North Carolina trail recommendations?

[SomewhereInTheSun]

Hi All,
Headed to North Carolina from Florida in a few weeks to drop the kids off at camp and staying for a couple weeks in the Sapphire area. Hoping to break away from the extended family a bit and take my brother in law and son on some trails. Looking for things that have views and maybe fun obstacles, 2 to 5 rated. I do have recovery gear and a winch. Any recommendations on trails that are within 90 minutes or so from Sapphire?
I use OnX and I’ve saved a trails few but wondering what are some that are especially worth checking out. Also looking for any recommendations on some outdoor shooting ranges. Ideally out to 100 yards or more. I see some of the US forestry ranges listed but these can be hit or miss (on intended).
Is the Eagles Nest trail closed? I saw a YouTube video of it a while ago but not quite sure where it is.
Happy to ride along with any open groups too. I have a 2025 JL Rubicon on 35s.
Thanks in advance,
-J

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[SomewhereInTheSun]

Edit. Buzzard Roost was the trail I was thinking of.

 

[Abnchris]

From Sapphire I would definitely recommend Hurricane Creek and Old NC 105. Both great trails with good scenery.

 

[Fleeclan]

If you’ve never been to Gulches Offroad Park in Waterloo SC it’s one to put on the list. Looks to be about 95 miles from Sapphire. Variety of trails and is a badge park as well. Another one would be Beasley Knob in Blairsville GA which is only about 85 miles from Sapphire. It’s also a variety of trails and again a badge park. Both of these parks have easy to very difficult trails to choose from. Then there is Charlie’s Creek which is a GA forest service road north of Helen GA. which is only about 65 miles from Sapphire. This is a beautiful drive. It has a great river crossing. If you GPS it and run it from the north to the south you’ll end up at the river crossing after following along a beautiful stretch of the Tallulah River. It’s not a difficult trail but has some little fun spots with off camber ruts and some drops depending on trail usage prior to you being there. The road from the north to get you to the “top” of Charlie’s Creek says no thru traffic but you’d be on the right road. This is a normal route to go there. The last one I can think of is the Smoky Mountains Trail that is a new badge trail they just added near Gatlinburg TN which is 100 miles from Sapphire. Haven’t done it yet myself but looks like a good trail with some fun steep climbs. Happy wheelin!

 

[SomewhereInTheSun]

Thank you very much. I will check those out! Thinking about doing part of SCAR (South Carolina Adventure Route) on the way north and then heading to Gulches for a day. Plan right now is to make the venture north as fun as possible. Fortunate we can take our time and extend a day here and there.

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