Georgia Trail Riders Forum

OPEN RIDES & EVENTS => Trail Rides & Open Events (Everyone's invited) => Topic started by: Eric2XU on April 02, 2018, 11:21:11 AM

Title: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 02, 2018, 11:21:11 AM
Hey there, got my 13 JKU Rubicon with 35's and 2.5" lift (and winch/recovery gear). Going to be in town all day Sunday meeting a buddy who is buying a motorcycle in Atlanta and driving back to OH Monday. (staying near Blue Ridge, GA Saturday and Sunday night). When I booked the trip a while ago I thought it would be alot warmer.

Are there places to go? Can anyone recommend a place to ride? Since I am from Florida all I know is mud and sand. Really want to do some rocky trails (nothing too advanced as I need to have the Jeep in good enough shape to drive to Massachusetts monday for work). Ideally a trail that has some sort of great view along the way.

Anyone care to join? Would love the company and local experience. Otherwise any recommendations where to go? Doesn't need to be Blue Ridge, just needs to be within round trip driving distance of it.

/Jeepwave

-Eric
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Cannonballkev on April 02, 2018, 01:31:50 PM
Beasley Knob in Blairsville, if it’s open.  40 min or so from bluridge
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 02, 2018, 01:35:04 PM
That is what I found recently too, have you been up there lately? Is it ready to ride given recent weather and rain forecasted for mid week?
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: 8lugLJ on April 02, 2018, 01:51:49 PM
That is what I found recently too, have you been up there lately? Is it ready to ride given recent weather and rain forecasted for mid week?

you will need to call the Forest Service #, the gate is closed if the weather is bad, if its open you will be fine.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Cannonballkev on April 02, 2018, 01:54:46 PM
They close from Jan thrust March, haven’t opened yet this year.  Not sure about this weekend . 
  5313 in Calhoun, never been, hourish

Adventure off road park (AOP) in Chattanooga. 2:15. 
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 02, 2018, 03:38:40 PM
Starting to think adventure park but that drive round trip is a little more than I would rather do. Ill call the forest service and see if they will open or not as well.

Can anyone speak to if Beasley Knob is easy, moderate, or hard to drive?
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Blue J on April 02, 2018, 03:40:10 PM
go ride Tray Mtn in Helen if its open.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Cannonballkev on April 02, 2018, 04:43:06 PM
Trey is still closed. Beasley is easy, stay away from 93b unless you locked front and rear and know how to drive
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 02, 2018, 05:20:27 PM
Thanks for the info, shame on Trey saw some youtube videos that made it look pretty good. So Trey is closed, but is Beasley open (do you know?)
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: tjsahara00 on April 02, 2018, 07:07:08 PM
Beasley site says closed....
you could call
706-745-6928
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: 8lugLJ on April 03, 2018, 08:43:34 AM
Trey is still closed. Beasley is easy, stay away from 93b unless you locked front and rear and know how to drive

and at least 37s.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Jango on April 03, 2018, 08:47:58 AM
Where in Florida are you located?
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 03, 2018, 09:13:37 AM
Southeast Florida in Palm Beach county. About 3 hours drive from Jeeptoberfest in Ocala if you have ever been.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Jango on April 03, 2018, 11:47:13 AM
Southeast Florida in Palm Beach county. About 3 hours drive from Jeeptoberfest in Ocala if you have ever been.

Ya I've been. I live in Melbourne, FL right now and go to Florida tech for school.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: tjsahara00 on April 04, 2018, 06:30:30 PM
Website says Beasley is OPEN
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 05, 2018, 07:05:22 AM
It sure does!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recarea/?recid=10533

Thats awesome as I was hoping to stay closer by so I can hit Helen, GA for some german food (and beer) for dinner.

Anyone have any tips for me? Where to enter, sights worth stopping and getting out for? What about maps (paper, pdf, or mobile app)?

Everyone is welcome to join us, we sure would welcome local experience on the trail. Got a CB and will be on channel 4 as usual.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: tjsahara00 on April 05, 2018, 07:22:29 AM
This are old but.......all that I have


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/877/26378668007_d66a05db3e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GbZyYP)


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/863/27377555948_07ab20febd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HHg8yG)
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 05, 2018, 08:05:31 AM
awesome, that really helps to have the difficulty ratings. Thanks so much!
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper in Town Sunday where to go?
Post by: 8lugLJ on April 05, 2018, 08:10:45 AM
I kinda thought it would be, with the early spring weather we have had. I live up here, not sure where or what ill be doing Saturday or Sunday yet, and just a word of caution, they will close it at the first sign of rain, so no matter what the website says you still need to call the day before and maybe even that morning.

As far as the entrance goes, there are 2 sides of the mountain, better riding (at least closer) will be from the Windy Hill Rd entrance closer to town. No worries though, you really cant get lost, it all loops back into other trails now. The only trail you will need to stay away from is 93B, its no joke, they went in with excavators and moved alot of good size rock in. You can go part of the way, but when it gets steep you will prob have to turn around. My cell is on here if you get lost or fouled up, I should be close. I actually need to shake my rig down real fast so let me know what time you plan on going and I may try to ride up for a few.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: tjsahara00 on April 05, 2018, 08:16:56 AM
Justin you will need to PM your number
to him. Phone numbers are in the member
section only.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Blue J on April 05, 2018, 08:18:46 AM
Good restaurants
several good BBQ joints in Blue Ridge, I always eat at Joe's BBQ

On the upper Toccoa River on Aska road 10 minutes southeast of Blue Ridge
http://toccoariversiderestaurant.com/

in Helen-
http://www.mullysnacoocheegrill.com/


I know Marc @ranier1315  just had an awesome experience at a Restaurant in Helen but I don't remember the name.

 //cheers2//
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 05, 2018, 08:47:52 AM
Thanks again for all the info. I do love to eat and drink.

@Jeeptrk I think our goal is to be to the trail by 10am or slightly after so we have a solid day to crawl around and still have time to hit Helen for dinner. I'll PM you my mobile number, text me if you think you will be around. Anyone else interested PM me and i'll do the same.

Do you think they would close it if it rained a bit the day before? Its forecasted to rain for the first half of Saturday but not on Sunday.

Also how is cell coverage up there around Beasley, should I expect no service? I have T-Mobile which generally doesn't have service in populated areas so not expecting any. 
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: tjsahara00 on April 05, 2018, 08:49:24 AM
YOU DON'T WANT ANY PART OF BEASLEY WET
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 05, 2018, 08:55:41 AM
Damn so you think it's totally out of the question from a half days rain the morning before? The Tennessee AOP is plan B but 4 hours to and from and a solid tank of gas later is less desirable
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: kent10sne1 on April 05, 2018, 08:56:18 AM
YOU DON'T WANT ANY PART OF BEASLEY WET
  this is Sound Advice! 
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: 8lugLJ on April 05, 2018, 09:17:15 AM
Bigg Daddys in Helen is hands down the best place to eat, no contest, and they prob have the best beer selection too.

There are plenty of FS style roads around with plenty to see without having to go all the way to AOP, unless you just need bigger rocks. Google Tray mtn, Charlies Creek, Duncan Ridge Rd, those are some options within 20-30 mins. Trust me, just call the number, Beasley is super steep and like they have said, its no joke wet.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 05, 2018, 09:32:39 AM
Yeah dont need the biggest rocks, nor the steepest mountains. Coming from Florida all I ever do is mud, sand and lots of flat land. Want to really flex my jeeps capabilities as its virtually impossible in South Florida.

Would be happy with just something a normal car can't get over (well maybe a few bigger rocks too) and ideally a place or two to stop along the trail to get a great view of the area.

I'll check out those other locations as well, thanks all
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: kvom on April 05, 2018, 07:37:01 PM
The problem with Beaseley when wet (for the uninitiated) is that the trails have a lot of short steep sections that are just red GA clay.  When wet the dirt forms a slick slurry on which brakes are ineffective.  Trying to descend in these conditions is a butt-clenching experience.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: xjcrawler on April 05, 2018, 09:14:45 PM
Unless it’s a hard long rain, Beasley dries out quick because the water runs off quick due to the steep hills.
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Cannonballkev on April 06, 2018, 07:12:12 AM
If you go to Beasly, or on your way to Helen,you should go to Bell Mountain.  It’s a paved road now, but the view is incredible and well worth it.
  Shake rag rd in Hiawassee
Title: Re: Florida Jeeper this Sunday at Beasley, anyone want to join?
Post by: Eric2XU on April 08, 2018, 09:10:46 AM
Ground doesn't seem that wet to me, going to hit Beasley and just turn around if I see anything that looks too technical. The Northeast sided seems to have easier trails to start on and see how far I can go.

I cant seem to find anything else to go do between Blue Ridge and Helen so will hope for the best. Going to be there around 11 or 12 if anyone cares to join.