Tellico! April 2002

[bigDerk]

I'm still in if we're going for March, but it won't bother me a bit if you guys wanna wait until summer to do it. In fact summer may even turn out to be better, I may have a body lift, new tires, and gears done by then, but I may just be dreaming.

As long as the run is on a weekend, I shouldn't have a problem making it, be it early spring or late summer. Paragon is too far for me to consider so its Tellico or no run for me, and I think that's how it stands for a lot of us Southerners. But whenever Tellico is a go, I'm there.

 

[GJarrett]

Okay, like I said I'm new here and don't know what I am doing. Bionc Marsh, did you run the easy trails and still think a stock Explorer won't make it? Or did you only run the more difficult ones? I 'd like to scout the easy ones in March to get a feel for the area, in addition to the more fun stuff. If stockers can't run trails like 1,3,4 and a couple of others then we need to reconsider, but I've already seen that stock Explorers can do a whole lot more than others expect they can.

It is now obvious that we need to scout Tellico and figure out how tough the place really is and what trails can be run by Explorers of various modifications.

I'll enjoy meeting all who wish to accompany me on this experiment If it's really too tough then we don't have to schedule an event for this summer. But I'm still gonna enjoy checking it out next month with whomever wants to join me Dead Link Removed

 

[yob_yeknom]

I really like how this has turned out. Now we have 2 large events planned, with each in different areas so that there is something for everyone. <-- That made sense in my head, but doesn't look right when it's typed.
I also think it's really good that this is being turned into a scouting run. Now we can expect an even better turn out in the summer because we will know what we are getting into, thus getting rid of any fears holding anyone back from going.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the scouting run, but I would like to stay informed on what you find though. If it looks like a place we can go to without definite body damage, you can expect to see me there during the summer.

 

[BoatsRcool]

im still in whenever... but its gonna be hard anytime for me to make it... my summers pretty busy.
jonathan

p.s. i think im 3-4 hours from Tellico

 

[bigDerk]

Gerald, keep us updated on the prerun. I might possibly want to run that as well as the "big" run later on, just depends on what I've got going on at the time, and the current condition of my Explorer. Thanks for getting the ball rolling on this run!

My Explorer has about a 2" lift with open diff's, so mine would be a good basis to tell how the "mildly modified" rigs will make it, those that have a little extra clearance and some bigger meats. Can't wait to do some real wheelin', these access roads and such around here are just boring.

 

[Paul N.]

Might be a nice road trip - that weekend is open as of now. I'm also relatively stock - just put on some 31" BFGs and have the coil spacers and warrior shackles waiting to go on - so I'll stay close to bigDerk if I make the run....

 

[mdrut]

I'm gonna be honest with you guys. You stockers have the advantage. Sometimes, I miss the challenge that the stock rig provided. You can have just as much, if not more fun then the "wild" rigs. I really look forward to finally meeting you guys.

 

[SteveVB]

When in the summer?

Hey Gerald what dates are you thinking about in the summer- hate to say it but Im scheduling my summer as I sit- OBX June? and Aug, so Id be interested in a time. But Id like to do both march and the summer.

Im still planning to go on the March run, and then to Paragon in April, Ill have Feb to get some work done on my vehicle

Paul I think Tellicos about 7hrs from the beltway- we could caravan down.

 

[donkey boy]

Hey, I'm tempted to come - as spotter (if somebody needs one). I don't want to mess up the picture of Explorers with my Jeep

It's not sure though that I can make it that date.

 

[Bionc Marsh.]

I went back a looked at some old emails and it looks like we did run what is called trail 1. I didn't know it was part of the trail list, its a dirt road. I guess GJarrett has a good point, we ran mostly more difficult trails. But for my time (10 hour drive to Tellico) I like more than graded gravel road, but really Off-road is Off-road. . The main thing is just having fun with friends.

Even if you go stock I think there are ways to get to some of the more extreme obstacle to watch carnage. Check out this scene from Slickrock.http://www.tellico4x4.com/images/ss/MVC-657V.MPG I don't know who this is but WOW:roll:

Rick

 

[FMExplorer]

I'll be there - Gotta convinve the boss I can take the time off. If it's 8 hours for Mdrut, I have 11 ahead of me, but that's ok - I really want to hit this. We need to get on Rocky to make this run too!

Jon

 

[Scott B.]

Tellico in March

A couple of things:

In March, be prepared for snow. It's really pretty, and can be quite cold. Of course, there might be patches of ice on the trails, too. Careful spotting can be a great help here.

We usually stay at the Econo Lodge in Murphy, NC. They have a big parking lot (for those with trailers) and a restaurant with pretty good food. It's not open very late, though, so dinner might need to come from a restaurant in town. Currently , the rate is $39.00 / night - I don't know what it will be in March.

Any chance of changing the date to the weekend before or the weekend after? My club has a work weekend in Beasly Knob (Blairsville, GA, about 30 minutes away) on that weekend. I would like to attend both events!

 

[GJarrett]

Steve, I'm simply wanting to get a prerun up. As I've said, I am new here and there is already a large ECX organization. I'd prefer that the ECX guys figure out when to schedule the big run this summer; it's more appropriate that they make the decision than I do. Mid June - mid July has already been suggested; I'd suggest it closer to mid July. The only thing is, how hot does it get here in the summer? Several of us may want to camp out. I'm from Texas and you simply do NOT camp out in Texas in mid July or August, unless you like the weather in Hell. I don't know what it's like here though.

Scott, you've really thrown a monkey wrench on my plans this time. I'd very much like for someone with your experience and quailifications to be there and it would be nice to see you again.

Concerning the snow you mentioned, I hadn't considered the possibility of that. It looks like we'll have people with open diffs on the run. I'm locked but I only have ATs not MTs and have a feeling that my rig won't perform nearly as well at Tellico as it has at other (more high-traction) trails. Slick trails could be problematic for the run and would not provide a good gauge to judge how well the trails could be run in the summer, which is after all what a prerun is supposed to do. Ice would almost make the trip a waste of time with open-diff stockers, I would think.

I couldn't go on either weekend you suggested since that would be my visitation weekend with my son which is why I moved out here in the first place. I could however go two or four weeks later, which may help more of the snow to be gone, be a little warmer, and give stockers a chance to get some traction. Unless April is rainy season here and we would just be trading snow for mud?

We've got time to hash this out. I am going to post a poll to see how much participation we could get if the prerun were moved two or four weeks later. That would put the prerun right around Paragon weekend, but since no one who is planning Tellico can make both runs anyway, that shouldn't affect anything.

Whomever is planning on the Tellico prerun I'd like you to post on the poll. We've already got commitments to the March 16th weekend and I don't know if we should change plans unless everyone can still participate at a later date.

Poll:
Dead Link Removed

 

[Scott B.]

I wasn't mentioning snow and ice to be a detractor - rather, just be prepared for it. I enjoy going up there in the snow - it is really pretty. And the views are outstanding, since the leaves are down. Come spring and summer, vista visability is drastically reduced! Still pretty, though.

We've taken "stockers" with snow on the ground. It is passible, but as I said, spotting helps. As does the occasional pull of the winch cable. I wouldn't think we would have any serious problems, as long as everyone has all the recovery gear and warm clothing (and extra food and water).

If we want a possible snow run, we should think about March 2-3. There is the chance that there will be snow in April, but you can't count on it. The weather should be very pleasant through May for camping. June is usually starting to get "warm".

PS - Gerald, I didn't mean to mess up your plans. I'll try to get the work weekend changed - I'm not counting on it, though.

 

[Paul N.]

Re: When in the summer?

Originally posted by SteveVB
Paul I think Tellicos about 7hrs from the beltway- we could caravan down.

Steve - That would be great. My wife has family in Morristown, TN which looks to be no more than two hours away, so I may be bringing the family and working in a visit. Still shouldn't affect the road trip too much and may not work out with the kids and school. Once the schedule is firmed up, we can work out the details.

Gerald - personally, April gets busy for me. I was going to try to make the Paragon run and have two other weekends tied up as well. However, pick a date that works best for everyone and I'll see how it shakes out. Both runs sound good - I just need to start getting out on the trails, somewhere/anywhere, more often...

 

[SteveVB]

Re: Re: When in the summer?

Originally posted by Paul N.


Steve - Once the schedule is firmed up, we can work out the details.

Gerald - personally, April gets busy for me. I was going to try to make the Paragon run and have two other weekends tied up as well. However, pick a date that works best for everyone and I'll see how it shakes out. Both runs sound good - I just need to start getting out on the trails, somewhere/anywhere, more often...

Paul, sounds good, when the dates get firmed up for Tellico and Paragon we can hook up for both if it works out. Paragon is about 3 1/2 from my house, and your another hour with traffic. Be good to have sopmeone to pass the time with on the way. Im following both posts.

Paul OCC just set up a new list on Yahoo- go to the OCC site and sign up- intro yourself- there are plenty of rides usually every weekend. Peters Mill (about 2hrs out 66, Edinburg VA) is a favorite destination- just had a run Sunday(yesterday) at night- in the snow!!- I wanted to go but family duties called. Its a busy list but with yahoo you can keep it at the group site and read the threads that you want- much better than the old mail list IMO

My new years resolution was to wheel every month- so far so good but I need something in Feb, this may be the only resolution Ill keep this year, cause I dont seem to be in any better shape yet!

 

[Josh Adams]

Hey Boats, you are only about 2.5 hours from Tellico, if you don't get lost. It is mostly up hill from where I am. I am about 1.5 hours from it.

 

[bigDerk]

What about having some Rangers join us? I think there's probably a few people from OffroadRangers.com that would make the run too...

 

[BoatsRcool]

Originally posted by Josh Adams
Hey Boats, you are only about 2.5 hours from Tellico, if you don't get lost. It is mostly up hill from where I am. I am about 1.5 hours from it.

hey - could you get me some directions? I really thought it was like 4 hrs..

and i think anyone that wants shouldget to go.. but only FORD's in the pictures

 

[Josh Adams]

let me remember how to get there and I will send 'em to ya. By email if you want