Anyone been to "NC" lately?

[ArmyTaco]

Getting news from other source that "NC" is getting messed up by the FS. Anybody know about this or been up there or plan on going? Heard they are digging out spots to close off some of the trails. Actually saw pics but wondering what and where they are doing this too. I know some of you know the area and are close to it. :(

[Derka]

Are you talking about the "Whee"?

[misterzee]

I have not seen anything like this the last time we were there.

[Derka]

While we are on the subject, i will be heading up there this wknd to do a little exploring. If anybody wants to wheel lemme know.

[misterzee]

OH man.... Wish I could come... but, I have to go fishing in the Abacos for a week....:cool:

[silvertoy]

In the whee area? I have been invited up there this weekend. Still undecided whether or not to go. PM me and we could potentially meet up if I do go.

While we are on the subject, i will be heading up there this wknd to do a little exploring. If anybody wants to wheel lemme know.

[silvertoy]

Yes, we ran into a series of barriers (piled rocks with a back hoe) going up to Rough Butt bald on the expedition run at 10PM at night! Backing up 10+ trucks about 1/2 mile is not fun.

Getting news from other source that "NC" is getting messed up by the FS. Anybody know about this or been up there or plan on going? Heard they are digging out spots to close off some of the trails. Actually saw pics but wondering what and where they are doing this too. I know some of you know the area and are close to it. :(

[ArmyTaco]

This seems to be over the last few weeks. Its that area. Some of the Mud guys and some Expo guys have been up there. One of the guys was a local and it was all new to him. The guy in the Sami is the local. I do not know enough to tell you where but here is a post.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/ga-georgia-cruisers/298074-horror.html

[silvertoy]

Well that's new and very sad news if true. There were no signs of this when we were up there about 2 months ago. I know they had already graded the M***s Creek road awhile back. Argh, gotta love the FS.

This seems to be over the last few weeks. Its that area. Some of the Mud guys and some Expo guys have been up there. One of the guys was a local and it was all new to him. The guy in the Sami is the local. I do not know enough to tell you where but here is a post.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/ga-georgia-cruisers/298074-horror.html

[Derka]

This is not good.

[misterzee]

Well, go up there this weekend Thad and find out what you can! I have a relative in the FS in AL, wonder if he knows who is in charge in WNC...

[Derka]

I'm heading up friday afternoon, i'll see what i can find out this weekend.

[crawlrunner]

Well I HAVE lived here for 8 years & I could show U atleast a dozen new gates on FS roads NIC Tellico. It's F'd my wheelin & huntin. The F'd up thing is there is a state govt program to develop OHV trails in NC & I have heard of NO NEW TRAILS! HAVE U? NO! JUST CLOSURES! WTF! .75 MILLION acres of NF in WNC & no place to wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeel! Pathetic!!!!!!!! Yall know how to raise my BP!

Derrik I'll be out of town this weekend or I'd go flatten out some burms & pull down some gates w/U.

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!

How am I suppose to wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel???????????? ?????

[GrizzlyNC]

This is BS!! :mad:

Figures.. the only semi local place to wheel, and FINALLY have a rig and they pull this crap!

[dragr1]

Copy of my post on mud:

Wow, what a shame. I just bought another wheeling vehicle to build just for this type of wheeling so that my wife and 3 year old could enjoy wheeling a little more than just standing around obstacles all day. To say that I'm pissed off would be a huge understatement. This country is going to s#*t.

[misterzee]

Which is why we must figure out how to do something about it, instead of just getting an ulcer over it.

[dragr1]

Which is why we must figure out how to do something about it, instead of just getting an ulcer over it.

Suggestions? Unfortunately my time is limited b/c I work too much b/c I have to. I know that doesn't help but I'm open to suggestions.

[benny_wiskas]

Yes, we ran into a series of barriers (piled rocks with a back hoe) going up to Rough Butt bald on the expedition run at 10PM at night! Backing up 10+ trucks about 1/2 mile is not fun.

That was not fun, and not to mention dangerous! A dozen trucks with snow on the ground and at night. The recent results agitate me :mad:

[jwbehm]

This is definitely one of my top places to ride and I would be verrrry disappointed if it gets closed down. If there is anything we could do I would love to help!

[mad_african]

I went to the GA Cruisers meeting last night and they discussed this too. Quite shocking to say the least. There is an idea being thrown around to maybe get together with other clubs like Upstate Cruisers and a couple others to try to come up with an adoption program to where they would do trail maintenance in lieu of the FS closing the area - Some kind of voluntary land management agreement - maybe we should try to contribute to that cause too. In my experience though, both SFWDA and STLCA adopted Tellico many years ago and spent a ton of their own raised capital maintaining and installing culverts etc. using their own equipment, not to mention the man power contributions and cleanup events they put on there too - so I'm not sure that will be the answer to prevent these type of closings in the future :(

[ArmyTaco]

Yeah I talked to Ted right before he got to the meeting last night. I do not think we are going to be able to do much. The roads are bad for roads and I believe its just the FS does not have money or man power to fix these roads and they are a liability like they are to non wheeling folks and the unexpected so its easier to close them. But from what I know the locals are pissed about it it as well. I know there are tons of trails up there and I just wonder how far this is going to go.

Also if anyone goes up there link up with the Ga Cruisers and see if anyone is going up there. It would be good to get a small group that really knows the area to do a report. The guys that went do not know the area. When we went last April everything was fine and dandy so who knows whats going on.

[crawlrunner]

Correction on my part. There is just under 1.5 million acres between Cherokee, Nantahala & Pisgah NF in WNC that we can't ride on. Throw in Chattahoochee NF just south in GA for another .5 million acres. So there is close to two million acres of our land we can't ride on around here.

[GOT COPE?]

There is an idea being thrown around to maybe get together with other clubs like Upstate Cruisers and a couple others to try to come up with an adoption program to where they would do trail maintenance in lieu of the FS closing the area - Some kind of voluntary land management agreement - maybe we should try to contribute to that cause too. In my experience though, both SFWDA and STLCA adopted Tellico many years ago and spent a ton of their own raised capital maintaining and installing culverts etc. using their own equipment, not to mention the man power contributions and cleanup events they put on there too - so I'm not sure that will be the answer to prevent these type of closings in the future :(

It's obviously not the answer, it didnt get us anywhere with Tellico, sure it kept it open a decade or so, but we need a more permanent solution.

The trails up there dont need maintenance. They are unmaintained 4wd trails. Does every road need to be paved or closed? No. :2cents:
I personally hate everytime they pave or widen or create a new road anywhere. It just increases traffic and brings more businesses and more traffic.
The more unpaved, unmaintained roads the better.

Im tired of us jumping through hoops to keep appeasing the FS and these idiots that think they are saving the planet.

I dont want to make any investments that arent going to pay out in the future. All that money SFWDA put into Tellico and it still gets closed.
We could have our own private park by now.

It's sick, but we simply need money and power in numbers and we could do whatever we wanted. Look at Coal Creek.

[gregers05]

Yes, we ran into a series of barriers (piled rocks with a back hoe) going up to Rough Butt bald on the expedition run at 10PM at night! Backing up 10+ trucks about 1/2 mile is not fun.

not fun?!?!?! i thought it was a blast lol....not. fu fs:confused:

[silvertoy]

There's only one solution, move out West where they actually embrace people using their public lands the way they are meant to be used.

[misterzee]

but, I don't necessarily want to be embraced by just anyone....:p

[Derka]

There's only one solution, move out West where they actually embrace people using their public lands the way they are meant to be used.

You could go stand in front of the dozers....Tiananmen Square style, but i dont think it would be nearly as dramatic.

It is always going to be easier for the FS to close a gate or dig a ditch rather than maintain a road. I agree that the roads dont need maintenance, but digging a ditch to block a challenging road is a lot cheaper than dealing with the law suite filed by the a$$hole who flipped his Honda CRV off the side of mountain.

I really cant see a reason why they would close these road other than liability issues or maybe even environmental issues. Hopefully, i can gather some information this wknd and maybe have a better idea of why these closures are brought about.

[GrizzlyNC]

I've been following this over on MUD as well, and while I'm not really sure what role I can play in coming up with a game plan, I'll gladly do what I can.

If there is power in numbers I'm sure @ 300# I'd probably count as two adults..:D

As you mentioned misterzee getting frustrated won't fix this. All we can do is get detailed information and try and go from there. I have to admit I was in total shock to hear of this.

[Derka]

CF is blocked in both directions after the first camping spot where the trail spits. I didn't make it all the way up RB, but as far as i know it is still closed going up to the bald.

CF blocked after the first campsite.
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/dfairclo/WHEEling/IMG_7608.jpg
Tank trap blocking CF. There were 2 more traps, behind this trap, that i could see from where i was standing.
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/dfairclo/WHEEling/IMG_7612.jpg
Creek crossing off CF
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/dfairclo/WHEEling/IMG_7615.jpg

p.s. If you are carrying, you might want to read the laws on having firearms while on NF land....even if you have a carry permit. This kind of BS is what ruins the experience of being in the great outdoors. There are effing bears and creepy a$$ folks riding around, sticking people in the back of their utility vans...hell yeah im going to bring a gun!

[silvertoy]

Wow, extremely disappointing. Thanks for reporting back with pictures. Did you get stopped and interogated for having a gun with you?

[crawlrunner]

Screw NC & I live here! I take all my disposable income & toys to TN or AL!

[*Darcy*]

dang. i was hoping for better news... thanks for reporting back to us. hope your weekend wasn't worthless after seeing all that mess.

[silvertoy]

I heard more about this over the weekend. I didn't realize the DNR stopped you guys on 4wheelers and gave you and Tim both fat tickets! $120!!! That's BS.


p.s. If you are carrying, you might want to read the laws on having firearms while on NF land....even if you have a carry permit. This kind of BS is what ruins the experience of being in the great outdoors. There are effing bears and creepy a$$ folks riding around, sticking people in the back of their utility vans...hell yeah im going to bring a gun!

[Derka]

$131 to be exact. Those two Richards had side arms, over the legal caliber size, and they were riding around on ATV's....both of which are illegal. I guess they have to "earn" their money some how, otherwise they wouldn't have a job.

[ATLRoach]

FYI the carry thing changes in Feb. Derrick and Thad are you a GCO members?

[Derka]

I am not.

[silvertoy]

Not a member.

[ATLRoach]

You need sign up if you like your right to carry. www.GeorgiaCarry.org It's $15 a year and will be pushing to have more carry rights here in GA and in the US.

[misterzee]

$131 to be exact. Those two Richards had side arms, over the legal caliber size, and they were riding around on ATV's....both of which are illegal. I guess they have to "earn" their money some how, otherwise they wouldn't have a job.

Im confused... Who was on ATVs, and armed and stopped and handed out tickets to whom for what?? And where??

[Derka]

A few weeks ago, 2 DNR officers, riding atv's, stopped our group while on S. creek. TIm and i both recieved tickets for having a firearm larger than 22mag.

[Derka]

You need sign up if you like your right to carry. www.GeorgiaCarry.org It's $15 a year and will be pushing to have more carry rights here in GA and in the US.

Roach- will you give me $500 so i can get a free knife?:D:D

[*Darcy*]

A few weeks ago, 2 DNR officers, riding atv's, stopped our group while on S. creek. TIm and i both recieved tickets for having a firearm larger than 22mag.

were you on atvs or in trucks?

[Derka]

were you on atvs or in trucks?

We were in trucks. The officers were on ATV's.

[*Darcy*]

We were in trucks. The officers were on ATV's.

funny how the FS mentioned illegal ohv (atv/bikes/etc) use, and the dnr is the on on the atvs.

glad they didnt confiscate your guns!

[ATLRoach]

Roach- will you give me $500 so i can get a free knife?:D:D

Nah I'll pass on that. That's a 1/3 closer to me buying a lathe to make cool stuff with like I dunno gun barrels and cans.

[ATLRoach]

A few weeks ago, 2 DNR officers, riding atv's, stopped our group while on S. creek. TIm and i both recieved tickets for having a firearm larger than 22mag.

In the truck or on your person?

[Derka]

glad they didnt confiscate your guns! They threatened to.

In the truck or on your person?

In the back seat of my truck, under my pack. Tim had his in the glove box of his jeep. The officers asked us if anyone had firearms...we both told the truth. The officers then made us break down the weapons and store them in locking containers.. It is complete bul!shit if you ask me, i mean if we were walking around hunting then YES give us a ticket. BUT We obviously brought firearms for protection...same reason they both had a 9mm strapped to their leg.

[misterzee]

A few weeks ago, 2 DNR officers, riding atv's, stopped our group while on S. creek. TIm and i both recieved tickets for having a firearm larger than 22mag.

So, do I infer that a 22 pistol is legal to carry there?

[rcfdfighter]

Derka your being such a baby. Suck it up its cheaper than the last ticket You (we) got from the DNR. bahaha!

[Derka]

We deserved that one.

Derka your being such a baby. Suck it up its cheaper than the last ticket You (we) got from the DNR. bahaha!

[misterzee]

Regarding carrying: I'll probably be restating what has already been clearly said but.... I'm pretty dense....
I found a ranger who, after some interviewing, was able to articulate more accurately the laws... but its still not satisfactory to me...
The NATIONAL Parks and dept of Interior, who cover the parkway, and "designated campgrounds" in the forests allow large caliber handguns to be carried. The STATE GAME COMMISSION's rules override in the forest where you are allowed to hunt. There, the default weapon allowed is a .22 pistol with a barrel under 7.5". In hunting seasons, you can have weapons of the caliber appropriate to "take the life" of the game in season. I didn't ask for a "table of appropriate calibers"... but got the gist of that.
So, as I told one of the rangers... if a bear charges me this weekend, I must be sure to shoot him thru the left eye into the center of the brain if I want to drop him, and not get mauled... she agreed...
Here's a fun one to discuss with the lawmakers on the subject, check out the brochure on "preventing crime in the forest" :rofl::rofl:
http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/1273657-post28.html

[Derka]

Regarding carrying: I'll probably be restating what has already been clearly said but.... I'm pretty dense....
I found a ranger who, after some interviewing, was able to articulate more accurately the laws... but its still not satisfactory to me...
The NATIONAL Parks and dept of Interior, who cover the parkway, and "designated campgrounds" in the forests allow large caliber handguns to be carried. The STATE GAME COMMISSION's rules override in the forest where you are allowed to hunt. There, the default weapon allowed is a .22 pistol with a barrel under 7.5". In hunting seasons, you can have weapons of the caliber appropriate to "take the life" of the game in season. I didn't ask for a "table of appropriate calibers"... but got the gist of that.
So, as I told one of the rangers... if a bear charges me this weekend, I must be sure to shoot him thru the left eye into the center of the brain if I want to drop him, and not get mauled... she agreed...
Here's a fun one to discuss with the lawmakers on the subject, check out the brochure on "preventing crime in the forest" :rofl::rofl:
http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/1273657-post28.html

Stay calm, stand tall, and blow your whistle with confidence.

[GrizzlyNC]

Stay calm, stand tall, and blow your whistle with confidence.

But ONLY if you have been "Trained" in the use of said whistle! :D:rolleyes::lmao:

Carry a noisemaker, such as a whistle, or other protective device that you have been trained to use.