Sat. 9/13 Wheelin Trip to Cullowhee, NC

[BruceB83]

Hey guys...I wanted to let you all know myself and two friends are going up to Cullowhee, NC for some wheeling on Saturday 9/13. We would be going camping (awesome camping spots!!!) but we have a free place to stay about 25 minutes away within walking distance to one of our favorite pizza/beer places so we won't be camping on this trip. If anybody wants to meet us on Saturday morning for some all day wheeling, let me know!

The main trail up there is just a mild trail but it's fun and very scenic. There are a few tricky places and if it's wet at all, there are a lot of tricky places. One of the reasons we're going up is to try out some of the trails we haven't been on yet as there are several I found out about from another off-road forum and apparently they are harder and more interesting trails then the main one. Basically, if you're on 6" and 35's, you might get bored but it's fun if you're smaller than that.

If you want to see where this place is, just Google Map "Cullowhee, NC". To give you an idea of how far away it's about 150 miles from downtown Atlanta, 95 from Gainesville, GA, 43 from Clayton, GA and about 120 from Chattanooga so you could just come up for the day too.

 

[Cnickgo]

one of our favorite pizza/beer places so we won't be camping on this trip.

If you are talking about Nick & Nates they closed down. I wish I could head down, I have a good buddy at Western, but my work schedule is going to be hell that weekend.

 

[ZacSquatch]

There's one in Waynesville as well.... it may be open..

 

[BruceB83]

If you are talking about Nick & Nates they closed down. I wish I could head down, I have a good buddy at Western, but my work schedule is going to be hell that weekend.

NOOOOOOOOOO! Wait, the one in Sylva or Waynesville? We go to Waynesville.

 

[BruceB83]

Ok, looks like we're moving this to the weekend of the 20th instead of the 13th.

 

[Cnickgo]

The one in Sylva closed, the one in Waynesville is still supposed to be open.

 

[BruceB83]

Good...it better be. I'd hate for Waynesville to experience the wrath that would ensue upon me walking up to a closed Nick & Nates.

 

[Cnickgo]

Bump for being a week away. I'm there, anyone else?

 

[BruceB83]

We're still going this coming weekend. We'll be out there exploring and wheeling all day. Anybody? Bueller....Bueller....

 

[Cnickgo]

Ahem... Report? Pictures? My WCU buddy saw yall on the road.

 

[BruceB83]

Ahem... Report? Pictures? My WCU buddy saw yall on the road.

I post up some pics either tonight or tomorrow once my friend gets them to me. I've got an awesome flex pic of my jeep....doesn't even look like the front axle is still attached!!! I'll report about the trails then too.

What was your buddy driving?

 

[BruceB83]

Ok, I have the pics up now and will give a brief "report" of our little adventure.

First off, this place is fun to go to if you like exploring and driving mild to medium trails. The Land Rover guys will say this place is harder than it really is but it's not, of course I haven't been on all the trails. We only have driven probably 10% of what's up there so much more to go!

Anywhob, when dry this place isn't too terrible and doesn't offer too much challenge. I am on 30" ATs with a locker in the front and had almost zero issues going through the more challenging stuff which is mostly large washouts and a couple decent climbs. I did have an issue with this one hole, which I didn't have before when unlocked, because it has become much deeper and thick mud so it caked up my ATs and they became racing slicks. More on that later.

This is my friend (2" lift, 31s MTs [closer to 32s], open, front sway removed) climbing out of a cool river exit. It's a little worse than the pics make it appear to be.

This is the mud hole that caused me to have a temporary pause in forward momentum (I wasn't stuck...haha).

I tried to straddle the left rut and I slipped off down into the nasty stuff.

Welcome to www.yourtiresarecaked.com staring yours truely...even the locker won't pull you though on that one.

And this is MTs on an open diff going right through it with a little momentum...

One of the smaller washouts...

And lack of flex caused a little issue, still made it just not as easy as if that front wheel still had ground contact...he needs to cut his fenders more or something...or get a locker!

Coming out of the washout...

This is one of my favorites!

And David going through it...

A hole the locals call "The Booger"...not sure why, no biggie...

A few miscellaneous shots...

 

[BruceB83]

Here are some pics of one of the tops of the balds you can get to...

At the end...

You can see all of the pictures by following this link.

 

[mcraindog]

nice pictures bruce

 

[MudDogg]

Nice pics. Looks like a nice place to ride.

 

[Cnickgo]

Sweet shots. I've heard some good stories of drunken times on that bald... the thing to do is get pallets from Walmart and build a good size fire (5 at a time). Can't wait to ride the trail in Nov.

 

[99XJDad]

Cullowhee is very close to me! I live in Sylva and own a 99 XJ sport with a soon to be installed TeraFlex shackle/spacer BB kit and whatever mud terrains I can find. Next time you guys come out this way let me know. I've been wheeling here for years (this xj is my first 4x4 though mind you) and have no clue where the trails you guys rode are at. I have an idea but am not sure.

 

[BruceB83]

Cullowhee is very close to me! I live in Sylva and own a 99 XJ sport with a soon to be installed TeraFlex shackle/spacer BB kit and whatever mud terrains I can find. Next time you guys come out this way let me know. I've been wheeling here for years (this xj is my first 4x4 though mind you) and have no clue where the trails you guys rode are at. I have an idea but am not sure.

We'll let you know next time we're up there. We were actually just up there again 2 weeks ago.

 

[Cnickgo]

Hmm... a trip down to the 'Whee is always possible. Can always use some Heinzelmännchen:cheers:

 

[99XJDad]

Well I got my 2" BB installed and am searching for some decent tires now. Whenever you guys wanna head down this way let me know. PM me on here and I'll give you my contact info. I'd love to get together and go wheeling.