Ray, I did this two years ago with GrassCat. It's a fun trip and I still have the breadcrumb trail in my Garmin. There is not much in the way of 4x4ing other than you need it for the sand. Stock 4x4 with AT tires is all you need. The main challenge is navigation and logistics. On the navigation side it's the standard fork in the road questions and paralleled roads. I imported someone else's breadcrumb and It was off sometimes but it was better than nothing. My Garmin trail will be spot on if you want it. That covers getting lost or having to back track.

Second of course is logistics, being a Navy man I'm sure you will have it under control <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> Gen 1 montero's with the smaller tank will need 10 gallons of extra gas. The Gen II can get by with 5 gallons. Or you can make the detour into town when you cross pavement mid way. Gen 1 in 4x4 will get 10 mpg on the trail if your lucky.

Large campsites are hard to come by, Grasscat and I did a northern run off the trail to a great spot. I'll give you the details in private.

If I can't make the trip you can borrow my SPOT messenger in case the something bad happens. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> It's nice to have the 911 button no matter where you are.

I have the book also so don't buy it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> It's good to have friends <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />