[reddoak]

I'm headed up to the Smokey Mountains in April to hoon around and generally enjoy the area. I'll be driving up the Outback, and towing mine and a friend's motorcycle with me. Although I intend to stay on pavement on the bike (not any good off-road in any way) I know there have got to be some decent areas to enjoy in the Outback up there.

We're in a cabin a little ways south of Robinsville, and I've been up there 4 times. I have a general knowledge of the area, but have always stuck to paved roads.

So... anyone know of any good roads or routes? I'll be up with a group of mostly WRX and STI owners, so if you know any roads that are reasonable gravel or dirt for those cars, feel free to point them out, too.

Thanks!

 

[reddoak]

Found this on DirtyImpreza.com: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.643905,-82.867813&spn=0.323084,0.543137

Anyone familiar with that area?

 

[reddoak]

I'd be down for tagging along if I can and you all are willing

I'd love having someone local tag along. I'm with a group of friends (like I said, pretty much all Suby owners) that's a mellow bunch, and the more the merrier. I don't mind taking off and running a rougher trail, but I know some others won't. They can go tear down Wayah road and blitz the Cherohola Skyway, I'll go jump stumps in the woods for a day!

We'll be up there in the first week of April, getting up there Wednesday afternoon, leaving Sunday.

 

[reddoak]

From suggestions and poking around, I'm going to suggest Balsam Mountain road to pretty much everyone, WRX's and all. Looks like a pretty smooth gravel road.

I'm planning on going to Cade's Cove and taking Parson's branch road. Odds are, the lowered cars with us won't want to try that one... Personally, I would give it a shot with a stock height car, from what I've read of it.

Hurricane Creek just sounds a good time, but I'm probably not going to go on it unless I have a second off-road capable vehicle with me. It'll be pretty early on in spring, and while I love going places cars can't (or at least shouldn't be able to) I don't like getting stuck in them! I carry self-recovery gear (cordless electric chainsaw suitable for branches and small trees, traction mats, shovels, and a winch) when I go on "expedition" but try to use my brain first... I've never needed the winch... but I've used a tow and recovery strap a handful of times for other vehicles. Pretty easy with more than one alone, not so much alone.

 

[reddoak]

That sounds great. Depending on when you go, some other board members may like to go!



I don't have winches and that fancy stuff, but I am a little better than a stock car, too. I carry a mattock for emergency extractions, but it only gets used for poop pits...

I've used my shovels and a tow strap for emergency extractions. I rarely carry the winch, and have never needed it. I'm OK with that. I'll have it up there, just in case... But I prefer to find a way to where I'm going that I don't create my own emergency. But it looks like a completely different terrain than what I'm used to down in FL (sand, mud, gators.)