GWNF/ new guy question

[JML403]

Hey guys! I'm new to Land Cruiser ownership and will hopefully get out to one of your meetings soon; from what I read everyone seems friendly enough. I have a question about the George Washington National Forest. My brother and I were going to meet out there this weekend but neither of us have been before. Can anyone suggest a campground relatively easy to find and maybe a game plan that wont ruin a stock fj80 with 285's? My brother has a fairly capable Jeep. I've read through all the threads that mentioned a Brandywine camp and then a trail called second mtn. Just wondering what type of length/timeframe/difficulty im looking at here. And any suggestions you feel might help a newb. Thanks for your time.

 

[bkfj40]

most of the guys are up at Coal Miner this weekend....

if you take 33 west from Harrisonburg, you can find numerous trails off to the left side of the road. You can turn at dry river road and that will take you back to some campsites, you can camp on the other side of the mountain in brandywine, or you can get to the top of the mountain, take a left at the turn lane, and then head down toward the lake and camp there....


we'll be hitting the trails again in a little bit, you're always welcome to join along


bk

 

[greytandy]

Welcome! Most of the folks here are very friendly except for one that uses your rig as a trash can. I'd recommend getting a copy of DeLorme's Virginia Gazetteer. It has details of the GWNF trails, but expect that not all of them will be open. The Dry River trail BK mentioned is really fun and you'll be safe in a stock vehicle. Avoid Long Run unless you want to break in your suspension. You can always do what I did - organize a trail ride and let BK lead!

 

[76FJ40]

You'll be OK unless you get stuck in the mud like our fearless trail leader.

 

[JML403]

haha thanks for the tips, and greytandy I ordered one of those guys on amazon just now. Hopefully it has what im looking for. Are all of the capital trail rides mentioned in this forum even the small ones? Because If everyone isnt too burned out from this weekend, and the wifeys allow it, something else should be set up pronto!

 

[greytandy]

Another set of trails closer to home would be Peter's Mill Run and Tasker's Gap.

Lee Ranger District - Recreational Activities - Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)

I've never done them but my understanding is they are pretty tame.

 

[bkfj40]

You'll be OK unless you get stuck in the mud like our fearless trail leader.

I was just happy to break the curse of wheeling with bob


bk

 

[JML403]

Speaking of closer to home, are there any places in fairfax,prince william or stafford county that anyone might know about? Sorry to ask all the trail questions in here, i know theres a trail forum but I figured since everyone is from the area this is the best bet.

 

[greytandy]

Speaking of closer to home, are there any places in fairfax,prince william or stafford county that anyone might know about? Sorry to ask all the trail questions in here, i know theres a trail forum but I figured since everyone is from the area this is the best bet.

Many, but they're all paved.

 

[Thornton]

Speaking of closer to home, are there any places in fairfax,prince william or stafford county that anyone might know about? Sorry to ask all the trail questions in here, i know theres a trail forum but I figured since everyone is from the area this is the best bet.

Nothing in Fairfax or Prince William that I can think of that is legal. Not sure of Stafford. Had gone some places with my son a few years back off Linton Hall Rd and Wellington Rd. all subdivisions now. Did'nt like it when we had a county cop trying to get us from one direction and a state trooper sitting on a bridge where we tried to come out another way. That was a long night. Glad it was the dead of winter and there we some of the swampy areas that were froze over.

 

[greytandy]

Did'nt like it when we had a county cop trying to get us from one direction and a state trooper sitting on a bridge where we tried to come out another way. That was a long night. Glad it was the dead of winter and there we some of the swampy areas that were froze over.

Tom fought the law, and the Tom won. Guess you outsmarted Boss Hogg and Enos.

 

[Thornton]

Tom fought the law, and the Tom won. Guess you outsmarted Boss Hogg and Enos.

No , I just got lucky the trooper ended up going after someone else . What sucks is that Josh and I had to come back 2 hrs later and get his drunk boss, 2 of his buddies and 2 labs in a Samuri home. I wish I would have video taped that. They were hiding behind a dumpster.

 

[kulangot]

Tom,

That sounds like a great story for the Vienna inn

 

[kulangot]

Speaking of closer to home, are there any places in fairfax,prince william or stafford county that anyone might know about? Sorry to ask all the trail questions in here, i know theres a trail forum but I figured since everyone is from the area this is the best bet.

There used to be, back in the day there was an access road down the entire length of the Dulles toll rd.

 

[JML403]

I dont remember as far back as you were talking but i certainly remember when I just got my license running the spots around Leesburg and the Dulles toll access roads... My how times change in 8 years. BTW I would have paid a large sum to see a boat of a Caddy running around trails!

 

[Jakes40]

I've rode Peter's mill and Tasker's on my ATV the only problem is all the ATV's and Bikes I've seen stockers on it though.

Chris

 

[billmiranda]

If anyone has any ideas of going up to any of these places... pls msg me,.. I'm always looking to get out but never can.

Bill

 

[kulangot]

Hey Bill, did you get that 80 fixed yet?

 

[wesintl]

I even owned that Ca-Dilly-ac for a time.

 

[kulangot]

I even owned that Ca-Dilly-ac for a time.

That's right, I forgot that you bought that hooptie.