2012-08-18 GWNF OCC Trail Report

OCC Members:

Bryan and Sandy Folts – 87 YJ

Peter Converse –Yellow CJ7

Guests:

James Haffy – 97 TJ

Don Carey – 99 TJ

John and Terry Crowe – 94 YJ

David and Cameron Adams, Marc Hillman – 09 JKUS

David Roden – 12 JK

Cathy and Dwaine Squires – 12 JKUR

Karen and Katie Blackwell – 06 TJ

Jason Blackwell – 99 TJ

We met at the Sheetz on E Market St in Harrisonburg about 9 AM. After fueling up, getting provisions, and a Drivers Meeting we headed out before 10 AM. On the way down Union Mill Rd there was a herd of Cows in our way. After following them slowly for a few hundred feet they went back through a gate into their pasture. A comment “OCC Running with the Bulls” was heard over the CB. We headed into the George Washington National Forrest on Union Mill Trail (FR225).  A short stop was taken at the wide spot in the trail to air down, remove doors, fold windshield down, etc. As we climbed up the winding trail Jim’s TJ started running hot. A quick stop to let it cool down revealed a weak Fan clutch and broken fan shroud. I tightened the fan clutch spring half a turn and Jim ran his heater and the overheating was over for the day. After the first set of switchbacks we stopped for a scenic overlook, and then headed up the trail. Right after FR225 and FR225B we got to the mud puddles. After much splashing we headed down the trail to the ‘stair step’ section of trail. All of us went down and several drove back up for a little challenge. Everyone made it up the long hill with a rocky top edge with little trouble. Several of us drove down the large rock before we got to Meadow Knob and stopped for lunch at about 1:30. During the morning we had passes several pick-ups with hunters and their dogs as well as a few motorcycles. We left Meadow Knob and headed to Flagpole Knob on Flagpole Trail (FR85A). This trail along a ridge has many rocky hill climbs, some with loose rock, and provided a little more challenge. At the intersection with Skidmore Fork Trail (FR227) we came across another group of motorcyclists. We stopped at Flagpole Knob for some scenic pictures. John and Terri had to head home at this point and left the group.  From there to Briery Branch Rd, there were many mud puddles in the trail to splash in. Carren got her stock TJ stuck in one and Jason pulled her out. Jason had a hard time starting his TJ at that point, and at the next puddle he stalled it and his starter would not work. A push start later we headed to Briery Branch Rd where we turned up Reddish Knob Rd to Reddish Knob. From the great view provided there we aired up, raised windshield, and push started Jason’s TJ again then headed back to Harrisonburg. Going down Briery Branch Rd, I almost hit a domestic goose in the road. The Squires and Adams headed home down highway 81 while the rest of us stopped at the Sheetz to fuel up. Jason’s TJ started to squeak and the water pump locked up. A call to AAA had his rig on its way to my shop for some repairs, and the rest of us parted ways and headed home.

Happy Motoring,

Bryan Folts

Off-Camber Crawlers Member At Large