michigan group visiting nemo tunnel and windrock park (1 Viewer)

[VSPro9]

i posted this in the other TN chapter, not realizing there was two chapters.

Hello Tennessee Cruiser folks,

June 23-26 i will be bringing some friends down to go through Nemo Tunnel, then camp and ride at windrock park. i had a few questions i was hoping yall could help me with!

1. Is nemo tunnel just a drive through and done, or should we plan more than a hour or two for riding in the area?
2. were planning to camp at half moon campground near windrock. does anyone have any experience with it, or is there a better option?
3. General tips for windrock - what should we try to see or do out there?
4. Vehicle equipment - we all will have skids and A/T tires, but most of us arent rock crawlers or mud slingers. are sliders necessary for every trail, or can we get by without them if we avoid the rough stuff?
5. Any other tips or info to share for first timers?

Thank you!

 

[MZRoamer]

Cant speak too much for Nemo Tunnel or Windrock, but if you're coming down this way from up north, please make sure you look at Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge, and also check out the KAT (Kentucky Adventure Tour) and DBBB (Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway) . You probably won't be able to squeeze everything into 4-days but there are amazing things to do in that area. Big South Fork is not far also, and has some amazing hiking/sights, including the Twin Arches.

kentuckyadventuretour.com - kentuckyadventuretour Resources and Information.

kentuckyadventuretour.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, kentuckyadventuretour.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for!

kentuckyadventuretour.com

 

[desmocruiser]

i posted this in the other TN chapter, not realizing there was two chapters.

Hello Tennessee Cruiser folks,

June 23-26 i will be bringing some friends down to go through Nemo Tunnel, then camp and ride at windrock park. i had a few questions i was hoping yall could help me with!

1. Is nemo tunnel just a drive through and done, or should we plan more than a hour or two for riding in the area?
2. were planning to camp at half moon campground near windrock. does anyone have any experience with it, or is there a better option?
3. General tips for windrock - what should we try to see or do out there?
4. Vehicle equipment - we all will have skids and A/T tires, but most of us arent rock crawlers or mud slingers. are sliders necessary for every trail, or can we get by without them if we avoid the rough stuff?
5. Any other tips or info to share for first timers?

Thank you!

Hello Tennessee Cruiser folks,

June 23-26 i will be bringing some friends down to go through Nemo Tunnel, then camp and ride at windrock park. i had a few questions i was hoping yall could help me with!

1. Is nemo tunnel just a drive through and done, or should we plan more than a hour or two for riding in the area?

There are a few things to check out at the tunnel; a neat off road trail that takes you back to the opposite side of the road and runs alongside the river and just past the tunnel turnoff there’s a parking area for River recreation with picnic area etc. that is a good break for lunch spot. In the same general area of the tunnel are a couple of abandoned train cars that many people check out and you can enter back into Windrock Park near there and take some easy moderate trails back to the main entrance where the campgrounds, cabins, and general store are located. The tunnel itself is a 30-45 minute stop, maybe a little more or less if you take pictures or there is a large crowd/group. Also there are a few folks who add a visit to Brushy Mtn Penitentiary while on there way to or from, if you add this stop the amount of time is really up to the group and if they want to see all there is and you can spend 1/2 day to an entire day.

2. were planning to camp at half moon campground near wind-rock. does anyone have any experience with it, or is there a better option?

Not familiar.

3. General tips for windrock - what should we try to see or do out there?

Really depends on how far you extend from the park area, if visiting for the first time and want a day away from bouncing around the trails I would execute the sights under question one.

4. Vehicle equipment - we all will have skids and A/T tires, but most of us arent rock crawlers or mud slingers. are sliders necessary for every trail, or can we get by without them if we avoid the rough stuff?

You should be okay and there are multiple trails that you can enjoy, however trail conditions can change depending on the amount of recent work or traffic and most definitely the weather, where you can go from easy traction to a muddy mess in a hurry! Just keep an eye on the weather it is the biggest factor to which trails you might select and there should be great fresh trail reports because GSMTR the big STLCA event is the weekend prior, so just check back any the first of that week and you should get good trail recommendations.

5. Any other tips or info to share for first timers?

Have fun, be safe and watch out for side by sides and Jeeps! Oh yeah, they are serious about a permit per person and ZERO alcohol in the park, on the Summer weekends expect to be checked and your cooler inspected.

 

[VSPro9]

Hello Tennessee Cruiser folks,

June 23-26 i will be bringing some friends down to go through Nemo Tunnel, then camp and ride at windrock park. i had a few questions i was hoping yall could help me with!

1. Is nemo tunnel just a drive through and done, or should we plan more than a hour or two for riding in the area?

There are a few things to check out at the tunnel; a neat off road trail that takes you back to the opposite side of the road and runs alongside the river and just past the tunnel turnoff there’s a parking area for River recreation with picnic area etc. that is a good break for lunch spot. In the same general area of the tunnel are a couple of abandoned train cars that many people check at and you can enter pack into Windrock Park near there and take some easy moderate trails back to the main entrance where the campgrounds, cabins, and general store are located. The tunnel itself is a 30-45 minute stop, maybe a little more or less if you take pictures or there is a large crowd/group. Also there are a few folks who add a visit to Brushy Mtn Penitentiary while on there way to or from, if you add this stop the amount of time really is really up to the group and if they want to see all there is and you can spend 1/2 day to an entire day.

2. were planning to camp at half moon campground near wind-rock. does anyone have any experience with it, or is there a better option?

Not familiar.

3. General tips for windrock - what should we try to see or do out there?

Really depends on how far you extend from the park area, if visiting for the first time and want a day away from bouncing around the trails I would execute the sights under question one.

4. Vehicle equipment - we all will have skids and A/T tires, but most of us arent rock crawlers or mud slingers. are sliders necessary for every trail, or can we get by without them if we avoid the rough stuff?

You should be okay and there are multiple trails that you can enjoy, however trail conditions can change depending on the amount of recent work or traffic and most definitely the weather, where you can go from easy traction to a muddy mess in a hurry! Just keep an eye on the weather it is the biggest factor to which trails you might select and there should be great fresh trail reports because GSMTR the big STLCA event is the weekend prior, so just check back any the first of that week and you should get good trail recommendations.

5. Any other tips or info to share for first timers?

Have fun, be safe and watch out for side by sides and Jeeps! Oh yeah, they are serious about a permit per person and ZERO alcohol in the park, on the Summer weekends expect to be checked and your cooler inspected.

Thank you for the info!

 

[VSPro9]

Cant speak too much for Nemo Tunnel or Windrock, but if you're coming down this way from up north, please make sure you look at Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge, and also check out the KAT (Kentucky Adventure Tour) and DBBB (Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway) . You probably won't be able to squeeze everything into 4-days but there are amazing things to do in that area. Big South Fork is not far also, and has some amazing hiking/sights, including the Twin Arches.

kentuckyadventuretour.com - kentuckyadventuretour Resources and Information.

kentuckyadventuretour.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, kentuckyadventuretour.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for!

kentuckyadventuretour.com

Sounds like I’ll have to plan more trips!

 

[andy's60]

i posted this in the other TN chapter, not realizing there was two chapters.

Hello Tennessee Cruiser folks,

June 23-26 i will be bringing some friends down to go through Nemo Tunnel, then camp and ride at windrock park. i had a few questions i was hoping yall could help me with!

1. Is nemo tunnel just a drive through and done, or should we plan more than a hour or two for riding in the area?
2. were planning to camp at half moon campground near windrock. does anyone have any experience with it, or is there a better option?
3. General tips for windrock - what should we try to see or do out there?
4. Vehicle equipment - we all will have skids and A/T tires, but most of us arent rock crawlers or mud slingers. are sliders necessary for every trail, or can we get by without them if we avoid the rough stuff?
5. Any other tips or info to share for first timers?

Thank you!

Nemo is pretty much just a drive through and done but worth the trip.
Half moon is a great campground with good trail access and the owners are very nice people. Last time I stayed there, there was no cell service but they have added a cell tower so that may be different.
You should be fine if you stay on the green & blue trails.
I'd definitely visit the Brushy Mountain prison while you're close by.

 

[VSPro9]

Nemo is pretty much just a drive through and done but worth the trip.
Half moon is a great campground with good trail access and the owners are very nice people. Last time I stayed there, there was no cell service but they have added a cell tower so that may be different.
You should be fine if you stay on the green & blue trails.
I'd definitely visit the Brushy Mountain prison while you're close by.

thanks for the info, whats the deal with brushy mountain prison? generally i try to avoid the lockup.

 

[jynx]

Brushy mtn was one of the toughest maximum security prisons in TN. They used prison labor in the mines. Housed some of the worst of the time. Closed years ago, they've since converted it to a tourist spot with a whiskey distillery. The whiskey isn't that great given the other TN makers around. The prison tour is really interesting and worth a look if you've got the time.

 

[smokymtnjoe]

Brushy is definitely worth visiting. I’d plan a half day there and get someone to give you a tour. They used to have a few prisoners that spent time in Brushy but have since been relocated to the new prison down the road give tours. Dark stuff and fascinating at the same time.

Barkley Marathons documentary has a good clip giving the history of Brushy. It’s a show about a foot race in the mountains but the idea of the marathon is centered around James Earl Ray‘s escape attempt from Brushy.

I recommend getting a report on the trails from someone at the general store before heading out. It can get rough out there and the trails do change constantly. Use the difficulty levels on the map as a general guide but also talk to the trail crew or other employees.

 

[VSPro9]

Brushy is definitely worth visiting. I’d plan a half day there and get someone to give you a tour. They used to have a few prisoners that spent time in Brushy but have since been relocated to the new prison down the road give tours. Dark stuff and fascinating at the same time.

Barkley Marathons documentary has a good clip giving the history of Brushy. It’s a show about a foot race in the mountains but the idea of the marathon is centered around James Earl Ray‘s escape attempt from Brushy.

I recommend getting a report on the trails from someone at the general store before heading out. It can get rough out there and the trails do change constantly. Use the difficulty levels on the map as a general guide but also talk to the trail crew or other employees.

are the trails well marked? how is the cell service?

 

[smokymtnjoe]

are the trails well marked? how is the cell service?

Yes, they do a pretty good job of marking trails but signs do tend to disappear every now and then. Best thing to do is buy a map at the general store or download the Windrock Park app. Heard good and bad from the app. Gaia GPS might have some public tracks uploaded. Cell service is spotty. Higher elevations you should be good though. Verizon used to be the best but I think an AT&T tower was just installed on or near Buffalo Mountain.

 

[Dissent]

Sounds like an awesome trip, given me some ideas for exploration too. Enjoy!