Forest service roads and other public land?

[dnp]

Hey guys,

(The following is a copy of a post I just put up on the Alabama forum):

Some of us from CottonLand Cruisers (MS) are planning on a short road trip this next weekend to NE Alabama / SE Tennessee / NW Georgia, and we're looking for some places to get off road. Some of the folks going with us aren't lifted much and don't have armor, so much more of this trip will be on road than off.

Most of the folks going (with some wives and kids) have not traveled in that area much, so we're going to places like Little River Canyon (and backcountry area north of that), Desoto State Park, Cloudland Canyon State Park in GA, etc........that being said, what I'm writing about is to see if any of you have suggestions on forest service roads and/or other "milder" offroad areas we could visit in those regions? The Cove in TN is probably going to be more " involved" than what we're seeking, but if anyone has other suggestions, please reply. (I've heard there are places to ride over near Huntsville in Gurley, but have been unable find any info........)

In any event, that's what I'm looking for. The main areas of interest are: Birmingham to the north, I-65 to the east, I-24 to the south, and I-75 to the west. Those aren't set in stone, but are the general areas. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, David

 

[4xsteve]

Hey David.
I don't think I ever mentioned Skyline WMA in our discussions earlier; it's about 1.5 hours SW of Jasper, TN. If the water isn't too high, it'd be a milder version of The Cove. It'd be driving alongside a stream and crossing it multiple times just like The Cove. However, that trail is all small river rock for the most part with some dirt hills and small (mostly avoidable) mudholes. If you want GPS coordinates to the place in Gurley or Skyline so you can check out the topography, let me know. Gurley to Skyline to Jasper to Chattanooga to Cloudland to Little River would be a pretty good "loop". Not that you could do all that in one weekend, but maybe pick one place from each "leg" to still make the loop.

 

[dnp]

Hey David.
I don't think I ever mentioned Skyline WMA in our discussions earlier; it's about 1.5 hours SW of Jasper, TN. If the water isn't too high, it'd be a milder version of The Cove. It'd be driving alongside a stream and crossing it multiple times just like The Cove. However, that trail is all small river rock for the most part with some dirt hills and small (mostly avoidable) mudholes. If you want GPS coordinates to the place in Gurley or Skyline so you can check out the topography, let me know. Gurley to Skyline to Jasper to Chattanooga to Cloudland to Little River would be a pretty good "loop". Not that you could do all that in one weekend, but maybe pick one place from each "leg" to still make the loop.

Just learned about Skyline WMA today. Been looking into it. Any advice on where to enter and where to exit? Any idea of maps available and from whom? I found a site that mentioned "The Walls of Jericho" waterfalls that looked pretty cool....... Any more information you could offer on this would be great. Thanks!

 

[Elbert]

The trails at Skyline (in the WMA) area are only open certain times of the year. The times I have been to skyline I have always been with a group that included some of the local guys who live in the area. I think there are some online maps but I don't recall the web address.

 

[radioridge]

im pretty sure the trails in the WMA at skyline are only open during hunting season. Have you looked at Prentice Cooper? Mostly easy trails lots of great overlooks ( snoopers rock has a great view of the Tn river) and the trails should be back open on the 15th of this month.

 

[dnp]

im pretty sure the trails in the WMA at skyline are only open during hunting season. Have you looked at Prentice Cooper? Mostly easy trails lots of great overlooks ( snoopers rock has a great view of the Tn river) and the trails should be back open on the 15th of this month.

Ya know, I'm glad you reminded me about Prentice Cooper, because I ran across that info about a month ago (and promptly forgot about it). Any more info available on it (types of driving, etc.?). I've always liked the Chattanooga area, and I'm thinking that would be a good place to try. Thanks.

Oh yeah, and any more information anyone has on Skyline would be good. Any locals on here that know the ropes?