[zoom650]

After 3 days in east Tennessee, we all made it over to the wonderful Tellico ORV area. This was a 15 mile drive from our cabins, so it was easy. Enjoy the photos.

This was the first time I'd taken my Ranger out for some rock crawling. The first few are at the beginning of the trail.

This is the first steep crawl I've made in my Ranger. Momentary pucker factor, but after a deep breath, everything else was a piece of cake.

The rest of the photos are mine. This is my buddy, Lance and his friend, Jeff.

At this point, we've just completed Trail #10, which is ATV only. No big Jeepcritters allowed. Time for a break.

Sorry, but I'm missing the best Ranger pic because no one was ready with a camera. I was negotiating a deep mud-rut and finally drove out of it with both front wheels in the air.

We missed riding on a few trails. Many other groups were riding and they'd have traffic backed up where someone was having problems with the mountain. We'd turn around and find other trails to run.

Time on the mountain: 4.5 hours. Miles: 30.

And a good time was had by all.

Regards,
Mike

 

[RedRocker]

Great pix, post some more if you have them.

 

[zoom650]

I wish I had more. These certainly don't reflect any of the more difficult sections of the trail, but most of our hands were too busy at the controls to be handling a camera. I'm hoping some of my friends took more pictures and if I get 'em, you'll see 'em too!

 

[cisco kid]

Nice ride and pic's thanks ;-)

 

[keither]

Nice Pics Thanks for sharing

 

[woody]

GREAT PICS.

 

[JDJHNTR]

Looks like a fun time for all!! Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures!!!

 

[em42]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[RANGERJACK]

Great pictures thanks for sharing.

 

[phoenixbob]

Looks like a great time thanks for sharing!

 

[commanderjjones]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by zoom650

but most of our hands were too busy at the controls to be handling a camera. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> I know what ya mean....some of the trails are HARD-CORE![8D]

 

[ravencr]

What trails did you run? That's still my favorite place to ride.

Chris

 

[zoom650]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ravencr

What trails did you run? That's still my favorite place to ride.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We really had no plans for a route .. just head 'em uphill and go from there. We'd ride until the big rigs had the trail blocked then turn arund and head in another direction. At some point or another we were on 3,4,5,6,8,10 and we longingly looked at 11, knowing what was up there []

We weren't sure if the Rangers were allowed on 10, since it's ATV only, but we fit through the trailheads, so that meant we were legal, right? [8D]

Some changes to the ORV since the last time I was there several years back:
1) the daily riding fee increased to $10 per machine (still a bargain);
2) bridge built, the good water crossing just up #5 is no more [!]. Score one for the tree huggers, or maybe it was the trout fishermen complaining of silt in the river.
3) wooden bridges over stream crossing further up on the mountain were rotting and needed repair.
4) new parking area (uphill at the pay station) with room to turn. around (really nice)

Otherwise, the trails were in great shape compared to what I've seen in the past.

Regards,
Mike

 

[ravencr]

Awesome Mike! I've had some great fun there, both in my 4runner and my Dad's Ranger. We usually stayed at Crawford's Campground on the NC side, but with the Rangers, it would be better to stay closer in so you don't have to trailer in. What a great place. We ran slickrock in the Ranger last time and had a blast.

Chris

 

[destruction]

great pics. I was scared to take my Ranger there but I think I have changed my mind now. Thanks for the post

 

[ravencr]

The only thing I'd recommend having for Tellico are rock sliders. Outside of that, it's some great riding!

Chris

 

[zoom650]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ravencr

We usually stayed at Crawford's Campground on the NC side, but with the Rangers, it would be better to stay closer in so you don't have to trailer in.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
We get to the ORV from the TN side. Find Tellico Plains, then follow the river road straight into the park. There's camping at the park entrance, and you can ride in from there.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by destruction

great pics. I was scared to take my Ranger there but I think I have changed my mind now.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
There is plenty of trail riding to do at Tellico without scaring the pants off 'ya! Trust me, that independent suspension walks over most obstacles.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ravencr

The only thing I'd recommend having for Tellico are rock sliders.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'm glad I had the EMP skid plate. I found the tops of a few larger rocks! I wasn't aware of any hits to the A-arm guards. My nerf bars?, well .. they've been beat to heck a long time ago! I did skin up my rims just a bit, but no dents. One of the unavoidable hazzards of rocky trails. It's only money anyway, right?

 

[REDBULL]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by zoom650

[quote2) bridge built, the good water crossing just up #5 is no more [!]. Score one for the tree huggers, or maybe it was the trout fishermen complaining of silt in the river.
3) wooden bridges over stream crossing further up on the mountain were rotting and needed repair.

Mike
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

While I like a good water crossing I would rather cross a bridge then ruin the land with heavy traffic especially at a sensitive spot like a stream. I am not defending the tree huggers but I have been to some crossings where it was more work to cross then it was worth.

Thanks for the pix, I enjoyed them.