US Southeast Georgia Traverse NE Sections - 02/10/2018
- Thread starter Keith McAlister
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Hi Keith, is this going to be a CB "encouraged" communication trip?
I realize with 20 vehicles (or two groups of 10) communications might be a factor to consider. And, of course, since i travel solo almost exclusively I should at least see if I can locate a handheld CB
I realize with 20 vehicles (or two groups of 10) communications might be a factor to consider. And, of course, since i travel solo almost exclusively I should at least see if I can locate a handheld CB
We would like as many CB equip rigs as we can get but what we'd like at least is CB on the front, middle and last rig of each group.
For everyone, got a couple of reports from Charlie's Creek and from Patterson Gap and both are a bit muddy and this before the rain yesterday (Sunday). Current forecast is rain mid week and then rain Saturday (day of the ride) and Sunday but temps above normal.
One person I spoke with had concern of that many people going West out of Charlie's Creek where the road goes downhill and around a right turn. This area could get tricky. I ran it early Jan. with patches of ice and it was a fun moment no doubt.
I'm heading up Friday with the intent of checking Charlie's Creek area and Patterson Road ahead for the ride the next day, anyone wanting to tag along is welcome. Leaving Marietta mid/late morning Friday going north up 575. I hope to have some trail Intel on Saturday morning and then people can plan accordingly. Also look at river water levels and a by pass around if needed.
I don't want to say no to 2 wheelers at least on the first section but it may become a Saturday morning call so if you are a 2 wheeler, be prepared for that possibility as we are getting a lot of rainfall between now and during the day Saturday. I was really hoping for week of hard freeze cold so the trail was hardpack. We did the first section never even using 4 wheel but the warm and rain may change that.
Everyone keep watch on the weather so you can plan accordingly. The wife and I are going rain or shine.
Keith, Thanks for the response and update. One concern I'm having, after reading your latest, is the impact of a large group of tightly configured vehicles driving over the same section of roads, one after the other especially if muddy. Compound that a mid-week rain and then more rain during the ride. Yikes!
That large a group will most likely have a significant negative impact on 'some' areas of those roads for months into the future, not all of it I know since much of hte FS road is merely a very scenic gravel road.
I'll keep a watch on the weather and await your personal reconnaissance on Friday. Hope you can post a brief update Friday evening. I'll hold off and make a decision about ME riding over these roads again, since I've been on them frequently in the past few years. My thinking is that one less set of aggressive 4x4 tries will perhaps be that much less rutting and wallowing of the track.
BUT - If for other folks who aren't familiar or haven't been - I really believe they should take advantage of the opportunity and most definitely go... but my thinking is I may just hold off and let others enjoy on this trip. We'll wait and see. As much as I'd love to met up with you and the folks I met back in November - I may just have to meet you guys at a future "meet & greet" - depending...
That large a group will most likely have a significant negative impact on 'some' areas of those roads for months into the future, not all of it I know since much of hte FS road is merely a very scenic gravel road.
I'll keep a watch on the weather and await your personal reconnaissance on Friday. Hope you can post a brief update Friday evening. I'll hold off and make a decision about ME riding over these roads again, since I've been on them frequently in the past few years. My thinking is that one less set of aggressive 4x4 tries will perhaps be that much less rutting and wallowing of the track.
BUT - If for other folks who aren't familiar or haven't been - I really believe they should take advantage of the opportunity and most definitely go... but my thinking is I may just hold off and let others enjoy on this trip. We'll wait and see. As much as I'd love to met up with you and the folks I met back in November - I may just have to meet you guys at a future "meet & greet" - depending...
Enthusiast III
Thanks Eric.
The section I have the most concern for is Charlie's Creek. Mainly want to protect the river from soil runoff. Depending on the amounts of rain, the best stewardship approach may be to not cross the river and go further north and out Charlie's Creek Road proper that has less impact on the river. May not be a popular idea and many may have to make that call themselves. If people want to cross the river, that is their choice to be made at the time. There may be other places we may have to make a choice of just treading lightly to lessen the impact from conditions. Each of us may have to make that choice for ourselves.
Off roading this time of year is going to risk being weather impacted but we also have to make judgement calls about our impact as we traverse these areas under such conditions.
Do you think this will turn into a mud bog with the rain Fri. and Sat? We have never been there so not sure about the trails. Just asking.
Sorry about asking about the mud when I posted the question Keith's post was not showing. you guys are on it! Thanks
Keith, on Friday are you going to make the drive in reverse - west to east? I'd be happy to join you. I've got a 2+ hour drive from home to Dillard so could meet there - or if you could suggest an alternate, earlier meet-up point I can do that also.
Nothing is on my calendar for Friday or Saturday anyway.
It just depends on the amount of rain. Last trail report I got was from Saturday 2/3/2018 (Charlies very muddy) and then on Sunday in Atlanta area we got nearly 2 inches of rain. NE Georgia likely got similar amounts. Tomorrow (Wednesday) calls for more heavy rain through the day and more on Saturday and Sunday. Total rain amounts from today through Sunday will be 2 to 4 inches. Except for the highest of rigs, crossing the Tallulah River into Charlie's may be out of the question. There is a by pass to crossing the river but there are other water crossings to come that could be impacted by rain.
I knew this time of year could be a crap shoot but was hoping for hard cold like it was last month when we drove this section. The ground was so hard from the long cold spell that we did a lot of the trail in 2 wheel drive.
My wife and I will be there Saturday morning regardless of weather. For those coming out of State or long distance, if not prepared for 2 days of rain, heavy at times, it might be worth a rethink, as much as we'd love having you. On the plus side the temps will be lows in low 50's and highs near 60 so there is that.
At the least I'm planning on doing the first section to Dillard Georgia but this may end up being 4 wheel drive only. After that it may become a last minute call at the moment of hitting Patterson Gap with Charlie's being a kind of on your own decision. The other nice part about the rain is we should mostly have the trail to ourselves so this will help as well.
For those that show, you'll see my gray Tundra just past the gas station when you pull into the Ingles parking lot in West Union. We'll be there around 8:15 am and a planned departure to Burrells Ford at 9:15 am. About 9 am we'll have a quick drivers meeting to discuss the day and details. Also as you pull in and if you need to fuel up, do so then. Also any grub or other needs, even rest rooms, Ingles has it.
If you are overnighting and we have enough rigs making a couple of groups necessary, the overnighters will be in the first flight so they have time at the end of the ride to make for a nice camp spot. When we did the trail last month, actual drive time on trail was between 3 and 4 hours but that was in very dry conditions. The goal is everyone off trail at the latest by 4 pm. Originally it was before 3 pm but now factoring in the wet conditions.
Anyone interested, we are headed to Helen Ga. after the ride for some pizza so anyone is welcome to join us.
That is kinda the plan at the moment. As to meet points, from Marietta, headed up 575 to Upper Hightower Rd. & US 76. We can meet in Dillard and double back or meet along 575 or meet up along the Ga. 400 corridor. I'll PM you my cell # and we can get together and work out those details however best works.
Sorry I missed this Silverback.
Oh yes. Gotta grub out and tell lies. ;)
We are headed to Helen Georgia and a pizza place south of town on Ga. 75. after the ride. Anyone is welcome to join us.
Nacoochee Village Tavern and Pizzeria 7275 S. Main St. Helen Ga.
And yes they have a website if you want to check out the menu and they offer more than just pizza.
Keith, as I said on the Facebook post yesterday, if it continues to rain and be nasty, I'm probably bowing out of this one.
I've been watching the weather and it looks ugly.
I've been watching the weather and it looks ugly.
Understood. A few have already told me the same and I'd expect some may wake up Saturday morning and if the forecast holds, they may call it a day as well. I'll be there and if nobody shows, the wife and I still got alternative plans. The big unknown is if the Forest Service will gate some or a lot of the trail? Right now that and the weather are the big elephants in the room.
That's OK Will, you can still come but it is uncertain what we will find Saturday morning. Cindy and I are going up Friday to try and at least check the trail heads for gate closure so look for a post here late Friday afternoon with Intel on what we find and then plan accordingly from there.
For any who do decide not to come, if you could just remove yourself from the RSVP list so I've got a better count of what to look for Saturday. If you are coming and worse case the Traverse is gated, have alternative plans for your day but this doesn't exclude the group from doing something else if folks want. Hwy 28 goes into NC and the Highlands area so that is possibility among others.
Just got a report from someone (Overlander) who lives 10 minutes from the Chimney Creek side of Tray and said they are getting heavy rain. Chimney Rock is likely a muddy mess for the next several days and then before that dries out, Saturday's forecasted rain hits. We aren't going as far as Tray but it is a window into the sections we are.
We hate it but we are not going to make it. We were looking forward to meeting all you folks. Be safe and have a great time!!
