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Third Annual Southeast 70 Series Meet & Greet
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WanderinWhitlows
Official IH8MUD street taco inspector
Back from the Appalachian Toyota Round-Up at Windrock. Rained all weekend but we still had a great time. Looking forward to seeing all of you in a couple weeks.
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
Folks, I apologize for being significantly absent from discussions, but this has been an "interesting" year for me so far. Ask me how at the meet up, but I have managed to be fired three times in 8 months from the same company ... yes there is some "cynical Sam" in that comment, but there is a good bit of truth. As I write this, the weekend of the event is right before my current termination date ...
We have the potential for some weather over the next few weeks due to some tropical storms and such, but the weekend before labor day, I put almost 300 miles on my Honda Pioneer and have pretty much nailed down our routes for the event. I will decide on the final Friday route when I do one last pre-ride on the Thursday of the event, but here is the general layout.
Friday's Ride
This ride will require every person to have a Windrock permit and one person per rig (preferably the driver) to have a WMA permit. Please see my earlier posts. We can purchase the Windrock permits on site. I highly recommend purchasing the WMA permit online prior to the ride. When you purchase it, you can specify the effective date.
This ride will be more of an expedition quality with great viewsheds and natural settings. On my last trip, I jumped a 4x4 elk here and we will be in the area at the beginning of bugling season.
The ride Friday will cover a variety of terrain and road / trail conditions from pavement to hardpack clay (that will be very slippery if we have any liquid sunshine) to gravel roads to abandoned coal haul roads (which can be rough - I smashed my tailpipe and tweaked my rear bumper on one of these last year). Depending upon my quick review on Thursday, we will either leave the Windrock parking lot and go up trail 2 or go back to Oliver Springs and enter the park on Big Mountain road. Our first big destination will be the overlook at Windrock Fields (aka Top of Windrock). We will then make our way down G39 and out to TN Hwy 116. On Hwy 116 we will pass the old coal cleaning plant at Moore's Camp and enter Royal Blue WMA just past the old Rosedale School. We will then climb the mountain, driving through old surface mine areas, passing a current logging job ad pausing to gawk the the 4 shafts of a recently closed deep coal mine. By this time, it will likely be lunch time. The trail will continue on a two track that will come out on Patterson Cemetery Road. If we have time, we will pause at the cemetery and marvel at the toughness of life in these mountains more than 100 years ago. The trail will continue with a nice crossing of Ligas Fork and we'll emerge on TN Hwy 116 again.
We'll hang a right and climb the backbone ridge on 116 and re-enter Windrock Park. Depending upon time, we will have several choices at this time. One of the more interesting ones is a out and bac run to a WWII radar base that has recently become accessible again now that mining has ceased. This base was installed to protect the Manhattan Project sites in Oak Ridge and while the radar is gone, the old block buildings are still there and the site is used for radio and TV broadcast transmitters. The recent mining areas will allow for some great views and a few challenges. The goal will be to return to the Windrock Parking lot by ~5 - 6 PM having covered between 40 and 70 miles of dirt, depending upon conditions and our pace.
Saturday's Ride
The Saturday ride will have a bit more challenge, but similar views. For those that want a similar ride to Friday, I can provide a suggested route. Likewise, for those that want more challenge, I can also make suggestions.
My goal for the Saturday ride is to focus more on trail riding. We will likely cover trails 2, 4, 83, 39, 11, 8 (maybe), 13 (maybe) and others. The layout of Windrock is such that we can combine trails to make loops through and around the mountains at varying elevations. Those of us w/o roof racks, may make a loop that will approximate last year's Saturday ride. the reason for the loops and trail focus on Saturday is that we have our catered dinner and raffle Saturday night and we will need to be able to have a few of the organizers peel off mid afternoon to prep ... plus it is frowned upon to return from the trails at 9PM for a 5:30 cocktail hour
(not that I've ever done that before)
Assuming that Irma does not clobber me this weekend, I will work next weekl to post some Google Earth files for those that would like to see the routes.
For those that would like GPS maps of the area, please PM me and I'll point you to a gentleman that sells a comprehensive GPS map of the area (yes there is a free one out there, but it has maybe 25% of the trails on it).
Finally, this video shows something we will NOT be doing. Yes, I am the ID10T that was driving ... note the pitch angle on the video ...
We have the potential for some weather over the next few weeks due to some tropical storms and such, but the weekend before labor day, I put almost 300 miles on my Honda Pioneer and have pretty much nailed down our routes for the event. I will decide on the final Friday route when I do one last pre-ride on the Thursday of the event, but here is the general layout.
Friday's Ride
This ride will require every person to have a Windrock permit and one person per rig (preferably the driver) to have a WMA permit. Please see my earlier posts. We can purchase the Windrock permits on site. I highly recommend purchasing the WMA permit online prior to the ride. When you purchase it, you can specify the effective date.
This ride will be more of an expedition quality with great viewsheds and natural settings. On my last trip, I jumped a 4x4 elk here and we will be in the area at the beginning of bugling season.
The ride Friday will cover a variety of terrain and road / trail conditions from pavement to hardpack clay (that will be very slippery if we have any liquid sunshine) to gravel roads to abandoned coal haul roads (which can be rough - I smashed my tailpipe and tweaked my rear bumper on one of these last year). Depending upon my quick review on Thursday, we will either leave the Windrock parking lot and go up trail 2 or go back to Oliver Springs and enter the park on Big Mountain road. Our first big destination will be the overlook at Windrock Fields (aka Top of Windrock). We will then make our way down G39 and out to TN Hwy 116. On Hwy 116 we will pass the old coal cleaning plant at Moore's Camp and enter Royal Blue WMA just past the old Rosedale School. We will then climb the mountain, driving through old surface mine areas, passing a current logging job ad pausing to gawk the the 4 shafts of a recently closed deep coal mine. By this time, it will likely be lunch time. The trail will continue on a two track that will come out on Patterson Cemetery Road. If we have time, we will pause at the cemetery and marvel at the toughness of life in these mountains more than 100 years ago. The trail will continue with a nice crossing of Ligas Fork and we'll emerge on TN Hwy 116 again.
We'll hang a right and climb the backbone ridge on 116 and re-enter Windrock Park. Depending upon time, we will have several choices at this time. One of the more interesting ones is a out and bac run to a WWII radar base that has recently become accessible again now that mining has ceased. This base was installed to protect the Manhattan Project sites in Oak Ridge and while the radar is gone, the old block buildings are still there and the site is used for radio and TV broadcast transmitters. The recent mining areas will allow for some great views and a few challenges. The goal will be to return to the Windrock Parking lot by ~5 - 6 PM having covered between 40 and 70 miles of dirt, depending upon conditions and our pace.
Saturday's Ride
The Saturday ride will have a bit more challenge, but similar views. For those that want a similar ride to Friday, I can provide a suggested route. Likewise, for those that want more challenge, I can also make suggestions.
My goal for the Saturday ride is to focus more on trail riding. We will likely cover trails 2, 4, 83, 39, 11, 8 (maybe), 13 (maybe) and others. The layout of Windrock is such that we can combine trails to make loops through and around the mountains at varying elevations. Those of us w/o roof racks, may make a loop that will approximate last year's Saturday ride. the reason for the loops and trail focus on Saturday is that we have our catered dinner and raffle Saturday night and we will need to be able to have a few of the organizers peel off mid afternoon to prep ... plus it is frowned upon to return from the trails at 9PM for a 5:30 cocktail hour
(not that I've ever done that before)Assuming that Irma does not clobber me this weekend, I will work next weekl to post some Google Earth files for those that would like to see the routes.
For those that would like GPS maps of the area, please PM me and I'll point you to a gentleman that sells a comprehensive GPS map of the area (yes there is a free one out there, but it has maybe 25% of the trails on it).
Finally, this video shows something we will NOT be doing. Yes, I am the ID10T that was driving ... note the pitch angle on the video ...
As part of the organizing team, I would like to personally thank Sam (@elkaholic) for taking time (at his own expense) to make sure we have a safe and enjoyable experience on the trails. Sam was kind enough, again at his own expense, to make multiple scouting trips to Windrock over the last couple of months. 
- Thread starter
- #328
Great write up and video Sam! Thank you for your efforts to map out routes in advance!
Folks, I apologize for being significantly absent from discussions, but this has been an "interesting" year for me so far. Ask me how at the meet up, but I have managed to be fired three times in 8 months from the same company ... yes there is some "cynical Sam" in that comment, but there is a good bit of truth. As I write this, the weekend of the event is right before my current termination date ...
We have the potential for some weather over the next few weeks due to some tropical storms and such, but the weekend before labor day, I put almost 300 miles on my Honda Pioneer and have pretty much nailed down our routes for the event. I will decide on the final Friday route when I do one last pre-ride on the Thursday of the event, but here is the general layout.
Friday's Ride
This ride will require every person to have a Windrock permit and one person per rig (preferably the driver) to have a WMA permit. Please see my earlier posts. We can purchase the Windrock permits on site. I highly recommend purchasing the WMA permit online prior to the ride. When you purchase it, you can specify the effective date.
This ride will be more of an expedition quality with great viewsheds and natural settings. On my last trip, I jumped a 4x4 elk here and we will be in the area at the beginning of bugling season.
The ride Friday will cover a variety of terrain and road / trail conditions from pavement to hardpack clay (that will be very slippery if we have any liquid sunshine) to gravel roads to abandoned coal haul roads (which can be rough - I smashed my tailpipe and tweaked my rear bumper on one of these last year). Depending upon my quick review on Thursday, we will either leave the Windrock parking lot and go up trail 2 or go back to Oliver Springs and enter the park on Big Mountain road. Our first big destination will be the overlook at Windrock Fields (aka Top of Windrock). We will then make our way down G39 and out to TN Hwy 116. On Hwy 116 we will pass the old coal cleaning plant at Moore's Camp and enter Royal Blue WMA just past the old Rosedale School. We will then climb the mountain, driving through old surface mine areas, passing a current logging job ad pausing to gawk the the 4 shafts of a recently closed deep coal mine. By this time, it will likely be lunch time. The trail will continue on a two track that will come out on Patterson Cemetery Road. If we have time, we will pause at the cemetery and marvel at the toughness of life in these mountains more than 100 years ago. The trail will continue with a nice crossing of Ligas Fork and we'll emerge on TN Hwy 116 again.
We'll hang a right and climb the backbone ridge on 116 and re-enter Windrock Park. Depending upon time, we will have several choices at this time. One of the more interesting ones is a out and bac run to a WWII radar base that has recently become accessible again now that mining has ceased. This base was installed to protect the Manhattan Project sites in Oak Ridge and while the radar is gone, the old block buildings are still there and the site is used for radio and TV broadcast transmitters. The recent mining areas will allow for some great views and a few challenges. The goal will be to return to the Windrock Parking lot by ~5 - 6 PM having covered between 40 and 70 miles of dirt, depending upon conditions and our pace.
Saturday's Ride
The Saturday ride will have a bit more challenge, but similar views. For those that want a similar ride to Friday, I can provide a suggested route. Likewise, for those that want more challenge, I can also make suggestions.
My goal for the Saturday ride is to focus more on trail riding. We will likely cover trails 2, 4, 83, 39, 11, 8 (maybe), 13 (maybe) and others. The layout of Windrock is such that we can combine trails to make loops through and around the mountains at varying elevations. Those of us w/o roof racks, may make a loop that will approximate last year's Saturday ride. the reason for the loops and trail focus on Saturday is that we have our catered dinner and raffle Saturday night and we will need to be able to have a few of the organizers peel off mid afternoon to prep ... plus it is frowned upon to return from the trails at 9PM for a 5:30 cocktail hour
Assuming that Irma does not clobber me this weekend, I will work next weekl to post some Google Earth files for those that would like to see the routes.
For those that would like GPS maps of the area, please PM me and I'll point you to a gentleman that sells a comprehensive GPS map of the area (yes there is a free one out there, but it has maybe 25% of the trails on it).
Finally, this video shows something we will NOT be doing. Yes, I am the ID10T that was driving ... note the pitch angle on the video ...
Was the video made while driving a cruiser ?
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
No. I would not have taken the 74 up that. It was in a Honda Pioneer 1000-5 side by side.
Shoot I was looking forward taking my 73 up it,the smoothness is what gave it away.Filming while driving a leaf sprung cruiser usually gives a different result
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
I can show you plenty of climbs like that.
The camera might surprise you. I have the image stabilization on and will be filming on our weekend. It smooths out even the harshness of a leaf sprung cruiser.
Garmin VIRB XE
The camera might surprise you. I have the image stabilization on and will be filming on our weekend. It smooths out even the harshness of a leaf sprung cruiser.
Garmin VIRB XE
Out here that is a two wheel drive trail, probably meet some guy with a Yaris at the top. If not a Yaris, some guy with an old Beetle with transporter axles for sure. One sort of nasty trail I met a guy at the lake who had driven a old Citroen with the air suspension there. I believe it was a DS2
Are you coming to the event ?
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
That Is an easy trail at Windrock as well. It is an example of how a mild climb can potentially go bad. I had one rear tire on the ground as I topped the hill.
I can show you some hard trails there .., Rattle Rock, 39, Rail Trail , Atomic Ridge among others. However, you will not find me in the 74 on any of those other than possibly 39.
Rail Trail ends with a hill climb that can only be safely made at the end of a winch cable ....
Given the this group, I have not focused on hard trails. But they are there in spades.
I can show you some hard trails there .., Rattle Rock, 39, Rail Trail , Atomic Ridge among others. However, you will not find me in the 74 on any of those other than possibly 39.
Rail Trail ends with a hill climb that can only be safely made at the end of a winch cable ....
Given the this group, I have not focused on hard trails. But they are there in spades.
WanderinWhitlows
Official IH8MUD street taco inspector
If you want a room at comfort Inn call now. Only two left.
865-481-8200
865-481-8200
So in other words, procrastinating isn't your friend.
Does anyone have 120 inverter installed in their truck? If so would you be opposed to me charging a battery or two? I ask because; I've got two batteries for my drone. I'm trying to nail down flights for it. I get about 15-20 minutes of flight time per battery.
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
Not I, said the man behind the curtain
We ought to have this pretty well covered between your drone and my VIRB.
I am thinking of a couple of pretty cool sports for drone footage
We ought to have this pretty well covered between your drone and my VIRB.
I am thinking of a couple of pretty cool sports for drone footage
You guys and your toys....Not I, said the man behind the curtain
We ought to have this pretty well covered between your drone and my VIRB.
I am thinking of a couple of pretty cool sports for drone footage
I have a 3 year old Samsung camera phone that we can use as a backup. I can stand on my roof rack to get aerial shots.
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