WNC JeepFest ‘24 Trail Videos

Western North Carolina JeepFest was a a great event. Hosted in Maggie Valley by the WNC Jeepers, this event continues to grow every year and why not? This is such a great location for an event like this nestled in the WNC mountains. In addition to the festival ground activities there are guided trail rides in the local mountains. I was asked to lend a hand and guide a few trails so I was able to lead the Buzzard Roost/Goat Trail ride on Friday, 6/7/24 at 1pm as well as the Shelton Laurel Trail ride Saturday, 6/8/24 at 1pm. Both rides were capped at 25 vehicles and tickets for the rides sold out about a week in advance so plan ahead if you would like to get in on one of these rides in future JeepFests. I have posted videos of both rides on the SSO YouTube channel.

Goat Trail

Shelton Laurel Trail

The Goat Trail has become pretty rutted out in places which makes for a slippery challenge. We utilized spotters and all vehicles passed through without problems.

The Shelton Laurel Trail is a shorter ride and easier in regard to driving. It has a few off camber sections which liven up the trail, but still stock friendly.

My setup for the rides-

Goat Trail-

Today’s trail setup-

2020 Sahara JLU

Stock suspension

Method 703

Falken Wildpeak A/T (30psi)

Front sway bars disconnected

Shelton Laurel Trail

Today’s trail setup-

2020 Sahara JLU

Stock suspension

Method 703

Falken Wildpeak A/T (35psi)

Front sway bars Connected

Video-

Mobile phone stabilizing gimble- DJI OSMO Mobile 6- https://amzn.to/4a8lthb

Mic - DJI Mic 2- https://amzn.to/4bpaoKp

Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions - Rubigrid phone and radio mount (dash videoj- https://amzn.to/3wCxwWl

Manfrotto tripod & ball head- https://amzn.to/3WDtojA

iPhone 13

Notice-Amazon affiliate links will take you to Amazon. If you make a purchase I may be compensated by Amazon at no cost to you.

See you at WNC JeepFest ‘24!

Hope to see you at the 2024 WNC JeepFest on June 7 & 8. In addition to all the activities on the festival grounds there will be trail rides. Most Jeep rides are sold out, but I saw a few tickets still available. I’ll be leading the 12:30 Friday Goat Trail ride as well as the 12:30 Saturday Shelton Laurel Trail ride in the Secret Squirrel. I’ll be shooting video to put up trails videos on the SSO channel. The Goat trail will be interesting running downhill, but probably not as sketchy as climbing it was Memorial Day weekend. Shelton Laurel is a nice trail with a few fun spots. Stock friendly and not difficult. By the way, when I ran the Shelton Laurel Trail yesterday it was full of trash. Leave no trace is a great policy. If we don’t leave trails better than we found them we won’t have any open trails left.

Gear and Gift Ideas (links)

There’s always something else when it comes to off-road gear. It doesn’t matter if they’re new to it or have been doing it for years. Anyone who off-roads has a list of things they need or need to replace. Maybe want is a better word, but if you have the bug bad, you need this stuff. This is a list of gear we use and have tested through regular use. This gear will be featured as well as everything else we can’t live without as it comes up. You will see this gear on the Secret Squirrel Off-road YouTube channel either in use or featured in a review. These are mainly available through Amazon Affiliate links or direct to the manufacturer links. I am not sponsored and will let you know if this changes. I will pass on any discount codes as well if I get them. Affiliate links may generate a small commission at no cost to you which helps support the Secret Squirrel project. Everything you see here or on the channel was funded by the project as I’ve sunk my hard-earned cash to make my Off-road life better. We are just getting started with the project and the YouTube channel so this list is a bit of a glimpse of what is to come. As the Secret Squirrel, 2020 Wrangler JLU, is built over time this list will evolve and all of this will be featured here as well as on YouTube.

Ok, so here is the gear…

Video gear-

Mobile phone stabilizing gimble- DJI OSMO Mobile 6- https://amzn.to/4a8lthb

Mic - DJI Mic 2- https://amzn.to/4bpaoKp

Manfrotto tripod & ball head- https://amzn.to/3WDtojA

Apparel-

Secret Squirrel shirts and more- https://www.etsy.com/shop/HopTs

Jeep hat-Jeep Waxed Chino Twill Patch Hat/Light Mesh with Rugged Reconditioned Look - Brown/Khaki - https://amzn.to/3wTNPON

Recovery Gear-

ARB large recovery bag- https://amzn.to/4dGJDlR

ARB 10’ tree protector- https://amzn.to/3UPyLei

ARB snatch block- https://amzn.to/3QCXjVp

ARB winch line damper- https://amzn.to/44yGJLQ

Factor 55 soft shackle- https://amzn.to/3WBgmD8

Bubba Rope 19,000lb kinetic rope- https://amzn.to/3JQMlb3

Warn recovery gloves- https://amzn.to/3UxRrxS

Maxtrax MKII recovery boards- https://amzn.to/44BD28i

ARB jack base extender- https://amzn.to/4dGSKTC

U.S. JACK D-51125 12 Ton Bottle Jack Made in USA- https://amzn.to/3JUZhwz

Air compressor-

EZ Flate MOAB 10.6 dual compressor- https://amzn.to/4bqnQgq

EZ Flate 10.6 dual compressor (auto pressure cutoff)- https://amzn.to/4a87pVb

EZ Flate quad hose kit- https://amzn.to/44C8kf9

Tech-

OPTIMA Batteries DH7 YellowTop Dual Purpose AGM Battery- https://amzn.to/3ylrKc9

Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions - Rubigrid- https://amzn.to/3wCxwWl

OBDLink MX+ OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner- https://amzn.to/3Kfh2a9

Z Automotive Secure Gateway cable extension- https://amzn.to/3WzkIKT

Autel OBD2 Adapter for Chrysler 12+8 Programming Cable Connector, Bypass Gateway Protocol Cable- https://amzn.to/4dzI1KF

Garmin inreach mini 2 GPS- https://amzn.to/4buYxKd

Garmin Fenix 7x Smart watch- https://amzn.to/3UT6xhF

Midland MXT275 GMRS Radio- https://amzn.to/3USOKZ9

Midland SPK200 20W external speaker for MXT radios- https://amzn.to/4dyf1D9

Midland Ghost Antenna- https://amzn.to/4dzWKWi

Btech GMRS-PRO -Handheld radio https://amzn.to/4banwTt

Baofeng UV5G GRMS Handheld radio- https://amzn.to/4abvs5E

Baofeng UV5R Ham Handheld radio- https://amzn.to/4b6TwI3

Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector [Glas.tR Slim] designed for Jeep Wrangler (2018-2022), Gladiator (2020-2022) 8.4" Dashboard Touchscreen - Matte/Anti Glare/Anti Finger Print- https://amzn.to/3wmsnBV

Faraday phone bag- https://amzn.to/44B9mbk

Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter- https://amzn.to/4bIpnz1

Add-a-circuit fuse tap Micro2- https://amzn.to/4bVtR56

Interior-

Mopar rubber floor mats- https://amzn.to/4bzi9xa

Mopar rubber cargo area protector- https://amzn.to/4e3K3mz

Spiderwebshade sunshade- https://amzn.to/3QEzM6a

GPCA grab handles (4 pack)- GPCA Amazon store- https://amzn.to/3R7YfkS

GPCA seat back (headrest) handles- https://amzn.to/3KlyREh

Wireless Bluetooth adapter- Carlinkit 5.0- https://amzn.to/3yE5FFX

Front cup holder coasters- AZUTO- https://amzn.to/4dwOiH6

Rockworkx quick hard top screws- https://amzn.to/451mIhk

GPCA hard top bolt tie down anchors - https://amzn.to/4brQb68

Alien Tape- https://amzn.to/3VovenC

Exterior-

Method Race Wheels 703 Matte Black 17x8.5" 5x5", 0mm offset 4.75" Backspace- https://amzn.to/4c7LG0P

Method Race Wheels Lug Nut Kit, Black Spline- https://amzn.to/3yNADLT

Method valve stem caps- https://amzn.to/4b6vzQt

Falken Wildpeak AT3W - 285/70R17 117T- https://amzn.to/3RbMtG7

ORACLE Lighting Universal Pre-Runner Style LED Grill Light Kit Tinted Lens- https://amzn.to/3V2tYq5

Keyhole covers- https://amzn.to/44TILGV

Latch covers- https://amzn.to/3WBJeva

Rokblokz rally mud flaps- https://amzn.to/4dEIQSL

SPIDERWEBSHADE Mesh TrailSac Exterior Storage Bag Accessory for Trail Gear or Trash USA Made with 10 Year Warranty- https://amzn.to/4bDTgQR

Hitch-

41.22 hitch slider- https://amzn.to/3ydqJD9

MaxxHaul 50023 Hitch Tightener Anti Rattle Stabilizer for 1.25" to 2" Hitches-https://amzn.to/3ws5gWt

CURT 22325 No-Tool Anti-Rattle Hitch Clamp Tightener for 2-Inch Receiver- https://amzn.to/4dvyYdU

Curt Receiver 8” hitch extension- https://amzn.to/3wGnNhL

Safety-

NOCO Genius Boost GB40 1000J - https://amzn.to/3y4JWGU

NOCO Genius 10 battery tender- https://amzn.to/3wEAQjT

NOCO Genius Hard Case - https://amzn.to/44ABRWL

Element E100 Fire Extinguisher Stick 40100, 100 second discharge- https://amzn.to/3JW4sMQ

2.5lb Amerex ABC extinguisher- https://amzn.to/4dAJ90T

Bartact extinguisher 2.5lb mount- https://amzn.to/3WAvkcM

Misc-

AJT Design replacement key fob- https://amzn.to/3URuTt0

Accessory Ring Spares, 5 Count

https://amzn.to/4aIZe1Q

Nite Ize G series clip #2- https://amzn.to/3UVo2iy

US STAINLESS Stainless Steel 316 Delta Quick Link 1/4" (6mm) Marine Grade Triangle- https://amzn.to/44DR4X40

Vaultek Lifepod 2.0 biometric waterproof portable safe- https://amzn.to/4buF1O6

resqme The Original Emergency Keychain Car Escape Tool, 2-in-1 Seatbelt Cutter and Window Breaker- https://amzn.to/3WuEcR7

Perfect size Jeep water bottle- CamelBak Chute Mag BPA Free Water Bottle with Tritan Renew - Magnetic Cap Stows While Drinking, 20oz, Charcoal- https://amzn.to/4bv82cu

Dog seatbelt clip- https://amzn.to/3wnhcsG

Dog harness- https://amzn.to/3UUywOT

Maglite 3 D cell LED- ML300L- https://amzn.to/3JUz7Ki

Alientape Nano Double Sided Tape, Multipurpose Removable Adhesive Transparent Grip Mounting Tape- https://amzn.to/4bVvNdG

Packtowl - https://amzn.to/3UBAq5A

Rotopax-

Camping-

Nemo Moonlight reclining backpack chairs - https://amzn.to/3ye5Qru

Arcturus Military Wool Blanket - 4.5 lbs, Warm, Thick, Washable, Large 64" x 88" - https://amzn.to/3UVvNVm

Jetboil Flash camp stove- https://amzn.to/3K0bbFr

Tools-

Gerber compact hatchet- https://amzn.to/3Vfnmo2

Milwaukee pack out case- https://amzn.to/3UOkuwW

WYNNsky tire repair kit - https://amzn.to/3Qz7udq

Quick Tire Valve Change Tool for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles and ATVs - .453 Valve Stems- https://amzn.to/3wyf1SZ

Fluid Transfer Pump- https://amzn.to/3UuCc8A

SOG folding shovel - https://amzn.to/3QC0xYZ

Mechanix gloves - https://amzn.to/3WzX7Km

Craftsman 4 piece pick set- https://amzn.to/3yi5XlW

Wavian NATO Jerry Cans 20L- https://amzn.to/3yeV6ct

Flexible NATO Jerry Can Spout- https://amzn.to/3QFOk5O

Scepter 5 Gal BPA Free Water Carrier- https://amzn.to/4bzsOYs

Garage-

Official grill of the Secret Squirrel Garage- https://amzn.to/4bEZHTQ

Amazon Prime Free Trial http://www.amazon.com/tryprimefree

Notice-Amazon affiliate links will take you to Amazon. If you make a purchase I may be compensated by Amazon at no cost to you.