Parkway Cruzzz Oct. 16, 2010

[ClemsonCruiser]

Guys and Gals it is time for our annual Blue Ridge Parkway Cruise!!! This is one of my favorite events every year as it doesn't get much better than cruising down the BRP with the fall colors exploding around you.... This is a trip not to be missed!!

When: October 16th 2010 11am and continuing until we get tired of talking cruisers or breathing the fresh clean mountian air!

Where: We will as usual be begininng our trip with lunch at Mt. Pisgah Inn (Pisgah Inn, North Carolina - The Peak of the Parkway) and then proceeding north on the Parkway to Mt. Mitchell State Park.

Additional detials: Friday night before the Parkway ride I am plan to camp in the Black Balsam/ Graveyard Fields area of the parkway (about 10 miles south of the Pisgah Inn). As many of you know there is a Forest Service road known as Ivestor Gap that is a unmantianed 4X4 trail it begins at the termination of the Black Balsam parking lot. The road is open August 15- Jan. 2nd every year and traverses a very rocky shelf road for roughly 4 miles then terminates at Ivestor Gap. It provides a fun challenge and offers some awesome camping spots at roughly 6,000ft.

pics: ivestor gap road

Camp



The tricky part about the area is there is limited camping and it is first come first serve. Thus I can not guarantee a camping spot for everyone. It is my intent to try to get to the area early Firday morning and secure a spot for everyone but if I can not and you plan on coming up pleased be prepared to find an alternative camping location on your own. Which shouldn't pose a problem as there are unlimted camping sites in the vicinity.

If you are interested in joining the camping on Sat. let me know so I can have an idea who to look out for.

Looking foward to seeing everyone there
JP

 

[Trollhole]

I'm all in for the Prakway

 

[boombapslappy]

Yeah the Prakway sounds way cool.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Yeah the Prakway sounds way cool.

okay haha..... trust me if I could have corrected it I would. I believe only a moderator can fix my spelling gaff... ahem .... ahem

 

[Mongofj60]

I remember a few years ago, well I am showing my age and how long I've been in the club but around 9 years ago it was so foggy we could'nt drive past Pisgah. I'll find pics.

 

[BillWright]

Camping Friday AND Saturday?
We're interested but I don't know if we can get up there before dark on Friday.

 

[boombapslappy]

okay haha..... trust me if I could have corrected it I would. I believe only a moderator can fix my spelling gaff... ahem .... ahem

Not gonna happen...you got to live with it

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Camping Friday AND Saturday?
We're interested but I don't know if we can get up there before dark on Friday.

Bill the trail to camp for Friday night is easy enough to find as it is right off the parkway and there are no turns once you are on the trail. With your wheeling experience this trail wouldn't pose any problems for a night ride..... just make sure to air down at the trail head as like I said it is rather rocky Also I believe Marshall is coming up on Friday afternoon; if you can get up there early enough maybe you guys can ride in together.....

As for Sat. night camping I am sure there will be some other guys that are looking to camp that night after the ride. I just won't be able to head it up as I have other plans. Jay knows that area really well and I am sure you could twist his arm into showing you the good spots.

 

[BELMONT148]

Might like to camp with you guys friday and meetup at the Inn Saturday for a few hours. What are the specifics for the camping spot? Time to meet, and location? How cold will it get up there as I was thinking of bringing my son. Will I need to get any cold weather gear or cooking essentials? I assume this will be a fend for yourself camping excursion.

Jeremy

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Might like to camp with you guys friday and meetup at the Inn Saturday for a few hours. What are the specifics for the camping spot? Time to meet, and location? How cold will it get up there as I was thinking of bringing my son. Will I need to get any cold weather gear or cooking essentials? I assume this will be a fend for yourself camping excursion.

Jeremy

Jeremy,
The camping on Firday night is very much a "you are on your own affair" and I mean that in a laid back way as this isn't an "offical" UC camping trip. I am going to be up Thursday night or friday morning and set up camp and if anybody wants to join me on Firday that is great....but there aren't going to be any set meeting times because once I set-up camp I am not coming back out until it is time for group lunch at Mt. Pisgah. I can give you all the directoins you need and the trail is super easy to find.

As for weather; the Camp site is roughly 6,000 feet and at that time of year you never really know what weather you are going to get, but it can def. be very cold, heck it could even snow..... but at the same time it could be in the 60's and sunny. Best thing to do is just start checking the weather about a week out.

Hope you can make and let me know if you have anymore questions

 

[BELMONT148]

Sounds good, I can get details at the Clemson game.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[mdennis]

im in

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

im in

Glad you can make it! Are you just coming up for the ride or are you planning on camping out as well?

 

[the gimpey one]

i plan on goin on th cruise if i can fix all issues bye theen. Hope to have carb back on and galley tapped, but need to fix exhaust leak before cruise.

 

[Trollhole]

2006

2007

2008

2009

And the video from 09

FotoPlayer

 

[BELMONT148]

I was thinking about staying in Asheville after the ride and then seeing Biltmore for a few ours on Sunday before heading back with the fam. I stayed somewhere before, but I think it was just an average Marriott or something. Do you guys have any recommendations for good accommodations for one night in Asheville?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Trollhole]

I always stay in the holiday inn express in Biltmore Village. It's decent and walking distance to my favorite mexican restaurant, La Paz.

 

[99UZJay]

I always stay in the holiday inn express in Biltmore Village. It's decent and walking distance to my favorite mexican restaurant, La Paz.

Alas La Paz is no more, it is now Neo Cantina, weird place... Sorry for your loss...

 

[Trollhole]

Well the new local owners look to be carrying on the tradition. Neo Cantina Fresh Mexican cuisine in the heart of Historic Biltmore Village

Doesn't look like they have changed much. I can see Chuck going to this place as they have PBR for only a dollar.

 

[99UZJay]

I am absolutely there, as are YOURNAMEHERE (blair), and 1972FJ40 (todd), and possibly Turkeypen (David Davis) if I can talk him into it... This is one of his favorite rides!!!