Uwharrie questions

hxcjohnny

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Location
Winston-Salem
ok, so if this is the wrong place to ask this, i apologize. two buddy's and I are going to Uwharrie in two weeks and I wanted to ask some of you guys what trails i should try and tackle. I've been once before, but it was in my old cherokee that was bone stock down to the street tires. My jeep now is a 99 xj, it's lifted 3 inches and has 31'' mtr's. i've removed my rsb, trimmed to let it flex and it has jks quicker disconnects. open diff's front and rear. so for you guys that are familiar with uwharrie and have taken jeeps similar in size to mine, what trails should I be able to tackle there safely? I want to challenge myself and my jeep, but i dont want to push it too hard as i have to drive my jeep everyday. my buddys both have tj's, one is stock height with 31'' bfg at's, and the other is built pretty nicely..35'' bfg mt's, 8.8 in the rear, locked in the front, etc. i know whatever we do won't be much of a challenge for him, but this trip isn't about him lol. we know his jeep is capable haha. so let me know what you guys think, and sorry for the noobish question
 
If it's dry out..no reason you cant go all over URE, as long as you use your head and some common sense. Take a tow strap or two just in case.

If it's wet....thats another story, the trails get alot more challenging.

The Daniel trail may give you a hard time as far as ground clearance goes.
 
You could do them all, but you should just ride with your buddy on Daniel and Rocky Mountain loop just to check them out!
 
coulpe weekends I had a stock xj follow me all over URE except for daniel trail. Took the by passes on most of the obsticals. Had a bunch of fun.
 
ah awesome, I guess i'll have plenty of fun then. my last trip in the old jeep was short and I didnt get to push it very much
 
I run all over URE in a stock (except for a rear locker) Toyota Hilux on 31s. Had some problems on the hill climb on Dutch John Saturday in the morning when it was still a bit wet, but made it up in the afternoon after it dried out a bit.
 
Quit worrying about it and go have a good time!

I would avoid Daniel in a stock vehicle. It's doable, just have to be very careful and it's too much of a beating on a stocker IMO.
 
I will go through each trail, and you can decide for yourself:
Daniel: If it weren't for the ledge, I would say go for it. But the ledge isn't getting any easier, and on 31"s you will probably have clearance issues on the ledge. If you feel absolutely inclined to go do Daniel when you are on the ledge, hug the right hand wall as you come up around the corner and keep your passengers side tire on it as you go up. Other wise if you pull around the corner then back up/line up any line you take will probably drop you down into the 2 ruts that have been worn into the ledge. And when you drop into those ruts if you don't have the lift your frame/low points usually won't make it. After that Daniel is fairly easy, just remember on the 2 path hill climb (bypass is blocked off for good) to take the right hand line at the start then jump over to the left line (what used to be the middle line).

Rocky Mountain Loop: This can be one of the most fun trails no matter what truck you have. Everything has bypasses, and on the Double Ledge and Kodak you can make it as hard as you want it to be. There are multiple lines you can take and the trail is a good ride. Only thing I will say is take it nice and slow on the rocky decent after Kodak. It has been fixed/paved a little since last year but the ruts/rocks on the descent are spaced/aligned perfectly to eat up rocker panels. Also best spot to start the trail is from the double parking lot.

Dutch John: I haven't seen the hill climb yet this year in person, but from videos I have seen its still fairly rutted and should be an interesting challenge. Only thing I have heard is carb'd trucks are having issues dying out on the hill climb because the ruts slow your momentum. Dutch John is a LONG trail with the hill climb at the end of it. So keep in mind if you can't make the hill climb its a long drive back. There are some nice rocky areas and a mini poser rock to take pictures on, which are a plus.

Dickey Bell: On 31s you should have fun on the 3 path hill climb right after the stream crossing/easy rock ledge. Its getting more challenging every year. It will probably be easy for the guy on 35s, but for you it should be fun. Dickey Bell is also a long trail and the rest of it is fairly easy. So if your looking for a break/easy run this can be it.

Saw Mill: This used to be a fairly bleh trail that no one appreciated. But after my run of it this past Saturday I can say its getting a little bit more interesting. Key parts being slick did help, and it is getting harder a little bit at a time. There is a nice mud rut that will give you some trouble if you decided to tackle it. Also some rocky areas are getting a little more interesting.

Slab Pile: This used to be...and still is a fairly bleh trail. It has some improving mud pits but its only highlight is poser rock still. The only reason I would visit this trail is to get some pictures on poser rock.

Falls Dam: This trail has its parts that are getting harder, including the rock ledge. The 3 or so rocky areas including the ledge can be fun, and on 31s will be a challenge for sure. It has lost some of its fun for me because I have lost my interest in its 2 larger mud pits (the soup bowl and the 2 ledge pit). If you like playing in the mud then you should make this a must for your trip.

Wolf Den: A simple connector trail. The only slight obstacle that is the hill climb out to falls dam has been repaired, so its not much of anything but a trail to get out to the others. It is a good bunny trail for first timers, but other than that nothing special.
 
When I was out there a little over a month ago I had a heck of a time on the 2nd ledge on the climb up Daniel (and it was a dry day). 3" lift and aggressive 32s on my Frontier, with a rear locker, front LSD, and an extremely heavy right foot. I would not bother with that trail in yours unless your buddy is going to pull you over that ledge. Other than that you should be able to run just about everything out there. That one spot on Rocky Mountain Loop just before you get to Kodak/Budweiser is getting trickier every time I go through there, you probably would need the bypass for that.
 
OnlyOneDR said:
When I was out there a little over a month ago I had a heck of a time on the 2nd ledge on the climb up Daniel (and it was a dry day). 3" lift and aggressive 32s on my Frontier, with a rear locker, front LSD, and an extremely heavy right foot. I would not bother with that trail in yours unless your buddy is going to pull you over that ledge. Other than that you should be able to run just about everything out there. That one spot on Rocky Mountain Loop just before you get to Kodak/Budweiser is getting trickier every time I go through there, you probably would need the bypass for that.
Click to expand...
thats funny, we went Zuharrie weekend with a STOCK sammy and a built tintop that had a stripped front output shaft (basically 2wd) and drove :)bounce:)the stock one all the way to the top, no assistance. pulled the 2wd over first ledge drove it almost to the split in the last climb
 
1badz2nv said:
thats funny, we went Zuharrie weekend with a STOCK sammy and a built tintop that had a stripped front output shaft (basically 2wd) and drove :)bounce:)the stock one all the way to the top, no assistance. pulled the 2wd over first ledge drove it almost to the split in the last climb
Click to expand...

Rarely do I see a stock sami driving anywhere at URE. They are usually bouncing over everything like the ATVs they are! You are talking about a vehicle with about 2k less weight and 2' less wheelbase.
 
ok, you got me. it bounced :bounce: over everything we pointed it, and the other 6 sammies, at. and i agree with rbo157 up top, it is too rough on a stock vehicle. (bent bumpers on 1st ledge daniel, tore front crossmember out on kodaik) but the dam thing kept going so we kept torturing it.
my toyota on the other hand made it with no problems. its a run of the mill 84 x-cab with 35's and locked front and rear
 
Back
Top