Day 1 – Crossing Nevada and finding camp together
The trip kicked off at sunrise in the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, leaving the Belltech office and heading east from Clovis. The first stretch was all about covering ground. Somewhere in Western Nevada, we left the pavement and headed out on a portion of the historic Pony Express Trail, waiting for our Jeep Wrangler, which left hours after us, to catch up.
By late evening, we finally saw the headlights of the Wrangler approaching, and our rigs linked up as the sun went down. Only then did we start scouting for a campsite and eventually settled on a quiet spot off the trail. Nothing but open desert and a night sky clear enough to make the miles from home disappear.
Day 2 – Into the Mountains Outside Kamas, UT
With both vehicles now rolling together, we pushed east throughout Utah, leaving the desert flats behind for the Wasatch Range. By the time we reached the mountains outside Kamas, daylight was long gone. Winding our way up forest trails by headlight, we finally found a secluded clearing to call home for the night. It wasn’t until morning that we could see just how good the spot really was—tall pines, crisp air, and not another soul in sight.
Days 3-5 – Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, CO
We rolled into Loveland, Colorado, by midday on day three and got right to work setting up the booth for the Overland Expo Mountain West event. Our 2024 Land Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler served as our booth vehicles, giving visitors a close-up look at our latest innovative suspension designs in action.
Over the three days of the Expo, our vehicles drew a lot of attention. People stopped by to check out the builds, asking detailed questions, and comparing notes on trail setups. We had some fantastic conversations with the fellow overlanders, from newcomers just starting their builds to seasoned veterans looking for upgrades.
Even though the days were long, the energy never dipped. Walking the show and interacting with passionate travelers reminded us why events like this are so special—sharing knowledge, swapping stories, and showing off builds that are designed to go anywhere.
Day 6 – Bonneville to Schell National Forest
Leaving Loveland, we turned west and made a stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats for a photo shoot before settling into the long drive. Most of the afternoon was spent dodging heavy storms along Highway 93 in Nevada. Lightning flashing on the horizon, rain sweeping across the desert in sheets. By early evening, the weather finally broke. As the sky cleared, we found camp in the Schell National Forest in eastern Nevada. The ground was still damp, but the air was calm and cool, making it a perfect spot to set up camp for the night.
Day 7 – Morning Trails and the Final Push on Highway 50
We broke camp and spent the morning exploring nearby trails, taking advantage of the clearing skies to grab a few last photos. Once back on Highway 50, the storms returned. Towering thunderheads, long stretches of rain, and lightning danced across the open desert. It made the 600-mile push back to Clovis anything but monotonous. By the time we rolled into town at one o’clock in the morning, the rigs were muddy, the gear was dusty, and the trip felt complete.
Takeaways From Our Adventure
This trip reminded us why we travel slow, camp remote, and meet people who share the same itch for adventure. Overland Expo was a highlight. Connecting with so many like-minded folks was fuel for the soul. But honestly, the quiet nights under the stars, the empty trails, unexpected detours, and the shared camaraderie with our travel companions made the journey just as memorable as the destination.