MLK Winter Bash Resurrected.... opinions wanted

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ClemsonCruiser

ClemsonCruiser

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Our annual MLK run to Tellico for years was one of our best and biggest events; We always rented a big cabin lived "High on the Hog" , partied hard, and wheeled harder....... and anyone one who attended can attest we always had a BLAST!!!

Then the closesure of Tellico really knock the wind out of the sails for this event and we had let it die out the last couple of years. Fortunately the BOD got together this past weekend and decide it was time to bring it back to its former glory!!! Making it one of our two signature Upstate Cruiser events along with GSMTR.

We want to make this an event to draw in all our members spread across the South East, and to do that we need to start planing now and get a game plan so everyone has time to clear their calanders :cheers:

Right now I see our two best options being either Wind Rock(coal creek) in TN or Black Mountian in Harlan Kentucky. Both venues are roughly 4 hours from Greenville and offer 100s of miles of 4x4 trials and multiple opportunities for lodging "high on the hog" style.

I am looking for opinions on which venues you guys would prefer as I haven't been to either and know some of you have been to one or both. From my limited search on Google it appears that Harlan might have the edge in both lodging possibilities and more trials. Though Windrock would prob. be closer for out GA constituency....

Lets get this rolling!!! :cheers:
 
Some bit of info regarding Windrock. They charge around $15/day per person and offer NO discount for a group. Dixie run couldn't even arrange something. Might be worth checking to see if Harlan would offer something.

Also, I still have the number for the campground we stayed at for OTMT. Not far from trails and allowed alcohol. Also had a few cabins for rent (depending on the size of the event, might work).
 
Ive been to both and both are fun. Ill be missing our signature Harlan Run this year due to necessary maintenance and recovery from knee surgery...... the therapy is a breeze its the bills that'll kill ya.

Harlan seemed to have a bit more hardcore edge to it. Rockwells and 52'' michelins are normal here. Advanced Planning will be essential to getting a lodge for the High on the Hog affair (2 mos advance); otherwise you get to pitch a tent in a gravel parking lot. There are a few lodging options available and two sides to access the park from. Even the sherrif has a few houses outfitted with bunks to rent. Plus they have developed a few more new trails since our visit last year and have two separate rock gardens for playing in. There is a town with walmart and restaurants within a reasonable distance. DRY COUNTY but I imagine if you ask the preacher right you could even get a drink to wet your whistle. Just guessing here but I think the Harlan mud might be a bit nastier....esp in winter months.


few pics from last month https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-north-state-cruisers/394539-harlan-here-we-come.html
and last year https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-no...vest-haul-october-8th-11th-8.html#post4863327

Coal creek was nice but it was kinda spendy with the fee for each passenger too (luckily brodi didnt count) The campground we used for OTMT was close and fair but could be kinda soggy in january. Id be interested in seeing what kinda high roller lodging is avail in the area :D The trails seemed to have a wider vairability in levels offered but were also kinda spread out and the signage deffinately SUCKED. maps were adequate after the second day of exploring. I didnt go into town so Im not sure what all was available here.


and windrock with UC https://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-upstate-cruisers/285926-otmt-2009-a-5.html#post4713458

Both were enjoyable trips. ONSC is planning on making HARLAN in early October one of our two signature events with the other being the Spring Tide Ride in late april. It might be worth considering making the UC club MLK ride to Coal creek so we can share the opportunity to provide the local area members with a more diverse selection of club supported rides to go on. I believe we are laying low in January on the trail scene and maybe hosting our group hamom instead.
 
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jfz80 said:
Ive been to both and both are fun. Ill be missing our signature Harlan Run this year due to necessary maintenance and recovery from knee surgery...... the therapy is a breeze its the bills that'll kill ya.

Harlan seemed to have a bit more hardcore edge to it. Rockwells and 52'' michelins are normal here. Advanced Planning will be essential to getting a lodge for the High on the Hog affair (2 mos advance); otherwise you get to pitch a tent in a gravel parking lot. There are a few lodging options available and two sides to access the park from. Even the sherrif has a few houses outfitted with bunks to rent. Plus they have developed a few more new trails since our visit last year and have two separate rock gardens for playing in. There is a town with walmart and restaurants within a reasonable distance. DRY COUNTY but I imagine if you ask the preacher right you could even get a drink to wet your whistle. Just guessing here but I think the Harlan mud might be a bit nastier....esp in winter months.


few pics from last month https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-north-state-cruisers/394539-harlan-here-we-come.html
and last year https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-no...vest-haul-october-8th-11th-8.html#post4863327

Coal creek was nice but it was kinda spendy with the fee for each passenger too (luckily brodi didnt count) The campground we used for OTMT was close and fair but could be kinda soggy in january. Id be interested in seeing what kinda high roller lodging is avail in the area :D The trails seemed to have a wider vairability in levels offered but were also kinda spread out and the signage deffinately SUCKED. maps were adequate after the second day of exploring. I didnt go into town so Im not sure what all was available here.


and windrock with UC https://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-upstate-cruisers/285926-otmt-2009-a-5.html#post4713458

Both were enjoyable trips. ONSC is planning on making HARLAN in early October one of our two signature events with the other being the Spring Tide Ride in late april. It might be worth considering making the UC club MLK ride to Coal creek so we can share the opportunity to provide the local area members with a more diverse selection of club supported rides to go on. I believe we are laying low in January on the trail scene and maybe hosting our group hamom instead.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the indepth info Jason.... I was initially in my mind leaning towards Harlan but it sounds like there is a lack of easy to moderate trails from your description and that could be an issue since I don't think we have that many members set-up to run the Hardcore stuff.

I will look into Coal Creek lodging a little more, as I would love to get somethihng along the lines of what we had for the last MLK run at Tellico!
 
Well here is a Bed and Breakfast that we could rent the whole place out, it has access to the trails from the property (Windrock Bed & Breakfast Home)

I don't know how the lady would feel about us throwing a party there but you never know :grinpimp:

The only other cabins I was able to find were part of the Coal Creek campground run by the park I believe.... the problem is there were small cabins holding like 4 people each. I'd personally think it would be better to have one large place for everyone to share. If anyone can find or knows of any potential cabing rentals post up :cheers:
 
We could always do a hotel in Oak Ridge or West Knoxville. I know one you can have a good time at, my cousin had his wedding party staying there and we had some inebriated fun there...
 
71-CRUISER said:
Windrock ATV Lodge / Oliver Springs-Knoxville -- Photo Gallery

This is a great Cabin and about 5 min from the trail head at Windrock. It is a bit pricey, but it is : Close, Clean, Big enough for a party.
Click to expand...

That looks like the ticket! There are two lodges in the same building, and upper one will sleep 13 people. Basically, it works out to $20.xx/person/night or $63 for the weekend (Fri-Mon). That's if we fill it up. The basement lodge sleeps 8 and the breakdown is almost identical. We could rent both cabins for $1275 for a 4 day weekend.

The one Marshall found looks amazing and is about the same rate w/fees ($1282/4 days), but its further from the trails.
-tmp-jpg7vdm1p.jpg


-tmp-jpgdeil2c.jpg
 
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BMThiker said:
That looks like the ticket! There are two lodges in the same building, and upper one will sleep 13 people. Basically, it works out to $20.xx/person/night or $63 for the weekend (Fri-Mon). That's if we fill it up. The basement lodge sleeps 8 and the breakdown is almost identical. We could rent both cabins for $1275 for a 4 day weekend.

The one Marshall found looks amazing and is about the same rate w/fees ($1282/4 days), but its further from the trails.
-tmp-jpg7vdm1p.jpg


-tmp-jpgdeil2c.jpg
Click to expand...


I agree this is the ticket!!! looks like "high on the hog" living to me :cheers:
 
Guys,
In '08, the STLCA went to Royal Blue ORV for the MLK weekend. Lots of trails and options; we had a great weekend. Since it is a TN state WMA park, non-TN residents pay a high daily rate (might be close to what Windrock charges). Roger T. may have more details on the area because he was looking at Royal Blue in case Tellico was closed for GSMTR '08.

FYI Melissa and I rented a nice cabin that was close to trail head that had a 'sister' cabin with a couple more bedrooms (they were ~30 yards apart). Based on the pictures posted, these cabins were not as high on the hog as the cabin that you are currently viewing, but it is just an option for your consideration. Good luck
 
jfz80 said:
Ive been to both and both are fun. Ill be missing our signature Harlan Run this year due to necessary maintenance and recovery from knee surgery...... the therapy is a breeze its the bills that'll kill ya.

Harlan seemed to have a bit more hardcore edge to it. Rockwells and 52'' michelins are normal here. Advanced Planning will be essential to getting a lodge for the High on the Hog affair (2 mos advance); otherwise you get to pitch a tent in a gravel parking lot. There are a few lodging options available and two sides to access the park from. Even the sherrif has a few houses outfitted with bunks to rent. Plus they have developed a few more new trails since our visit last year and have two separate rock gardens for playing in. There is a town with walmart and restaurants within a reasonable distance. DRY COUNTY but I imagine if you ask the preacher right you could even get a drink to wet your whistle. Just guessing here but I think the Harlan mud might be a bit nastier....esp in winter months.


few pics from last month https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-north-state-cruisers/394539-harlan-here-we-come.html
and last year https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-no...vest-haul-october-8th-11th-8.html#post4863327

Coal creek was nice but it was kinda spendy with the fee for each passenger too (luckily brodi didnt count) The campground we used for OTMT was close and fair but could be kinda soggy in january. Id be interested in seeing what kinda high roller lodging is avail in the area :D The trails seemed to have a wider vairability in levels offered but were also kinda spread out and the signage deffinately SUCKED. maps were adequate after the second day of exploring. I didnt go into town so Im not sure what all was available here.


and windrock with UC https://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-upstate-cruisers/285926-otmt-2009-a-5.html#post4713458

Both were enjoyable trips. ONSC is planning on making HARLAN in early October one of our two signature events with the other being the Spring Tide Ride in late april. It might be worth considering making the UC club MLK ride to Coal creek so we can share the opportunity to provide the local area members with a more diverse selection of club supported rides to go on. I believe we are laying low in January on the trail scene and maybe hosting our group hamom instead.
Click to expand...

This is a spot on description of Harlan. I was with Jason on this trip. Def an awesome place to wheel. It rained alot when we were there so that made it interesting, especially the 2nd day. I hope to never see an 80 come flying out of the woods like a bobsled like that again... The camping/lodging are pretty limited and I def woke up to a buggy driving by in the gravel parking lot with 52's and "Jethro" spray painted on the side of the truck. I think Jason later made friends and they keep up on facebook now.

Coal creek sounds fun and I was jealous i couldnt make the otmt trip...

No matter where the destination... i am sure it will be a blast.
 
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