Uwharrie April 2002

Ok guys, print this map and bring it with you: http://cnc.4x4.org/trails/uwharrie_map2.gif

General Info:
Date: April 26-28th 2002.

Directions
Coming from the North, take rt 95 to just south of Richmond. You will take 85 West from there.

From Durham and Greensboro-traveling from I-85S exit 122B onto Rte 220S follow to Asheboro and turn onto Rte 49S continue until you hit Rte 109S.

* On Rte 109S just past the small town of El Dorado you'll come across an Amoco gas station (Stop here for gas/supplies). Just past the gas station is the entrance to Badin Lake- Uwharrie National Forest. http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/uwharrie_map.jpg see map of park from link above.

We are staying at Arrowhead Campground. You can't miss us (the campground isn't that big). Follow the signs there and setup camp.

To the best of my knowledge there isn't an incoming phone at the campgrounds. There is a pay phone at the bathhouse, but you can't call and make reservations.

BTW, if you plan to bring alcohol, make sure that you bring cups. They don't allow alcohol in the campground, and they were faily strict about that last year. Don't drink out of obvious containers and you probably won't be thrown out. Remember: Alcohol is never allowed on the trail, and if you do choose to drink, do so responsibly.

Official story: Camping is $15/night with electricity, and I think $10/night without electricity.

Each campsite has a hook to hang food from (so the little critters don't get into it), a short driveway and a fireput. The firepits have grills that can be set over the fire.

There are semi-hot showers and bathrooms with sinks available for use.

There is also a $5/day trail use fee.

Trails tend to take about 3 hours. Usually people gather around 9am to head out and come back for lunch before going out again. It would be possible to do 3 trails in a day. I say trails, but "a trail" can sometimes be a combination of 2 or 3 smaller ones depending on what is open.

What to bring:
Tent, sleeping bag, water, clothes, a flashlight, some food, some water, and something to cook with (if you want to use the grill that is provided, that is fine, I personally use a small propany deal that I set on the firepit).

Also it goes without saying, but bring truck stuff. If your truck eats CV joints, bring spares. If you have a leaky radiator, bring water. I carry a fairly complete tool kit and a spare tire, but very little tends to break in Uwharrie.

The trails run from 2wd/stocker friendly to what I would call 3+. Nothing that I would call extreme, and I ran what I was told was the hardest trail in October 2000 in my 88 Trooper (1.5" lift) and had zero problems. In July 2000 I ran most of the trails with no lift.

I do remember Chris P taking like 15 minutes to go about 50' but there are bypasses to all of the "difficult" sections.

I have some pictures online from October at: http://tad.grosvenor.org/gallery/71

Feel free to e-mail me at tad@planetisuzoo.com with any questions, and to let me know who you are, where you are from, when you are arriving and what you are driving. I'll keep updating this article the the list of attendees.

-Tad

If anyone has any hesitation, PLEASE send out an e-mail to the list. This event is a lot of fun, and there are trails for all levels of vehicle, including stock. I made it last July in my stock 88 Trooper with sagging springs. The way I see it unless your truck isn't running, the truck can't be your excuse.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask. I will be posting a set of maps fairly soon.

-Tad
Planetisuzoo Staff