August Hurricane Creek Trip - August 25-27, 2017

[Roxx]

For me, leader is the lost car in the front. We can get the maps and figure it out. The inportant part is food arrangements and where we are going to try to sleep first and second night. So... lets start with the plans.

Do we want to do group food or each car is responsible for their own food?

Alex set already the meeting point. Sierra nevada.

Bring it on!!!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That mean you're volunteering to be the lost car in front?

I can send you the way points, tracks, and recommend some maps if you'd like!

 

[LockedNLoaded]

@AndrewHadji You are up next sir. Unfortunately, we have to bail out. There has been a change of plans and as a result I will be out of town that weekend having some FPV fun. Hope everyone has a great time.

 

[SeanLX]

Yep, I hate to say it but I think I'm out that weekend now too. I hope y'all have a great time.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Two open spots now. Still waiting for someone to say they'll lead.

 

[fj40alex]

I'll volunteer to lead until some else jumps up. @Roxx?

Thoughts:
- group breakfasts & dinners
- individual picnic lunches

Camping: ideally one night primitive camp at waterfall, second night at a site with bathrooms

Rally point: Sierra Nevada Brewery. Time TBD.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'll volunteer to lead until some else jumps up. @Roxx?

Thoughts:
- group breakfasts & dinners
- individual picnic lunches

Camping: ideally one night primitive camp at waterfall, second night at a site with bathrooms

Rally point: Sierra Nevada Brewery. Time TBD.

Shoot me an email. I'll give you the info I have for camping spots and places to check out. john.v.casale@gmail.com

 

[jamesurq]

I'll volunteer to lead until some else jumps up. @Roxx?

Thoughts:
- group breakfasts & dinners
- individual picnic lunches

Camping: ideally one night primitive camp at waterfall, second night at a site with bathrooms

Rally point: Sierra Nevada Brewery. Time TBD.

Thanks for doing this.

 

[Roxx]

We work together. If i were in the 40 i will be in the front. No a/c, i will lead you to disaster with no dust. Lets start the planning

@Izzyandsue can i meet you for some good site maps or location.

I will be second in line if that help.

 

[fj40alex]

More details to chew on this weekend in advance of this adventure. For those on last July's trip, this is very similar (it was a great trip), but instead of doubling back to I-40, we can head out of Hot Springs back towards Asheville:

Friday:
10:30am - meet at Sierra Nevada Brewery. Eat lunch, take picture of clean rigs, & spread cruiser love.
12:30pm - head to Hurricane Creek trail head (aka The Most Dangerous Interstate-to-Dirt Road Intersection in America) [1:15 hours]
1:45-2pm - Drive HC trail, low impact, head towards Round Mountain Campground [2:30 hours]
5pm - Set up camp at Round Mountain first-come-first-serve campground. It has bathrooms and last year had noisy hippies.
Group Dinner (ideas? volunteers?)

Sat:
8am - Group breakfast
9:30am - roll out for day, eat picnic lunch somewhere cool like Martha Sundquist area, drive around a bit, and end day at Wolf Creek Falls
3pm - arrive at Wolf Creek Falls, rinse road dust off in the falls, and primitive camp at parking area if spots available. Backup campsite would be return to nearby Round Mountain.

Sun:
9:30 - roll out, hike Max Patch, have spiritual moment admiring the view, then head long way towards Hot Springs. Swim in French Broad river if interested, eat lunch in town, shop at cool downtown stores, head home back through Asheville when ready. Alternate plan would be to head west towards Buzzard's Roast overlook at I-40 tunnel.

Things to pack: some paper maps, basic overland gear, full cooler, headlamp, chair, generic handheld FRS/GMRS radio, small amount of cash for Round Mountain campsite "pay here" envelop ($7/night), adventurous small kids who need to detox from electronics

Things to leave: unnecessary gear (i.e. generators), non-local firewood, pets who aren't cool with others, egos

Things needed: someone proficient in downloading offline maps (not me, but not critical either), simple meal planning ideas, additional attendees

 

[izzyandsue]

We work together. If i were in the 40 i will be in the front. No a/c, i will lead you to disaster with no dust. Lets start the planning

@Izzyandsue can i meet you for some good site maps or location.

I will be second in line if that help.

Any time

 

[weejub]

. . 12:30pm - head to Hurricane Creek trail head (aka The Most Dangerous Interstate-to-Dirt Road Intersection in America) [1:15 hours]
. . .

Love this, but it is true!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Do not post the GPS coordinates I provided. We don't need to provide specific locations to the public for them to ruin.

 

[40LandCruising]

Well I Know I'm late to the party, but we are now official ONSC members so put me on the waiting list! The trip sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Well I Know I'm late to the party, but we are now official ONSC members so put me on the waiting list! The trip sounds like a lot of fun.

By my count there are two spots open! You're in!

Also, welcome to the club

 

[40LandCruising]

Fantastic! But believe me when I say I'm gonna have to leave Thursday and get up a day early. The 40 isn't exactly the most speedy vehicle.

 

[40LandCruising]

Does my 40 need to be interstate-able? I can get it there without interstate no problem, just 4hr. But what about the actual trip?

 

[forrest5000]

Yes , you have to go on I 40 .

 

[jfz80]

And your brakes need to be working per your other post in triad mtg thread.

Backroads will make that drive longer than 4 hours and as eric said you will have to run 40 for the last hour or so to get to HC road and its the steep and winding section as you approach TN

Dont take it the wrong way but it is essential to make sure your vehicle is in good working order to not become a burden to others on the trip if it were to fail. It is also covering grounds rather remote from any sort of parts store/tow service etc. We are lucky to have an incredible group here and most will do anything they can to help but ultimately it will be up to you to get yourself home. Mechanical isues happen but if a failure is due to negligence or unprepredness it would suck not only having to deal with a breakdown 4 hours from home but more so being responsible for ruining other folks trip as well. That said if its really up and running great with a good amount of road time to prove its salt then go for it!

Just uncertain from reading your other posts just how road ready the 40 is. FWIW i drove the a sprung over 55 on 37s with a 1f 4-5 hours to the mtns on 3 different trips and it could handle I 40 just fine (olf fort mtn being the biggest challenge)...... however it didnt make it home once and I was extremeley fortunate to have great friends to come get me and later return for the truck. It gets expensive fast otherwise.

AAA gold is not a bad idea for a 40 owner as well.

 

[roadstr6]

I had some issues on my last HC trip in the 40 (Crockpot). It tended to run hot pulling the hills on the interstate and i had to stop several times to let it cool down on the way home. I have since replaced the radiator and I've made several long, hot trips since then so the overheating issue is resolved.

I also had a freak passenger side rear drum brake issue on the HC trail. The friction surface of one of the shoes came loose from the metal backing plate and jammed itself in the other shoe causing a constant drag and super hot drum. We made a trail repair at camp and on the way home I stopped by an Advance Auto and got a new set of shoes. We replaced the bad side in the AA parking lot. My rear axle is a Ford 9" so there were parts available. Your results may vary.

I slowed the group down quite a bit on the way home and I felt terrible about it. However, I didn't hear any complaints from the group. ONSC is a fine bunch of people. You will be taken care of, but for your own peace of mind and out of courtesy for the group, don't attempt the HC trip unless your truck is fit enough to make it. Speed is not as much of an issue. 55-60 is about all you can expect out of a 40 and everyone is okay with that. It's breakdowns that really throw off the schedule.

This year we will be in my 60 (Turdle). I have been over every inch of the truck and it has been reliable. It has made a few 2+ hour trips with no issues. I'm not expecting any problems. However, the mill is a tired 2F and it rolls on 33's with 3.73 gears so I know it will struggle pulling the hills. You will be in good company in the slow lane.