Nomad Overland Rally 2026

Nomad Rally Highlights: Week Two

As Week Two of the 2026 Nomad Rally unfolded, the true scale of this multi-state adventure came into focus. While some teams explored their local trail systems, others crossed time zones, formed spontaneous backcountry meetups, and tackled ambitious multi-state routes. From the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest to the alpine passes of the Rockies, and from the Atlantic wetlands to the California coast, our teams demonstrated that adaptability is one of the greatest tools an overlander can possess.

Team 117 Lucas continued their remarkable run this week, trading the deserts of Arizona and California for the towering forests of Northern California and Southern Oregon. Lisa and Jeff seamlessly adapted from wide-open desert terrain to tight mountain roads, maintaining the consistency that has kept them atop the Leaderboard.

Their northbound journey began in Westport, California, following scenic Highway 1 and US 101 before branching onto historic Highway 271 for Stage 8. Their destination was the breathtaking Avenue of the Giants inside Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Maneuvering a fully equipped overland vehicle beneath some of the tallest trees on Earth requires patience and precision, but the team still found time to appreciate the landscape. “It’s cool to drive through this area, but every now and then you just need to get out and look up,” Lisa said, reflecting on the awe-inspiring redwoods.

Stage 9 carried them farther north from Brookings, Oregon, through the Siskiyou National Forest before descending into the coastal fog surrounding Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.

For Stage 10, the team ventured deep into the Gold Beach Ranger District of the Siskiyou National Forest. Navigating a maze of forest roads—including Forest Road 1376, North Bank Chetco River Road, and FR 1909—they combined remote dirt tracks with strategic highway connections to maximize their route. Along the way they detoured through the Smith River National Recreation Area, discovering another Pacific Northwest landmark—a classic covered bridge.

The journey also provided an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact of wildfire. “There were several dead, burned trees in the area where we camped,” the team shared. “According to the fire map layer on Gaia, it is likely due to the Chetco Bar Fire in 2017. Amazing how much green has returned already, but how many dead trees are still left after nearly ten years.”

After reaching Gold Beach, Lisa and Jeff took a well-earned break to enjoy a few days on the Oregon coast with family before continuing their Rally adventure.

Team 101 Mercer officially launched their Overland Stages this week, beginning with a family wedding that also brought together Team 112 Venrick in Ridgway, Colorado. Nestled along the Uncompahgre River, Ridgway State Park became the perfect place to celebrate with family, cool off from the summer heat, and recharge before hitting the trail.

Once the festivities concluded, the Mercers climbed into their Toyota Tacoma, “Princess,” and set off on an ambitious first stage stretching across Colorado and Utah. Their carefully planned route followed US 550, CO 62, CO 145, CO 141, and CO 97 before connecting to Moab’s legendary Rimrocker Trail. Traversing the rugged landscapes of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, they logged miles of remote red-rock backcountry despite soaring temperatures. “Miles of smiles! It was hot but we had a good time,” the Mercers reported.

Their stage concluded at Porcupine Rim Campground after checking off several driving challenges and laying the foundation for the impressive Week Two surge that carried them into second place overall.

Team 112 Venrick showed that success in the Nomad Rally isn’t measured solely by miles driven. A sharp eye for detail can be just as valuable.

Their week began in Loveland, Colorado, where they completed several Backcountry Tasks at Mehaffey Park by taking advantage of the city’s historic public orchards. “Mehaffey Park is full of old orchards and the Parks Service lets the community harvest,” Tara explained. “They have cherries and apples for sure, but I think there are other fruits as well.”

The team then traveled to Ridgway State Park for the family wedding alongside Team 101 Mercer before cooling off in the crystal-clear waters of the Uncompahgre River and searching for PhotoQuest opportunities along the shoreline. “The trees, plants, and wildlife are something else,” the team shared. “There were some interesting trees to choose from, but I thought this bark was amazing. Also, the river was crystal clear.”

Following the celebration, the Venricks officially launched Stage One alongside Team 101, traveling across Colorado and into Utah before reaching Moab’s Rimrocker Trail and camping at Porcupine Rim.

Balancing careful PhotoQuest planning with technical overland travel, the rookie team held on to Third Place, continuing to show they’ll be a strong contender throughout the summer.

Team 110 Smigiel, operating along California’s Central Coast, concentrated their efforts inside Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area. By taking advantage of the park’s wide variety of terrain, Dariusz and Aga efficiently completed three consecutive Overland Stages while keeping travel logistics simple.

Their opening stage focused on logging dirt miles before settling into base camp for the weekend. The campsite quickly became memorable thanks to Aga, who proved camp cooking doesn’t have to revolve around dehydrated meals by preparing an impressive Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner.

Stage 2 shifted to the rolling terrain of Hudner Ranch, where the team tackled hard-packed trails, scenic overlooks, and several PhotoQuest opportunities. One unexpected highlight came when local wildlife made an appearance. “Deer encounter,” Dariusz noted as one crossed directly in front of the vehicle.

Stage 3 brought another pleasant surprise. Team 110 joined members of the Ladies Offroad Network—along with several other Nomad Rally teams—for a group trail ride through Hollister’s hill climbs, rock gardens, and technical clay trails.

By week’s end, the Smigiels had combined efficient navigation, strong teamwork, and plenty of community spirit in addition to adding to their points total.

Team 102 Thomas, operating on the east coast, transformed the wetlands and maritime forests of Virginia and North Carolina into an unforgettable wildlife expedition. Their secret weapon is Faith Thomas—an exceptionally talented wildlife photographer whose patience behind the camera elevated nearly every PhotoQuest submission. Rather than capturing expected subjects, Faith consistently found extraordinary moments.

For the challenge requiring “an animal in a tree or bush,” many competitors submitted squirrels or birds. Faith instead located an enormous black bear resting high in a tree canopy. “Always fun to see a bear in a tree,” Faith joked. “Even better when it’s a huge bear lol.”

That same creativity carried into the “fish” challenge. Rather than photographing the fish itself, Faith captured a Great Blue Heron swallowing its freshly caught meal. “A great blue heron with the catch of the day,” she noted.

The defining moment of Week Two, however, occurred deep within the blackwater canals and dense pocosin peatlands of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in eastern North Carolina. While documenting bears, raccoons, and numerous bird species, Faith accomplished something few wildlife photographers ever experience. She located and photographed a critically endangered Red Wolf (Canis rufus) actively hunting in the early morning light.

With only an estimated 15 to 17 Red Wolves remaining in the wild within their native range, the sighting was extraordinary. “My wildcard animal is the critically endangered Red Wolf,” Faith explained. “Only about 15-17 roam their native habitat in eastern North Carolina. They’re extremely hard to find, so imagine my excitement when I captured this female hunting this morning.”

It was one of the most remarkable wildlife moments of the 2026 Nomad Rally so far.

Team 103 Chasse used Week Two to complete three Overland Stages while collecting PhotoQuest submissions from the Arizona desert to California’s Central Coast. Jessica began Stage One on Historic Route 66 in Kingman before climbing the winding roads of Sitgreaves Pass toward Oatman. There she encountered one of the town’s most famous attractions. “I don’t remember why I opened my door, but the donkey wasted no time,” Jessica laughed. “The donkeys are the attraction in Oatman.”

Continuing west, the team crossed California via CA 58, US 395, and CA 178 through spectacular Kern River Canyon before camping at Hanning Flat. The nearby lakebed proved to be the perfect location for completing the Soft Sand driving task.  Stage Two connected Lake Isabella with California’s Central Coast. Along the way Jessica visited Ethel’s Old Corral in Bakersfield and Mission San Miguel Arcángel before choosing scenic CA 25 instead of the interstate to reach Hollister Hills SVRA.

That evening she joined fellow Nomad competitors and members of the Ladies Offroad Network around the campfire, including Dariusz and Aga from Team 110. As darkness settled in, the group grabbed powerful flashlights and spent the evening trying to locate the owls calling from the towering trees overhead. The owls remained hidden, but the laughter around camp perfectly captured the camaraderie that defines the Nomad Rally.

Stage Three focused on Hollister Hills’ famous 4×4 obstacle course, where Jessica methodically completed the Mud Pit, Rock Garden, and Water Crossing. “The water crossing obstacle was about 15 inches at the deepest spot, and there were rocks hidden under the water,” Jessica explained. “My vehicle’s maximum capability is 20–24 inches, but I’m not attempting anything remotely near that!”

Even outside the official stages, Jessica continued exploring. Additional scouting runs through San Bernardino National Forest, Morro Bay, and the elephant seal viewing area added more memorable PhotoQuest submissions, including sea otters and other coastal wildlife.

From the towering redwoods of Northern California to the blackwater wetlands of eastern North Carolina, Week Two showcased the incredible diversity of experiences that make the Nomad Rally unique.

Teams navigated challenging routes, discovered remarkable wildlife, explored iconic landscapes, and strengthened friendships around campfires scattered across the country. Every mile added new stories, new lessons, and new memories that extend well beyond the leaderboard.

With the competition still in its early stages, other Nomad Teams were hitting the trails in Wisconsin, Kansas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. As more teams begin their longest adventures, the biggest moves of the summer may still be ahead. Check out the official Week 2 Leaderboard to see how everyone ranked at the close of Week 2!

More News from the Rally

Check out all the articles and news from the 2026 Nomad Overland Rally in the News Archive

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