GSMTR Expo Pre-run @ Windrock. Sept 9/20-22
- Thread starter chattfj40
- Start date
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Had a great time, even with the wind and rain Friday night. Good seeing you guys again and getting to ride and hang out.
97 4runner
86 4runner
STLCA
APPALACHIA CRUISERS
97 4runner
86 4runner
STLCA
APPALACHIA CRUISERS
- Thread starter
- #43
On Sat we ended up going out on the Mountain Road down to Caryville, got gas and partook of their facilities, then rolled up the access road and crossed the creek to head up to the Sand Mines. Got to the first big climb and whoa had it changed in 5/6 years. With all the rain it was certainly a no go, and even if dry would be questionable for most wagons. Andy and I walked up and found a group of full width Jeeps that had all winched. We turned around and tried to see if there was an alternate route around the climb but succeeded in only making our way onto the I75 right-of-way.
We again turned around and exited back to the access road west of I75, headed north and entered the WMA a little south of Pioneer at Turley. We took a gravel road up and then had lunch at the start of the very appropriately named "Water Trail". It was a moderate trail that was pretty overgrown and full rather deep mud holes. This trail claimed a few 2m Antenna's. A good trail though. We were attempting to make our way over to The Eternal Flame and camp for the night, but the only access was what looked to be a very narrow trail that had a very steep muddy entrance. So we regrouped, and pressed on the Water Trail. This trail circled around a few contours and brought us back to a gravel road south of Turley.
We continued south and found an pretty cool campsite that would be great for at least 10-15 trucks. We stayed here for the night and despite the rain had great fire and Confederate Bean Soup complements of Hunter and Roger, respectively. By early evening the rain had blown off, so we were able to enjoy the fire and the cool night air. The next morning Roger fixed us pancakes and sausage and we loaded out. We continued south with the intention of making our way back to pavement @ the access road near the entrance of the Sand Mine trail, but a slight mix-up on the map and Roger's insistence that his transmission would hold up, lead us to give the "Pine Bald Trail" a shot. This trail is quite scenic in spots and very overgrown, but exits at the top of Caryville mountain with excellent access to Windrock.
We then made our way back down the Mountain road and to our old friend the BP station to air up and split up, with Jason and Hunter headed to pilfer the Northern Tool in Knoxville and the rest of us to head back through Lake City and Briceville to the Windrock campground where we'd started.
We again turned around and exited back to the access road west of I75, headed north and entered the WMA a little south of Pioneer at Turley. We took a gravel road up and then had lunch at the start of the very appropriately named "Water Trail". It was a moderate trail that was pretty overgrown and full rather deep mud holes. This trail claimed a few 2m Antenna's. A good trail though. We were attempting to make our way over to The Eternal Flame and camp for the night, but the only access was what looked to be a very narrow trail that had a very steep muddy entrance. So we regrouped, and pressed on the Water Trail. This trail circled around a few contours and brought us back to a gravel road south of Turley.
We continued south and found an pretty cool campsite that would be great for at least 10-15 trucks. We stayed here for the night and despite the rain had great fire and Confederate Bean Soup complements of Hunter and Roger, respectively. By early evening the rain had blown off, so we were able to enjoy the fire and the cool night air. The next morning Roger fixed us pancakes and sausage and we loaded out. We continued south with the intention of making our way back to pavement @ the access road near the entrance of the Sand Mine trail, but a slight mix-up on the map and Roger's insistence that his transmission would hold up, lead us to give the "Pine Bald Trail" a shot. This trail is quite scenic in spots and very overgrown, but exits at the top of Caryville mountain with excellent access to Windrock.
We then made our way back down the Mountain road and to our old friend the BP station to air up and split up, with Jason and Hunter headed to pilfer the Northern Tool in Knoxville and the rest of us to head back through Lake City and Briceville to the Windrock campground where we'd started.
You guys were close to the Eternal Flame (right above it) on the water trail. There is a hidden cutoff to the left that goes down to the flame. However there is a locked gate. Not that big of a deal to lay a dirt bike down under it but a full size truck would be impossible. 
The gravel road opposite the Sand Mines creek crossing is the WMA access road I mentioned that comes down from Mountain (Tower) rd. The road up out of Turley goes straight to the Eternal flame. Take it all the way to the ridge top, then crest over and start down. Its a long way down, but right before you get to Norma Rd. turn to the left and the flame it out that direction. Lots of great options but its really limited due to the state's use of gates.
If you take Old 63 to 63 and cross under i75 at exit 141 you can go straight into the Sundquist riding area. It has more dirt and even some nicer true 4wheel drive trails that are perfect for wagons. I take the family up there a lot.
The gravel road opposite the Sand Mines creek crossing is the WMA access road I mentioned that comes down from Mountain (Tower) rd. The road up out of Turley goes straight to the Eternal flame. Take it all the way to the ridge top, then crest over and start down. Its a long way down, but right before you get to Norma Rd. turn to the left and the flame it out that direction. Lots of great options but its really limited due to the state's use of gates.
If you take Old 63 to 63 and cross under i75 at exit 141 you can go straight into the Sundquist riding area. It has more dirt and even some nicer true 4wheel drive trails that are perfect for wagons. I take the family up there a lot.
- Thread starter
- #45
Nice shot of the full moon taken with my iPhone so exposure's not great
Thanks to Hunter and just a smidge of diesel we had a nice fire
Screen cap from the Google earth map I was using to navigate. Eventually I'll convert it and load it into MotionX on the IPad, but didn't get a chance before the run.
Thanks to Hunter and just a smidge of diesel we had a nice fire
Screen cap from the Google earth map I was using to navigate. Eventually I'll convert it and load it into MotionX on the IPad, but didn't get a chance before the run.
- Thread starter
- #46
Couple shots of the campsite Saturday night.
Another screen shot showing the pine bald trail
Another screen shot showing the pine bald trail
Right Front trailer tire go.... BOOM!
good run...I had no issues on the trail...except like some others I lost another ham antenna. Close to Scottsboro, AL I had a trailer tire blow out....spent about two hours changing it out since my brand new NAPA 20 ton bottle neck jack was a total failure. (never used and in the tool box of the pickup in case I had a flat on the trailer)...
A nice guy stopped where I was working on the truck and offer me the use of his 70's era bottle jack he had in the back of his old school toyota pickup...amazingly the jack worked and picked up the loaded trailer enough so I could swap out the right front trailer tire. (was a hell of a struggle with the old rusty jack but after taking a few breaks to make sure I was safe I was finally able to get it high enough, I used the new non-operational jack as a safety stand with its adjustable top).
The guy who stopped to help me...had on some headphones and was talking to an non-existent third person the entire time. I turned around a few times to see who he was talking to until I caught on. (picture a street person type of character, headphones, animated conversations with imaginary people, and not the best take on reality). He watched and talked and I worked...was tough with that old jack... it worked and after a long time of screwing around I made it home.
NAPA is getting me a replacement jack tomorrow... I would have made other plans but I thought I had it made with the 20ton jack... Got dark fast.... About the time I was going to hunt for things to put under the rear tire in the hope of backing up on that to get the front tire far enough off the ground...the strange guy showed up and offered to help...of course he had the magic jack...and that was all it took. When he said help he meant he would watch / talk / and comment while I worked and wondered what planet he was on. I don't think he had anything thing else at all in his old truck but I was glad he stopped and I was about to start looking for other ways to swap the tire or start calling and texting people for help.
I'll add one of these to the tool box or get one made out of 8*8 section of wood.
http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Tande...46&sr=8-1&keywords=trailer+spare+tire+changer
in case my nice new jack fails again.
good run...I had no issues on the trail...except like some others I lost another ham antenna. Close to Scottsboro, AL I had a trailer tire blow out....spent about two hours changing it out since my brand new NAPA 20 ton bottle neck jack was a total failure. (never used and in the tool box of the pickup in case I had a flat on the trailer)...
A nice guy stopped where I was working on the truck and offer me the use of his 70's era bottle jack he had in the back of his old school toyota pickup...amazingly the jack worked and picked up the loaded trailer enough so I could swap out the right front trailer tire. (was a hell of a struggle with the old rusty jack but after taking a few breaks to make sure I was safe I was finally able to get it high enough, I used the new non-operational jack as a safety stand with its adjustable top).
The guy who stopped to help me...had on some headphones and was talking to an non-existent third person the entire time. I turned around a few times to see who he was talking to until I caught on. (picture a street person type of character, headphones, animated conversations with imaginary people, and not the best take on reality). He watched and talked and I worked...was tough with that old jack... it worked and after a long time of screwing around I made it home.
NAPA is getting me a replacement jack tomorrow... I would have made other plans but I thought I had it made with the 20ton jack... Got dark fast.... About the time I was going to hunt for things to put under the rear tire in the hope of backing up on that to get the front tire far enough off the ground...the strange guy showed up and offered to help...of course he had the magic jack...and that was all it took. When he said help he meant he would watch / talk / and comment while I worked and wondered what planet he was on. I don't think he had anything thing else at all in his old truck but I was glad he stopped and I was about to start looking for other ways to swap the tire or start calling and texting people for help.
I'll add one of these to the tool box or get one made out of 8*8 section of wood.
http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Tande...46&sr=8-1&keywords=trailer+spare+tire+changer
in case my nice new jack fails again.
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