Devil's Ditch/Conway, VA on the 18th

[Felix]

I'm trying to put together a day trip to run Devil's Ditch on Saturday the 18th. Some of you guys might have seen my thread in the clcc forum - https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=78620

Anyway, this isn't a club trip, just some guys going wheeling. Post up if you're interested in coming along, and we'll figure out a meeting place and time.

Felix

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I've heard that devils ditch is a decently hard trail. Do you think i could make it with 33's and no lockers? Or would i just slow everyone down?

Brian

 

[apcoleman]

I might be up for going depending on how work load for school is. Right now it is rough for me to lose a day for doing work

 

[Riad]

I heard of conway river and interested in this trip. But where exactly is it?

 

[Riad]

I've heard that devils ditch is a decently hard trail. Do you think i could make it with 33's and no lockers? Or would i just slow everyone down?

Brian

I don't see why not? This disco seems to be OK

 

[Felix]

Originally posted by Riad
I heard of conway river and interested in this trip. But where exactly is it?

It's somewhere north of Charlottesville, closer to the D.C. area than GWNF. Here's a map http://rapidanwma.org/rapidanpdf.pdf

Originally Posted by BlueCruiser84
I've heard that devils ditch is a decently hard trail. Do you think i could make it with 33's and no lockers? Or would i just slow everyone down?

I've got open diffs and 32s. According to someone who's been to the Ditch and wheeled with me, I'd be alright as long as I had some sliders, which I should finally be installing this weekend. My hope is that we'll have with us a couple more experienced guys that have been there before. With their help, I trust that a noob like me will be alright.

Felix

 

[reffug]

It is advisable to have armor as well as at least one locker to play games in Devils Ditch. It does possess some technical area's probably unlike most of GWNF excluding Dictum of course.

 

[Ted44]

I'm looking into the possibility, my truck has BFG A/Ts, lockers and no extra armor. The Rapidan Wildlife Management Area is less than an hour from me. I've grouse hunted all through there. I have driven to the top where the trail is gated at the national park boundary in a stock cherokee sport with michelin XC LTs. So, I guess you fellas are talking about one of the numerous side trails.

 

[Riad]

Cool!! I am definitely in for this run as of this moment. Please post up the meeting area and the time. As I am coming from MD, I can meet up any/every one going from VA area.

 

[stuck in GA]

I have done almost all the trails there. Yall will be fine. It isn't really bad at all. You can definitly play in the rocks and there is stuff for the big boys but you don't have to go through it. It is a lot of fun and great rockcrawling. I would maybe be up for going.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I'd be alright as long as I had some sliders, which I should finally be installing this weekend.

Well i do not have sliders and i doubt i could have them before this trip. Sooo, ill keep thinking on it but i dont know.

Brian

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

Cool!! I am definitely in for this run as of this moment. Please post up the meeting area and the time. As I am coming from MD, I can meet up any/every one going from VA area.

There are a couple of ways to go in. Usually we would meet on the corner of Rt29 and Rt33 (there is a Burger King I think). Then we would make our way up near Fletcher and go in. You can also go through Graves Mill and head in that way but then you cut off part of the trail.

 

[matzell]

Not to rain on the parade but are the side trails open. I have been wanting to go up and check it out but have been told that only the main trail is open to the public and everything else is on private land or federal land. I would love to go on the trip if anyone can clarify this info.

Thanks,

Rob Matzell
president VA4WDA
bbrc
tlca #3985

 

[Felix]

I've been using Bob Bascom (76FJ40) as my source of expert info. According to him, the trails that he normally runs aren't ever closed off. I haven't heard for sure if he'll be there, though, but it sounds like jcj knows the area, too.

As long as someone that's been there can commit to coming along and showing us the way, we'll be all set.

 

[76FJ40]

Felix,

It's my understanding that the main trails are OK but don't take that as fact. I know a couple of locals, and even they aren't absolutely clear on what's open and what's not. I have never had any trouble at Rapidan as we always stay on the trails. People have been cited in Rapidan, but I can only assume that they were off the trails. This is the best local place to wheel so please help to keep this trail open.

The Conway part of the trail is fun and not too intimidating. Devil's Ditch is a little different story, particularly if it's wet or snowy.

 

[reffug]

Devil's Ditch is a little different story, particularly if it's wet or snowy.

 

[rtiqulatendisco]

Last time I was there, everything was open. The hill climb up to the waterfall has become very difficult. If it's wet, you won't make it. If it's dry, 33's+ and lockers are needed.

Anyone want to go Sunday?

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

Not to rain on the parade but are the side trails open. I have been wanting to go up and check it out but have been told that only the main trail is open to the public and everything else is on private land or federal land. I would love to go on the trip if anyone can clarify this info.

Thanks,

Rob Matzell
president VA4WDA
bbrc
tlca #3985

This has always been a big topic. There is alot of info on their website.

http://www.rapidanwma.org/

 

[76FJ40]

Thanks for the link!

 

[Blue77FJ40]

I agree with rtiqulatendisco. The only part you might have problems with is the steep hill climb that hits a trail to the falls at the top. Bob helped this jeep stuck on the hill, but no other jeeps could make the climb. All cruisers made it easily, but all had rear lockers and most had front as well.

There are plenty of other trails, though. If I go, I will wait at the bottom. Once is enough for me.