[Dec 28, 2012] Pott Mtn VA Before it Closes? (New Castle, VA)

NickMaul

NickMaul

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Location
Norfolk, VA
I have been wanting to do a trip up to Potts Mountain just outside of Roanoke Virginia. I wasn't able to go with CTB last summer and have been dying to go ever since I first saw pictures. I will be DDing my XJ there and some company would be nice. It is a 14 mile long trail with mild to some tough obstacles. This would just be an all day trip for me as Roanoke is only two hours from my location(greensboro).

Anyone interested?

Edit: Official Date December 28th


Schedule Posted on page 2!

some links with info....

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f58/potts-mountain-jeep-trail-va-several-pics-797866/

http://forum.ncfjcruisers.com/t1213-potts-mountain-jeep-trail

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=73987&actid=29

These directins will drop you at the foot of the Jeep trail.
From 311 in New Castle:
turn onto 615 (left if coming from Paint Bank area)
turn left on 609 (Sand Plant Road)
turn left on 611
turn right on 617
 
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I might actually be able to make it the 28th.
 
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It is a beautiful trail. very scenic, all challenge areas are for the most part optional. The trails are super clean and very lightly traveld, not much traffic, definetly worth the ride
 
oleblue said:
January 1st
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Actually it closes the last day of bear season which is Jan 5. Keep in mind it's a fire service road so you must be tagged and licensed. I'll watch this a I'm local and I may meet you guys on the trail with my dual sport. Either way send me a pm and I'll give you my number. This way if something happens I can pull some locals together to help.

Matt
 
What time are you planning on leaving Greensboro?
 
You thinking about meeting up there at 10-1030am?
 
BigClay said:
You thinking about meeting up there at 10-1030am?
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Looks on the map makes New Castle, VA to be very small so I would like to meet on Main St. in New Castle(25 mins from the trail) at like a fast food place, gas(refuel), or grocery parking lot then convoy to the trail together so we are all familiar with how to get to the trail from the town incase of an emergency or such.

To the guys following this post I talked to hadfield4wd and before Christmas I should be able to come up with a good plan answering the how's and why's to some questions because rigs might be trailered and some will drive their jeep/truck. I recognize most of everyone who has posted in the thread and looks like we have a stacked/experienced crew interested in making the trip which makes me excited because I was prepared to go this trip solo in the first place. Stay posted.

Nick
 
Sounds good Nick. I will be trailering so will need a place to leave truck and trailer while we ride.
 
Jason W. said:
The only food place you will find is a subway across from the piggly wiggly
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It's actually an IGA. But yep Subway is it. To those trailering remember this is a fire service road so you have to be licensed and tagged. There is no parking at the trailhead. Usually when we've trailered in the past we have left the trailers at the Ranger station in Newcastle. I can put you in touch with the them. They are a great bunch of people and the local club has worked hard with them to keep the trail open, mark it and even open new obstacles. I don't know if I can join you or not yet. But I'd like to if I can just to get you started at least. It may be a little cold for the motorcycle.

The trail is very well marked. Obstacles and bypasses alike. Also keep in mind some of the locals will tell you there are bypasses. If they are not marked as a bypass then it is not. Lots of people are going around an area that's called the stacks. It's after the meadow, just before the lookout. If you use this an the FS hears about it or sees pictures of your rig using it they will issue a ticket. If it's not marked as a bypass it probably isn't.

Also keep in mind there will be hunters up there. Please respect their camps etc. Also please pick up any trash you see. It's been kept pretty clean this year we like to keep it that way.
 
oleblue said:
These directins will drop you at the foot of the Jeep trail.
From 311 in New Castle:
turn onto 615 (left if coming from Paint Bank area)
turn left on 609 (Sand Plant Road)
turn left on 611
turn right on 617
Click to expand...

These are good directions and it'll get you to the bottom. It's most fun running bottom to top. You'll actually pass the first Pott's Mtn Jeep Trail sign and go to the next one. It'll be down to the left. The first one takes you to the top. There are 2 ways out from the top. Either make a left and come out after about 7 miles to the first sign or take a right then left in about 100 ft about 7 miles of dirt road. This will take you to 311. Make a left on 311 and you end up back in Newcastle. If you are into shooting there is a free FS gun range on the left as you come down 311. Bring your bang sticks and shoot if you want.
 
hadfield4wd said:
To those trailering remember this is a fire service road so you have to be licensed and tagged. There is no parking at the trailhead. Usually when we've trailered in the past we have left the trailers at the Ranger station in Newcastle. I can put you in touch with the them.
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My rig is licensed and tagged in NC, just not extremely road friendly. How far is the ranger station from the trailhead? Is there room to park a few trailers and be able to get in and out?

Also, I take it that this is one long trail, so does it wind its way back to the trailhead, or do you have to drive main roads back? Either way is fine, just curious.
 
15-20 minutes to the trailhead. No room to park trailers at the trailhead. You maybe could do it at the campground, called The Pines but you'd have to ask the rangers. The trail is really 8 miles. It's point to point and does not come around. You'll have to drive road either way. Newcastle ranger station is the best place to leave it.
 
My rig is trailered and not street legal anymore, so I am out.
 
witchdoctor said:
i'm out also,mine is tagged but more than a mile or two is more than i care to road mine. it's a hand full at 30 mph.
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I understand the issue with rigs that are not road friendly and if you are still wanting to come we can make it work if you unload right at the trail head and then park the truck and trailer at the campground/ranger station then we take you back to the trailhead with a shuttle jeep and ride all day then repeat then vise versa when we are ready to pack it up and head for home.
 
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