Crabtree Falls

[mjbrox]

What are the fire roads like around Nelson county right now?

I get the day off next thurs for my bday, so my wife and I are planing on going hiking at crabtree falls. We will also have our 6 month old baby.

I have three car choices. Volvo V70, Acura MDX, Disco.

I was thinking about bringing the Disco and possibly exploring some fire roads, but with the icy roads and me bringing the baby I am not really up for any "adventures" Just and easy ride up some dirt.

So, if I am going to stay on pavement, then will probibly leave the rover at home.

 

[Roverlady]

Mike C. and others might chime in, but I've never just taken off down 'fire roads' in Nelson. Not sure there are any open or public that you can be on this time of year.

The road to the top of Crabtree Meadows can be pretty rutted/washed out/rough so if you are going up there and plan to hike down to the falls, I'd drive the Disco. If you plan to just pull into the parking area off 56 you'll be ok in the other two. Anything off pavement is going to be a muddy/gravelly mess right now, even next week. That will be exacerbated by any precipitation we might get this weekend (not calling for much here I don't think).

This is the road up to Crabtree Meadows from 2006. It was in very good condition that year and could have easily been driven in a car.
http://picasaweb.google.com/RoverLadyS/2006WinterRun#5432274724188348754

 

[D Chapman]

The trail is covered with about 2" of crusty ice right now. It makes hiking tough unless you've got some ice climbing shoes. My hiking boots were getting zero traction last weekend above 3k feet.

 

[mjbrox]

Mike C. and others might chime in, but I've never just taken off down 'fire roads' in Nelson. Not sure there are any open or public that you can be on this time of year.

The road to the top of Crabtree Meadows can be pretty rutted/washed out/rough so if you are going up there and plan to hike down to the falls, I'd drive the Disco. If you plan to just pull into the parking area off 56 you'll be ok in the other two. Anything off pavement is going to be a muddy/gravelly mess right now, even next week. That will be exacerbated by any precipitation we might get this weekend (not calling for much here I don't think).

This is the road up to Crabtree Meadows from 2006. It was in very good condition that year and could have easily been driven in a car.
http://picasaweb.google.com/RoverLadyS/2006WinterRun#5432274724188348754

well the plan was just to park at the normal lot.

is it a better hike to hike down? I have never been there.

 

[mjbrox]

The trail is covered with about 2" of crusty ice right now. It makes hiking tough unless you've got some ice climbing shoes. My hiking boots were getting zero traction last weekend above 3k feet.

what about these?
http://www.yaktrax.com/

 

[Roverlady]

If you're carrying a baby, then I wouldn't risk it. Even with yaktrax.

We haven't been up there for about 2 weeks but had to hike down into our cabin b/c the ice was so slick on top of all the snow. So, Dan's account of the trail will be much more accurate than what I'm guessing it looks like up there now.

For future reference the hike down is much easier. Hike up is pretty long.

I'd recommend you wait until April for your very first visit to the Falls/area.

 

[mjbrox]

I'd recommend you wait until April for your very first visit to the Falls/area.

BUT ITS MY BIRTHDAY AND I WANT TO GO NOWWWWWWW

 

[Roverlady]

Haha, well don't expect the locals to come running to help you when you slide down the side of the mountain!

How about a nice, relatively flat, hike from a picnic area parking lot off the Parkway to a beautiful overlook?

 

[MC22958]

With the snow on the way the trails will not be pristine. The parkway shuts down for the winter, The gates are closed. That means you will have to go the long way around. From my understanding Big levels is also closed for the winter.
Once we know what the snow does or doesn't I am up for a trip.

 

[mjbrox]

Due to the fact that we will have the baby and that my wife refuses to go get good boots.

I think we will stay local and hike the JRPS

Then Drive to the local brewery and drink to much beer......it is my birthday

 

[bmohan55]

Due to the fact that we will have the baby and that my wife refuses to go get good boots.

I think we will stay local and hike the JRPS

Then Drive to the local brewery and drink to much beer......it is my birthday

Legends???? I think you need their Barleywine to truly celebrate your BD.

 

[mjbrox]

Legends???? I think you need their Barleywine to truly celebrate your BD.

naw, I would rather drink porter ect and have more of it.

we should do a rover pub meet at legands sometime

 

[galen216]

Another guy and I went up to Shoe Creek over the holidays and they had plowed to the parking lot at the top end. It was actually nice and clear to that point. Not sure if they will do that again.

The snow made Shoe Creek a fun ride. But I wouldn't do it alone or with a baby nor the hike either.

 

[Puddle Pirate]

I hiked up the falls two weeks ago and the ice was bad. We had to skip a couple of switchbacks and just go through the woods. We continued all the way to Spy Rock ( parked a car at the hatchery). The blazes on the AT were really old and hard to spot and there were no track in the snow, so we had to search around for the trail a couple of times. The road going up to the meadows was pretty iced over. I wouldn;t mind going up. but it might be hard to stop coming down.