Not for the faint hearted . . .
Gerald -
Excellent "Pre-Write Up" (probably equalled in length what I would have wrote for an
entire Trip Report
) LOL
Tellico
does Rock !! And there are plenty of 'em! Those that you don't see you will definitely hear !
Couple of observations:
1. "Bypass" is an option seldom seen at Tellico, in fact, that ledge just past Fain's Ford is the
only place I noticed where you had a choice of going around an obstacle.
2. There is not a lot of room to maneuver once you start a trail. Backing up or turning around will be problematic if your rig is overmatched by the obstacles. Gerald and I both thought most of the trails had portions that resembled bob sled runs (Winter Olympics on the mind, I guess) where the trail was channelized between high ground on both sides (that when muddy, seem to close in on your quarter panels). Once you commit, you are going to have to run the trail to the end, for better or worse. . .
3. Suprisingly, the crowds were not too bad. We had fantastic weather and there were times where we didn't see other rigs for hours - - then we hit a Tellico traffic jam at Fain's Ford. . . Likely previously mentioned, not a whole lot of room to maneuver, even passing on these tight trails can be adventureous. Guess the point here is that there
is great potential for heavy traffic, and near stock rigs being strapped over most obstacles would certainly slow every one down, not to mention torque off everyone else behind us . . .
4. Tires:
a) Number of trucks seen this past weekend at Tellico with 33" tires:
2 (okay, maybe a few more, but not many - - those two were Gerald and myself)
b) Trucks with 48" tires:
1
c) Trucks with 35" - 44" tires:
Everyone Else
d) Trucks with 32" or smaller
(There's a theme here):
0
5. Traction devices: Didn't stop and talk to eveyone, but only saw one or two vehicles with an open differential, and they were having a tough time on the easier trails (#4).
6. Probably 80% of the vehicles at Tellico had winches. . .
7. Gerald and I have capable rigs and we're pretty experienced off road - - and we still both managed to ding up our trucks. Just my opinion, but Tellico is certainly not the place to learn the basics of four wheeling in a near stock vehicle. Expect damage. We watched a Jeep chew up two drive shafts in about ten minutes, and as Gerald alluded to, if you like your cosmetic nerf bars or running boards, remove them at home or have them removed by Tellico.
Awesome weekend! Hope to get back there in mid-April!!
Paul
'91 Sport
P.S. Rick (Bio Marsh) - - You are
The Man for doing Slickrock!!