Twin Falls Subaru primarily focuses on selling new Subarus, highlighting the quality, reliability, and practicality of Subarus for everyday driving—since that reflects how most of our customers use them. This post doesn’t cover that ground, but it does involve Subarus. Specifically, it highlights two Seattle Subaru owners who take their well-used Outback and Crosstrek on trails typically frequented by modified Jeep Wranglers and other similar off-road vehicles.

Meet Milton Salguero and Carey Lando, the respective owners of a Crosstrek and an Outback, who recently returned from Moab, where they tackled famous trails like Hell’s Revenge, Fins and Things, and Top of the World. These locations are places where many Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco owners believe they will go “someday” when their vehicles are ready.

To be fair, like most of the Wranglers, Broncos, and 4×4 pickups that traverse these same trails, these Subarus are not showroom stock. Salguero bought his Crosstrek used in 2019 with 49,000 miles on it and says, “Within the first year, I lifted it and put tires on it.” At Moab, he says the odometer crossed 207,000 miles. In that time, he has added lights and skid plates, swapped in the Outback’s turbocharged engine, added a rear locking differential, and “regeared” the continuously variable transmission (CVT) to provide improved ratios for low-end work and to better accommodate the 30-inch tires.

Lando, a multiple Rebelle Rally competitor, has modified her Outback similarly; the CVT modification was initiated when a CV axle became lodged in the car’s front differential, necessitating a new CVT.

So no, these will not look like your average Crosstrek or Outback on the road, but you can see them there. Both vehicles remain street legal, and both Salguero and Lando drive their Subies to and from their adventurous locations.

The initial challenge at Moab was Hell’s Revenge, a 6.5-mile stretch described by BLM as “recommended for only very experienced drivers with advanced equipment.” It was a return trip for Salguero, who took on the route successfully when his Crosstrek was significantly less modified.

Next up was Fins N Things, a 9.4-mile stretch of challenging rock formations that takes about three to four hours to traverse. Lando posted this about her experience on Instagram: “Two Jeep guys went ahead of us and pulled over at the bottom to watch us tackle it. Needless to say, their jaws were on the ground. That was fun. 😆 Then, three more Jeeps came along and took the easy route (no shade, do what’s best for the driver!) after watching us go down this line. Glad I had the ADF skid plates on because I definitely used ‘em and the pinch welds!”

Lando’s Outback isn’t invincible, however, as it met its match on the Top of the World trail, capped by a spectacular overlook on an overhanging rock that brings to mind the baby Simba presentation scene in The Lion King. Salguero’s Crosstrek made it, though. He points to a U-brace under the Outback that limits its approach angle compared to his car. Still, Lando’s Outback completed 80% of the trip, and one suspects she will return to finish the challenge.

Clearly, Salguero and Lando aren’t your typical Subaru owners, and their vehicles aren’t typical Subarus. However, the modifications to their cars fall well within the norm for off-road enthusiasts. They certainly demonstrate that with a bit of attention, Subarus have what it takes to handle rough terrain. Check out Twin Falls Subaru to find vehicles that are likely to meet the challenges you have in mind.