Our local forest is looking at closing down one of our local favorite hard core trails. It is located in a normally dry wash and is not a current designated road. The Forest Service is aware of this trail and has given us the ok to use it. Now with the Travel Management Rule (TMR), it is slated to be closed. I'm looking to compile a list of sucessful "hard core" off road trails/areas that are located in National Forests for examples. Any links would also be useful. I want to gather information and show the local NFS how other NF cater to our kind of "hard core" wheeling. Our club is willing to donate time and resources to keep this trail open.

So far I am aware of the Rubicon, but it is on a county road. I know that the spurs are in jepordy.

Trails systems that are on National Forest that I have found so far.

Fordyce - Tahoe National Forest
Rubicon - Eldorado National Forest
Tellico - Nantahala National Forest
Uwharrie - Uwharrie National Forest

Thanks,

zman

There is Barrett lake trail in ELDO National, not too far from the 'Con. There is also Fordyce, both are in national Forests.

Here is one link otta many that has a list of CA trails:

http://www.californiajeeper.com/trail-maps.htm

I would suggest having your club "adopt" the trail. Call the FS

I'm looking to compile a list of sucessful "hard core" off road trails/areas that are located in National Forests for examples.

Don't know if it would fit your definition of 'hard core', but Dusy Ershim is a fairly difficult 33 mile long trail. It was built by and is maintained by the 4WD club of Fresno. I worry about this trail because it runs right down the border between the Dinkey Lakes and John Muir wilderness areas...

I don't know what goes on inside the Sierra National forest with regard to Dusy, but the people on the ground seem very OHV friendly compared to some neighboring forests.

Regards,
....Mike

Can you be a little more specific as to which forest?

From your description, "normally dry wash" is going to be a problem.

Washes are being treated as "riparian" areas with a high potential for erosion and resulting resource damage. Hence, high on the list to close.

If you want to save the trail, look close at re-route and other mitigation where you may lose access in wet conditions.

It is not impossible. It will require that you find a hydrologist that can help with determining potential trail hardening points to reduce erosion potential.

Can you be a little more specific as to which forest?

From your description, "normally dry wash" is going to be a problem.

Washes are being treated as "riparian" areas with a high potential for erosion and resulting resource damage. Hence, high on the list to close.

If you want to save the trail, look close at re-route and other mitigation where you may lose access in wet conditions.

It is not impossible. It will require that you find a hydrologist that can help with determining potential trail hardening points to reduce erosion potential.

Coconino. The CNF has already labeled their "riparian" washes and this in not one of them. Only time it has water flowing in it is if it rains hard, and that might be once a year. Wash is mostly rock with very little vegetation in the wash itself.

zman

I don't know if this is what your looking for but it could help...

http://www.4x4trailhunters.com/trails/

Also some here:

http://www.californiajeeper.com/

What is "hardcore?" A 3 on the 1-5 scale, a 5+? Based on road requirements of the FS, I don't believe it's possible to have a hardcore road that isn't a county road. At least that's what I've heard from every FS rep I've ever spoken to.

I might be misinterpreting the question...

...but isn't all of Tellico part of the Cherokee National Forest? There's more than enough "hardcore" stuff there if that's what you're looking for...

What is "hardcore?" A 3 on the 1-5 scale, a 5+? Based on road requirements of the FS, I don't believe it's possible to have a hardcore road that isn't a county road. At least that's what I've heard from every FS rep I've ever spoken to.

Your not going to take a stock Jeep (even a Rubicon) on this trail. If the stock Rubicon did not have a shovel underneath and a BB lift if would do ok. Must have lockers. This trail is in a wash and was never a road, we made the trail 10 years ago with the FS blessing. Now with the nationwide mandates to control OHV use on National Forest our trail may be closed. I have attended several public meetings and even sat down with them in a private meeting to discuss this and other moderate trails. Most of the moderate trails are not an issue, but they cannot give me an answer on this "hard core trail"

Looking for respoonses such as Vette Boy. Tellico is in the Nantahala NF (found it on the web)
I also believe Uwarrie (sp?) is in a National forest.

Not sure if any of these trails are in washes or not.

Thanks,

zman