Pics of Potts Mountain

Some guys ask about Potts Mountain in Roanoke, here a few pics from it , we went yesterday.
Potts Mountain Jeep Trail

david

Is this just one trail, or a location with a number of trails offering a range f difficulties?

In other words, would it suitable for a chapter event, realizing that the chapter includes everything from stock vehicles to VERY modified ones?

David95XJ said:

Some guys ask about Potts Mountain in Roanoke, here a few pics from it , we went yesterday.
Potts Mountain Jeep Trail

david

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and you didn't invite me?!
:rattle:

Look beautiful up there. How much trail is there up there?

I've never run Pott's, although my club does on a yearly basis. From my understanding it is a "forest road" that has degraded in quality severly over the past few years and is being considered for closure. It is not a network of trails, and with discussion in the air of a closure, I think it would be prudent not to hold an "event" there. JMHO.

Ary

Safari Ary said:

I've never run Pott's, although my club does on a yearly basis. From my understanding it is a "forest road" that has degraded in quality severly over the past few years and is being considered for closure. It is not a network of trails, and with discussion in the air of a closure, I think it would be prudent not to hold an "event" there. JMHO.

Ary

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(a) What level of vehicle is it best suited for at this point: stock, mild mod (say, 3" and 31s), or heavily modified?

(b) The pending closure thing is a two-edged sword. Need info on who owns the land and who controls access to the road. If it's a case of the gummint trying to abandon a legal right-of-way on the pretext that "it isn't passable and so it isn't used any more," then holding an event -- with proper permissions, if necessary -- and documenting continual use may be the best/only way to prevent a closure.

Is anyone in a position to research this?

Eagle said:

(a) What level of vehicle is it best suited for at this point: stock, mild mod (say, 3" and 31s), or heavily modified?

(b) The pending closure thing is a two-edged sword. Need info on who owns the land and who controls access to the road. If it's a case of the gummint trying to abandon a legal right-of-way on the pretext that "it isn't passable and so it isn't used any more," then holding an event -- with proper permissions, if necessary -- and documenting continual use may be the best/only way to prevent a closure.

Is anyone in a position to research this?

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Ok, although I haven't run this trail in about 2 years, I am sure it hasn't changed ALL that much. Pott's is suitable for anything from stock to pretty extreme (although anything too extreme will be bored to tears). There are go-arounds around all of the "big" stuff....and with careful spotting even a stocker should be able to get through sans-damage.
The land is forest service owned as far as I know. Corey (my boyfriend for those who don't know me) ran his samurai buggy up there several times. However, the last time we took the buggy out there, a ranger kindly escorted us off the trail and proceeded to write him several tickets for using an unregistered vehicle on the trail.....the buggy is pretty obviously not street legal, so you might be able to get by with less-extreme but not street legal vehicles if u r smart about it.
The deal with the trail is that it is considered a "state maintained highway" and therefore is only passable by registered and licensed vehicles. You should have no problem taking a group of "normal" trucks up there for a day of wheeling provided that the gates are open. I would contact the state forest (Jefferson) to inquire about gate closure and other news. They have had A LOT of trouble with obnoxious fourwheelers tearing up mud holes surrounding the trail. Be sure that everyone STAYS ON THE TRAIL if you go...cause I have heard that have been known to hide out in the woods and watch for folks who can't follow the simple rules of engagement.
The obstacles are fairly mild accept for one section at "the end" (don't know which end to refer you to)....there is a reallllly tall rock ledge that used to only be passable by the best of the best....but, in recent years I think everyone and their brother has been able to get up it one way or another. But, then again, there are ways around everything....

Got more questions? Feel free to write me at [email protected] and I'll do my best to recall or ask around.

Emily "XJGrl" Davis :sunshine:

In addition....this is just ONE trail...not a network at all. However, it can take a full 8 hour day to run the whole thing if it is still as it was when we used to run it. I remember there being some talk about this trail being affected by the roadless deal or AT viewshed issues....can't remember exactly tho.
Here are a few pics from LOOONG ago (makes me laugh actually!) :laugh3: :





There is a really nice HUGE grassy meadow at the top of the mountain that I used to love to run around......great lunch spot FYI....

M

those are some nice pics. do you think you could post up some directions on how to get there or a map of the surrounding area. thanks

In the delorme atlas, it is actually labeled as a Jeep Trail. Ill have to do more research to get directions tho......

M

How does this compare to say Big Levels? aka "Coal Road"?

I know its pretty long as well, I've never been all the way through it although I know it winds up on the blue ridge parkway which would make for a nice ride afterwards.


edit: come to think of it I may run it all the way through on the 24th as kinda a Christmas eve thing

scottsxj said:

do you think you could post up some directions on how to get there or a map of the surrounding area. thanks

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please DO NOT DO THIS IN AN OPEN FORUM... handle it thru PMs or Email.. a lil paranoid maybe but its just one way to help keep the legal places legal, not a good practice to "advertise" locations or directions for all to see..

you never know who is watching..

sidriptide said:

please DO NOT DO THIS IN AN OPEN FORUM... handle it thru PMs or Email.. a lil paranoid maybe but its just one way to help keep the legal places legal, not a good practice to "advertise" locations or directions for all to see..

you never know who is watching..

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second that! I know many clubs keep their trails locked up tight.

sidriptide said:

please DO NOT DO THIS IN AN OPEN FORUM... handle it thru PMs or Email.. a lil paranoid maybe but its just one way to help keep the legal places legal, not a good practice to "advertise" locations or directions for all to see..

you never know who is watching..

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woops sorry bout that i will make sure to do that next time.

Sorry i kind of forgot about this post.

It is just one trail, but as said above there are go around on all the major obstacles. A trail ride might get a little boring, but for 4 or 5 jeeps its great.

It was closed last summer because there is an endangered plant up there ( who would have known in VA) and the rangers had to build a bunch of blockades around this small pond to keep people away from it.

I am not sure about the public road thing, its definitly a very very old fire road that has degraded into rocks and things that are quite difficult at some points.

Potts Mountain

Here are some pics from Fenwick Mines, which is also close

Fenwick Mines

Potts jeep trail is open but if people dont stay on the trail it WILL be closed again. sorry about the first pic.. but that is basically what it says.. I only went about 2 miles out the other day.. GREAT trail!! more pics here http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/529567/1 and have heard the further you go the more challenging it gets.. found this also ....... Potts Mtn Jeep Trail watershed restoration -

previously, the FS announced that it planned to "correct [a] drainage problem from Potts Pond due to OHV [off-highway vehicle] traffic" at Potts Mtn. Pond. The Pond is an important natural area near Barbours Cr. Wilderness Area that is highly vulnerable to OHV impacts. The project is apparently complete. An unsightly "Stonehenge"-like arrangement of large boulders has been placed along an OHV road near the pond. It remains to be seen whether this costly work will be effective or whether additional restrictions would be considered if future incursions take place.