D
Dan Ratcliffe
Guest
Trip Report Uwharrie
I was able to ride Falls Dam Saw Mill, Rocky Mount Loop, Slab Pile, Dutch John, and Dickey Bell. JJ Larson was the driver, and Dale Knepp and Scott Goforth drove their cars, a Discovery and Series IIA, respectively. As much of the information is unchanged from the spring report, you will probably recognize the writing.
Before you read any farther, please note that these trails were damp. All of the trails become much more difficult if they are wet. It rained heavily on Friday, and by the time we got on the trails Saturday morning; wet ground had ceased to be a significant issue.
The route levels Difficult, Moderate and Easiest are true indications of the route difficulty for the URE!. We have been very careful NOT to inflate the trail rating. To consider myself safe on a moderate route, I must have driven off road before, on rocky terrain, I must understand that a mistake in how I am driving can cause damage, and I must be okay having an adventure. Easiest means if I pay attention and take my time, I should be okay; nothing is a sure thing.
We drove.
North to South Rocky mount over Kodak rock to Slab Pile
Dickey Bell from north to south
Falls Dam up hill
Dutch John west to east up the long hill.
Part of Slab Pile south to north to Saw Mill west to east
And Rocky Mount south to north
Here are my thoughts.
Easiest Route (Great Pumpkin) Trails
? Fall Dam, Wolfs Dean, Slab Pile
If you have a low tolerance level for breaking something, or scratching the paint, or are a new driver, Falls Dam, Wolf?s Den, and Slab Pile are relatively safe for new drivers or really good drivers who just don?t want to risk damage. There is one hole at the bottom of Slab pile where extra care must be taken, but the guides, to make that a safe route, will perform trail repair there. If you are a driver in this category, any of the other trails below might prove to stressful to stay fun.
Moderate Route (Icabod Crane) Trails
? Rocky Mount, Saw Mill, Slab Pile, Dickey Bell, Falls Dam, Wolfs Den
This note stays the same from the spring. If you don?t mind risking a bumper end cap, a dent in the muffler, possible a pinched tire or a dinged rim, then all of the above trails with Saw Mill and the portion of Rocky Mount loop from 553 to Sawmill would be fine. There is a work around at the top of the long climb on this northern section of the Rocky Mount loop that makes easy work of the rock pile found there.
To me, Dickey Bell is the make or break point on the moderate route. If you absolutely cannot risk damage, I am afraid that you might not want to drive the moderate route. If you decide to try it any way, if you are careful, and if you are a little bit lucky, this part of the moderate route will give you the adventure you are looking for.
Difficult Route (Morrow Mountain Monster) Trails (Your vehicle should be modified, protected, and you have all necessary recovery gear.)
? Rocky Mount, Slab Pile, Dickey Bell, Falls Dam, Wolfs Den, Dutch John, Slab Pile, Saw Mill, Rocky Mount, Daniel.
Dutch John and Daniel should not be driven by any one that is not very experienced and who has little tolerance for damage. These trails will be left to those doing the difficult route. Don?t misunderstand; I have led folks with no experience in completely stock vehicles on those trails with out any damage. Many of those folks have, after driving them, told me they would rather not drive those trails again, the stress of working over the rocks just took the fun out of it. I must also say that I was always amazed at how lucky I was with those trips.
I would not try the Kodak rock side of Rocky Mount, going either way, unless you are willing to risk bumping a tree, or grounding on a rock. I think most people, with guidance would make it down ok, but smacking a tree or rock can make for a bad time. Over all these trails with good spotting, good line advice and a nice piece of luck, could be driven with out any damage. Just recognize the risk potential.
If all else fails, ask the guides, they will help you make a decision.
I was able to ride Falls Dam Saw Mill, Rocky Mount Loop, Slab Pile, Dutch John, and Dickey Bell. JJ Larson was the driver, and Dale Knepp and Scott Goforth drove their cars, a Discovery and Series IIA, respectively. As much of the information is unchanged from the spring report, you will probably recognize the writing.
Before you read any farther, please note that these trails were damp. All of the trails become much more difficult if they are wet. It rained heavily on Friday, and by the time we got on the trails Saturday morning; wet ground had ceased to be a significant issue.
The route levels Difficult, Moderate and Easiest are true indications of the route difficulty for the URE!. We have been very careful NOT to inflate the trail rating. To consider myself safe on a moderate route, I must have driven off road before, on rocky terrain, I must understand that a mistake in how I am driving can cause damage, and I must be okay having an adventure. Easiest means if I pay attention and take my time, I should be okay; nothing is a sure thing.
We drove.
North to South Rocky mount over Kodak rock to Slab Pile
Dickey Bell from north to south
Falls Dam up hill
Dutch John west to east up the long hill.
Part of Slab Pile south to north to Saw Mill west to east
And Rocky Mount south to north
Here are my thoughts.
Easiest Route (Great Pumpkin) Trails
? Fall Dam, Wolfs Dean, Slab Pile
If you have a low tolerance level for breaking something, or scratching the paint, or are a new driver, Falls Dam, Wolf?s Den, and Slab Pile are relatively safe for new drivers or really good drivers who just don?t want to risk damage. There is one hole at the bottom of Slab pile where extra care must be taken, but the guides, to make that a safe route, will perform trail repair there. If you are a driver in this category, any of the other trails below might prove to stressful to stay fun.
Moderate Route (Icabod Crane) Trails
? Rocky Mount, Saw Mill, Slab Pile, Dickey Bell, Falls Dam, Wolfs Den
This note stays the same from the spring. If you don?t mind risking a bumper end cap, a dent in the muffler, possible a pinched tire or a dinged rim, then all of the above trails with Saw Mill and the portion of Rocky Mount loop from 553 to Sawmill would be fine. There is a work around at the top of the long climb on this northern section of the Rocky Mount loop that makes easy work of the rock pile found there.
To me, Dickey Bell is the make or break point on the moderate route. If you absolutely cannot risk damage, I am afraid that you might not want to drive the moderate route. If you decide to try it any way, if you are careful, and if you are a little bit lucky, this part of the moderate route will give you the adventure you are looking for.
Difficult Route (Morrow Mountain Monster) Trails (Your vehicle should be modified, protected, and you have all necessary recovery gear.)
? Rocky Mount, Slab Pile, Dickey Bell, Falls Dam, Wolfs Den, Dutch John, Slab Pile, Saw Mill, Rocky Mount, Daniel.
Dutch John and Daniel should not be driven by any one that is not very experienced and who has little tolerance for damage. These trails will be left to those doing the difficult route. Don?t misunderstand; I have led folks with no experience in completely stock vehicles on those trails with out any damage. Many of those folks have, after driving them, told me they would rather not drive those trails again, the stress of working over the rocks just took the fun out of it. I must also say that I was always amazed at how lucky I was with those trips.
I would not try the Kodak rock side of Rocky Mount, going either way, unless you are willing to risk bumping a tree, or grounding on a rock. I think most people, with guidance would make it down ok, but smacking a tree or rock can make for a bad time. Over all these trails with good spotting, good line advice and a nice piece of luck, could be driven with out any damage. Just recognize the risk potential.
If all else fails, ask the guides, they will help you make a decision.
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