Tennessee New TN & NC BOH Trails

[vaJLUR]

Morning all
This past weekend a small group ventured out to see what the two new badge trails were about.

Starting off with Outdoors in the Smokies. It is very much what you might imagine someone would do on their private property that didn't want to build anything extreme. I would give this an at best a high green rating. You will find that the most challenging "obstacles" will be some climbs and descents with a couple slightly off camber turns. Overall the property is quite pretty, the owner is friendly and welcoming, the trails are clearly marked and the map (paper) is easily followed.
We had one of our guys lose an idler pulley, owner had no issues with us making a store run and replacing under the shade in the meeting area. We picked up a solo traveling husband/wife in a gladiator at the start, turns out they'd have been fine.
The property does have MTB trails too that look pretty rad. But other than the top of the mountain view I would not recommend traveling out of your way just to get this badge. Make a weekend out of it in nearby Pigeon Forge or plan to hit nearby trails in conjunction with.
In our group we had a JK on 38s, JT on 35s, JLU on 35s, JLUR on 37s, and a stock YJ I think 29s.
Fun, but short and without challenge.
We finished this and drove down to do the Tail of the Dragon as a group.

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[vaJLUR]

After the TOTD run we went back to camp and woke up the next day to head on out to Brown Mountain OHV system.

If you're familiar with Uwharrie you'd be comfortable here. Similar terrain, there's no Daniel but it doesn't take away from the overall fun of the trail system. The badge trail itself is an out and back actual blue, a low blue but it's an honest rating. There are multiple obstacles that any jeep can handle with proper line choice, case in point our YJ had no issues.
I would highlight that there is a small loop connector between trail 1 and trail 10, do it. It's fun, just looks steep.
I also would not make this trip just for the badge, though I could see why some would, but enjoy the weekend with the nearby scenery and adventures. Table Rock for example is a short hop away.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

That looks like an awesome trail!

 

[NJRadioGuy]

I did Outdoors in the Smokies a couple of weeks ago and it was a blast. The off-camber section of that un-numbered trail was a bit unsettling (25° lean in the direction of a cliff) but the rest wasn't a problem.

That mountaintop view from the campsite was breathtaking. I stayed the night up there and it was one of the most awe-inspiring camping nights I've ever had.

 

[croppz]

After the TOTD run we went back to camp and woke up the next day to head on out to Brown Mountain OHV system.

If you're familiar with Uwharrie you'd be comfortable here. Similar terrain, there's no Daniel but it doesn't take away from the overall fun of the trail system. The badge trail itself is an out and back actual blue, a low blue but it's an honest rating. There are multiple obstacles that any jeep can handle with proper line choice, case in point our YJ had no issues.
I would highlight that there is a small loop connector between trail 1 and trail 10, do it. It's fun, just looks steep.
I also would not make this trip just for the badge, though I could see why some would, but enjoy the weekend with the nearby scenery and adventures. Table Rock for example is a short hop away.

Was looking at doing the brown mountain trail but was told you can only run trail 8 and part of 1?

 

[vaJLUR]

Was looking at doing the brown mountain trail but was told you can only run trail 8 and part of 1?

That's correct. Part of why I wouldn't recommend making a trip just for that badge. It was fun, but I don't see myself going back anytime soon either. Looking at Onx, with our group plus a lunch break, we were done in about 4 hours.

 

[croppz]

That's correct. Part of why I wouldn't recommend making a trip just for that badge. It was fun, but I don't see myself going back anytime soon either. Looking at Onx, with our group plus a lunch break, we were done in about 4 hours.

Appreciate the info! We are about an hour from here so mainly was looking for somewhere closeish to take the wife and kid for their first off-road experience.

 

[vaJLUR]

Appreciate the info! We are about an hour from here so mainly was looking for somewhere closeish to take the wife and kid for their first off-road experience.

That's a great place for a first trip. IIRC all of the climbs (you'll see them) we had our YJ go hard left side as you're facing them, and reverse on the way down. Your rubi is plenty capable, when it doubt use the rear locker (you paid for it, haha). That's probably what i'd suggest if going solo. Overall I think you'd guys have fun, and make a stop for table rock views too! https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/table-rock

 

[Remorseless]

Appreciate the info! We are about an hour from here so mainly was looking for somewhere closeish to take the wife and kid for their first off-road experience.

I do wanna say don't be hesitant on Uwharrie for a first trip. Uwharrie is very stock friendly. Lot more trails you can do there than at Brown Mtn (though I'm not poo-pooing Brown Mtn as a beginner friendly ride either).

 

[vaJLUR]

If you want to make a UWH trip give a shout, I live about an hour away from there and would happily join. Have lead a few groups through there.

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