Trying to put together an expedition wheelin' trip

[concretejungle]

Just got back from scouting out a nice expedition type of wheelin trip. I'll post some pics below. I figured that the upstate guys may be interested since you can get to cullowhee from clemson in about 1 hour 45 minutes (i think, i know it's pretty close)

Anyways the trip goes something like this: blah, blah blah blah.....

All told we were on trails for just over 35 miles. Didn't see another single human for two days. You will get some scratches, you will get muddy, there is the possibility that you may get body damage if you want it. Living out of the cruiser for two to three days.

I really want to go back and map the entire loop with GPS. Perhaps someone will like to go again that has one and map it.

If there is interest, please chime in. It is a blast!!

 

[concretejungle]

some more pics. . .

 

[concretejungle]

More . . . .

 

[concretejungle]

and more . .

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

that is aswesome Alex............ how did you find out about it??? That is exactly the tip of trip I have been wanting to do. Something other than riding loops on a trail system and from what you say it seem to be just that an "expidetion". We as a club have been discussing such a trail ride, so your timing is perfect. I am going to talk with the Prez tonight and mention this thread, since we will be planning the next 90 days for the club.

Please post up more info on the diffulculty, and what the min. requirements are to do this trail.

Next time you plan on going I am in, you just name the date and I have GPS ............

thanks
JP

 

[Hard40]

Looks awful good. Is it legal?

 

[concretejungle]

JP, i graduated from WCU in 2000. When i was there, i was lucky enough to have friends that loved to wheel and also a dual sport motorcycle. So, on weekends if we weren't wheelin' we would take off on the dirtbikes and ride for hours. There are soooooo many trails up there. We passed at least 20 trail heads that we have no idea where they go.

One thing that is for certain, i need a winch, bad! Man did i get stuck, twice actually, once in the mud and once in that ice hole with pics above. That ice was 4 inches thick and the cruiser wouldn't budge.

Difficulty would be tough to say. There are places where you can play and really tear something up if you want. THere are too many unknown variables such as deeper ruts, huge mud holes that are way deeper than the last time, snow/ice, down trees, ect... You at least need 4wd , at least two other rigs in case you get stuck and need a tug, or break down. You need a chain saw for the unknown downed trees. I filled up with gasoline at the base, drove a total of 48 miles including the road back down to the starting place and had burned half a tank. My roommates stock tacoma made it. I did have to pull him out a few times and he had to pull me out a few times.

This is the kinda trip i love, true cruiser reliability and ability is what it's all about. Out in the middle of gods country.

 

[concretejungle]

Looks awful good. Is it legal?

It's only illegal if you make it

 

[tabraha]

How was the need for lockers?

Was it wide enough for a schoolbus to fit ? (sorry, just thinkin' bout my 100 here guys )

Looks like a good trip. Lets go!!!!

 

[concretejungle]

Two good questions Tad. Well, i did get some scratches. So, if you took the 100 there is a good possibility it will get scratched. One thing though was there had been a lot of winter storms up there, so there were a lot of low hanging limbs and branches.

I do not have lockers and i got stuck twice. To be honest, i'm not sure lockers would have helped me in either situation since i was sitting on my diffs. But, there are places where lockers would be very nice to have.

 

[Gundy]

I see it was fun. Looks cool. Thanks for the heads up and invite.
I'd like to do this sometime. Hopefully when it's warmer.
Do you think it would be possible to pull a military trailer through this area?
I camp heavy.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

cool stuff............. seriously let me know when you are headed back that way, I'd be interested in going anytime in Jan. Feb. or we could look into making it any offical Upstate Cruisers event come april, may.

 

[89s rule]

Looks cool! I second the is it legal?

There is a pleace near Clemson and Pickens called Jumping Off I think its in the Larel? reserve. Not quite that rough. Mainly dirt mountain roads. But there a few trails that go off that one of my friends went down. I proposed to my wife up there and it took us 45 min to get up and there are more trails/roads past it.

 

[clemson55]

Sounds awesome I want in either driving or riding shotty with Virgo whichever my cruiser is up to when this event occurs.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Looks cool! I second the is it legal?

There is a pleace near Clemson and Pickens called Jumping Off I think its in the Larel? reserve. Not quite that rough. Mainly dirt mountain roads. But there a few trails that go off that one of my friends went down. I proposed to my wife up there and it took us 45 min to get up and there are more trails/roads past it.

yeah sadly if it isn't legal we can't make it a club event............ but I personally want to go either way ALex; PM if you want to get together and cordinate this trip, it looks so awesome!


hey Matt, go anymore info on the Pickens trails???

 

[89s rule]

They are on Hwy 178 towards brevard. Laurel Valey Reserve. You go in a bottom and its on the left. Rather curvy roads. Only open certain times of the year. I

know how to get there but its hard to give specifics.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

I think these are the horseparture trails??? If say they have been either closed of smoothed over and had crush and run put down on them

 

[uzj100]

That looks awesome!

uzj100

 

[concretejungle]

Guys, it is totally legal. All of the trails have gates, and if they are closed, we don't go. The trails i rode have always been open (well at least as long as i have known the area, about 10 years). Some of the other trails that were normally gated closed, were open. I have no idea where they go.

I want to go again really soon also. It is cold, so keep that in mind. May be best to get the club event later in the year when it's a little warmer. Either way, i will try to get another trip together within the next month or two. My only problem right now is cash flow. I spent $100 on gas alone, then add on food and beverages and it gets right spendy.

For the NC folks, it takes 3 hours to get from High Point to the trail head. approximatly 200 miles.

 

[ALEXGAR]

Alex:

As mentioned by JP, this is ALMOST exactly what we are planninng for MARCH! Good job!
I want to make this "Expedition" a Club event, but ideally, I am looking for the following criteria:

• A 2.5 day loop-type trail that goes through a scenic camping site (like the bald) for one night.

• A riverside camping site for the second day for those of us who enjoy fishing

• Alternate 4x4 tough trails where the more capable vehicles can choose to go and play in addition to staying with the pack

• Assembly points where members can join the convoy anytime during the 2.5 days (this is to enable others to join in/drop out in the event they can't make the entire journey

• Most importantly, a trail that a STOCK wagon can make WITHOUT body damage.

JP: You fellers have the green light! Make it legal. Please see what you can do to make it happen.

Thanks for a job well done, Alex!