This may be a little bit long, but its worth a full read if your going on your first Uwharrie run.
Stop by one of the local spots to get your self/group prepped. There are multiple options including the Mountain Market (JeepURE aka Corey is our liaison for the Mt. Market) but in the past I have ended up going to the Eldorado Outpost:
Eldorado Outpost
4021 Nc Highway 109 N
Troy, NC 27371
The Market is closer if your coming from the south, but the outpost is an easy location also to use as a meet up point etc. There are somethings to do while you are there. First off get your trail pass for $5 ($5 a day, $30 a year). They should have a free forest service map to give you with it, but in case they are out have $2 handy to pick up their own in house map. They both will get you to and from the trails.
Air down while you are at the Outpost. It will help greatly with the ride on the rough forest roads. Its not a must but it makes your trip much smoother. Also make sure to get/bring a couple dollars in quarters for airing up after wards if you don't have free air options (the Outpost can have free air).
While you are there of course make sure to get any last minute supplies etc etc. Also keep in mind the "entrance" on the northern side of 109 (making a left out of the outpost) has more paved roads than the southern side.
The only trail I would say to stay away from on your first run out (unless you wheeling with a group of well equipped rigs) is Daniel. The rest of the trails mostly have bypasses for the harder stuff and if they don't. BUT this is talking when Uwharrie is dry, when it is wet (like it is in the winter and spring usually) even the easy trails can become difficult. When you take this into consideration you might want to add Dutch John onto the list of trails to stay off of because of its steep hill climb. You might be able to make it up it, but if its nice and muddy it may be impassible to some rigs.
Depending on how long you are planning on being out there usually the Wolf Den -> Falls Dam -> Dickey Bell run is good starter. Pending on driver skill,how well the rigs in your group are equipped, number of rigs in the group, how often you stop for pictures etc, it could take a good part of your trip. If you have time left over you can always go on Rocky Mnt Loop to watch people play on Kodak Rock (and play on it yourself if you want).
If your really feeling cautious you can to reverse the order and do Dickey Bell -> Falls Dam -> Wolf Den. That way you will be going down the moderate obstacles (stream crossing with "little hill climb" and 3 path hill climb) on Dickey Bell and will only have to worry about going up the one mini ledge on Falls Dam. Either way you will be going up one trail and down the other. If you want to run Falls Dam going down enter from Wolfs Den at the northern side, or at the road on the southern side (right across from Dickey Bell) to go up it. For Dickey bell its the opposite, if you want to run up it start on the southern side across from Falls Dam or to run it down start on the northern side near Rocky Mnt Loop.
April is always quite busy with people going for first runs of the year. One of the big group trips (one I am going on) is April 22nd-26th. If your out that weekend don't be a stranger.
