Bumpus/Rich Mtn - Oct 7, 2007

[Mud&Rox]

Anyone wanna take a trail ride some where near the tri-cities SUNDAY?....

[Adurbin]

I MIGHT be able to swing an easy trail ride up to Dennis Cove on Sunday afternoon.

[tjrockcrawler]

Yeah I would like to go too.. going out of town today, not sure what time I will get back on sunday. I'll check back then.

[Gubni]

A few friends and I are going up the gravel road on bumpus to explore california fields. It will be an easy ride for stock vehicles. We plan to meet there about 1pm.

[Mud&Rox]

whats in cali fields? 1pm where?

[Gubni]

whats in cali fields? 1pm where?

I haven't been there, but it's supposed to be an open spot at the top of a mountain. There's some mud holes, but the trail is pretty mild. It's at Bumpus Cove Rd. Check under the trails section for directions on how to get there. Post up if you want to go so we know if we need to wait on you. Call me if you want 737-0265 -- Shawn

[Mud&Rox]

when were you thinking about meting up and where?. bout how long will we be gone?

[Gordon]

Looks like Shawn's planning on 1:00 pm. Sounds like he's planning to run up the fire road to California Fields.

Here's the link to the Bumpus thread on Trails. http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=3841

The third image is the GPS mapping that shows the trail going from "F.R. Junction" (fire road) on over the top of Rich Mtn. The trail does go on beyond the end of the GPS track (to the far left), but, due to time constraints, I only got that far when I was collecting the GPS data when Raines and I were up there a few weeks ago.

It takes about 3/4 hour to drive up the fire road to the junction. It would take 2 hours by way of the lunch spot. So, if the event is to explore Rich Mtn, then I'd say take the fire road. It also would be easier if you haven't wheeled much. There will be no mud there now, due to this dry weather. Wasn't any a few weeks ago.

When I was up there a few weeks ago, we started at 11:00 or so at the beginning of the fire road and got back around 4:00, but we did do some side exploring. For a 1:00 start, I'd plan on 5:00 to 6:00 return.

I might join in on this, I'll have to see what's going on in the morning, and would be happy to lead, since I've been there.

This would be an easy, picturesque, trail run. Virtually no risk of busting anything, plus we could find out what's down at Bearwallow Gap. I do know that we cannot get through to Clarks Creek or Mill Creek, and have to return via the fire road.

Aaron, you'd like this, I'm sure.

If this materializes, we could meet across from the Embreeville firehouse in the church parking lot. Might be easier for those who haven't been down the cove road.

Whatcha all think?

[Gubni]

It's fine with me. We plan to leave my house about 12:30.

[Mud&Rox]

how do i get to the Embreeville firehouse? I live in Church Hill and I guess i go up 26. but from there im lost

[Gordon]

Go east on I26 to (old) exit 18 (new exit # might be 37??) - anyway, not the Main Street Erwin exit, the next one. It will say Jonesborough, as you turn right off the interstate. There is a church on the corner. Make the right - do not go left and under the interstate into Erwin.

You are now on SR 81, that runs from Erwin to Jonesborough. You will proceed about 5 miles, and will cross over the Nolichuckey river. You really can't miss that bridge. About 1/4 mile past the bridge is the fire house on the right. Just another few hundred feet on the left is a small white church building.

[Mud&Rox]

gotcha see ya there if nuthing comes up tonight.It will be me and my other half

[Gordon]

Trail report -

Beautiful afternoon for a trail ride. Daniel (greenrover) and his wife met up with me at the Embreeville church, and shortly after, Shawn (Gub_Ni), Justin (Chaser), Patrick (tennbronco) and his folks met up with us.

We ended up taking a nice, easy ride up the Bumpus fire road, then on up Rich Mtn, past the trenches intersection, out to the first big open field up on the topside, then back down the same way.

No one had any trail troubles. I did not get any pics - not sure anyone did. Everyone seemed to have had a great time. Did not stir up any bear this time, either.