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Potts Mountain Jeep Trail?

57K views 430 replies 41 participants last post by  Yjjeepguy88 
#1 ·
I was doing some web surfing and saw some pictures and video of Potts Mountain Jeep Trail, but I dont really know anything about it or where it is located exactly. Does anyone knows anything about it? Thanks.
 
#37 ·
Hey, somewhat new on this forum. Happened to find this thread by searching for Potts opening details. I believe the trail will be opened sometime this week but wanted to verify. Looks like on the GWJF site that the date was still set to be today for opening! :)

George Washington & Jefferson National Forests - Alerts & Notices

Not sure if there is a date that has been selected yet for you guys but me and a buddy might be going on Sunday. Well, will probably definitely be going on Sunday. We have both been doing a lot of work to the Jeeps and are ready to get them dirty!

If you all pick a date I would love to join. I live about 45 min from the trail head in Salem, Va. If anyone has any questions about the trail let me know. I have done it a few times. I ran it with a 2.5" lift and 35's on my JKUR and never really had issues. Scraped a few places but mostly took the easiest lines.

I would say 3.5" would be easier and a rear locker is suggested at a min.
 
#38 ·
I'm in. I'll be driving a JK with 32's with a 2.5" lift. I have an eLocker on the front and the OEM limited slip diff on the rear. I have a fair amount of armor underneath. I also have a winch and will bring a chainsaw for any blow downs.

Please PM me with when and where to be.
 
#39 ·
Once I get a definite from my friend I will send you a PM. Probably looking at meeting about 10 on 311 and heading out for the trail if we are able to go.

I want to call the forestry service and make sure it is open too.

EDIT: Just looked at the link I posted above and the trail is now not listed as being closed so I just need to confirm my buddy is able to go.
 
#40 ·
Just got off the phone with the FS. Potts is closed until at least 4/15 due to winter tree fall. They are planning on getting in there to remove blow downs but don't have a definite date. Until then, the gates are locked. Got any other awesome places to wheel down there?
 
#41 ·
Good decision to call. I was thinking about doing that till I looked at the site again. Guess we will have to wait till then.

Nothing else really good down here. That is the only thing around besides stuff up north of here. Shoe Creek and trail off Coal Road in Stuarts Draft/Sherando area.

Is anyone doing Wheelin 4 Hope at the end of the month?
 
#44 ·
Wow. Seeing is believing. The gates were wide open? I ask because the Eastern Divide Ranger District has this posted as a still closed trail on the GWNF website. I called this morning, too and the person who took my call was under the impression it was still closed due to blow downs. Cool. Guess I need to schedule a weekend to come down there and run it.
 
#46 ·
Yea apparently the gates got left open when they left after clearing the trail but it is open as of 4/15 for the year. I will be making a run up potts within the next week or so.
 
#50 ·
Potts 4/17

So I went up yesterday after work. Trail is a little wet in places. I think because of this some people have already torn up a couple places on the trail but overall it is in good condition. It was clear on one of the obstacles that someone had killed a pumpkin by the amount of lubricant on the rock and the ground. I think it was pretty clear someone most of the way up to this point had been struggling to get to this point.
 

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#52 ·
Okay, you should be fine then. Just have to pick good lines for your diffs. I just know that without some sort of locker depending on wetness it could be tricky. I have a Rubicon with 3.5" and 35's. Did have 2.5" with 35's and went up there a few times.

Last night on the first "obstacle" it was really wet slick mud and I had both lockers on and had to floor it to slide it around some roots that could have taken a door but only scraped a fender. Luckily they are not color matching! :)
 
#61 ·
Covington or roanoke are your best options for hotels unless you like to camp and in that case the pines camp ground is a mile or two from the trail head.
 
#60 ·
I live 20 min. From the trail and I will be going up 5/11. Will also be going up tomorrow 5/2 around 5pm for a shake down run since I just installed gears. Will be going in from the top and down to the over look, play on a few obstacles and back out the top.
 
#63 ·
Sunday the 12th is mothers day so that's why we are going Saturday.
 
#65 ·
Will be atleast me and 1 other jeep for sure. New river valley jeep club is going to be up there Saturday and my buddy sent them a message on fb about heading up with them as wwe will be going around 10am. The same time they will, but depends how many people in the group.
 
#67 ·
Me and my father in law are planning on making a run up there Sunday (tommorow 5/12), anyone know what the weather is suppossd to be like, we prolly won't get there till around lunch though cuz we r like 2 hours away and prolly won't leave till 9 or 10
 
#68 ·
Weather is calling for 60 and 10-20 mph winds. The trail is on top of the ridge of the mountain so it is typically pretty windy. Skys should be clear though.

I will be meeting kawa001 at 8AM at Just the Right Gear bike shop on 311. If you and your dad want to get up a little early and meet up with us you are more than welcome.

With all the rain earlier in the week and the rain we got last night into today the trail I am sure will be muddy. There were many groups going to wheel it today so be prepared for the trail to be a little tore up and possibly slick.
 
#73 ·
Sounds good. Which direction do you plan on going? We typically start on the 617 side and go up the mountain.

Maybe we will cross paths.
Um honestly id remember which road is which, last time we went in right at were the little camp ground is right off of the paved road and came out and had to drive down all the fire roads to get back to pavement, I'm not sure if that's up or down really
 
#83 ·
We had a pretty heavy rain about 6pm, didn't last but 30 min. Or so but it rained all moring till about 10am so us locals decided not to ride it this morning as we had originally planned. Tomorrow it will be cool on the mountain highs around 60 but little chance of rain.
 
#86 ·
Trying to find time and some good weather to ride the mountain! Might go tomorrow.
 
#85 ·
Well we got to the trail around 1230 or one, and had a great time, took our time stopping off for photo ops and such and looking at the views and such, but it was deffinattly a lot better than last time I went since I changed the back axle, moved to 35s and locked the back, my homemade rocksliders got used on the rock that gave me my body damage the first time though, I went around it first cuz I didn't wanna mess with it, but then I said screw it y not,well I'm glad I had them cuz I deffinattly used them today, other than that all went well, me and my father in law actually let the ladies drive up one of the obstacles, which was kinda stressful and funny all at the same time,
 
#89 ·
Potts 5/12/13

Well guys... Me, my buddy and Kawa001 met up as you can see by Kawa's post yesterday and did the trail. This was the best experience I have had up there so far since we had the entire day to play! Trail conditions were perfect after all the rain and I think it is safe to say we all had a great time!

Here are a couple pictures from one obstacle that I had never done due to fear from all the diff lube and parts I have seen laying around. Plus my buddy has always struggled on 37's and 40's in his YJ but somehow I made it look really easy!
 

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#91 ·
Here are a couple pictures from one obstacle that I had never done due to fear from all the diff lube and parts I have seen laying around.
Us locals have a name for that area - "Axle Alley" pretty fitting right?
 
#100 ·
Originally Posted by*kawa001*Our Potts Mountain Jeep Video is posted. Hope you like it. Be sure to watch it in HD.*GWNF Potts Mountain Jeep Trail- Mothers Day 2013 - YouTube
:popcorn: very nice video! :thumb:
 
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