Black Balsam Camping Trip

[Southeast Overland]

Who wants to go camping?

Chad (Delta21) has been kind enough to organize a camping trip to what sounds like a sweet little spot we haven't been to before.

What are the plans Chad?

 

[steenh]

I do depending on when its scheduled.

 

[informationjunky]

X2 on the date

 

[Trollhole]

I'm in for a night or a whole day. Wife will be getting close by then.

 

[Southeast Overland]

More info coming shortly.

 

[delta21]

The plan so far

Expedition style Black Balsam UC Camping trip!
.
When: September 12th and 13th (Sat-Sun)

Where: we will Meet at Aunt Sue's @0900 then travel north on Hwy 178 to Rosman nC and to the Blue Ridge Parkway on Hwy 215.

Ivester gap road in a rough un-maintained road that is open seasonally in the fall, it does require 4wd and a high clearance vehicle (a stock 80 would possibly drag mud flaps and the rear bumper in a few spots) there is a pit toilet at the beginning of the road, after that the area is completely primitive so we will need to be self sufficient, you will need to provide you own food and camping equipment, a pot luck style dinner Saturday night would be fun to do if there is enough interest in something like that. There is a water spring close to where we will camp. The elevation is about 5500 feet so it gets chilly at night and the weather seems to play by its own rules up there also, so come prepared.

Chad

 

[Southeast Overland]

Thanks for doing this Chad? I'm hoping to run the road this coming weekend when I scout some new areas up in that area. I checked the FS map and we are OK for lift-off!

 

[jleeFJ62]

im in for this

 

[dbenke]

we just hiked that road (or part of it on the way to shining rock), and I saw where there was wheeling after Aug. We didn,t hike that far on the road as the boys wanted to do the Art Loeb trail. How long is the trail. I would be interested in going back.

 

[Southeast Overland]

we just hiked that road (or part of it on the way to shining rock), and I saw where there was wheeling after Aug. We didn,t hike that far on the road as the boys wanted to do the Art Loeb trail. How long is the trail. I would be interested in going back.

From looking at a fairly small scale map I est. 1.5-2 miles one way.

 

[dbenke]

We hiked about a mile of it, but I couldn't tell if it went around the wilderness area or stopped when it got to it.
It must stop not far after we got off of it.

 

[Southeast Overland]

I think Chad said it stops pretty near a few nice camping spots in some pine trees where "shoes are optional."

 

[Southeast Overland]

EveryTrail

This is the best I can do so far about pics. There are a few in there that I *think* are the road.

 

[Trollhole]

I think I have camped on or near that road. I remember the Black Balsom Rd there was a parking lot we left the vehicles From there I think we went down to Laurel Creek. Wish I would have know there was a road up there. This was probably 4 years ago.

 

[BillWright]

I put it on my calendar. I'm in unless TEOTWAWKI occurs.
b

 

[Southeast Overland]

I think I have camped on or near that road. I remember the Black Balsom Rd there was a parking lot we left the vehicles From there I think we went down to Laurel Creek. Wish I would have know there was a road up there. This was probably 4 years ago.

Kinda sounds like what Chad told me and what I've read online. I *think* there is a parking lot you stop at and most people hike in if the road is closed (1/2 of the year) or you can drive further up like I plan on doing this coming weekend.

 

[dbenke]

Looks soooo famillar I remember iking it wishing I had the 62. Well past the parking lot anyway
Steve, I can't believe your'e going to Black Balsam this weekend and not to URE w/ us. This is going to be the biggest "anything" (meetings,wheeling, Hamom,etc) the LLC has had.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Looks soooo famillar I remember iking it wishing I had the 62. Well past the parking lot anyway
Steve, I can't believe your'e going to Black Balsam this weekend and not to URE w/ us. This is going to be the biggest "anything" (meetings,wheeling, Hamom,etc) the LLC has had.

I wish I could make URE too but this is my anniversary weekend and the wife said she wanted to go camping with the Boys (our two dogs)...so to be able to live another day I have to make her happy!

 

[dbenke]

DAMN WOMEN!!!! Oops, did I say that out loud

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Love the area and have been down the road a couple of times in the old 62 camping with the wife.... it is a truly beautiful area. I would love to join up for this one.

Just and FYI although I haven't been down the Ivestor Gap road in several years it used to only be open Aug 1st thru Jan 1st..... that is if my memory severs me correctly. I could be way off or things might well have changed since the last time I rode down it but you might want to look into exactly when it is open

*edit I just read the trip is for Sept 12-13 so everything should be fine*