Newbie here.. Uwharrie or Brown Mountain

Tjnptel1

New Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Location
Charlotte NC
Hello,

I am new to the forum and was hoping for some guidance. I am new to hitting the trails and hoping to get my feet wet.

I have a 4 month old stock Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium and was hoping to hit some trails this weekend with my friend. Between Uwharrie and Brown Mountain, which trail is doable? At Uwharrie, I am thinking just Falls Den and Wolf's Den.

Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

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If you want to ease into this, I'd go to Brown Mountain first. The main "road" is just a dirt road. You will have no problem and little chance to damage anything.

That is a very nice truck. The first thing you need to decide is how you feel about scratches or anything worse. Because it WILL happen. If you stick to the milder part of Uwharrie, the chances are low, but it is still very possible, especially as a new driver.
If (WHEN) you do choose to go to Uwharrie, the best thing you can do is to find a group to go with. In your case, best for it to be other near-stock vehicles, with at least one experienced guy, who will not try and push you into something you aren't comfy with. And actually, as a new guy, the other best thing you can do is to ride along w/ somebody and watch and learn.
You will be quite amazed at just what you can do w/ that stock vehicle. A decent driver could get through all of Uwharrie in it. However you will have substantially pucker factor, especially w/ that nice paint.

A thought - those side step bars are likely to get caught on something and/or knocked off (Ate Uwharrie, not Brown).

Another option is to find a crew going to Hurricane Creek.
 
X3 on the steps....just the water bars at URE will beat 'em up.

Which reminds me....I need some sliders myself!
 
RatLabGuy said:
If you want to ease into this, I'd go to Brown Mountain first. The main "road" is just a dirt road. You will have no problem and little chance to damage anything.

That is a very nice truck. The first thing you need to decide is how you feel about scratches or anything worse. Because it WILL happen. If you stick to the milder part of Uwharrie, the chances are low, but it is still very possible, especially as a new driver.
If (WHEN) you do choose to go to Uwharrie, the best thing you can do is to find a group to go with. In your case, best for it to be other near-stock vehicles, with at least one experienced guy, who will not try and push you into something you aren't comfy with. And actually, as a new guy, the other best thing you can do is to ride along w/ somebody and watch and learn.
You will be quite amazed at just what you can do w/ that stock vehicle. A decent driver could get through all of Uwharrie in it. However you will have substantially pucker factor, especially w/ that nice paint.

A thought - those side step bars are likely to get caught on something and/or knocked off (Ate Uwharrie, not Brown).

Another option is to find a crew going to Hurricane Creek.
Click to expand...

/\/\/\/\/\ What he said

He's a 4-runner guys...so :D

Stock(ish) FJ at URE:

13903227_10154644982472638_1642058384362118141_n.jpg

20160812_112142.jpg




Like Dave said, expect scratches....and those steps WILL get bent. Brown may be a better cherry popper

And...if you want some experience in rigs on trails before taking yours on one, you're always welcome at a monthly ride with the trailblazers! Grab a tent and come with us this weekend as we head to Potts mountain

We always have open seats
 
Yeah Potts Mountain with us this weekend would offer you some easy, beautiful riding that’s very doable in a stock rig. I can only remember one are that may pose a problem, and we could easily help you navigate that. And the fun and friendship back at camp is always the best part.
 
Thanks for the updates guys and thank you so much for the invite. I will be removing steps before hitting the trails.

Maybe I will stick to Brown Mountain. Uwharrie has got me iffy especially since my cherry is still intact and the truck isn't even 1/2 year old. :eek:
 
Tjnptel1 said:
Thanks for the updates guys and thank you so much for the invite. I will be removing steps before hitting the trails.

Maybe I will stick to Brown Mountain. Uwharrie has got me iffy especially since my cherry is still intact and the truck isn't even 1/2 year old. :eek:
Click to expand...

Hell i wouldn’t take the steps off just yet at least they protect your rockers somewhat. I’d rather dent them up and take them off then dent a rocker and then want to fix it


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ncpartsguy said:
Rode Old NC 105 today. (Pics)
Click to expand...
That is a great ride, no need for 4wd but it has great views, and is all gravel. I did have trouble once trying to get up a hill in my old 88 step side. Couple hikers climbed in the bed and walked right up the hill. That was over 20 yrs ago.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
From Charlotte, to Brown Mnt, I think you will be very disappointed in what is there for a full size rig, esp in the shape (age) of your vehicle. URE IMO will be more fun.
IMO before you take it anywhere off road, I do as said, take off the steps, install the sliders, get some taller tires and a winch. Don't be afraid to use the winch.
I'd also recommend riding with a group like CTB (Carolina Trail Blazers) Those guys are great and will help you, AND, Teach you at the same time.

Old 105 is a very nice drive and, scenic too. You have the pinnacle trail, and Pinnacle Rock(where you literally have a 360 view from the top of the rock, You have Wiseman's view, where you get an awesome view from several places of the Linville Gorge. And nearer to the end, you have a small log cabin that was built years ago as a ranger station. Sometimes open to the public for inside viewing. Then should you want to take a hike, you have Linville falls. You can go to it from Old 105, or, drive around to the Parkway entrance and hike in from there.

My best advice would be, get your rig stock, and buy something dependable, and far less expensive, and build on that. So, when you scratch it, dent it, or break it. You have not really lost anything, and it's not what you depend on to get you to work on Monday.

Also, forgot to mention. Brown Mnt on weekends is a race track for bikes, ATV' s and SXS's. You never know when one of them will be on a head on collision course with you and end up under your rig. For full size, I'd only go there during the week.
 
If you haven’t heard about Apex Overland yet, Josh (the owner) is a awesome guy who lives for 4runners. He also sell quality parts and does great installs.

I second what @upnover said about linking up and riding with CTB. Great group of people you can bring the whole family around and get your feet wet while learning.
 
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