Snowy Forest Service Roads? (1 Viewer)

[thecapedcapper]

Looking to get up into the mountains next week and hopefully see some snow before Christmas - my understanding is that there's snow in the forecast for Boone but I'm not sure about any forest service roads in the area or other places to explore in that area. Any ideas if it's worth the extra drive time to go Brushy mountain or Martha Sundqvist? I love that area but it's at least a 3 hour drive from Charlotte and I'm looking to probably do a day trip.

Any advice would be welcome, thanks!

 

[UZJ105]

Looking to get up into the mountains next week and hopefully see some snow before Christmas - my understanding is that there's snow in the forecast for Boone but I'm not sure about any forest service roads in the area or other places to explore in that area. Any ideas if it's worth the extra drive time to go Brushy mountain or Martha Sundqvist? I love that area but it's at least a 3 hour drive from Charlotte and I'm looking to probably do a day trip.

Any advice would be welcome, thanks!

You could try Old 105 and the Wilson Creek (Mortimer) area by Linville Gorge. Old 105 is gravel and has some altitude. There are a few fire roads around Wilson Creek. Gorgeous area.

Old NC 105, North Carolina - GPS Trail Map, Conditions & Difficulty | onX Offroad

Old NC-105 is a popular trail and is most well-known for its outstanding views of the Linville Gorge. It offers unparalleled views of the gorge and Table Rock Mountain.

www.onxmaps.com

 

[thecapedcapper]

You could try Old 105 and the Wilson Creek (Mortimer) area by Linville Gorge. Old 105 is gravel and has some altitude. There are a few fire roads around Wilson Creek. Gorgeous area.

Old NC 105, North Carolina - GPS Trail Map, Conditions & Difficulty | onX Offroad

Old NC-105 is a popular trail and is most well-known for its outstanding views of the Linville Gorge. It offers unparalleled views of the gorge and Table Rock Mountain.

www.onxmaps.com

Sounds good thanks! I've camped on Old 105 before but I do want to check it out again, and that area around Mortimer looks great, I'll have to explore it and report back

 

[thecapedcapper]

Well, this was the closest I got to snow wheeling:

Great views from Linville Gorge as usual though, was definitely worth starting my trip there as it has been a while.

That being said the roads north of there were the most interesting although I did go down a couple roads that ended up being dead ends. Towards the end of the day i went through FSR 464 through the Harpers Creek / Lost Cove / Mortimer area. There was at least one offshoot road that was actually open that I'd like to check out, and several more from what I can see on the map. Here's my Gaia tract if anyone is interested:

Topo Maps, Trail Maps, and Satellite Imagery

Access free topo maps online and use intuitive mapping tools to plan your next adventure. The Gaia GPS map catalog includes detailed satellite imagery, worldwide trail maps, weather forecasting overlays, and avalanche data overlays.

www.gaiagps.com

I want to do another scouting trip up there at some point, and it could make for an interesting alternative to the popular trips to the Hurricane Creek area.

 

[pkniland]

Well, this was the closest I got to snow wheeling:

View attachment 3519262
Great views from Linville Gorge as usual though, was definitely worth starting my trip there as it has been a while.
View attachment 3519261
That being said the roads north of there were the most interesting although I did go down a couple roads that ended up being dead ends. Towards the end of the day i went through FSR 464 through the Harpers Creek / Lost Cove / Mortimer area. There was at least one offshoot road that was actually open that I'd like to check out, and several more from what I can see on the map. Here's my Gaia tract if anyone is interested:

Topo Maps, Trail Maps, and Satellite Imagery

Access free topo maps online and use intuitive mapping tools to plan your next adventure. The Gaia GPS map catalog includes detailed satellite imagery, worldwide trail maps, weather forecasting overlays, and avalanche data overlays.

www.gaiagps.com

I want to do another scouting trip up there at some point, and it could make for an interesting alternative to the popular trips to the Hurricane Creek area.

One of my favorite areas of the state, if you want company next time post it up.

 

[jfz80]

Same. Long time explored there. Def a favorite. Sadly just lost two good ones up there :/

Or here Happy new years from the gorge.

Didn’t try it but this one piqued my interest lol

 

[pkniland]

Sadly just lost two good ones up

What got shut down?

 

[jfz80]

FSR 192
Old rock house gap
“Jeep trail” was never open but now blocked as it led into brown mountain ohv area. And another up by globe that cut out from 90 toward 321 by richlands. I guess could add richlands rd to the list as well.

Snow was limited to spitting flurries around 6am but was in 2x2 mode this weekend

I

What got shut down?

 

[thecapedcapper]

FSR 192
Old rock house gap
“Jeep trail” was never open but now blocked as it led into brown mountain ohv area. And another up by globe that cut out from 90 toward 321 by richlands. I guess could add richlands rd to the list as well.

Snow was limited to spitting flurries around 6am but was in 2x2 mode this weekend

View attachment 3522952I

Is that Old rock house gap? Great view. Sad that all of those are closed now though... I wonder what it takes to get the forest service to reopen anything like that.

 

[UZJ105]

Is that Old rock house gap? Great view. Sad that all of those are closed now though... I wonder what it takes to get the forest service to reopen anything like that.

Trout Unlimited is responsible for Richland and Old House Gap closures. Until we can match their lobbying power, probably never.

 

[jfz80]

No. That view you have to work a lil harder for. View of table rock and gorge from shortoff mtn.

 

[thecapedcapper]

Trout Unlimited is responsible for Richland and Old House Gap closures. Until we can match their lobbying power, probably never.

10-4. In general I wonder how much a lobbyist would cost, state politicians aren't that expensive right? Get someone to petition for more forest roads to stay open / be reopened in exchange for a campaign donation. Just a thought ....

 

[pkniland]

Richland and Old House were gems. I didn't know about old house, I think thats the one that had three different names people called in. Rose.. something was one of them.

Richlands issue was the dirt bikes and utvs. The full size guys were the most conscientious of the bunch.

 

[UZJ105]

10-4. In general I wonder how much a lobbyist would cost, state politicians aren't that expensive right? Get someone to petition for more forest roads to stay open / be reopened in exchange for a campaign donation. Just a thought ....

I think the issue would be the ongoing efforts required. It would be a matter of just paying a lobbyist one time. You would have to pay them for constant petitioning of numerous lawmakers. And I suspect it would be going against the mainstream environmentalist grain. It would require a very motivated and organized group of people with funds behind them to challenge Trout Unlimited. As a purely anecdotal observation, it seems like the forest service favors closure.

I think the answer would be that someone create an NC offroad advocacy group to galvanize all of the NC offroad clubs/forums together as one and then solicit donations and email petitions to lawmakers. It would be a commitment.

 

[JohnJB]

Trout Unlimited is responsible for Richland and Old House Gap closures. Until we can match their lobbying power, probably never.

Not really a conversation worth getting into since the ship has long sailed, but based on several conversations with sheriff deputies, the Richland closure was initiated by land owners in the area sick of trespassing. Furthermore, for decades now the road itself doesn’t actually connect as a through road without trespassing on private land. Looking at deeds, the road, which is really an easement, is not deeded as such where it crosses the county line (deeds specifically call the easement out as an access road for adjacent landowners). Technically anyone who has used the road for the last several decades was trespassing for a couple hundred yards before Richland becomes Penley Rd. At least this is how I remember it from several years back when I went researching down many rabbit holes after LEOs were not happy to see me. I’m sure there other versions of this as well. Either way, stinks.

 

[UZJ105]

OHG and Tellico were shut down by Trout Unlimited. I think I had heard the private land concern about Richland. It's been a while since I heard about it, so I think I conflated it with the other two.

 

[JohnJB]

No worries, fish have definitely played a part in several other closures like you mentioned.

Back to the tread. There are also some options in southern VA but I’m not well-versed enough to know FSR #s off the top of my head. Look north and east of the Grayson Highlands area. Consult the MVUM as just about all of them have a seasonal closure that last until spring… to protect ourselves from ourselves and the trail from damage.

Weather is likely to be favorable for some winter precipitation at elevation this weekend.

 

[jfz80]

Trout Unlimited is responsible for Richland and Old House Gap closures. Until we can match their lobbying power, probably never.

And tellico. RIP. And then there’s those irresponsible members of the 4x community that our enemy as well

Oops that was unsent from yesterday. But agree a topic for other thread.

When Richland’s came under pressure I showed up singularly and spoke to sheriff who had no issue with me continuing. But yea. Destruction of private lands lead the charge for closure. But also … the county road easement changed at county line.

But. Go. Explore. Enjoy. Don’t over share. Internet is not always your friend and social media brings the suck. Some here hate this idea but hard to find a discreet road closed due to over exposure. Just saying.

SW Va has lots of ramblings. And above blue ridge escarpment so some altitude. Been my playground for last couple Years.

 

[thecapedcapper]

But. Go. Explore. Enjoy. Don’t over share. Internet is not always your friend and social media brings the suck. Some here hate this idea but hard to find a discreet road closed due to over exposure. Just saying.

SW Va has lots of ramblings. And above blue ridge escarpment so some altitude. Been my playground for last couple Years.

This was always the plan! I think most off road areas are better for not being overexposed online, but always happy to talk about them and document here in mud. I hadn't thought about SW Va roads, will definitely need to check that out!

 

[UZJ105]

This was always the plan! I think most off road areas are better for not being overexposed online, but always happy to talk about them and document here in mud. I hadn't thought about SW Va roads, will definitely need to check that out!

Also, TONS of scenic and remote roads to explore in WV as well.