Expanding URE Trails

This is from Bruce (circa. 2006)...

radioman said:
Trails will be groomed in the next coupla weeks, there were (are) old trails that are not currently part of the Badin Lake Recreation Area OHV Plan, and yes, they were more difficult than what's there today. BTW, I can remember when Tellico was as easy as Uwharrie, but I digress. Plans for this year include a possible re-routing of the Dutch John hillclimb for environmental reasons, and some reworking of the the environmental controls already in place in some areas.

As for difficulty, none were as tough as the current tough sections of the Tellico trails, but there were several killer hillclimbs and a few 5+ rock gardens on those hillclimbs. Since some are within a short walk of the existing trails, I would be glad to show some of the more responsible members a few of these spots sometime if anyone is interested. That is, if you 4x4 people can tolerate an ATV rider.:lol:
There will probably be some discussion of re-opening some of the older Uwharrie trails, but any re-opening will all depend on environmental and maintenance concerns, and those concerns have absolutely NOTHING to do with tree huggers, it's just responsible management of resources.

First of all, everyone needs to know that the trail names as they exist now are really a set of misnomers. An example is that what's now called Dutch John is made up of sections of several older trails, and is actually only a part of the original Dutch John Road, and that a part of Forest Road 553, AKA Dutch John Road, is an improved part of the original, and the big hill climb is a recent thing that never was a part of the original. The section Lizooki is referring to is probably the connector trail for CCC, Falls Mountain, and Dutchman, and more than I can remember the names of.

The reason several sections of trail are closed is not environmental, it's the archeological sites that are so numerous in the area, some of which were instrumental in proving that this section of North America was inhabited by modern man more than 13,000 years ago, maybe twice that. There are some geological treasures in there, too, that show proof that the Uwharrie Mountains are the oldest in North America, were of volcanic origin, and were over 20,000 feet at their peak ( no pun intended :D ). The area is so full of these kinds of finds (arch, geo, and human habitation sites number over 3,000) that if we were trying to get an OHV trail system today, we could just forget this area altogether.
Click to expand...
 
given the above info...sounds like we better be thankful we have ure...let alone expand.
 
One statement from 2006, while packed full of facts. Doesn't necessarily end the discussion. From what I understand, the rangers, FS personal have changed since then and this is still worth consideratoin. Don't get me wrong. Brown mountian is closer for me than URE. But URE is the more established place.

CJ
 
i wasnt saying end the convo. just dont get your hopes up.

The rangers may have changed...but the historical importance of the surrounding land hasnt.
 
So, should I write an email asking about having this discussion? Or, is there someone on the site that has a personal relationship (read - "knows" somebody) to get things moving?

I'm happy to do it.
 
I think some of the first moves at Brown Mountain is to try and get some of the existing trail open to 4wds. The first order would be to see what trails are even capable of handling the size of 4wd rigs.

I know trail 4 and 6 are. But would have to go up there with a Bike or ATV and check out some of the other trails.
 
csudman said:
Make the call I'd say, sounds like you "know" someone.
CJ
Click to expand...

I will do what I can. And report back. Like I said I know the Local town people well, Its just how much that will help is the question.

Edit: I know they like and do cater to the ATV races and Dirt Bike races that are local the area, The income that the trails would produce for the local stores, restraunts, and hotels will have to be what there looking at. If the trail system could support what URE does, Or even become the likes of Tellico (Pipe Dream I know) than the events that come along with it would be great for the town. I will gather some info and see what kind of response I get.
 
csudman said:
From what I understand, the rangers, FS personal have changed since then
Click to expand...

NOT correct. According my correspondence (gotta LOVE gmail! :D ), Ranger walker was assigned in late-2005... well after Bruce's post.

As far as any talks about opening trails, why not go straight to the source? Call Ranger Walker and ask *HER*. That should catch you up on the current "climate" (issues, politics, etc) pretty fast...

BTW, this ain't intended to be a negative! I asked several times over the years and just got tired of asking...

Also, Mark(? the guy that coordinates the work days) might be be a starting point also
 
What city is closest to Brown Mountain and do they allow 3 wheelers?
 
burrellsjeep said:
Why Not Brown??? Just wanting to see if anyone has heard any reasons or prior attempts to add trails there.
Click to expand...

I re-hash, I have spoken with two representatives at the FS office in Asheville in the last month. Both times I have asked about expanding our NC 4wd opportunities in light of the potential closure of Tellico. I was told both times that the FS has no plans to expand or open any new areas to 4wd and that the economy at this time precludes any new projects. They don't have enough money or manpower as it is to do what they need to do. At least that's the FS party line.
 
JC said:
I re-hash, I have spoken with two representatives at the FS office in Asheville in the last month. Both times I have asked about expanding our NC 4wd opportunities in light of the potential closure of Tellico. I was told both times that the FS has no plans to expand or open any new areas to 4wd and that the economy at this time precludes any new projects. They don't have enough money or manpower as it is to do what they need to do. At least that's the FS party line.
Click to expand...

I understand this,

I am not reffering to opening "new" trails, Just allowing 4wd use of the existing ATV only trails that can support the added traffic.
 
brown mt only trails that could be open to 4wds would be 4 and 6 noway to get 4wds on any other trail without serious damage lol. trail 1a would be awesome for 4wd if it was a little wider
 
i agree to adam and burrell and in thinking that all the TJC would love to help make brown mountain more capable for 4wds considering it is in our back yard and has alot of potential to be a great trail system. trails 4 and 6 really wouldnt need a whole lot of work trail 1a would need some work but would really be a very nice trail !
 
i'd be willing to help out, its not to far off from my back door. and would love to have a closer legal wheeling place that I could go to with out much planing and driving.
 
I know that everyone is worried about closures with the Tellico decision. We need to start thinking of keeping what trails we have open to the public. I propose that We as a fourwheeling community start to find lease and purchase properties that would be available for all to use. The ones that go in on the purchase ride for free for a limited time and those that don't pay initally should be charged a set amount. Also why don't we look at the idea of limiting the the tire and engine size of the rigs that run ntional forest public land. I know that that may seem to some harsh to the guys that run highley modified rigs but I am one of those guys. Lets try and keep it open for everybody. I don't spin tires when its not required. We all know you have horsepower. I for one vote that national forest trails such as Uwaharrie limit the types of vehicals to certain trails if proper respect for the trails is not shown.
 
rock-lucky said:
I know that everyone is worried about closures with the Tellico decision. We need to start thinking of keeping what trails we have open to the public. I propose that We as a fourwheeling community start to find lease and purchase properties that would be available for all to use. The ones that go in on the purchase ride for free for a limited time and those that don't pay initally should be charged a set amount. Also why don't we look at the idea of limiting the the tire and engine size of the rigs that run ntional forest public land. I know that that may seem to some harsh to the guys that run highley modified rigs but I am one of those guys. Lets try and keep it open for everybody. I don't spin tires when its not required. We all know you have horsepower. I for one vote that national forest trails such as Uwaharrie limit the types of vehicals to certain trails if proper respect for the trails is not shown.
Click to expand...

The whole, everybody go in on it thing has been discussed quite a few times. Liability, profitablity etc... have proven to be problematic. I'd support it, but I am afraid unless its a profitable venture, you won't be able to keep it running indefinitly.

CJ
 
csudman said:
The whole, everybody go in on it thing has been discussed quite a few times. Liability, profitablity etc... have proven to be problematic. I'd support it, but I am afraid unless its a profitable venture, you won't be able to keep it running indefinitly.
CJ
Click to expand...

yeah, this was heavily discussed a year or two ago.
 
Back
Top