Bays Mtn - Sunday Sept 2nd (& Trail Report)

[Gordon]

Anybody want to hit a trail Sunday afternoon?

Suggestions on time and location????

[Adurbin]

I plan on wheeling this entire weekend provided that my cold is gone. Gordon, if you could keep me posted on when and where I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Aaron.

[AMSting]

I should be availble for something in the afternoon.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

:roll: maybe

[Adurbin]

I am riding somewhere tommorrow but im not sure where. Another person will be with me

[Gordon]

Bays??

Buffalo Mtn??

We could also explore the top of Rich Mtn. (Above the Bumpus "V" trenches). If we choose this one, I'd propose we drive in via the fire road to where we took the group pic a few weeks ago (since we're getting a later than usual start). We'd then go up the hill with the mud holes (Rich Mtn) and go straight past the trenches (instead of turning right to go down the hill to them) out to the fields. The trail then descends down towards Erwin. Don't know if anyone here has explored on past the big fields - I have not, but it would be fun to find something new.

Whatcha all think????

[Adurbin]

is Buffalo Mountain worth the drive????

[Gordon]

is Buffalo Mountain worth the drive????

I believe Bumpus would get my vote.

Buffalo Mtn is very easy. There are a few branches that I've not been on, but - overall, it's like the Bumpus fire road, with that one mud pit at the top, which is probably nearly dry now. Dennis Cove is more rugged. I've been up to the firetower (gotta walk the last 1/2 mile), but you can't climb it - fenced off.

I have done Bays, both up and down a few times, nice trail and more difficult, but it's a 100 mile round trip for me.

Although I've done Bumpus a number of times, I have never been over the top of Rich Mtn, down towards Erwin. Because we'd be doing it later in the day, is why I suggested going up the fire road, so we'd have time to explore a little. We could always drive back down the slick rock route from the lunch spot, if the top is boring. Plus, Bumpus is in my back yard practically.

Just my $00.02 I am open to suggestions.

I'll confirm if I'm still in - tomorrow morning before I leave for church - 10:00 or so.

[Gordon]

Here's a few maps & an aerial of the top side of Rich Mtn. We'd take the fire road up to where we had the group pic, then pick up road 190. Go straight, past the trenches turn off, to the intersection of 53988. We could even go down towards Bearwallow Gap. Based on the topo, it is a steep decline down to Mill Springs Rd in Erwin.

Please know that I haven't been out there - have no idea what we could get into, so we'd have to be very careful, and I would say have at least 1 winch. Plus, not sure if the gates are open, so we might have to come back 190 to the Bumpus fire road.

The other alternative is Bays - a known trail.

I definitely want to explore Rich Mtn, just not sure tomorrow is the best time. We would all have to be in agreement.

Nat?l Geographic Map
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Bumpus/Bumpus-RichMtnside-2A.jpg

Topo
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Bumpus/RichMtn9-1-07.jpg

Aerial Photo
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Bumpus/RichMtn9-1-07Aerial.jpg

[Hokie_YJ]

I might be up for a Bays run. Bumpus is a no go for me though. I'm sans tow rig for the weekend, and I just can't drive mine all the way to Bumpus. My Dad is taking the truck back to Charleston tomorrow to get all his stuff (he has to be at Strongwell Tuesday morning) But don't ditch Bumpus just because of me. :lol:

[Bluegill]

All this complaining of driving too far to go wheeling - ya'll should try living in Morristown & wheeling in the Tri-Cities......no tow rig & a lincoln locked jalopy at that! :lol: :lol: :wink: Unfortunately, my Jeeps won't be trail ready by Sunday afternoon, so I'm out. :(

[Adurbin]

I would be up for a bays run!!

[Gordon]

Meadowview at 1:30, so we could be rolling no later than 2:00???

I'm on my way out to church - will check back on the thread around 12:15 or so.

[Hokie_YJ]

1:30 is good for me.

[Adurbin]

Where are you all meeting at???? Is this still on? I need to get moving if Im going to go.

[Hokie_YJ]

We'll be meeting in the lower part of the parking lot at the Meadowview Convention Center, at 1:30. Right down by the road. If you don't know where that's at I can meet you somewhere in Kingsport and you can follow me.

[Gordon]

Yup. still on. Meet at the Meadowview just off I26. Next exit west of J.B. Dennis exit. We usually meet in the lower parking lot. My cell is 423-741-6677 just in case. We'll roll at 2:00. I'm leaving JBO here shortly.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I just spoke with want2wheel, he said he is interested in going. I can't because of plans.

[Want2Wheel]

Sorry guys, Family comes before wheeling. I have to work tomorrow, and went wheeling all day yesterday. I was enlightened by my wonderful wife about this fact. I have to keep her happy. Maybe next time. Rob

[Gordon]

Trail report -

George, Ben, Aaron, and I got to the trailhead just about 2:00. Beautiful day, nice leisurely ride down Bays to the Hawkins side.

None of us can recall seeing Bays so dry. Where the trail goes through the creekbed near the end of the trail - no water at all. Just a scant few mud puddles. And dust coming up from the wheels as we moved along.

Still, we had a great time.

Here's the only pics I took -

Aaron?s first time down Bays.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Bays%2009-02-07/z09-02-07BaysMtn001.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Bays%2009-02-07/z09-02-07BaysMtn002.jpg

Ben making quick work of the rocks ?
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Bays%2009-02-07/z09-02-07BaysMtn003.jpg


After we left Bays, we buzzed on up to Graceland. See that thread for a couple pics & report.

[TiredIronGRB]

Great time of fellowship today and it was great to meet Aaron, I think he will be a Grace regular from now on.

[Adurbin]

Awesome time today. Cant wait till the meet and greet.

[Gordon]

Flexin' and stretchin'

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Offroad%20Misc/z09-02-07BaysMtn013.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g125/gme1951/Offroad%20Misc/z09-02-07BaysMtn014.jpg

[Adurbin]

Thanks for posting those Gordon.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Wish I could have made it. I saw Gordon on the way back home. I was driving the sami towards Kingsport. I also saw another jeep in front of him But I was trying to think of who it was and forgot to wave.

[Adurbin]

That was me Nick, HAHA, how could you forget my Jeep after Dennis Cove.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

IM SORRY.... It looked Blue for some reason. I saw you wave, but I was trying to remember who had a blue jeep. Hope you have fun with that trail. Your pictures looked good. DId you get to drive up up the upper sluece? IF I had the power and wheel base I could go up the rocks in the middle. BUt I can't so I can get one wheel up the lower one but the rear doesn't like it. SO i go to the left. I think most go to the right.

[Gordon]

Ben was the only one to drive back up that upper run. He came up so quick and easy, I couldn't even get any good pics.

It was so dry, that there was no mud at all to make it slippery.