Join us on an epic overlanding route in Oregon as we take ‘The Long Way Home’ from iKamper’s 2024 Campout, exploring rugged landscapes and embracing the spirit of adventure. 

The Campout Experience: Celebrating the iKamper Community

The Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville, CA, was alive with excitement as overlanders from across the country gathered for the annual iKamper Campout. The air was filled with the sounds of stories being shared—tales of past adventures and dreams of future journeys. For three days, we connected with this vibrant iKamper community, getting demos of the latest gear from iKamper, attending a private concert and forging new friendships, and learning from one another. The Campout celebrated the journey so far, but it also sparked a desire for something more—a journey that would take us off the beaten path and into the heart of the outdoors.

 

iKamper and Off Grid Coffee Co.

As the Campout came to an end, the thought of driving home on the same old highways didn’t excite us. Highways are efficient, sure, but they’re not where memories are made. So, we decided to lead iKamper employees and a small convoy on ‘The Long Way Home,’ a 1,200-mile journey that would let us explore the wild landscapes we love without sticking to the usual routes, eventually bringing us back to our home in Washington State. With iKamper’s latest gear—designed to handle the toughest conditions and provide comfort in the most remote places—we felt ready for whatever the road less traveled had in store. It was time to see how our gear would perform when the highways disappeared and the real adventure began.

No adventure is complete without the right fuel, and for us, that meant coffee. The rich, bold flavor of our Mountain Sunrise roast from Off Grid Coffee Co. reminded us that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the most essential.

With the Campout behind us, our small crew of five vehicles set out on ‘The Long Way Home’—not just a road trip, but an intentional journey to avoid the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.

Day One: Into the Alvord Desert

After an incredible drive through the towering Redwoods, courtesy of iKamper’s well-planned route, we headed east on a 500+ mile journey to the Alvord Desert. The drive was long—nearly 10 hours—but the excitement of what lay ahead kept us going. As we reached the lake bed, the sky was pitch black. Navigating in the dark, we followed our heading to find our spot on the expansive lake bed. It was an exhilarating experience—one that reminded us that the best adventures often come when the path is unclear.

We arrived at camp by 2 AM, but with the excitement still buzzing, we spent some time setting up, starting a campfire, and swapping stories before finally settling in at 4 AM for a short rest.

Just two hours later, the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, revealing the vastness of the desert and the towering Steens Mountain Range. I brewed our Mountain Sunrise roast for the crew and took the chance to capture some product photos, with the desert providing a stunning backdrop that perfectly matched the spirit of Off Grid Coffee.
And yes, remember to wear closed shoes—there are scorpions in the desert! 

By mid-morning, the desert had come alive. We spent the hours before noon exploring the vast lake bed, capturing drone shots, and admiring the stark beauty of the landscape. The Steens Mountain Range stood majestically in the distance, a constant reminder of the raw and untamed wilderness that surrounded us.

After a morning of exploration (and some desert-driving shenanigans), we made our way to Fields, a tiny outpost known for its legendary milkshakes and burgers—a well-deserved treat after our night in the desert. From there, we set out for our next destination: a campsite in the Owyhee Canyonlands. On the way, we took a detour to the Pillars of Rome, an impressive natural formation that looked almost otherworldly. These stops weren’t just breaks in our journey; they were chances to experience the unique character of the landscapes we were traveling through.

We pushed on to our campsite deep in the Owyhee Canyonlands. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we arrived at our campsite by 9 PM-ish, with the towering canyon walls casting long shadows in the fading light. We settled in for a night of good food, chatting around the fire until the early hours of the morning. As we finally turned in, we couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. This was what it meant to embrace the road less traveled.

Day Two: Owyhee Canyonlands to John Day - Discovering Hidden Gems

We woke up in the Owyhee Canyonlands, the early morning light casting long shadows across the rugged terrain. The previous night’s adventures had left us a bit tired, but the promise of another day on the road quickly lifted our spirits. With steaming cups of Mountain Sunrise in hand, we took in the views, the vast canyon walls reminding us of the wildness that surrounded us.

 After hours of driving through the canyons, we made our way to Leslie Gulch, where the cool waters of the reservoir invited us to take a dip. The water was perfect—a refreshing break from the dust and heat of the trail.

As we relaxed by the reservoir, we met a real-life prospector who had been out there for weeks. He told us we were the first people he’d seen in three weeks, showing just how remote and isolated this incredible place is.

"If you break down here, you live here."
Prospector 

Our route for the day took us up Succor Creek, a long, winding road that offered incredible views at every turn. The sheer scale of the canyonlands was awe-inspiring, with each bend revealing a new perspective on the rugged beauty of the landscape. We found a great location perched high above the canyon floor, perfect for a future campsite.

The climb required a bit of 4L (low gear) to get up, but it was worth it. The views were magical, the kind of place that felt made just for a small group. We then made our way to the city of Owyhee to gas up and prepare for the final stretch of the day’s journey.

The drive to John Day took us through some of the most scenic parts of Oregon. We passed by the Painted Hills, their vivid colors glowing in the late afternoon sun. It was a long drive—4 to 5 hours of winding roads and endless views—but we finally set up camp around 8 PM, finding a spot next to a creek that would serve as our home for the night. As we settled in, we decided to try out the Howl Firepit, excited to see how it would perform in such a remote setting. But as soon as the fire was lit, we were swarmed by millions of mayflies! It was an incredible sight—almost surreal—but after a while, the flies died down, and we were able to enjoy the warmth of the fire and the comfort of our communal meal.

That night, under a sky full of stars, we reflected on the day’s journey. It had been a day of contrasts—from the rugged beauty of the canyonlands to the peaceful waters of the reservoir, from the challenging climbs to the quiet camp by the creek. The adventure was everything we had hoped for and more. As we turned in for the night, the sound of the creek and the cool breeze through the trees lulled us to sleep, content and ready for whatever the final day would bring.

Day 3: John Day & Painted Hills- Nature's Masterpiece

The next morning, we woke to the sound of the creek and the first light of dawn filtering through the mountains. Once again, Off Grid Coffee Co. provided the perfect start to the day, with another round of communal breakfast and Full Send flowing freely. There’s something special about sharing a meal and a cup of coffee in such a beautiful, remote place—it brings people together and makes the simple things feel extraordinary.

 

With our gear packed, we set off on the final leg of our journey: home.

As we left, we couldn’t help but reflect on how ‘The Long Way Home’ had become more than just a route—it was a reminder that the best journeys are the ones that take you off the beaten path, where every moment is an adventure and every turn holds the promise of discovery.

Grateful for the experiences we had shared and the memories we had made along the way, we headed home, content and inspired by the journey we had embraced.

Final Reflections

As our journey came to an end, we couldn’t help but reflect on how ‘The Long Way Home’ truly captured the spirit of adventure. It wasn’t just about the miles we traveled or the landscapes we explored; it was about embracing the unexpected, relying on gear that stood up to the challenge, and enjoying the simple pleasures along the way. The reliable performance of iKamper’s gear and the rich flavor of our coffee played essential roles in turning an ordinary road trip into an extraordinary adventure.

Every great journey deserves a fitting end, and ours was no exception. We returned home with a renewed sense of wonder and a collection of unforgettable memories. The road less traveled taught us that the best adventures often lie beyond the familiar, waiting to be discovered.

Now, it's your turn. 

Explore the routes we’ve mentioned, join us at the next iKamper Campout, and let Off Grid Coffee fuel your journey. Dive into the adventure and discover the extraordinary moments that await you on the road.

Feel like doing a trip like this, but don't know where to get started or do you want us to lead you around? Feel free to reach out anytime.

Useful Resources

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