| Author | Message | ||
     Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 23 Registered: 04-2002 |
I am planning a trip with a few friends of mine to GWNF. Planning on hitting Second Mountain, Old Long Run, Dry River and such. This will be my first trip there and wanted to know if there is anything I should look out for and tips for running these trails. My group will consist of my RR 4.0 with Coil Conversion and 31" , D1 w/ 2"lift and 31", Jeep w/ 31", D1 w/ 2"lift and 31" and a stock jeep. Thanks, RK | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 144 Registered: 11-2002 |
You shouldn't have any problems at all w/ that group. Just watch out for and obey the gates (powerlines on Second Mtn, end of Old Long Run). You guys might have some fun on Dictum's lone tough obstacle. There's a loop trail on the south of Rt 33 just west of Second Mtn, ID'd by a salt shack off the road, it'll have you cross the river twice (kind of cool). Kephardt Run is even a little further west out 33 and is a bit more technical. When are you going? joe | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) New Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2003 |
2nd Mtn is gated off on the Rt. 33 side. You would have to go up Dictum or come in the back side of Long Run Road. Old Long Run is Gated at the bottom side. | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 25 Registered: 04-2002 |
We are going up Labor day weekend 8/29-9/1. Just going to camp out and play in some dirt all weekend long. If anyone else wants to meet us there the more the merrier. I don't know where the good camping spots are there so if someone knows about them please let me know. Thanks, RK | ||
| Kelly Eitani (Rover_girl) New Member Username: Rover_girl Post Number: 11 Registered: 07-2003 |
If you're looking for campgrounds... you could check out Brandywine Recreational Campground. It's pretty good. I was just up there about 2 weeks ago wheelin' in the GWNF. Kelly | ||
| Kelly Eitani (Rover_girl) New Member Username: Rover_girl Post Number: 12 Registered: 07-2003 |
If you're looking for campgrounds... you could check out Brandywine Recreational Campground. It's pretty good. I was up there about 2 weeks ago wheelin’ in the GWNF. Kelly | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 31 Registered: 04-2002 |
I am more interested in camping off the trail and not so much in a campground. I like my privacy ;) | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 152 Registered: 11-2002 |
There is an awesome, secluded meadow off Rt 33 close to the trails. Take 33 west toward WVa. As you start up the mountain almost to WVa (past Second Mtn and Kephardt), there'll be a left turn lane - turn there (it's the only one in the area). Take that dirt road over a mile along the reservoir. Just before a little concrete bridge, there'll be an offshoot to the left - take that, then kind of veer right at the small open space on a little trail. About 50 ft back in, there's a gorgeous meadow a little smaller than a football field. I'll look and see if I have GPS for this spot. Reddish Knob is easy access and you can camp on top of the mountain, about 4k ft up? There may be a little traffic, but it's wide open and great for stargazing. joe | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 153 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here is a map to the meadow I was talking about: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/events/ec4rj_2002/planning/map.jpg Here are better directions w/ GPS coordinates: Directions to the Meadow: Take Route 33 West out of Harrisonburg. Ride out Rt. 33 until you pass Second Mountain, Riven Rock Park, and Kephardt Run. As you start into the switchbacks going uphill towards West Virginia, there will be a left turn-only lane: turn in here! The GPS coordinates for this turn are N 38 34.719 W 079 08.200. This is the only left turn-only lane in the entire area. Once you turn in, you need to go almost two miles, past the turn to Switzer Lake and across a single lane bridge. The turn for the meadow will be immediately to your left after crossing the bridge. Sorry for being a little confusing in the prior post. joe | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 32 Registered: 04-2002 |
Joe, Thanks a lot for the info. This sounds like a great place to spend a couple nights. Can we build a campfire there? How far from the trails is this place? On the map it seemed to be a couple miles away from the trails. Thanks. | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 155 Registered: 11-2002 |
Rhett, you can have small fires and there's even space for a bonfire, so long as there are no fire restrictions (check with the district ranger). It's maybe 10-15 minutes from the Second Mtn-area trails. joe | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 45 Registered: 07-2003 |
Fires have to be out by 11pm in GWNF. But, its not really enforced. | ||
| Enoch Snyder (Esnyder) Member Username: Esnyder Post Number: 74 Registered: 10-2002 |
I was just there this past weekend with a LandCruiser event. Kephart Run was blocked by a couple of big trees, right at the end. May be gone by this weekend, don't know. Dictum's obstacle is in very rough shape right now, only a couple of trucks with 35" plus tires and dual lockers made it up, a BIG 4-runner rolled coming down it. Dry River trails along 33 are getting better with all the use. Old Long Run is still gated, but would still be OK to drive down and back up. 33 side of Second Mountain also still gated, unless they've opening it up for bear dog training season which I think just started. Good luck. Enoch | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 51 Registered: 07-2003 |
Enoch, That silver Rover with 33's made it up Dictum. He showed up that guy with the 35's on the green 94 landcruiser. | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 36 Registered: 04-2002 |
I am not familiar with Dictum but what is the major obstacle? | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 54 Registered: 07-2003 |
It is like a steep stair step of rocks on the side of the mountian. You get pretty off-camber and usally pull one wheel off the ground going up. When the wheel pulls up it rolls the truck towards the downhill side if the ridge. If you roll the truck you may stop and hang up on some trees, but if not it's a long way down. If I was at home I could show some pictures of it, but I'm at work now. The 4-runner that flipped was coming down. I don't know what he did, but coming down is easy., From what I heard he got too far to one side which was much higher and sliped off. When the truck came down he indowed, going over the front. But, I was not there when it happened. Enoch may be able to tell the whole story. | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 55 Registered: 07-2003 |
 Here is a picture of dictum I stole from www.sv4w.funtigo.com/ | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 37 Registered: 04-2002 |
Seems as though we should stay off Dictum's ridge. My group is not very experienced and we could run into some problems. I just got my OME springs from Great Basin Rovers and will be putting them on tomorrow. That would give me about 2.5" in front and about 3" in the rear according to Alan Bates who preformed the same install. I can't wait! | ||
| Robbie Donaldson (Robbie) Senior Member Username: Robbie Post Number: 426 Registered: 02-2002 |
Yeah, was just there this weekend myself. Was wondering why there were so many Toyotas running around (specially FJ55's!). Ran Kephart til the downed trees and then ran a side trail of Kephart where two giant 4runners came lumbering through after us. I had never been to Dictum so decided to drive up and check it out. Maybe my balls are just not big enough, but I thought no way after seeing it. I am on a 2" lift with 235/85 dunlop rt's and no sliders. My buddy with me was in a stock Tacoma with 31/10.50 bfg at's. We decided best to just turnaround and save ourselves some heartache and possibly pain. I would definitely like to go back again with people who have done it before, because i would love to attempt it one day. Hey Joe, we actually camped in that area you recommended. We didn't get the meadow right there on the water after the bridge, but we found a nice spot a little further back. Great area, thanks! | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 38 Registered: 04-2002 |
If anyone wants to meet up we will be camping in that meadow Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. We will have MY RR4.0 with 2-3" OME lift on 265/70, D1 2"OME with Stock Tires, TJ w/ 31" and TJ w/ 30". We should have about 7-8 guys in my group and could use someone who is familiar with this area. | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 57 Registered: 07-2003 |
Which meadow are you going to be at? The one just past the concret slab or the one further back in there? | ||
| Rhett Krulla (Retro78) New Member Username: Retro78 Post Number: 39 Registered: 04-2002 |
We will try for the First one. We won't be getting there till about 5-6pm on friday so hopefully it will not be taken. We got a good group of guys going and we all enjoy drinking at night and camp fires. | ||
| Jason Bard (Jbard) Senior Member Username: Jbard Post Number: 276 Registered: 10-2002 |
I may see you down there Rhett. I was looking for something to do this weekend and I'm quite familiar with the area. Being LD weekend, you may have trouble getting that camping spot especially if you're not arriving until late Friday. That spot is accessable by cars so it's usually hard to grab. I was down there 2 weekends ago and the place was mobbed. I've never seen that area so packed. The Off Camber Crawlers group from Norva was down there and I think we saw a large group of Yota's as well. I usually try to camp off the beaten path where you don't get any traffic constantly rolling by. There are some nice spots way back behind the damn off 33 and Dry River. Or, it's a little farther from the main trails and has a little traffic but Meadows Knob is nice for the views. And it's a huge area so folks can spread out if you have a large group. | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 58 Registered: 07-2003 |
I always like the spot between the Lost Mirrors trail and Salt Shed. If you go in at Salt Shed and cross the River, its the spot on top of the little hill. Nice flat spot for tents and the river is right there. | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 61 Registered: 07-2003 |
I may ride down tonight for just a little bit. I won't be camping. |
