Uwharrie

Taznc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Location
Durham, NC
I just got my 2005 Jeep Wrangler X about three months ago. Since then, I have put 31" BFG A/T KOs on.
I was told that Uwharrie has some trails that stock jeeps can run. I was wondering if I would be able to run any trails with another almost-stock wrangler. I would like to try to make it this weekend, but I do not have many people to go with and no one that would know the trails.
Also, how do the trails work? Is it easy to get lost? Would there be people waiting behind me?
Sorry I had to post this in this forum, I am 20 so I am not authorized to post in any other forum.
Thanks!
 
Yea there are several trails that you guys could run. Uwharrie closes this weekend so there will be a lot of people but most of the guys there are really nice. If you are worried about holding guys up you could go behind them. You shouldn't have much to worry about because most of them will be on the harder trails, the easier ones are not run a lot. The outpost will give you maps that are easy to follow and have the difficulties of each trail listed.
 
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 Market but I personally have always gone to the Eldorado Outpost:

Eldorado Outpost
4021 Nc Highway 109 N
Troy, NC 27371

The outpost is an easy location 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. 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 too 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 closes a little earlier than most places so I tend to get my quarters together before I hit the trails in case I stay longer than anticipated.

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.

badin_lake_area_new.jpg


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, a truck with 31"s should be able to do it just fine. BUT this is talking when Uwharrie is dry, when it is wet (like it will be this weekend) 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. I can't say for sure, but if its nice and muddy it may be impassible to a lot of 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).

Considering it will be wet you may want 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.

I will be out there with a group Saturday, so your more than welcome to tag along and merge your group with ours if you want. Some of our group will be out there Sunday also. Best of luck and beware, you may get bitten by the Uwharrie bug.... its over 4 months till it re-opens in April (after closing the 15th of this month).:beer:
 
If you get to the outpost @ 9am .. there will be some cnc4x4 folks there for the last ride weekend..

Just walk over talk to them and ask if you can tag along..
 
Good info, DRaider90! Way to fire in there and help out a newb! X2 on the outpost groups. CNC guys will usually be in orange T shirts. The Carolina Trailblazers are also meeting at the Outpost at 9 a.m. You are welcome to join us on our last monthly ride of the year. I'll be in a OD green with brown spots CJ on 42"s. I usually wear my "Pirtek" ball cap so come up and introduce yourself!
 
Thanks for the info, this is exactly the post I have been looking for as well!
 
Yes, thank you all very much!

I am really interested in going, but like I said I do not know the trails and would not want to go alone.

I would definitely be interested in "tagging along" with another group.

Also, is there any gear that is absolutely required before going? I do not have much recovery gear or anything yet.
 
Taznc said:
Also, is there any gear that is absolutely required before going? I do not have much recovery gear or anything yet.
Click to expand...

Absolutely gotta haves: Trail pass, Fire Extinguisher & First Aid kit

Better haves: Tow hooks/points on your rig

Nice to haves: CB, tow strap, tools, winch
 
Spair tire,(that fits) jack,(that will lift your ride) and lug wrench or some thing to get the lugs off. also spair u-joints and a few hand tools.
 
i wouldnt make a habit of this, but as long as your tagging along with one of the groups you should be okay. You should get a pass for being your first time out. I would make sure you atleast have a spare tire.

The basics:

High ligt jack or other means of lifting your vehicle to change a tire, a hi lift is just useful for many other things as well.

A tree saver strap to wrap around the trees so cable or chain doesnt dig into them.

can of ether or other means of inflating a tire.

10 or so feet of recovery strap or chain.

fire extenguisher.

i usually carry a shovel.

2 way CB radios come in realy handy.

sockets and wrenches, the standard tools to work on your vehicle.

A shovel.


That should get you started. i think you'll find that with every trip out your list grows.
 
If you just go up and ride you should have no problems. Jeeps are very capable out of the box. I would also agree not to start Danial unless you have help and don't mind a possible scratch. Dutch John is fun on a muddy day though, if you don't mind a big bounce or two getting up the long hill climb
 
All the above are great suggestions on what to bring. I will just add my .02 that will probably re-state some things posted above.

If your out there with a well equipped group and they don't mind donating tools to use, fluids, etc and you just can't get a hold of supplies for what ever reason the bare essentials are a:

Trail Pass
Spare Tire
Lug wrench

I don't recommend just going with those items, because that has you relying on other people a whole heck of a lot if anything goes wrong/breaks.

Recommended Minimum set up (In addition to the above):

Extra Fluids:
*Brake Fluid - Bouncing around can lead to fluid loss in the reservoir.
*2 Containers of 50/50 - Over heating is a bigger issue in the warmer months but can also be a problem any time of the year. Best to keep enough 50 percent water/50 percent anti-freezer to refill your radiator completely plus a little bit extra.
*2+ Quarts of Oil - This mainly applies to older vehicles that might burn oil, but its always a good idea to keep extra oil around.

Tools/Parts:
*Air Pressure Gauge: Essential in the airing down/airing up process.
*Basic Tool Set: It doesn't have to be a complete tool box, but the basic wrenches, pliers, etc are a great thing to have.
*Basic Parts: Things like hoses, clamps, bolts, etc are good to keep around for trail fixes.

Recovery/Misc:
*Tow strap: A good tow strap is always a plus to have. Loop ends with no metal hooks etc is preferred for safety.
*Jumper Cables: This may sound like a no brainer but you would be surprised. Had a YJ back in Oct 07 have its battery die right as we came out of Daniel onto the Forest Road.

You can also add a Fire Ext., First Aid Kit, CB, more advanced spare parts and other items to make a more complete kit. When you get a winch and other additions to your truck is when more things will be needed. I also keep some LSD Gear Oil and a few other things myself, so there is always room to add your ideal items to the list. That is just a minimal list of items needed to get you to and from the trails and in case of any minor problems.

As far as Dutch John goes it depends on how muddy it is, and how well equipped the vehicle is. If your not running at least some decent mud tires and I would bet at least 1 locker you might have some serious issues with the hill climb. Back in April 07 the only guy that made it up was locked front and back with 44" boggers. Its all dependent on how slippery it gets.
 
are there any motels close to the meeting point yall are refering to?lots of rain here think a jeep with open diffs is going to be able to do much?
 
The only Motel that I know of is the one off of 24/27 I think a few minutes from River Road. Its what, 10 maybe 15 minutes from the outpost.

Most of the time those staying overnight make reserve a campsite at the Arrowhead campgrounds. They have campsites with electricity, bathhouse with showers, etc etc.
 
if its wet and your diffs are open, stay home. the clay down there is like driving on ice.
 
Its very slippery out there yes, but avoiding URE wet all together just because your open/open is a little extreme I think. I would say maybe, if your an inexperienced wheeler taking an open/open rig without mud tires up there stay home. Because that is how the Jeep Liberty slid into the tree on Dutch John last April in the rain/mud.
 
:rolleyes: don't sweat the mud.Way UNF works with that,while it is raining,it can get very slick and nasty.After the rain stops,the mud after a few hours gets kind of tacky.Sure if you are following a line of numbnuts with big tires just tearing up the trails because they can,it can still be tricky BUT don't let that detere you from going.I'm open front and rear with 7.5 inch wide tires and gonna be doing the best I can:driver:.Fall in with a good group and they will help you out.


Again,don't let the ground conditions stop you from coming.
 
At least they aren't calling for rain Saturday, would suck to do the drizzle dash off of Rocky Mount again like we did in September.... just for it to stop raining when we got back to camp. You and Ed are leaving Saturday afternoon this weekend right?
 
I've been up dutch john in the pouring rain with open dif's and 33's. I did have a new set of Savero Mud tires, but no problems. Biggest secret is learn to :driver:. I can go a lot more places now than I could 2 years ago, and I'm driving the exact same machine.
 
One of the most important things to bring.........Is a good friendly attitude!
No matter what happens, if you have a good attitude, folks will help ya if you need it.
 
Back
Top