Tobacco Root Tranquility & Trail Troubles: North Meadows 2024

Another summer, another escape to the breathtaking Tobacco Root Mountains! This year, our destination was the serene North Meadows, and it delivered everything we love about Montana wheeling: stunning views, crystal-clear lakes, and the kind of trail challenges that build character (and sometimes break parts).

Andrew's Dope First-Gen & Lake Life

The star of the show (besides the scenery) was undoubtedly Andrew and his absolutely dope First-Gen 4Runner. That truck is a legend in the making, and it was awesome to see it tackle the trails. Our campsite next to the lake was pure bliss. We spent our evenings unwinding, playing intense games of backgammon, and just soaking in the quiet beauty of the mountains. Camping by the lake with good friends and great rigs – that's what it's all about.

Swamp Creature Undercarriage & Sway Bar Snapping

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper 406 Cruisers trip without a bit of mud and mayhem. The trails in North Meadows offered up plenty of deep puddles and thick gunk, giving my rig a proper "swamp creature" undercarriage by the end of it. Every creak and groan was a reminder of the battle.

And speaking of battles... the trail claimed a casualty. I managed to break my rear sway bar. It wasn't a catastrophic failure, but definitely added some extra body roll on the way out and a reminder that even the most robust setups have their limits when pushed hard. It's a badge of honor, really!