March 17th 2001 trail ride to GWNF

[SteveVB]

NO FEES

It is a National Forest- you have paid for it with taxes, and there are no user fees.
Open to Everyone- hopefully it will stay that way too- despite the presidential land grabs, the environmentalists, democrats, and the other interest groups that think it is only their land and their use is the only use.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Count me in for 99.9% going. I talked my girlfriend into going and got the day off of work. Can't foresee any reason why I wouldn't make it. Plus this trip gives me a reason to spend lots of money I don't have on lots of stuff I don't need but would really like to have! Bigger tires, CB, add-a-leafs and torsion twist, tow hooks (if I can figure out a place to mount them), hitch, etc... "But dad, I NEED all this stuff so I'll be okay on the trails." hehehe... Great way to get the bank of dad to give me a loan!

 

[SteveVB]

Update

March 17th update

Steve VB 91 Navajo 100%
Michael(donkey Boy) 97 sohc 100%
Matt(Mtn Dog) 00 4dr 100%
John Stanley (Yob-Yeknob) 95 XLT 99%
Paul N. 87 Ranger 90%
Michelle (friskey1) 95sport 75%
coloradobound 94 50%
Tim (NoBoundries) 96 50%
RU man 50%
BigT 93 Eddy 50%


If you have a CB it would be handy , handhelds are OK(not the PRF radios- a CB band radio)lets you know whats goinmg on around you, so your not sitting in the truck asking "hey why aren't we moving", plus the tips and chatter are worth hearing most of the time.

 

[Paul N.]

Re: Update

Originally posted by SteveVB
March 17th update

Steve VB 91 Navajo 100%
Michael(donkey Boy) 97 sohc 100%
Matt(Mtn Dog) 00 4dr 100%
Paul N. 87 Ranger 100%
John Stanley (Yob-Yeknob) 95 XLT 99%
Michelle (friskey1) 95sport 75%
coloradobound 94 50%
Tim (NoBoundries) 96 50%
RU man 50%
BigT 93 Eddy 50%

Looks like things are shaping up for a great day of 4-wheelin' - thought I'd jump in and update myself to 100% since I've cleared it with the boss. I'll also be bringing my seven-year old son on this run.

On another note, I bought my wife a new 2000 Mountaineer, so the Explorer is mine now! I'll stick with the Ranger for this run, but looking forward to fiddlin' with Explorer for a future run. As soon as I wear out the Michelins (about another 5K on them) I'll be looking at lift kits and 31's for it. I'll still be driving it to work every day and don't see much of a need for bigger rubber around here, although those 32's and 33's look pretty good, too...

Since several of the folks on this site are in the central VA area, I want to throw in a quick plug for the dealer we bought the Mountaineer from - Clift Motor Company in King George, VA (540-775-4300). They're about 20 minutes east of F'burg on route 3 and well worth the drive. I was about to buy a J**p GC because I wasn't satisfied with any of the Ford dealers that I'd been to between Richmond and Springfield, when I finally came upon this little dealership and they made me a deal I couldn't refuse. I dealt with one of the owners (don't think they even have another salesman on staff) and it's one of the best car-buying experiences I've ever had. Great deal, great people, and it looks like a good service department too - no wait since there in the middle of nowhere (no offense to any King George residents!) If you're in the market for a new/used vehicle, give them a call or drop me a line and I'll answer any questions - they've got a nice one-owner 98 Explorer with 34K miles for a great price...

Well, sorry to ramble on - looking forward to seeing everyone on the 17th of March. Hope the run today was successful, wish I could have been there...

 

[Frisckey1]

Quick Question

How much pavement travel is required between these trails? As I mentioned before I wanted to bring along my 2 kids and the fourwheelers, but it dawned on me that it is against the law to ride the 'wheelers on pavement! Its OK to CROSS a road but not to ride paralell. I can park our hauling truck somewhere & the kids can ride, but I may have to ditch the fourwheeler if there is a lot of pavement travel.

Thanks!

 

[RU MAN]

It depends on what trails we go on. We only drove on a road once, and that was an hour before we were done.(after 5-6 hours of trailing). But it all depends on where Steve decides to go. He should beable to tell you more.

 

[donkey boy]

Michelle,

From where we are meeting (McDormans) to the start of Old Long Run is about 2-3 miles asphalt, and from the end of Dictum or Second Mountain Road, it's about 1 mile to Kephart. I think I saw some signes on Second Mountain Road, that ATV are not allowed on that trail; there are some special ATV trails around there.

 

[SteveVB]

plan and ATV

Originally posted by SteveVB

We will head west on 33 to Kephart Run, which is a short dead end trail with a couple of challenges at the end of the trail. We will turn around and head back to 33, contine west to second mountain road. We will run up second mountain road. Somewhere along the trail we will have a lunch break. Continuing on second mountain we will head for Old Long Run, we will run Old long run, and the side trail- hill climb. From there we can head back out to 33 and you can either head back to Mc Dormans, or east to Harrisonburg and home. I am expecting to be finished no later than 4 pm-
although Ive never run these trails in this order so Im not positive on the timing.

I

I think after running the trails this weekend I am going to stick with the plan I posted earlier(and quoted above) Kephart- in and out, up second mtn, and down Old long run and out. With more than 5 vehicles this will take the day.

The ATV unloading lot is at the top of second mountain, and truthfully I dont know where they are allowed. I dont think they would be able to go on the roads with us and we use the pavement to get from the meeting point to the first trail head would be 5 min at 50mph, and then another couple minutes back at 50mph to the start of the second mtn trail, which starts on private property and would have some probs with the ATV's, they already have probs with vehicles using the trails. Im thinking that the ATVs are not a good idea on a trip that is going to be so long and not able to start at a place to load or unload ATVs, and for that matter not even returning to the starting point.

If you want to ride the ATVs you could head up to the loading ramp and check out the trails there, its on the FS map, you can run up FR 72 its a graded dirt road. I can show you when we pass it about 1/2 to 2/3rd s through the ride. Questions ask?

Should be a good time for all.

 

[Frisckey1]

That's what I thought...

I think maybe we will ditch the fourwheelers for this trip. Or else plan another trip dedicated to the fourwheelers. We may just bring his Ford too instead of the 4 wheelers. Thanks for the info Looking forward to the trip!

 

[Isles4evr]

Hey guys.. I'm glad I saw this thread before the trip was over! Right now I am 50% about going. I am not sure if I can get off work, and if i'll be ok to go. I have modified my explorer a bit, but I have 2wd. If you take a look at my website (click on the link in my signature) then click on my mods you can see what I have done to it... it includes 3" lift w/ 32's, performance mods, etc. Do you think I will have problems? Are there many rocks on the trails, cause if they are I can probably forget it. Well anyway let me know...

Chris

 

[yob_yeknom]

Figured I'd update the list just to bump the thread.

SteveVB_______'91 Navajo___lifted, larger tires 100%
donkey boy____'97 XLT_____locker, larger tires 100%
MtnDog________'00 XLT_____larger tires 100%
Paul N._________'87 Ranger__larger tires 100%
yob_yeknom____'95 XLT____lifted??, larger tires 99%
Frisckey1_______'95 Sport___stock 75%
coloradobound__'94 XLT_____larger tires 50%
NoBoundaries___'96 XLT_____?? 50%
RU MAN_________'91 XLT_____?? 50%
Big T____________'93 EB______?? 50%
Isles4evr________'91 Sport___2wd 50%maybe
RU MAN's friend___'?? Ranger__????

 

[Weatherman]

Man I happy someone's getting a run together there, I just walked in from a trip to my cabin up there in Briery Branch. I'm almost sure I'll be able to go.

Thanks for the notice yob_yeknom

btw - I have a pretty much stock '91 explorer at the moment.

-Ben Shoemaker

 

[SteveVB]

2wd

Chris

Im not sure about the 2wd, do you have a locker or L/S in the rear?

You could probably do 90% of the trail, there are a few places that the unlocked 4wds get caught up at the stream crossings and hills. You have the clearance and tires so thats not a big deal. If you have tow hooks on the front, and rear, and a L/S I would think that it shouldnt be a problem with a strap or two and decent driving. Without a TAD I would be hesitant to say go for it, but I dont mind if you come along , provided you have a good tow point if you need some help.

Ill post some links that show some of the stream crossings so you can better judge.

Michael, Brian may have some input - they have driven parts of the trails were going on.

 

[Isles4evr]

Ok sounds good... let me take a look at the stream and see. I don't have a locker but I am unsure of limited slip, because when I spin my tires both spin, but my gear code says it is an open diff. I havn't done anything with it but maybe a past owner has. I have negotiate some trickey situations w/ my 2wd and am suprised I could do what I did. I do have 2 hooks upfront and am putting one in the back. AH HELL who cares just as long as work gives me the ok I am there man!! I should find out tomorrow. My friend w/ a 96 Sport wants to go to, I am going to have him post on here. Oh yeah, I have an XL not a Sport... I think it is rare to find a 2dr other than a sport, guess I am the lucky one .
Hey donkeyboy, where about in Glen Allen do you live? I work over there.

Chris

 

[yob_yeknom]

I looked through the registry and found a few people living in the area. I e-mailed all of them and hopefully they'll join in. I see Weatherman has. Maybe the others will follow shortly.

One question... Does anybody know a good place to put tow hooks on the front of a '95? I've looked and it seems to me that pulling from the front will tear the air dam and bumper apart. The hole in the airdam is not wide enough. With the strap going through the hole, it will have to go over to the frame and pull on the air dam. If I strap under the air dam, it will pull it off. What to do?

 

[donkey boy]

Chris,

I'm not living too far from Innsbruck, and I'm working off Three Chopt/Forest Ave. Regarding the 2wd, if you have tow points in the front, I don't see why not, even without ls. I'm willing to drag you through love that stuff, and Steve also gets this big grin on his face when he can unpack his towstraps

yob yeknom, if I need to be straped to the front, I wrap the strap around the frame and take it out through the the huge middle hole in the bumper. Tow hooks though are better, and there are some pre-drilled holes on the under side of the frame.

 

[Isles4evr]

Bad news guys... my DECA state competition is the weekend of the 16-18! I found out yesterday, so this sucks. I am also missing my gf's song contest, which is the biggest even at her school. I'm in trouble now!! When do you guys think you'll be having another run? Hopefuly soon, because I really really wanted to go. I was pissed when I found out. Oh well, I guess I will try to get 4wd before next run, if everything works out . BTW, Donkeyboy, I work over at Service Merchandise at Gaskins & Broad... if you are ever around stop by.. just look for the lifted red explorer in the parking lot. I will be in the Jewelry department, careful though, we are doing renivations.

Chris

 

[SteveVB]

Chris sorry you cant go, but to whet some appetites heres a link.

I may have posted this link before but here is a trip report from a group of S-10s/Expeditions with a bunch of pics for the Kephart, and second mtn trails, also one about the dry river(which I dont plan to do at this trip)

The link is to the second mountain write up, at the bottom of the page you can get to Kepart and Dry run.

Dead Link Removed

 

[Paul]

Can't Go

Steve -

Sorry it took so long to respond, but I was holding out hope that I wouldn't have to be out of town (again) during this upcoming trip to GWNF.

As it stands now I'll be out of town until almost the end of the month . . . so once again I have to bow out from the planned festivities. Bummer!

Sure would like to meet up with you guys/gals (oops - - I meant "y'all") in the near future - - hopefully sometime this spring or summer.

Paul

 

[NoBoundaries]

It appears that I am not going to be able to make this one due to a prior commitment I had to my sister. Let me know about the next run though, as I should be able to open up my schedule for that!