Rausch Creek (1 Viewer)

[shmukster]

So, a friend from way up in the northern part of the state asked me to pickup some parts for him this past weekend. The guy bringing them up from MD was wheeling at Rausch. I made arrangements to meet him Sunday morning and all seemed well.
Got to Rausch about 10:15 and to my surprise there was only three trailers in the entire lot and staging area. The guy I was meeting was camped to the far right of the entrance, he was there with about nine others. Other than those guys I didn't see anything else other than the three empty trailers. That's a Sunday morning on a holiday weekend I expected there to have been a lot more attendees.
If I'd had more time I'd have driven from Rausch up to AOAA to see how buys they looked. Bet their lot was packed with trailers. And then there was a huge mud meet at Reading Anthrackite this past weekend I saw dozens of truck and trailers hauling ATV's headed that way.
Seems to me that Rausch has severely shot themselves in the foot with the way their prices have increased in the last two or three years. It will be interesting to see who wheels at Rausch this July during the (ex)Coal Mine get together. I'm paid up for this calendar year so it's not a big hardship for me. Yes indeed Rausch is much closer to the campground than AOAA but we'll see who thinks it's not worth the extra bucks to wheel at Rausch and avoid the long drive to AOAA. Comments? Please jump in..............

 

[YotaFun]

I like Rausch and am comfortable there, and I always seem to be able to find something new to do while I am there. The trails are marked clearly, or a least more clearly comparted to AOAA.

However, this being said. I spend less in fuel to head up the extra distance to AOAA then the cost to get into Rausch.
I would maybe understand the cost if changes were being made, such as the amenities were going to be improved, compared to AOAA, Rausch just isn't close.
I haven't ventured over to see if anything has been said on their forum section.

A lot can also be said for convenience in todays world. Being able to pay and do the wavier online before you go up is nice. The parking lot is easier to navigate, I feel its easier to do group events there as well if you plan ahead with AOAA.

 

[PhuckItImDone]

I recently let my membership to FRO lapse, as that has gone down hill. Prices keep going up, sections always closed off. Haven't been to Rausch or AOAA in over a year.

 

[PAToyota]

I haven't ventured over to see if anything has been said on their forum section.

Where is their forum section these days? I had drifted away from their forum and then when I went back to check in a few years later it was gone.

 

[shmukster]

I haven't been able to access the Rausch forum for years.

 

[YotaFun]

Hmm, it has disappeared. Well that is unfortunate, but also speaks volumes in a way.

 

[jamarquardt22]

They have alienated their entire clientele and failed to adapt their business.

 

[Cass007]

I will always prefer Rausch from a distance and trails perspective. AOAA is ~30-40 mins past Rausch if coming from the south.

IMO, both are run in a very inefficient manner in terms of how to pay. I can do the waiver and pay for my trail ride online at AOAA, but then I still need to wait in line to get my bracelet and sticker. Maybe if it's multiple days it's different?

With the membership and 5 time pass, Rausch is $68/per vs AOAA at $40/per.