wait for part 2
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Lots to see in Arizona and I bet the temperatures would be reasonable in the some where we head in part 2
Was nice chatting with you Brad! What a nice adventure that was.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Great talking with you as well, safe travels!
Another area ive covered parts of on my ktm890 adventure bike but never in my jeep or truck. Arizona backcountry has so much to explore. Great video. Thanks
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you and agree, there are so many trails out there, I can't wait to go back for just a simple exploring mission.
You're killing me with the part 2 teaser! Lol. I absolutely love that Jeep! And I'm a Toyota guy.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Keep an eye out Saturday for part 2
Nice 😄
My new favorite channel
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Now you're in my neighborhood. I grew up exploring there.
I love adventures but you must learn to cook lol. I hope one day to be able to go camping to the places that you go, good luck, blessings😅😅😅
Awesome Brad. What a great shakedown run too!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Oh ya, and we really shake things down in the next leg of this trip!
@EigerSummitOffroad
Жыл бұрын
@@TrailRecon can't wait!
What an awesome trip! Great video Brad!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thanks guys, great to get to hang out with you all out there!
I was camping in that exact cot-tent a few years ago when my campsite got flooded out. There was about 4-5 inches of rushing water flowing directly under the cot and I didn't know until I woke up. I would have been in some serious trouble had I been in a ground tent that trip.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Oh wow, I bet you were very thankful to be off the ground. Always have be on the alert camping in washes out in the desert.
Man this is amazing I live in Arizona. i will have to give these trails a try. can not wait for the next episode.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
It's a beautiful place to explore!
Just beautiful 😍 ❤ 😊
I love SC(moved here in 21) but I do miss the desert and mountains out west. Coming back to Vista this week for the worst reason but it will be good to see old friends. Looking forward more trips back there for good reasons. Coyote Canyon by Borrego is a good spot for Big Horn Sheep just FYI.
Great timing! Heading to the hotel treadmill now. My nine year old son Jake and I (we met you and your lovely bride at Loveland last year) are heading to Moab next week! We do two trips a year there. Family time outside and explore our wonderful West!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Hope you had a great workout and safe travels to Moab, you guys will love it!
I live in Phoenix and had no idea of the Kofa Wilderness. Wow!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Not too far away, you've got to go check it out!
You have sooo awesome epik video 👍
🔥 👍 hope you get to come back to KOFA so much to explore and maybe you will be able to hit mud canyons
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
I'll be going back!
Eagerly waiting for the next videos in the series. In the mean time. Quartzite is a pretty unique place in the winter. You need to check out the Quartzite golf course. And check out the KOFA desert palm trees.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
I'm not much of a golfer, but lots more I want to see out there. part 2 coming soon!
@corksauve4949
Жыл бұрын
@@TrailRecon There golf course is quite different. You'll never see another one like it. And to call it a golf course is kind of tongue in cheek.
Awesome!!! We relocated here a little over a year ago from Texas as we love it out here. There are more trails near us now without driving half a day to get to one. I have only been on one trail with a group go 50 cars but it was an awesome trip. If you are ever in Phoenix area I would love to meet up with y'all. I have been following y'all over three years now and a few other here on YT and y'all have been inspiring people to get out and live life to the fullest. I am still a newbie at this and taking it slow and lots of notes on what I will need to have.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Lots of public lands in AZ compared to TX. Not plans to be in Phoenix, but we will be in Flagstaff for the Overland Expo
@mcse38
Жыл бұрын
@@TrailRecon Yeah I missed the Expo last year as we were getting settle in the new house and area. Pretty excited to go this year and meet all of y'all.
Thanks Brad it’s good to see jk out are those 39”? Thank you again Don and Donna Hope idaho
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
So happy with how it handled this whole trip and yes, they are 39's. Thanks!
Really good B-roll Brad ! surprised you didn't see any bighorn sheep in CO... the only place I've seen one :)
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! One of these days I hope to see one in the wild!
Excellent story telling, glad to see you're in our back yard. I've often thought that you would enjoy the slot canyons just a hour North of I-10 at Lake Alamo - Maggie Slot Canyon and Rawhide slot canyon. They are a perfect distance for a stop on your trips Eastward
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, I'll have to look up that area.
@harleymichael281
Жыл бұрын
Rubicon Adventure with Scotty Mac crazy I've not done those slot canyons. I know they are really cool. Rubicon Adventure with Scotty Mac do you agree it would be worth Brad spend a day at Alamo Lake, "Fantastic fishing" and a great place to camp. .Then could continue on the AZ Peace trail and hit up The "Nellie E Saloon" located in the Buckskin mountains north of Parker Arizona which operates It entirely on Solar in the middle of know where. Or just head to Wikieup on 93 from Lake Alamo and stop at Dazzos for killer Chicago dog? From there any number of alternatives to take.
@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258
Жыл бұрын
@@harleymichael281 Roger that
Definitely only a Fall and early Spring trip out there. Don't want to be out there in Summer.
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
I imagine it gets pretty hot in the summer!
The wife & I chose Kofa as our first weeklong adventure in my new Gladiator diesel back in mid-February. First time there, and I had the same reaction as you - how come I've never been here before? Absolutely beautiful area to explore! Using an old (and apparently outdated) Backcountry Adventures book, we ended up doing about 120 miles on one day, as one of the connecting trails in the book was now completely overgrown and no longer in use. It resulted in a couple hours of an unplanned night run. Part of the adventure!
Love your videos. My wife and I have watched many of them. We were particularly interested in your video where you discussed ALL of the mods and upgrades that yo did to your silver "Dream Jeep". We sold our Sahara and we are planning for a 4DR Rubicon by next year. Is there a chance you could create a PART 2 video to your silver "Dream Jeep" video and create a list of items you chose, the IDEAL ORDER to have them added, and, most importantly, who you chose to do the various installs. That would be incredibly helpful and a nice boost to those businesses that did the work. If you chose these installers, that is all that we need to know to plan for these same businesses to do our installs as well. Thank you!
@TrailRecon
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! I'll have to think about a part 2, really haven't done a whole lot since the last one othere than some suspension tweeting.
i am surprise Marco is not with you guys!!
You’ve never spotted bighorn sheep in Anza?! That really surprised me for how often you are out there
Lets plan a trip to Kofa, Im down the road from it. Jeep and trailer combo would be a good idea
Great video as always. How are you liking that Garmin Tread?
Love your videos i share your channel to all adventure community in india it will be great if you add Hindi subtitles lots of love from India👍🏻👍🏻
Great Content, would like to ask if it is possible to make video of how to set up the giant navigation screen in your jeep?
... great video ! I was wondering where do you guys get the music for your videos? It is really cool and I always enjoy listening to it.
Great videos, keep up the good work! One question... What bumper are you using on the JK?
Hey Brad....it looks like you got rid of the Stinger stereo? I had been considering the Stinger and am curious to hear what your experience was?
@znjeep
Жыл бұрын
I was wondering the same thing…it’ll be interesting what his feedback is.
Now I am seriously looking at 4x4 vehicles. Maybe an old Nissan pickup. If anyone in az has an old 4x4 they are parting with, or know of one. Please me know. It may be a complete project. Doesn't have to be perfect. My dad and I are mechanically inclined.
Did you get rid of the Stinger head unit you installed a while back? I ask because I’m thinking about getting one in my 2016 JK and was wondering if you got rid of yours for any particular reason. Thanks for all the great content…love the channel!
Wish I could have joined you. Need some AZ wheeling people
👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍
Brad, just curious how is your tent on a warm summer night? Looks like I might be a little too warm for summer use. I'm starting to look around now for a new tent.