200K-Mile Subaru Outback and Crosstrek Tackle Moab Trails to Demonstrate You Don’t Require a Jeep

      Milton Salguero

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      If you feel disheartened by large 4x4s that remain on paved roads, perhaps this will inspire you. There are individuals who venture off-road with even the most unexpected vehicles, and they don’t require 40-inch tires to do so. Milton Salguero and Carey Lando exemplify this, as they recently returned from a four-wheeling excursion in Moab where they navigated renowned trails like Hell’s Revenge, Fins and Things, and Top of the World in their 200,000-mile Subarus.

      Yes, really.

      One could argue that Subaru owners are generally more adventurous than others, but these two take it to another level. They’ve driven their Crosstrek and Outback to places where many Jeeps wouldn’t dare go, not due to superior capability but rather a lack of fear. The Seattle Subaru community holds no grudges; they simply enjoy exploring.

      “I think the Crosstrek racked up over 206,000 or 207,000 [miles] on the trip,” Salguero shared with me via phone. “I bought it when it had 49,000 miles in the summer of 2019. Within the first year, I lifted it and installed new tires. Now, four or five years later, it’s definitely transformed from what it once was. But it’s still going strong, still fun, you know?”

      I actually wrote about his Crosstrek and Lando’s Outback last year. They were among the first Subarus equipped with “regeared” CVTs, a modification they made for low-speed rock crawling. This feature was thoroughly tested during their Moab adventure, where they not only faced serious obstacles but also drove 18 hours each way. Talk about resilience.

      The first challenge was Hell’s Revenge. This roughly 6.5-mile trail is recommended by the Bureau of Land Management for “very experienced drivers with advanced equipment.” Apparently, that description applies to a couple of weekend warriors in their Subarus. Salguero remarked that their vehicles “handled it just fine, no issues,” given that it mainly consists of steep climbs on slick rock. He even traversed Hell’s Revenge a few years back when his Crosstrek was closer to its stock condition.

      Anyone who has visited Moab recognizes this trail; while it’s not the hardest, it still poses a genuine challenge.

      Next, they tackled Fins and Things, a place typically bustling with Jeeps. This 10-mile trail features numerous ups and downs while offering views of the La Sal Mountains. OnX Offroad ranks it as a level six, but Salguero commented that it was “not too bad at all,” noting that the Subarus “handled it easily.”

      However, the situation changed when they faced Top of the World. Of all the trails they attempted, it was the most difficult, and Lando’s car couldn't finish it. Salguero explained that her fourth-generation Outback falls short compared to his Crosstrek regarding approach angle. A U-brace underneath significantly restricts clearance—by two or three inches—despite the Outback having the same suspension lift as the Crosstrek. Still, Lando managed to navigate her car about 80% of the way up the trail.

      To Salguero’s knowledge, his is the first Subaru to conquer Top of the World. While I can’t independently verify that claim, I can say I’ve never seen another Subaru posed for that iconic photo.

      It’s evident that these two relish off-roading whenever possible. Salguero mentioned they recently returned from a trip to Johnson Valley in Southern California, another long journey from Washington state. “They’re just incredible vehicles for road trips and experiencing nature’s offerings, along with all these amazing trails,” he remarked.

      Whether it’s country music or Japanese anime soundtracks blasting from the speakers, you can find Salguero and Lando driving around the West. In fact, they might be found anywhere across the country because, to them, mileage is merely a number. I have to commend them for doing what many well-equipped 4x4 owners won’t, which is taking their vehicles wherever they desire.

      Milton Salguero

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