Mitchell Mill power lines/trail

[LukeO]

I stumbled on another power line trail off Mitchell Mill. Didn't see any "no trespassing", etc. signs like the ones on the Ligon Mill power lines. Haven't Cruised down them yet as I thought I'd try and see if it's an issue or not. The trail appears similar to Ligon's.

Anyone been down them or know anything about them?

 

[lt1fire]

I stumbled on another power line trail off Mitchell Mill. Didn't see any "no trespassing", etc. signs like the ones on the Ligon Mill power lines. Haven't Cruised down them yet as I thought I'd try and see if it's an issue or not. The trail appears similar to Ligon's.

Anyone been down them or know anything about them?

Most likely you shouldn't be on it. But if not posted all they can do is kick you off of it.

 

[southerncruiser62]

Power line trails are private easements that the power companies own, most often a 100' easement.

 

[shinton]

NCGS 14-134.2 no person shall operate a motor vehicle/ATV upon a utility easement without written permission

The ONLY people that can legally drive on the power line "trail" is the power line trucks AND the land owner.

The land owner cannot give YOU permission to ride on the road - the legalese basically says it is there for and maintained by the power company and they do not want it "messed up" with ruts, etc.

I can be a real jerk about land owner rights / so just a quick warning!! But we have seen SEVERAL times where a land owner has actually removed riding privileges for us, based on threads they have seen on the internet!!

Here is a link to the complete list of LEGAL places to ride in NC, I believe it is up to date. If you are caught on other properties (GLOBE comes to mind) I am hearing of tickets in the $500+ range, dependign on who is writing it.

Where to go wheeling - THE complete list of Legal Wheeling places... - North Carolina 4x4 Forum

 

[addicted56]

NCGS 14-134.2 no person shall operate a motor vehicle/ATV upon a utility easement without written permission

The ONLY people that can legally drive on the power line "trail" is the power line trucks AND the land owner.

The land owner cannot give YOU permission to ride on the road - the legalese basically says it is there for and maintained by the power company and they do not want it "messed up" with ruts, etc.

I can be a real jerk about land owner rights / so just a quick warning!! But we have seen SEVERAL times where a land owner has actually removed riding privileges for us, based on threads they have seen on the internet!!

Here is a link to the complete list of LEGAL places to ride in NC, I believe it is up to date. If you are caught on other properties (GLOBE comes to mind) I am hearing of tickets in the $500+ range, dependign on who is writing it.

Where to go wheeling - THE complete list of Legal Wheeling places... - North Carolina 4x4 Forum

I bet that list is short. Brown Mt is short and easy, Tellico is closed, The beaches aren't really 4x4 and they are closing and the other is private land you have to pay for. Wow NC you go. This state really has something going for itself in this areana. I thought Culowee was pretty darn cool. Thankfully Uwharrie is open and close by.

 

[lt1fire]

I bet that list is short. Brown Mt is short and easy, Tellico is closed, The beaches aren't really 4x4 and they are closing and the other is private land you have to pay for. Wow NC you go. This state really has something going for itself in this areana. I thought Culowee was pretty darn cool. Thankfully Uwharrie is open and close by.

Yeah it is short, half you have to pay for, one is closed, one only has two trails and then there is uwharrie.
I think we should really work on Brown mountain. Trying to get more 4x4 trails for rigs since it is already a trail system.

 

[addicted56]

I think the group should start some sort of trust fund to buy a thousand acres of land...maybe a couple different locations in the state adn then build some trails . Every one plugged in 100 bucks a year at a modest 8% return over 60 years and we might be able to afford something By then most of us would be starting to croak and if anyone makes it big, hopefully they leave an inheritance Sick I know.

Hmm I feel a business plan comming on.

I don't see why the bluecoalition group or SEMA doesn't do more of that. i've got it that it is easier to fight to keep what we have...but their track record is getting worse and worse.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I think the group should start some sort of trust fund to buy a thousand acres of land...maybe a couple different locations in the state adn then build some trails . Every one plugged in 100 bucks a year at a modest 8% return over 60 years and we might be able to afford something By then most of us would be starting to croak and if anyone makes it big, hopefully they leave an inheritance Sick I know.

Hmm I feel a business plan comming on.

I don't see why the bluecoalition group or SEMA doesn't do more of that. i've got it that it is easier to fight to keep what we have...but their track record is getting worse and worse.

That does sound like a good idea. Now for the "however"...

There have been situations where, due to the access of "private" trails, pay-for-play areas, those who want to remove access to public lands, used the private parks as justification to close areas to OHV's.

Being a child of 60's and 70's skateboarding in CA, this happened as skateboard parks began to open. "If they've got this place to skate, why do they need to skate on the sidewalks and the streets?" We then had communities pass laws, not unlike we have now where it is illegal to ride a skateboard down the sidewalk.

I believe this happened in AZ but I can't quote the exact circumstance, I'd have to put my google hat on to find it again. I believe there was a thread on the subject on Pirate if I recall.

I don't discount the concept and, unfortunately, I see this idea as a way to preserve access. This is why places like Harlan and other large pieces of land that are still privately owned yet allow OHV access need to be used and supported by our community so that they remain open/accessible for the future...

 

[shinton]

Yeah they are trying hard to keep Tellico closed too. The "good" news for us is there already parks opening up all over the place, they just need folks to put money in their pockets to keep them open!

Jellico is opening to trail riding (they were just for racing)

That Golden park they are doing the Dixie Run at appears pretty nice

There is a park opening in WV - not alot of details out yet on them but I know one of the guys behind the scenes. (WV is very PRO OHV...)

Gulches down in SC... there is another one opening near Liberty SC... Devils Playground (free / open invites only), "The FARM" - Big Dixie Boggers.

Honestly, you could easily fill out 12 months of riding within 6ish hours of mid-NC without doing the same place twice!! (Or durn close)

 

[mtweller]

I know the itch to hit the power lines "close to home". There have been many times I have wished for a place to flex up my 40 for measuring and fitment issues. Bottom line, if you do go somewhere you don't have written permission to do so, make sure you don't have any ONSC stickers or other identifying paraphernalia on your truck - we want to keep a clean reputation.

R

 

[phoolio]

how about some of the dirt access roads you see at various bridges along the neuse river...Buffalo Rd is one example? On google maps, you can see the dirt path start at the Buffalo Rd. bridge and end somewhere near Falls of Neuse Rd, behind Bedford. I know Paddle Creek does kayak rides on this section of the Neuse, but don't know if they use any of these roads to drop off or pick up kayaks. It's probably still illegal, so until i hear otherwise, i won't venture onto them.

edit: i was actually mistaken...the path actually ends at Louisburg Rd, not Falls of Neuse.

 

[southerncruiser62]

I can confirm that all roads around Bedford are private and owned by the developer and/or power company.