>From kpayne ford-trucks.com Sun Nov 1 06:12:58 1998
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 06:12:58 -0500 (EST)
From: owner-offroad-list-digest ford-trucks.com (offroad-list-digest)
To: offroad-list-digest ford-trucks.com
Subject: offroad-list-digest V1 #1
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Sender: owner-offroad-list-digest ford-trucks.com


offroad-list-digest Sunday, November 1 1998 Volume 01 : Number 001



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Offroad Trucks and Vans
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In this issue:

FTE offroad - Fourwheeling
FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #1
FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #2
FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #3
FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #4
Re: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #1
Re: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #1
Re: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #1
Re: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #1

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Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:34:45 EST
From: BLUESKY636 aol.com
Subject: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling

Greetings. Anybody in the Northern Virginia/DC Metropolitan area interested in
fourwheeling, drop me a line. I drive a '98 Expedition XLT. To see it in
action, check out my web site
> The
Fourwheeling Puppies . Hope to see you on the trails.

Bill and Deb Haegele and Betsy and Oliver (The Fourwheeling Puppies)
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 21:08:02 EST
From: BLUESKY636 aol.com
Subject: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #1

As a charter member of the list, I though I would start things off by posting
some trip reports from this years fourwheeling adventures. They are lengthy,
so bear with me.

Well, it was another excellent off-road adventure for Deb, myself, and the
Fourwheeling Puppies. Saturday, August 8 we explored some new trails in the
George Washington National Forest near Harrisonburg, Virginia. Also joining us
were Mary, her dog Chuck and friend Scott in a 4-Runner and Bob in an
Explorer.

First, directions to the trail head:

1. From Harrisonburg, Va. take US 33 west (north).
2. Take a right onto State Route (SR) 612 from US 33.
3. Follow SR 612 for several miles until you reach the Gospel Hill Church.
4. Just past the Church take a left onto Forest Route (FR) 72, Long Run Road.
There is a sign for the National Forest as well as a sign directing you to the
ATV trails parking lot.
5. Follow FR 72 till you reach the sign for the ATV parking lot. Directly
across from the parking lot is the sign for Gauley Ridge Road (FR 240). Turn
right there.

The road to the ATV parking lot is a graded gravel road that takes you up the
mountain. Gauley Ridge Road and the other roads in the area go up and down
several mountains. The roads are mostly graded dirt with some shale rock. They
are quite easy in the dry, but the downhills are quite steep. Fourwheel low is
recommended for the downhill sections to save your brakes. With some rain, the
roads could be quite slippery and muddy (and probably a lot more fun!).

Shortly after turning onto Gauley Ridge Road, we rounded a corner and came
upon two pickups, a Sheriff's car, three or four civilians and the deputy.
They were all looking quite intently down the cliff. We waved as we passed but
did not stop. We can only guess what might have gone over the cliff, and the
thought was not too pleasant!

The road roughly follows large high tension lines as they run through the
mountains. There are a few side trails plus some spurs that take you to the
base of the towers. We chose NOT to get too close to the high tension lines.
The crackling sound of the wires as we drove under them made me fear for the
Expedition's computer and electrical system but no ill effects were noted.

We stopped and had lunch in a clearing along the trail. It was slightly
overcast and stayed that way for most of the day. After lunch we continued on
the trail. We passed another trail on the right that according to the map is
FR 230 and will take you back down the mountain to SR 817. We continued on
Gauley Ridge Road.

Shortly thereafter, we came to a major intersection where Gauley Ridge Road
and FR 240 separate. Gauley Ridge goes to the right and eventually runs back
into SR 817. We decided to go left onto FR 240. By the map and looking at the
road, we could see that FR 240 was the more interesting of the two roads. FR
240 winds up and down several mountains in a series of fairly steep and tight
switchbacks. Not hard but still fun.

It was quite dry in the mountains (though rain was threatening). We finally
crossed one stream bad that had a few pools of water in it, so we let the dogs
out to cool off. They off course had a great time splashing around.

Back on the trail, we came across an unmarked spur trail that we decided to
try. This trail proved to be the most challenging, and unfortunately the most
frustrating. The trail was quite narrow and very rough. Tree branches were
scraping both sides and the roof of the Expedition. After a few hundred yards,
we came across a steep dirt mound in the middle of the trail. Tire tracks ran
across it but we got out to check it out on foot first. The trail continued on
across a dry stream bed and up the mountain. We decided to go for it. Mary in
her 4-Runner was first across the dirt mound. She made it without problem. I
got some good photos. I was up next. As I was trying to maneuver over the
mound, my front wheels went over the top and I heard a sickening
crunching/scraping noise. My running board and frame on the right side was
high centered! Fortunately I was able to back off. I tried again by moving
over further to the left, but again the running board dragged into the dirt.
Not wanting to rip off my running board, I gave up and backed off, but not
before Mary got a photo of my right rear wheel off the ground! The long
wheelbase of the Expedition just did not give me a steep enough breakover
angle to get over the mound. Bob wisely decided not to try it in his Explorer.
While turning around on the trail, I managed to whack a tree with the
passenger outside mirror. The glass didn't break, but the mirror mounting
inside the mirror head was damaged. Its not in danger of coming off, so I will
live with it for now. Back on the main trail, we crossed another dry stream
bed and decided to drive into it for some photos.

We finally reached the end of the trail where we ran into SR 818.

6. Turn right on SR 818. This is a paved road.
7. Follow SR 818 until you reach SR 817. Turn right onto SR 817. You have to
watch for the sign as it is small. If you pass SR 817, you will come to an
intersection with SR 259. A right turn here will also take you back to I-81.
8. Follow SR 817. This road alternates between paved and graded gravel. Just
when you think you are lost, you will hit SR 612.
9. Turn right on SR 612 and follow it back to US 33.
10. Turn left on US 33 to go back to Harrisonburg, Va.

All-in-all in was a fun day. Gauley Ridge Road and FR 240 are not as
challenging as Dunkle Hollow Road and FR 225 on the other side of US 33, but
it is a fun drive. There are also not as many places to pull off as on the
other roads. However, the vistas through the mountains are quite spectacular.
Most of the scenery is dominated by the high tension lines, but where they run
between mountains is quite amazing. It really makes you think about the
difficulty of constructing the towers and running the lines in the remote
mountains.

This Friday I have knee surgery which will put me out of commission for a
while. Hopefully we will be able to make at least one more fourwheeling trip
in the Fall.

For photos of some of our trips, check out the Fourwheeling Puppies Excellent
Off-Road Adventures at:

The
Fourwheeling Puppies

(http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://members.aol.com/bluesky636/fourwheelingpuppies.html)

Bill and Deb Haegele and Betsy and Oliver (The Fourwheeling Puppies)
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 21:09:13 EST
From: BLUESKY636 aol.com
Subject: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #2

Did a little impromptu fourwheeling on the way home from work tonight. In
traveling between Richmond, Va. and home in Centreville, Va. I've noticed a
complex of dirt roads on the northbound side of I-95 just before
Fredricksburg. Being always on the lookout for new places to fourwheel, I
decided to try and find them. After wandering around awhile I finally located
the entrance off of Massaponix Road near the Northern Coach complex. When I
pulled in, there was a guy and his son riding around on dirt bikes. I asked
him if he knew what the property was or who owned it. He had no clue but said
the place is packed with dirt bikes, ATVs, and some jeeps on the weekend,
especially after it rains.

After chatting awhile, he and his son jumped on their bikes, and I into my
Expedition and followed them down one of the trails. After about 1/2 mile, the
trail started getting quite narrow and very rutted. I almost gave up at a set
of ruts that I had to either straddle, or try to stay to one side of. I knew
if I slipped into the rut, I would have high-centered the truck. Anyway, the
bikers guided me through and I got past OK. Now however, the trail was really
getting narrow. Brush and branches were scraping both sides of the Expedition.
I followed them for about another 1/4 mile before finally giving up.
Unfortunately, there was no place to turn around! I had to cut and turn many
times at the spot I was in to turn around. It took about 10 minutes with
guidance from the bikers to get turned around. They led me back out to a wide
spot where we said good-bye and they took off on a side trail. I'm sure they
went home tonight to their wife/mom and told her all about the crazy fool in
the Expedition that tried to follow them on the dirt trails! Probably gave
them a good laugh.

When I got home, I washed the truck to inspect the damage. Had one scratch
that ran from the middle of the front fender all the way to the middle of the
rear fender on the driver's side. Luckily a little light polishing got rid of
the worst of it ("Paint swirls? I don't see no stinking paint swirls!"). Oh,
well. Call me crazy. Just can't resist a good dirt road when I see one.

If anyone on the list lives in the Fredricksburg, Va. area and knows anything
about this place, I would be interested in hearing from them. Looks like a
real good place for bikes and ATVs, but definitely NOT something the size of
an Expedition!!!!

Bill and Deb Haegele and Betsy and Oliver (the fourwheeling puppies)

PS.

Check out the off-road adventures of the Fourwheeling Puppies at:

http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://members.aol.com/bluesky636/fourwheelingpuppies.html
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 21:10:10 EST
From: BLUESKY636 aol.com
Subject: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #3

Did a little spur-of-the-moment fourwheeling on Sunday, Labor Day weekend.
Made another trip down to Madison County, VA. All of the trails are on page 68
of the 1995, 2nd edition of Delorme's Virginia Atlas and Gazetteer. Directions
for those interested:

1. Go to Madison, VA on US 29.
2. From US 29, take SR 230 west. Turn right onto SR 662 west at Wolftown.
3. Follow SR 662 and take a left onto SR 615 just past Graves Mill Farm.
4. As SR 615 climbs into the mountains (OK, hills for you westerners), the
road will turn from pavement to gravel. You will soon enter the Rapidan
Wildlife Management Area (RWMA).

The road varies between graded gravel with crushed stone, to rough and washed
out dirt but is wide with no danger of scratches. It will eventually dead end
at the Shenandoah National Park boundary. There is a small parking lot at the
gate and you can then hike into the Park. There are numerous side trails off
the main road in the RWMA. Depending on the season, they may or may not be
gated. Some side trails take you down to the river, others go further up the
mountain and are primarily used during hunting season.

We followed one side trail up the mountain. It was just barely wide enough for
the Expedition. Many new branch scratches all over! We eventually came to a
small clearing where we discovered the burned out remains of a late model
Isuzu Trooper! Don't know what happened, but it was fun speculating. The trail
continued on but was very overgrown so we decided to turn around while I still
had room. Besides, the burned Trooper was making Deb a bit nervous.

We headed back out to the main trail and followed it to its end. We were able
to stop at several places to let the Pups out to swim. Even with our drought
there was still some water in the streams. We pulled off onto a side trail and
had lunch by the stream. Quite nice.

We explored a few other side trails that were quite tight and dead ended. We
then turned around and went back out the way we came for the second part of
our trip.

1. Follow SR 615 back to SR 662 and SR 230.
2. Turn left off of SR 230 on to SR 657 north before you hit US 29.
3. Follow SR 657 and turn left again onto SR 658 west.
4. Follow SR 658 (It is paved but narrow and winding) to a T-intersection. SR
658 goes to the right. To the left is a gravel/dirt road.
5. Turn left onto the gravel/dirt road. Shortly after starting on the
gravel/dirt road, there is a fork in the road. The right fork goes ?????
(maybe next trip). The Left fork goes up the mountain.
6. Take the left fork up the mountain. The trail (Blakey Ridge Road) climbs up
the mountain. It is narrow, very rough, and steep in parts. Lots of fun!

After about 30 to 45 minutes (or so) you will come to another split in the
road. The left side will continue on Blakey Ridge Road to the fire watch tower
on Utz Hightop (described in a previous trip report). Since it was getting
late and we needed to get off the mountain, we took the right turn. The road
continues downhill fairly steep. First gear, 4lo is useful to keep from riding
your brakes. Shortly after starting down the hill there is another fork.
According to the map, the right fork is VERY rough, whereas the left fork is
only very rough. We opted for the left fork (right fork next trip!). The road
continues on down the mountain, quite steep and narrow and bumpy. It will
eventually come off the mountain and become a graded gravel road which is SR
651. Where the road comes off the mountain is an old house that is for sale.

1. Follow SR 651 to an intersection with SR 652.
2. Turn right onto SR 652. SR 652 is graded gravel that will eventually turn
into pavement outside of Madison.
3. SR 652 will intersect business US 29 in Madison.

Along SR 652 are some beautiful farms and HUGH homes. One that stands out sits
on the top of a hill and is called "Chutzpah." WOW!

All-in-all it was a great trip. The Pups got to run and swim, I got in some
good 'wheelin and Deb got to enjoy the ride. Didn't get any "action" photos
since Deb prefers to ride instead of taking pictures.

Once again, the Expedition proves itself in the mountains and back roads of
the state of Virginia.

Bill and Deb Haegele and Betsy and Oliver (The Fourwheeling Puppies)
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 21:11:31 EST
From: BLUESKY636 aol.com
Subject: FTE offroad - Fourwheeling #4

WOW!!! For those of you who have been following the exploits of the
Fourwheeling Puppies in the GW National Forest and Madison County, VA, let me
tell you. Those trips were fun fourwheeling. However, I just got back Saturday
night from a trip to Tamaqua, PA where I went FOURWHEELING! Unbelievable!

First off, where is Tamaqua, PA? Beats me. Here are the directions I was
given:

1. From I81 in Pennsylvania, take SR54, exit 37 east.
2. Go east (on SR54) toward SR309 (in Hometown).
3. Turn right (on SR309) to US209 (West Broad St.) in Tamaqua.
4. Turn right (on US209) toward Catawissa St. (DO NOT LEAVE TOWN area. US209
goes left and continues, you go straight toward dead end. Catawissa St. is
hard to see.)
5. Turn right (on Catawissa St.) toward Community Park.
6. Turn left (into park) after 2 blocks.
....

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