Tellico, Jan 21st *This Weekend*

[Gajeep]

I am planning a last min trip to Tellico only for a day/night ride. meeting around 11-12 at the parking lot (check-in station). I will be passenger in a 95 Red YJ. We will go to #6 to #8 back to#4 and out #5. This trip will be fine for 31-32 inch tires, but expect the worst weather conditions. We, gonna have fun bubba, YEA........

Be on Channell 21 (CB) My name is Joe, ph# 770 309 1283. We are leaving atlanta at 9am.

 

[GJarrett]

Have great time. I'll be snowskiing with the highschoolers at my church, or I'd consider showing up.

One of my favorite wheeling photos is from a winter run I did at Tellico one time; this was taken on Trail 4.

 

[LBarr2002]

I'm interested, but I'm not sure about the trails. I've got 32's now, but haven't tested out the new setup. I don't have extended breathers or anything either and I see there are a few water crossings. I don't have body protection either yet, so do you think I could handle it? And what do you mean by worst weather conditions?

 

[GJarrett]

There's two river crossings on the trails he listed; one at Fain's Ford on Trail 4, and the other at the river on Trail 5. Trail 4's shouldn't be an issue but depending on the water level, the crossing on 5 might - I've seen the level very low, and other times I've seen it cover my 35" tires.

32's are small tires to take on Tellico with when you have a 112 inch wheelbase. Expect to use your skidplates a lot. The trail schedule he listed is a fantastic one for first-time Tellico visitors and will be a lot of fun - going up 6 will be the time of your life. Just be aware though, that anytime you go to Tellico, you can get some body damage. On those trails it would be minor if it happened and it may not happen at all, but IMO you can't go to Tellico with the attitude that you'll exit unscathed. Be glad when you do, but don't get upset if you don't.

For weather conditions you could look up Murphy, NC on weather.com and see what is expected for the area.

 

[LBarr2002]

I've looked at the maps and read the trail descriptions and I really think for my first time up there I should stick to 1, 4, and 8. But then again...I don't want to do that by myself.

 

[GJarrett]

1 is no more than a dirt road and doesn't deserve to be called a "trail".

5 is lame nowadays - especially if the river isn't too deep - you'd have no problem on it. 8 won't be a problem, and Trail 4 above its intersection with Trail 5 shouldn't be a problem either. You can also go down 6. Going up 6 with your rig will be a challenge, but one of the funnest things an almost-stock Explorer can run. I'd say give it a shot, unless it's wet. If it's muddy, a near-stock unlocked Explorer with a 112" wheelbase will have quite a job going up 6 and may need a strap in maybe two or three places. I'd be leery of taking an almost-stock Explorer to Tellico if it's muddy; the chance for body damage will be exponentially greater under those conditions.

Gajeep has volunteered before to lead near-stockers at Tellico and I'd take advantage of that if you're interested. If you want to see what Tellico is all about, I'd jump at this chance as long as it isn't muddy conditions. If you're concerned about how pretty your body stays, I'd put some rock sliders on before trying to run it when it's wet.

And yes you are right, don't even think of running Tellico alone.

 

[Josh Adams]

5 is lame nowadays - especially if the river isn't too deep - you'd have no problem on it. 8 won't be a problem .

A note on trail 5. A buddy at work said that 5 was getting pretty rough and 8 now has a bypass on it, because there is 2 huge mud holes near the intersection of trail 7.

I may be up for it, but it depends if I have to work Friday night or not.

 

[1TFROT]

I would agree with the statement about going if it's wet. I went about 3 months ago and it was wet every day we where there. nothing terrible, but it rained almost every night (the days were clear, but the trails covered so they dry slow) so the trails stayed damp and wet in some places.

IMO, trail 5 was easy, but nice and scenic. trail 4 was fun, but easy again. I would think that both of those would be perfect trails for beginners and/or stock rigs. We went down 6 since we had a newer driver with us, but going up looked like a ton of fun when wet. lots of fun optional lines.

I was in a rig that is dual locked, 37s, blah blah blah.

here's a pic of the crossing on 5 (it was really low then) and I let my cousin drive this trail since it was easy. sorry it's a chevy

 

[Gajeep]

Return From The Trip

This trip was a success! I have some photo's below, We started with 4, then 3. My explorer was not finished yet, so I had to guide this trip in an open diff'ed jeep with 31's. It did have an OME 4" lift that kept it away from sneaky can opening rocks. A 05 or 06 Jeep Rubicon (stock 3.5 weeks new) and a buddy's Ford Bronco II (very camera shy) with no-lift, but fender cut out to house 31's lift but he did not want his pictures posted and lastly a full size Chevy blazer, locked F&R, 6" lift and 35's (Our recovery truck).

As we started up 6, the blazer had to stop due to clearance issues so he left our group and proceeded to 4 and would meet us at fains ford. We continued with the bronco in the rear. The red lead jeep (I was in) had a trouble spot in one place on 6 where we had to winch (to prevent damage only). We managed to get the jeep in a spot where if he let off the brake, there would be no-fender in the rear quarter. He had traction, but it was limited with a front diff on a rock. SO we winched. The rubi made it look easy, then the bronco just had the weight dist. He also did it my way and not his.....

The second time a winch was used was when again, the lead jeep pulled over to let others pass, he drove the front end of his jeep over the ledge. At this point I knew he wasn't listening to my spotting. Well, the rubi made it with only a scratch, the bronco limp'ed out with a spare on after it popped a bead.
Remember, we went up 6 to 4 to 8 and around back to 4 again and out 5.

 

[Gajeep]

These are some pictures,

 

[Gajeep]

here are some more,