Denton, NC rally set for April 11-13, 2014

[wilfreeman]

I read through that thread from 2009 - they said Daniel(hard), Wolfs Den(easy) and Kodiak Rock(hard). There seems to be 2 Easy trails (Wolfs Den and Falls Dam), 3 Medium trails (Saw Mill, Slab Pile, Dickey Bell) and 3 Hard trails (Daniel, Rocky Mount, Dutch John), and lots of GRAVEL roads.

I did a MapQuest search and it looks like 16 miles to Reservation Rd. (the trail head). Is there anyone here that is close enough to go and recon the EASY and maybe the MEDIUM trails before the rally? I don't think any of us will be doing any HARD trails, as we don't want to break anything on our trucks. If someone does do a recon, take a mental note of trail widths and how tight the turns are. I doubt that deuces will be welcome on these trails from what I remember and what I have heard, but there will be CUCVs (GM and Dodge) and maybe M37 size that want to go.

 

[michigandon]

I'm ~2 hrs away. I'll *try* to get down there between now and then, but can't/won't make any promises.

 

[CBR Metalworks]

Off the top of my head:

URE opens April 1st, so don't go before then!

I am only an hour away and have been itching to take the dirtbike out, but I can pretty much tell you exactly what trail to stay off of based on your skill level and vehicle. You can take an open differential vehicle almost anywhere there depending on which direction you go on the trail, and/or how much you care about the vehicle.

For deuces/5 tons:
Stay OFF Daniel, Dickey Bell, and Dutch John unless you are up for a challenge and possibly body damage.

Rocky Mountain Loop is no longer a 'loop' since they closed the hard section, and is pretty easy except for one rocky section that may pose problems for large (deuce +) vehicles.

Trails that would be perfectly fine for 5-ton trucks (with the exception of some branches, and possibly a turn or two that might be tight for large trucks):
Falls Dam (this would be the BEST trail, for a easy 'fun' run.
Wolfs Den

Slab Pile is very easy, but may be too tight in places for big trucks.

Sawmill is very easy but runs into one end of RML, the end that has a somewhat technical rock section that may pose problems for large trucks. Normal vehicles could avoid the large rocks, big trucks could not maneuver the turns in the area I am thinking of I don't think (without driving over some large rocks that MIGHT hit the undercarriage of the truck).

1-ton trucks can fit on ANY trail at Uwharrie easily. Vehicles without lockers or a heavy foot should stay off of Daniel and Dickey Bell. If you have little off-road experience you need to stay off of Dutch John as well (unless you have someone experienced with you).

If I have a 5-ton come April I would love to head up a trail ride for the larger trucks, a friend is wanting a CUCV so we can probably take it out as well on some of the other trails.

I plan to drive down my M920 to camp out of, but can probably flat-tow a 5-ton behind me to go play in on Saturday.


The problem we may have is opposing traffic on the trails will HAVE to either back up or find a way to pull off, as there will be no room for a 5-ton to pull off the side of the trail for others to pass.

 

[wilfreeman]

Good write up - Thanks! That's just what we needed to know.

 

[AMGeneral]

Was not sure I could find this old post of our rally from FIVE years ago, but there are some good pics of the trails. Not sure if there are easier trails. There are gravel ROADS.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?37009-Uwharie-Meet-a-GREAT-time

Oh wow,pictures of the M54A1 still in Christmas Camo!!

It looks so much better now!

 

[wb1895]

But the question still remains....Is a Deuce or 5 ton ALLOWED to go on the trails. If I remember correctly the park rangers said the Deuce was too big to go on the trails. Maybe we should look into this before we have a convoy out there and have to turn it around

 

[wilfreeman]

Good point

 

[CBR Metalworks]

I have seen videos of deuces on the trails before. I can just about promise you the way this can go:

1: Call, run up the chain to find the right person to ask, they tell you 'no' (if the answer is in fact 'no')
2: Go ride the easy trails, get some people that wish we weren't there because we would be slow and in the way, have MANY others that think it is the coolest thing ever and just stop to take pictures. It would be very unlikely the forest rangers would turn us around (especially since it would be IMPOSSIBLE for us to turn a deuce or 5-ton around on the trail). The rangers are always pretty cool and are there to write tickets for no OHV pass, no helmets, alcohol, etc.

Hate to say it like this, but sometimes it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission. The trails are bulldozed in the winter months so they are wide enough.

 

[CBR Metalworks]

As of now I have at least 20 fuel cans.

$50 at the Rally
$40 if pre-paid via paypal as a gift and delivered to the rally

Slave cables will be $225 at the rally, $200 if prepaid and delivered to the rally. I have ( sets available. They have the black ends. Some have the rubber caps. First come first served on cables with the rubber caps.

 

[CGarbee]

Steve and Laura (who run the jeep club that helps me with trail maintenance at my Godparent's farm where we have the VA Rally during the Labor Day Weekend) will be camping with their group over at the Arrowhead Campground (they like to be closer to the trails) this weekend.
Since they own a bobber five ton...they will be stopping by our setup at Denton...
Steve is a great trail leader, and knows the Uwharrie trails very well, so that is another option for a trailride or two...

I'll post up some menu ideas this week.

Looking forward to getting out of the big city and into the woods.

 

[michigandon]

I can't wait to GTFO of Wake County as well!

 

[microjeep]

If I can take a 5 ton on the trails at the GA rally then the trails at uwarrie must have been made for ATVs.

Durhamtown is private land, Kenny allowed us to cut a couple dozen trees to widen the trails for the big trucks

 

[wilfreeman]

2 weeks out!

 

[CGarbee]

Food at the MKT
I can tweak the menu if folks have food allergies or other dietary restrictions—just send me a PM or post here...

I'm planning on arriving Thursday afternoon in time for supper, and can stay through Sunday lunch.
Let me know when you are arriving and leaving so that I can have a decent count for each meal.

That all said...

Thursday
s: linguini with a meat sauce (kinda spicy, may fix an alfredo sauce as well), salad, garlic bread

Friday:
B: eggs (most likely scrambled, but I can do fried or other options...), bacon, grits, biscuits.
L: Hamburgers, salad, chips (lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese, etc.
S: Chicken and rice with veggies.

Saturday
B: eggs, sausage, oatmeal, bicuits
L: hotdogs, salad, chips
S: BBQ (pork), spuds, green beans, rolls

Sunday
B: eggs, bacon, pancakes, grits
L. grilled chicken breast, chips (stuff so you can make your chicken into a sandwich...lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese, etc.)


I can do the above for $40... Send me a note if you can’t be there the entire time and just want to sign up for a meal or two and not the whole weekend.

Obviously, I'll also toss in tea, coffee, and lemonade, with the meals. Other drinks are on your own...

 

[wilfreeman]

Obviously, I'll also toss in tea, coffee, and lemonade, with the meals. Other drinks are on your own...

Don't forget the apple butter for them biscuits!

I think my Brother and I will be there for all of the meals - we are planning on being there around lunch Thursday and leaving about lunch Sunday too. So put us down for the full menu!

 

[ranger.41]

Cabel.
I hope all is well! I will there Friday lunch through Sunday breakfast.
Rich

 

[michigandon]

Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we should be there Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch.

Karen's not a "pasta person", but methinks we can work around that.

 

[CGarbee]

Don't forget the apple butter for them biscuits!

In my familly, the apple butter is always on the table, so I didn't think that it needed to be mentioned...
I'll have plenty.

 

[wilfreeman]

 

[BELinNC]

I am going to try to make it this year(probably Sat. only) with the SEE tractor. I also have an excellent condition M1101 trailer for sale if anyone is interested. It has storage wear and tear only. Tires still have the mold sprout things. No top or bows. $1000 is what I am asking. Can bring it to the event if someone is interested.