EP East Coast Fall Trip (Location Thread) October 20-23, 2006

[offroad_nomad]

I recommend avoiding GWNF in October for a trail run location for a few reasons: (1) October is when the leaves begin to change color and GWNF will be a popular destination, (2) many local Virginia and Maryland clubs will be in GWNF on the weekends, (3) non-offroaders will be in the area as well, (4) I would expect the popular trails to have some trail traffic on them, and (5) good camping locations maybe taken.

Trails in West Virginia don't appear to have as heavy of a 4x4 traffic on them as do the Virginia trails. Of course West Virginia leaves will be changing as well. But I don't believe there will be nearly the amount of offroad clubs in WV as in VA.

Something to consider when trying to pick an area for the meet.

 

[OverlandZJ]

My recomendation is for the upper peninsula of Michigan, but I might be biased....:elkgrin:

I was planning to hit that area on the way back from WY, was going to run RT2 into it. I'v been wanting to visit that area for years, someday i'll get there.


Sorry i havent contributed to this effort in the last few weeks, my desktop went and finally got my laptop. I'll start some research also but it looks like we have a good start on it....thanks Joel.

Just out of curiosity and to help us settle on a location, how many participants would be looking for other recreation vs sitting around camp or spending alot of time on trails?

If i have the opportunity i may wet a line, i see Nullifier commented on paddling and others mentioned hiking/climbing.

I personally am looking forward to this. :jumping:


:camping:

 

[cshontz]

I would enjoy going for a hike or something - I don't have equipment for much else, but I'm open to the idea. Its nice to get out of the vehicle and enjoy our surroundings. That's what the gang seems to do out west.

 

[jim65wagon]

Hiking=Good. I'm always ready for a fall hike. A vehicles main purpose is to get us to a destination, so we can enjoy things like hiking. It just so happens our vehicles allow us to reach destinations that others may not be able to reach. Of course out here (East) its a little more difficult to find a remote, less touched area.

 

[HongerVenture]

Sorry I've been out of touch on this recently... I've been in NHI Bridge Inpsectrion Training the last two weeks. Not to mention that I'm planning a trip to WV and GWNF over the 4th of July weekend. Once this trip to WV is through I'll start the planning/ringleading for this Fall East Coast trip. I'm very committed to making this happen.

Ian, thanks for the valuable input on GWNF, that's good to consider. One thing I want to avoid is traffic on the trail... and competition for campsites. Remote is the key... Big South Fork, being a still-relatively unknown location, may be the ticket. We'll see though... I'm biased. =)

Joel

 

[Nullifier]

Well I'll tell ya I drove up to tennesee this weekend. It was a last minute trip we threw togehter on wednesday and left thursday morning LOL! Townsend is just outside of Knoxville and that is a 12 hour drive for me! I'm guessing places like virginia will be pushing 18 hours. Lets count those out if possible.

I'll tell you that townsend is a great area to keep in mind. We hiked about 15 miles this weekend, went tubing, went to a great place that has live bluegrass music on saturday night. We explored the old town of cades cove by car and foot. We saw bear, turkey and deer. We also went to the tukaleechee caverns. It is a massive under ground cave system it was cool. Best part was we camped right on the little river. It was in a camp ground but it was still fun. There is an unmaitained road in the national park but unfortunetly I was pressed for time and did not get any info. I am going to follw up and get more info on that route.

The chilhowee mountains are right there and there are plenty of back country campground as well.

 

[HongerVenture]

Just got back from a trip over the holiday and...
West Virginia and Virginia are beautiful! We camped on the top of Meadown Knob one evening...

And then stayed in a campground at Blackwater Falls State Park...

And while I think these areas offer plenty in terms of remote camping, they are a little far for some. I'm leaning more towards Kentucky or Tennessee for this outing in the fall. This seems the most central to the general Expo East Coast group.

Any additional thoughts?

 

[HongerVenture]

Proposed Trip

Okay, to make a more definitive post, give me your reaction to this...

Dates: Friday, October 20th through Monday, October 23rd.
Location: Kentucky/Tennessee
Content: Remote forest roads and 4x4 trails; camping in remote locations as available/allowed, established campsites as necessary; day hikes and/or half-day hikes.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Sold!

 

[datrupr]

Man, this trip sounds like it will be a fun one. I wish I could take the time off to make out there with you guys.

Who knows, we'll see.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Okay, to make a more definitive post, give me your reaction to this...

Dates: Friday, October 20th through Monday, October 23rd.
Location: Kentucky/Tennessee
Content: Remote forest roads and 4x4 trails; camping in remote locations as available/allowed, established campsites as necessary; day hikes and/or half-day hikes.

I'm looking at around 900 miles and 14hrs from Philly (if we do LBL) certainly doable but at my limit for a long weekender. At this time i'm in :exclaim:

 

[Nullifier]

At this time I'm in as well. I will have a better handle on my attnedence in Sept when I get back from Idaho. I am leading a week long kayak trip in North Florida the first week of Oct but that shouldn't be a problem since it's actually a work trip.

 

[CLynn85]

Aside from pending college issues, I'm in for sure!

 

[91xlt]

I'm looking at around 900 miles and 14hrs from Philly (if we do LBL) certainly doable but at my limit for a long weekender. At this time i'm in :exclaim:

i am in the same boat!! i am scheduled to work all of those days...how definate are these dates?
if ther is any flexibility, would the week before be possible? i do understand this is not revolving around my schedule, but if asking for input may i suggest this. it would cut in half the vacation days i would have to use.
as far as location they all sound and look great!!!
just my $.02
respectfully
jeff

 

[Cowboy]

Howdy fellas -

This trip here open to anyone? Is this back country primitive camping or a national forest campground?

Thanks.