I'm trying to organize a run to tellico in january with a couple jeeps fairly built on 35's is there any trails you guys would recommend, I heard that upper tellico is closed january 1st through march 31st. Thanks guys

tellico is closed jan 1st through march 31st

better plan on riding in december. Guardrail, helicopter, schoolbus, and upper 2 are the only trails left open that are really challenging. You'd better run them this year. The environmental lawyers/ fisherman dont want us to have high challenge areas.

Go ahead and contact the District Ranger's office and politely explain how the winter closure affected your trip. (828) 837-5152 and ask to speak with Steve Lohr. Be sure to detail how far your planned to travel and spend in the area.

that's actually a good idea.

number of rigs, people, distance traveled, etc.

Cross your fingers the entire may be open this winter. Just need a wise Judge to see the case and realize that the FS had taken the side of one user group over another to come up with the decisions it made and it is all based on bias science. They have to come up with a final plan soon, because the emergency decisions they made on the trail system expire this year. They are concerned about the legal action and are looking at many alternatives now. I am sure they wanted to proceed with their original proposals, but since the legal action they are trying to cover their bases. We need to stay positive no matter what they come up with. They know that you are not happy, they counted on you not coming to the park, they counted on you to pass the negative publicity around to keep others away and they are counting on you to walk away.

Plan your trips out for next year. At least keep the Spring Fling in mind for opening weekend.

Cross your fingers the entire may be open this winter. Just need a wise Judge to see the case and realize that the FS had taken the side of one user group over another to come up with the decisions it made and it is all based on bias science. They have to come up with a final plan soon, because the emergency decisions they made on the trail system expire this year. They are concerned about the legal action and are looking at many alternatives now. I am sure they wanted to proceed with their original proposals, but since the legal action they are trying to cover their bases. We need to stay positive no matter what they come up with. They know that you are not happy, they counted on you not coming to the park, they counted on you to pass the negative publicity around to keep others away and they are counting on you to walk away.

Plan your trips out for next year. At least keep the Spring Fling in mind for opening weekend.


Has this decision been made?
If not do you know when it will be made?
Keep us posted.

IIRC sometime in Dec.

Cross your fingers the entire may be open this winter. Just need a wise Judge to see the case and realize that the FS had taken the side of one user group over another to come up with the decisions it made and it is all based on bias science. They have to come up with a final plan soon, because the emergency decisions they made on the trail system expire this year. They are concerned about the legal action and are looking at many alternatives now. I am sure they wanted to proceed with their original proposals, but since the legal action they are trying to cover their bases. We need to stay positive no matter what they come up with. They know that you are not happy, they counted on you not coming to the park, they counted on you to pass the negative publicity around to keep others away and they are counting on you to walk away.

Plan your trips out for next year. At least keep the Spring Fling in mind for opening weekend.


Exactly right guys, I know a lot of you hard core Tellico lovers have caved in and done exactly what the FS is hoping for, you've allowed your negative feelings about the closure of all the high challenge areas to affect how you talk about Tellico, you make it less desireable for other people to go there, interest falls off, and guess what? The USFS wins. I know it isnt the "glory days" of Tellico, but stick with it guys, if nothing else go have a fun weekend in the woods, and help support Danny out there at Crawfords, but seriously, stick with Tellico, show the FS that we wont give up as easy as they think.

See you Toyota guys at SETO Oct 17-19th!!!!

I called steve and left a message, I'll let you guys know when he calls me back.

Regardless, the closure was for one year's time beginning Jan 1, 2007. That means they will be closed till Jan 1st which is funny because that starts the Winter Closure which lasts till April 1st. No joke.

So what's open now will be open in Dec. Nothing new I don't think.