Hey Guys,
I'm new to the list and I just came across this thread. I thought I'd give an update. Note - I've never been a guide or in any way directly associated with either Big Dogs or The Cove, but I have wheeled several times at The Cove and have camped at The Cove for almost 20 years.
The original post had and issue with trail guides, etc. I think, and hope we should see a change in 2020.
Big Dogs was recently purchased and is now called Big Dogs Family Offroad LLC. I have met the new owners a couple of times. The new ownership in 2020 (now owned by nice people who have guided some trails for many years with BD). I've met the new owners and I understand their objectives. First, I'll reiterate that Big Dogs is not an off road park. BD is an off road organization that leases the land for the events from the trail owners at The Cove Campground, Gore, VA. You can't drive up to The Cove and wheel on your own. The Cove owners do not allow or want random people/groups wheeling on their trails but only to specific groups and a few clubs. They do allow motorcycle and ATV wheeling from the public though.
I'm pretty sure the owners of Big Dogs is not in it for the money. They have a regular job and this more is about their passion for off roading. I think their goal is to make some great wheeling private trails open to the public. These rank among of the best trails on the US East Coast. I know someone posted that he would not go if they require a guide. I understand that. But if that's the case, this isn't really the place for you. On the other hand, I think you'll find and guides should be better than the experience described over 10 years ago (opening post date).
If you find problems such as guides are ill prepared or bail out early, I'm confident the new owners care enough to hear what's going on, so please let them know if you have that kind of issue. Guides are volunteers, but they get free entrance to events. If they're not doing what they need to do, they may be cut.
I'd love to see some of you NC4x4 guys on the trail sometime (not necessarily at Big Dogs, but it's a great place to wheel). I have wheeled several with some guys from an NC club over the past few years.
Thanks,
Jim
Virginia
I wheel with a regular group compiled of several jeeps and buggies from across several states. We avoid BD events. Had a poor experience with camping and showers, which led to poor satisfaction.
You pay a premium to wheel there compared to other places, yet amenities are lacking. Those are big issues before even mentioning a guide.
Most of the trails our group rides are the hardest the parks have to offer. We typically start with the hard trails and only escalate in difficulty as the weekend goes on. For several of us with limited schedules, we stick to this mindset to get the most return on our weekends in the woods.
That said, I would be totally angered, if I paid the premium, and was led to leaf looking trails with the intention to hit the harder stuff. That doesn’t include leaving the trails early.
I understand not wanting to wheel all night long, but we typically ride from 9am until 5,6,7,8,9,10 pm depending on how the day is going.
I know my comment is based on my specific group’s needs, but I think it represents several of the big issues that many other groups would face.
Choosing between big dogs, vs windrock,Harlan, ivy branch, rausch creek, bear wallow, aop, aoaa, etc. Big dogs never wins the argument, and rausch creek is also just above the bottom.
