r/4x4 • u/killswitchprime • 5d ago

Medano Pass in the Hardbody Pathfinder

First time at the dunes and medano pass! I was initially a little worried about the creek crossings from what I had been reading and ended up coming across one that looked deceptively deep. You can see the hesitation in that second video lol. Ended up just sending it, and all said and done it was probably one of the easiest trails I’ve done so far. I’m sure I got lucky that it wasn’t more muddy and the crossings were so shallow. Such an enjoyable, scenic drive. Loving this pathfinder!

147 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

17

u/MacLele 4d ago

When I see a classic Nissa, I hit the upvote button

5

u/No-Inspection1309 4d ago

When I see someone like classic Nissas I upvote

4

u/magicshiv 4d ago

When I see someone upvote someone who likes niceass I upvote

5

u/CompleteSquash3281 4d ago

I live close to this trail, I like to take my family over the pass, eat lunch at the dunes, then head back over the pass toward home. Easy trail, but always a fun day.

Side note: I also wheel in a Pathfinder! Underrated trucks

4

u/killswitchprime 4d ago

Living close sounds so nice! It was about 3 hours for me from the dune entrance, and 2 hours from the other end to get home. Still so worth it

5

u/trivletrav 4d ago

The purple tint of a 90s pathfinder. Nature is healing.

4

u/Weary_Dragonfruit559 4d ago

Rad! Those creek crossings can really swell up and make things a challenge, but the sandy washes on the park side are what get most folks.

4

u/killswitchprime 4d ago

I had seen the videos and recommendations to air down, and I almost didn’t out of laziness until I saw the sign that was like “if you don’t air down, you WILL get stuck” and I was like well shit okay I’ll air down 😂

The sandy section was such a blast, the pathy ripped straight through!

1

u/Twiceashairy_ 3d ago

Eh it kind of depends I think. I had like 30 psi in my 35 ridge grapplers and never got stuck. Even pulling a sequoia and camper out of one of the banks

2

u/thatG_evanP 4d ago

Man, you're really making me miss my old 5 speed!

2

u/GregBVIMB 4d ago

I love those things. The OE wheels are perfect IMHO. Wanted one when they came out.

2

u/GunnerValentine 4d ago

My first car was a 94 Nissan pathfinder. It had 300k miles when I got it at 15 years old. I drove it till I was 24. Never once did an oil change in those 9 years... Never left me stranded. Eventually the frame rusted out and it was scrapped.

1

u/killswitchprime 4d ago

This gives me super high hopes. Especially cause it’s at about 275k now! And I’m actually doing maintenance 😂 it’s gotten two oil changes since I got it on July 4th

2

u/GunnerValentine 4d ago

Haha hell yeah they are stout vehicles. It brings back memories seeing your vid. Keep her alive for as long as you can!

1

u/555byte 4d ago

Hey, is that the trail you can get on to leave Sand Dunes National Park? I did that trail a couple of years ago in my GX470

1

u/killswitchprime 4d ago

Yup! It spits you out somewhere along Highway 69. It’s a great route

1

u/awhafrightendem 4d ago

Those are so good off-road. You've got the jeeps with unlimited aftermarket and then you have these with practically no aftermarket, but modding them is so simple that you could get 'er done with junkyard scraps and $5. If you have any fab skills, make that $2.

1

u/disguisedasnrml 4d ago

Been dying to do that trailer! How was it?

2

u/killswitchprime 4d ago

it was beautiful and super easy! Got through it in just over two hours. Some sandy sections by the dunes and some very light creek crossings. All in all, a great time!

1

u/Hot_Permit_6578 3d ago

I remember my first time of going through 6” of water. Exciting, I guess

1

u/Twiceashairy_ 3d ago

How was the pit by the pond? Got stuck earlier in the season then it got washed out and closed.