Where in VA? I'll be in Northern VA for some of your stay and will be meeting with some local LC guys. PM me if you'd rather not announce your plans in public.
@2fpower Coming to NC
- Thread starter weejub
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I'll be out in the western tip of VA on a mountain near Tazewell. According to google maps it will be an hour down the mountain for any needed supplies and over 4 hours to get down to the Asheville area. Hopefully I can do a good job figuring my shopping list.
Wow. Yeah, plan well. I'm heading the opposite way so no help help here!
2fpower
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Was able to confirm campsite at mile high for the 29th and 30th.
2fpower
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- Thread starter
- #46
Two suggestions on lodging:
One would be a B&B and down NE of Brevard on the way to Asheville, but the President of the NC B&B Inn Assoc owns the Acorn B&B In Mills River. Gene and Bob run an amazing B&B for the $$ and are really nice people:
Asheville Bed and Breakfast, Asheville Lodging, Asheville NC Bed Breakfast
If you are looking up closer to Cherokee, the Chalet Inn is another NCBBI B&B with a 4.9 Google rating. Have heard great things about it, as well.
Closest Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Inn to NC main entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Would recommend always calling a B&B vs using Hotels.com etc.
One would be a B&B and down NE of Brevard on the way to Asheville, but the President of the NC B&B Inn Assoc owns the Acorn B&B In Mills River. Gene and Bob run an amazing B&B for the $$ and are really nice people:
Asheville Bed and Breakfast, Asheville Lodging, Asheville NC Bed Breakfast
If you are looking up closer to Cherokee, the Chalet Inn is another NCBBI B&B with a 4.9 Google rating. Have heard great things about it, as well.
Closest Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Inn to NC main entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Would recommend always calling a B&B vs using Hotels.com etc.
I'll put this out there but feel free to decline: Would anyone on this expedition from KC be willing to haul back a roof rack and/or snorkle? I could pay for some gas and could arrange for my friend (@zackline) to bring them to you wherever you are, assuming timing works out.
Roof rack is Prinsu and will be broken down and packaged. I'd estimate it'll be about 72"x8"x6" but that's just a blind guess.
Roof rack is Prinsu and will be broken down and packaged. I'd estimate it'll be about 72"x8"x6" but that's just a blind guess.
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2fpower
SILVER Star
i'm sure we would have room, especially if we could pick them up late in the trip and just strap them on top.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Moved Hurricane loop to 5th-7th. Anyone able to join us for either trip? Love to meet some of you all, and will plan to bring some great beers to share. Got some old stock of stouts and heavy beers that have aged very well. Since I can't drink them anymore, love to share with cruiser heads.
28th: Thursday: Road day. Arrive Knoxville and stay at hotel.
29th: Friday: Heintooga Offroad trail day and sightseeing: camping outdoor - Mile High.
30th: Saturday: Heintooga Offroad trail day: morning hike Mingo Falls, drive to hotel/cabin asheville.
1st: Sunday: Asheville sightseeing, drive to campsite or stay in city,
2nd: Monday: ranger trails from Ashville to Brevard area going to Mt. Pisgah -sliding rock? camping
3rd: Tuesday: Brevard area , stay west of Ashville hotel/cabin
4th: Wed: hike (need recommendation) jumping off rock. Bridal vail falls. hotel/cabin
5th: Wednesday: Hurricane loop (Round Mountain campground) (any hiking trails?) max patch
6th: thursday: Hurrican Creek loop day 2. (Wolf Creek Falls campground?)
7th Friday: Hurricane Creek Loop day 3 drive to hotel Asheville area.
8th Sunday: Drive back to KC
28th: Thursday: Road day. Arrive Knoxville and stay at hotel.
29th: Friday: Heintooga Offroad trail day and sightseeing: camping outdoor - Mile High.
30th: Saturday: Heintooga Offroad trail day: morning hike Mingo Falls, drive to hotel/cabin asheville.
1st: Sunday: Asheville sightseeing, drive to campsite or stay in city,
2nd: Monday: ranger trails from Ashville to Brevard area going to Mt. Pisgah -sliding rock? camping
3rd: Tuesday: Brevard area , stay west of Ashville hotel/cabin
4th: Wed: hike (need recommendation) jumping off rock. Bridal vail falls. hotel/cabin
5th: Wednesday: Hurricane loop (Round Mountain campground) (any hiking trails?) max patch
6th: thursday: Hurrican Creek loop day 2. (Wolf Creek Falls campground?)
7th Friday: Hurricane Creek Loop day 3 drive to hotel Asheville area.
8th Sunday: Drive back to KC
2fpower
SILVER Star
Keep hearing about trails down near Gorges state park. Are there any trail maps or anyone want to lead a group?
That is the coordinates I sent you. I don’t believe it’s technically Gorges state park but the entrance to the trails is part of the park.
It is a part of Gorges State Park, it's 16 miles of trails to the SC line. I believe the SC gate is closed this time of year so you can't get into Jocassee /Muster Grounds on the SC side. Still, it's one of the better rides in an area that has lost most of it's 4x4 trails over the last 30 years. A stock Land Cruiser of any vintage can do it.
There might be more trails available there now. When I left a couple years ago there was talk of opening up the Auger Hole trail to vehicles, at that time it was gated foot traffic only.
Also beware of storms in Gorges. That area is a temperate rainforest recieving over 90 inches of rain a year. If a storm blows in it's going to rain HARD. We had a standing dead tree blow over onto our FJC while climbing back up from the river in the heaviest rain I've ever experienced.
There might be more trails available there now. When I left a couple years ago there was talk of opening up the Auger Hole trail to vehicles, at that time it was gated foot traffic only.
Also beware of storms in Gorges. That area is a temperate rainforest recieving over 90 inches of rain a year. If a storm blows in it's going to rain HARD. We had a standing dead tree blow over onto our FJC while climbing back up from the river in the heaviest rain I've ever experienced.
2fpower
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Yes, since you did not post in the thread, I was trying to keep it anonomous. I don't want to publicize trails if they are to be kept low traveled.
- Thread starter
- #54
Looks like we are taking "Wide Glide" (@NCFJ circa 2017) or "Pearl" the Tundra this trip most likely 
Could be its last overlanding trip, so not a bad thing We may have two fridges in it . . . one in the cab with daughter and dog and one in the back.
We have a "stretch goal" (to use stupid/old business jargon) to take the '97 LX, but the Tundra is ready to roll vs needing some work in prep. I need to figure out a squeek in front, finish the dual battery if possible and put on sliders to take it.
We only get about 1 weekend a quarter "off" from the weekend job, so we are super excited. It turns out, so far for us, that holidays are natural down times for B&Bs . . .who'd a thunk it.
Could be its last overlanding trip, so not a bad thing We may have two fridges in it . . . one in the cab with daughter and dog and one in the back.We have a "stretch goal" (to use stupid/old business jargon) to take the '97 LX, but the Tundra is ready to roll vs needing some work in prep. I need to figure out a squeek in front, finish the dual battery if possible and put on sliders to take it.
We only get about 1 weekend a quarter "off" from the weekend job, so we are super excited. It turns out, so far for us, that holidays are natural down times for B&Bs . . .who'd a thunk it.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Should I start another thread to see if anyone can join us for the Heintooga Offroad trail or the Gorges day trips?
I just checked reservation availabilty for Davidson River campground for 4th night, and there was 133 different sites available. Wow.
updated:
28th: Thursday: Road day. Arrive Knoxville and stay at hotel.
29th: Friday: Heintooga Offroad trail day and sightseeing: camping outdoor - Mile High campground
30th: Saturday: Heintooga Offroad trail day: morning hike Mingo Falls, mile high campground.
1st: Sunday: Asheville sightseeing, drive to VRBO near Saluda
2nd: Monday: ranger trails from Ashville to Brevard area going to Mt. Pisgah -sliding rock? VRBO near Saluda
3rd: Tuesday: Trail day down at Gorges area VRBO near Saluda
4th: Wed: hike (need recommendation) jumping off rock. Bridal vail falls. (need place to stay or camp)
5th: Wednesday: Hurricane loop (Round Mountain campground) (any hiking trails?) max patch
6th: thursday: Hurrican Creek loop day 2. (Wolf Creek Falls campground)
7th Friday: Hurricane Creek Loop day 3 drive to hotel Asheville area?
8th Sunday: Drive back to KC
I just checked reservation availabilty for Davidson River campground for 4th night, and there was 133 different sites available. Wow.
updated:
28th: Thursday: Road day. Arrive Knoxville and stay at hotel.
29th: Friday: Heintooga Offroad trail day and sightseeing: camping outdoor - Mile High campground
30th: Saturday: Heintooga Offroad trail day: morning hike Mingo Falls, mile high campground.
1st: Sunday: Asheville sightseeing, drive to VRBO near Saluda
2nd: Monday: ranger trails from Ashville to Brevard area going to Mt. Pisgah -sliding rock? VRBO near Saluda
3rd: Tuesday: Trail day down at Gorges area VRBO near Saluda
4th: Wed: hike (need recommendation) jumping off rock. Bridal vail falls. (need place to stay or camp)
5th: Wednesday: Hurricane loop (Round Mountain campground) (any hiking trails?) max patch
6th: thursday: Hurrican Creek loop day 2. (Wolf Creek Falls campground)
7th Friday: Hurricane Creek Loop day 3 drive to hotel Asheville area?
8th Sunday: Drive back to KC
- Thread starter
- #56
That is an awesome trip - just sayin
Davidson River Campground is awesome - has showers, swimming hole, you can float in tubes, it is right next to Brevard, just down the road from Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls. Just concerned it would be hot. It is right on the river - you can get spots that back to it. If it is hot - will be muggy.
Now - if you just take a shower in the morning and a cold shower in the PM - and maybe cruise around a bit, it is definitely not bad.
Davidson River Campground is awesome - has showers, swimming hole, you can float in tubes, it is right next to Brevard, just down the road from Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls. Just concerned it would be hot. It is right on the river - you can get spots that back to it. If it is hot - will be muggy.
Now - if you just take a shower in the morning and a cold shower in the PM - and maybe cruise around a bit, it is definitely not bad.
- Thread starter
- #57
Might focus folks in on the specific days - maybe a better title, etc. I updated the initial post with the summary of the trail rides and your total detail if it look ok, too?
There are areas worth going for, Gorges State Park f does have some interesting 4WD roads (go to lower parking lot, drive through open gate) and it connects with Jocassee. The Gorges visitor center is worth stopping in for, talk to park rangers which have always been very happy to chat and give you ideas. There are a few falls, trail is less than a mile, and you can slide on Turtleback falls. Water will be great in July, specially after the hike.
some info here:
Jocassee Gorges area
Highlands NC Area
Gorges State Park/ Chestnut Mtn Road
2fpower
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- Thread starter
- #60
Last call for Hurricane Creek loop. We are leaving early in the AM. Staying at Mt Pisgah Campground tonight. I can be reached at 913 908 8690 if you have interest.
