WNC/TN day rides

jonboyjs

jonboyjs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Location
Asheville, NC (from High Point)
Hey, looking for good places to ride in WNC or TN area. Not necessarily "off road" but maybe some roads less traveled, good views, camping, etc. I'm rigging up my Commander as more of an "expedition type" vehicle and want to roam a bit.
 
LMAO! lemme tell ya about my Max Patch experience. Last weekend I attempted to meet some friends out there when it snowed. "Follow your GPS to Max Patch Rd." he says. I get out on Wolf Creek Rd. which turns out to be some of the roughest riding I've done. I attempted to make a narrow pass with uphill on the right and downhill to a creek on the left. Left 2 tires go over and I'm stuck in the TN backcountry with no cell service at 9:00 at night and I left my come along at the house. I hike about a half mile to finally get service and called the local dispatch and let them know I'll need assistance getting out but I'm equipped to stay overnight. 18 hours later some local volunteer firefighters help me out with some come alongs and straps on their four wheelers since the "road" was too narrow to get a fullsize truck down. Since then I've put together and entire "recovery box" of misc. items from Northern Tool and I'm still adding to it. I do want to head back up that way now though. The guys that got me out were actually riding at Max Patch when the call came across their fire radio.
 
As of right now I've got a 30ft 20,000lb strap, 15ft 10,000lb strap, 2 tree straps, 2 3/4" shackles, 4ton come along, small sections of 2x10 pressure treated board for jacks, floor jack, hi-lift and axe on roof rack. Still in need of a winch and snatch block. My other box I carry a good tool set, misc. fluids, jumper cables, flashlight, air compressor/hose, power inverter/drop cord, 3ft. traction board, coveralls.

Over the winter I've got a 4x6 trailer I'm planning to convert to an "expedition" trailer. Generator, fuel tank, water tank, storage, tools, etc. Prob gonna put it on 31s so it will clear most anything my Jeep will.
 
In the spot I was in last weekend a winch would have done me absolutely no good. It is in my list of things I need to get, but I spent about $100 on everything else. And like all mechanical/electrical things, a winch can quit working no matter what kind it is. I do plan on a Warn M8000 though when I find a good deal.
 
jonboyjs said:
As of right now I've got a 30ft 20,000lb strap, 15ft 10,000lb strap, 2 tree straps, 2 3/4" shackles, 4ton come along, small sections of 2x10 pressure treated board for jacks, floor jack, hi-lift and axe on roof rack. Still in need of a winch and snatch block. My other box I carry a good tool set, misc. fluids, jumper cables, flashlight, air compressor/hose, power inverter/drop cord, 3ft. traction board, coveralls.
Over the winter I've got a 4x6 trailer I'm planning to convert to an "expedition" trailer. Generator, fuel tank, water tank, storage, tools, etc. Prob gonna put it on 31s so it will clear most anything my Jeep will.
Click to expand...
you might want to add a friend to that list.
 
lol, tell me about it. I was stuck in the woods for 18hrs by myself. That was the worst part, doing all the work alone. Just another person to help with the jack/winching and I probably would have gotten out sooner. I had never intended on actually being off road, just maybe some forest roads, just goes to show things can happen anytime. Especially when you're too stubborn to turn around.
 
With a winch and snatch blocks, you can pull your jeep from any direction. If you could use a come-a-long, you could use a winch.
 
I wheeled Max Patch many years ago. Came in off I-40 on Hurricane Creek Rd, access is still there but dunno if it is open since the rock slide.

It wasn't difficult as long as you keep your head straight. Lots of scenic areas.

Check out Richland Gap as well.
 
Wish I had pics of it. And no, I couldn't use a winch, on the front or the back. My jeep had to be pulled directly to the right, there just happened to be a tree there. A winch wouldn't be able to do it without grinding grooves in my body. A come along to the right side of the frame did the trick though. Not knocking winches, I'm getting one, they're just not always what's needed.
 
jonboyjs said:
LMAO! lemme tell ya about my Max Patch experience. Last weekend I attempted to meet some friends out there when it snowed. "Follow your GPS to Max Patch Rd." he says. I get out on Wolf Creek Rd. which turns out to be some of the roughest riding I've done. I attempted to make a narrow pass with uphill on the right and downhill to a creek on the left. Left 2 tires go over and I'm stuck in the TN backcountry with no cell service at 9:00 at night and I left my come along at the house. I hike about a half mile to finally get service and called the local dispatch and let them know I'll need assistance getting out but I'm equipped to stay overnight. 18 hours later some local volunteer firefighters help me out with some come alongs and straps on their four wheelers since the "road" was too narrow to get a fullsize truck down. Since then I've put together and entire "recovery box" of misc. items from Northern Tool and I'm still adding to it. I do want to head back up that way now though. The guys that got me out were actually riding at Max Patch when the call came across their fire radio.
Click to expand...
looks like you missed it by /....../ that much. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Wolf+Creek+Rd&daddr=Max+Patch+Rd%2FState+Rd+1182+to:35.791501,-82.961025&hl=en&geocode=FQgtIwId05kO-w%3BFZ6mIgId0moO-w%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=14&via=1&sll=35.786557,-82.955532&sspn=0.038991,0.055189&ie=UTF8&ll=35.84036,-82.936134&spn=0.155856,0.220757&t=h&z=12

I might have to see that myself. :)
 
What would have been the diff. in running the winch cable through a snatch block attached to said tree then hooking to the frame. It would have been a side pull, just like you stated you needed. Also the body would have been protected because the winch line would have run through the fairlead and the snatch block. Just my.02 not knocking, wasnt there. Only running senerio through my head.
 
Good Lord... because the tree was 5ft directly to the right of the Jeep and it was the only one to hook to. Pulling from the front or the back would still rub across the body, it required a direct pull from the side. I think we've beat this dead horse enough haven't we?
 
I made an elementary diagram of the position, lol. Hope this helps...

ai19.photobucket.com_albums_b155_jonboyjs_Jeepdiagram.jpg_7d193b157e52223253f4ffcc6f703385.jpg
 
Hey man, I think I've seen your XK around. We just bought one. I'm planning to sneak a BB and some bigger tires on there and hoping the wife won't notice ;). They look so much better with a little lift and some tires.
 
Thanks, the Rough Country is the best 2" lift for the money. It has steel spacers instead of poly in the rear like some. And it's $150. I'm upgrading to the 4" once it's paid off, 2 1/2 yrs from now, lol.
 
rockers with recievers built in then you can slide your m8000 in and do a side pull.



























































just thougth i would beat it a little more.
 
On the other hand as for places to ride if you want to check out some forest service roads to explore, there are some great ones open this time of year for hunting season not normally open. I can think of quit a few around Bristol Tn: Flatwoods road, there are several off of this main road. In Elizabethton Tn: you can ride Denis Cove. In Blowing Rock Nc: there are some open legal forest service roads near globe. (GLobe is illegal do not ride there). Also I have riddin the Blue ridge Parkway and there are some good dirt roads to ride out into the middle of no where .
 
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