Need to get to the mountains. I've just taken the "new" awd Astro van into the woods, and Charlie's Creek is somewhat of a challenge now. I propose a ride something like, Sarah's Creek (the road appears to have been reopened past the old first steep sided ford), Hickory Nut Gap, Tuckaluge Creek, then over to Patterson's Gap Road off Betty Creek Valley, then to Charlie's Creek. Good half day plus ride.

I'm testing dates. Nov5 is AL/LSU, so what about the 6th or 12th/13th?. Meet at Waffle House in Clayton? Stuff and ride?

If you do the 12/13 weekend I'd love to join. Would ya accept a trail proven Isuzu or do I have to wheel my pretty Gen 2.5? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

I'm "wheeling" an astrovan on 235/75/15's. It mostly ain't that kind of trails. FS roads, a few with deferred maintenance. Bring whatcha got.

Sarah's Creek - I was just there today. They put a bridge over the first creek crossing. After the bridge there are a few more shallow creek crossings. With the leaves on the road, I had to use 4wd to climb one steep section near the end.

Hickory Nut Gap - We did a walk through pre-plan at the Woodruff house about 5 months ago. You know folks have money when they have their own heliopad.

Tuckaluge Creek - Haven't been there.

Patterson Gap - Went through there in the spring. Pretty as always.

Charlie's Creek - Are you also going to go up to Tate City?

I can probably go any day. It is getting into our fire season, so it's always possible I'll be raking a line somewhere.

Did I get the Hickory Nut part right? Go x first (new)bridge on Sarah's, take an immediate left across the back of the old orchard at the creek? If you go up to the sometimes gated final fork that takes you up to Wilson's Gap and the Bartram trail, the last road to the left before the gate is Tuckaluge Creek, comes out on Warwoman fairly close to Clayton.

Lots of new campsites on Sarah's. There is one fork to the right to an immediate ford that I have not explored, up past the campsites. Since upper Sarah's is a dead end, we could park some veehicles, like my toad, and double up.

It's been a while since I went all the way up to Tate City, pretty drive but not real challenging, unless you want to walk the 12mi and 1500' up and down of the Beech Creek Loop trail. That eats a whole day. We could do shorter walks up to some of the waterfalls in the Tallulah Valley, or the acutal Charlie's creek dead end road that goes up to the old amethyst mine. There's also another dead end road off Charlie's/Blue Ridge Gap road, almost across from the real Charlie's road that I've never seen the end of. There's also one fairly challenging FS road loop that loops north off 76 just east of Deals Gap, and you have an option of going back to 76, or wandering across the upper Tallulah River thru Plumorchard back to Persimmon road and to 76 that way, a pretty drive thru real rednek country.

Patterson Gap is just a fairly pretty drive, on your normal FS gravel road, and we could skip that one. Y'all's option.

I had the Hickory Nut Gap that comes off Turtle Pond near the Dillard Road (NC 106).

I'm game for any or all.

Just to throw out another option or two....

The Coweeta Hydrologic Lab area. They will be closing these roads in a few weeks when we start to get below freezing temps at night.

Stonewall Creek. We are below average for rainfall this year. That should dry out some of the deep mud spots. Though I haven't been in there in a year or so. I can scout it out if anyone is interested.

BTT

Any more interested? I'll email DavidG. I make it the 13th, 8ish at WH in Clayton?

I'm still in. I'll be driving my isuzu though.

Thanks for the heads-up, Eddy. I wish I could make it but my wife has some stuff going on Sunday. I want to see pics of the AWD Astro in action. The Astro is on the short list as a possible option for Montero replacment...when and if it ever moves on. 160k miles and still running great. It doesn't look quite as nice as it did when I bought it 100k miles ago, but neither do I

Sorry I will miss everyone. BTW, that Isuzu looks sweet!

Have fun gang!

Damn shame looks like I won't make this one. Financially strapped after driving to OK for a funeral for several days...