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Elbe Hills OHV - Gotcha Trail
Elbe,
Washington
(Pierce County)
Last Updated:
03/11/2019
Trail Information
Highlights
Gotcha off-road trail is one of the highlights in Elbe Hills OHV Area. With it's four different obstacles, this 4wd trail is a good choice for every type of experience level and build. There is a forested swamp with tight trees, difficult climbs and sharp drops as soon as you are on the trail...Gotcha! There is a large rock crawling playground and grand vista on what is affectionately known as "The Log Jam", a pile of logs that were "conveniently" left behind by a logging company; the perfect place to grab some lunch, take some pictures and watch the buggies "chop wood". The final set of obstacles are two-fold, the first part is a hole that is so off camber, you will be guaranteed to get body damage. Just when you think you are done, at the point where if you walk around the corner you can see the exit, there is a deep nasty hole that gives you no choice but to barrel on through...Gotcha!
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Luke Myers
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Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 09/15/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Ran this right after Mainline Trail. Just about as fun as I remember it, but since we've had a dry summer there was almost no mud even in the deep pits. No issues for my JKU on 37's but I do know it's a different story when it's wet!
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Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 03/19/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Gotcha is a muddy mess currently. We had to enter through the Swamp Trail because there were some broken rigs in the first leg, so this is a review of the second half of the trail. We watched several nice built rigs play on the Log Jam. There was some winching involved, but if you can get your tire on top of the logs, it's doable. It seems that short wheelbase rigs work best here. After that, the biggest thing to watch out for is the Deep Hole at Waypoint 7. If you do not have a snorkel or a very tall lift, take the bypass. Even the built rigs had trouble getting through it. I was told on a clear day you can see Mt Rainier near the top of the trail, so we'll have to go back when it's drier and do it again.
Open
Rated
4/5
Visited: 07/31/2021
As usual, Gotcha does not disappoint. What made it even more interesting was the fact that my 4lo would not engage the front, so pretty much did it in 2 wheel drive. Was a bit disappointed that the last leg of the trail was the driest I have seen. Other than that, great day! one thing I will say that upset me, someone went in and made the log jam impassable for some rigs. It use to be that I could do it, after what I saw this past weekend, I would not recommend unless you are REALLY built out, stay to the bypass on the left. I guess having the Busy Wild was not enough for them.
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 07/18/2020
Gotcha is a beautiful trail that is passable by moderately modified 4x4's with options that will challenge the most advanced builds and drivers.
Open
Visited: 01/31/2016
Very wet conditions throughout the entire ORV area, several trails have upgraded difficulty levels, most trails are impassable by stock vehicles at this time.
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