Northern Virginia Roll Call

Morning boys and girls.

 

Morning all!

 

I've never camped there ,so I can't help with that.
Alcohol is prohibited , but I have a beer or 2 pretty much every time I have been up there. Never had an issue.
Firearms are also prohibited. "What they don't know, they don't know." Again never had an issue.

I have been stopped by the rangers once out there. They wanted to check my trail pass.
I think if you go out there and don't act like an ass and keep things on the low, then you'll be good.

 

The overgrowth on some of the first parts of Peter's Mill Run can hang over the trail quite a bit. Just a warning since you have that pretty paint job.

 

Love mine... With the singular exception... They squeak like a mothafucka when it is cold outside... (At least I think it is the springs) Perfectly quiet when it isn't cold.

 

Isn't it a national Forest? My understanding (which could be wrong) if the state in which the national Forest resides in allows for carry of firearms then the national Forest which is federal land would be good to go.....for instance in Maryland it's a no go?

Edit- with a valid conceal carry permit...

 

This stuff works wonders on those squeaky dakars: https://amzn.to/2KbsTFR

 

Damn...and I thought these new versions were supposed to have larger anti-squeak pads or something on them to prevent that.

 

They do... they have a Teflon pad in between

 

Thought so. I guess we will have to see how effective they are. I will likely keep a can of that fluid film handy, though.

 

I think you're right.
I don't see anything about firearms on the OHV site except this-
"Hunters are allowed to ride on a motorized OHV trail to a campsite along the motorized OHV trail. A weapon can be transported on the ATV, but it must be unloaded. Hunters are not permitted to use ATVs anywhere else in the national forest."

 

Haha I was just about to post the same thing before I saw the attached .pdf

 

Dammit, Chief!

 

Ha! It's a truck, it's not a paint job. I know over time the paint will develop the patina of off-roading, not too worried about that. As long as it doesn't get rusty again I'm good.

Here's the image I have for the area:

Looks like we camp in the Little Fort campground and take the ATVs out from there since there appears to be a trail connecting the campground to the main trail area (552->443). I'm assuming if we have camp there that sitting around a camp fire at night and having a few cold beers won't be an issue.

 

First of all, make sure the trails are open. Secondly, firearms have to be allowed up there because they allow hunting. I was up there a couple months ago. Trails were closed, but there were two older guys grouse hunting with shotguns. Unless it just means not on the trail.

 

Just called - trails are indeed open and my plan of camping in Little Fort and driving the ATVs out from there is a go. She also said that alcohol is prohibited in all parts of the Lee Ranger District (which includes the campground). Sounds to me like we'll need to find another campground outside of the Lee Ranger District if we don't want to break the law. Gotta think there is camping nearby.

 

Yes, but it's a long haul from 552 to 443. You may be better off camping further south on the trail and coming in off of rt. 675. That way you are camping in the middle of the map. Although that will be primitive camping on the trail. Not sure what facilities Little Fort offers.
Just my 2 cents

 

I am always paranoid about breaking the rules. My friends are always ready to crack a beer at these sites that don't allow it, but I am always afraid someone is going to roll up on us and write us a ticket or something. I am especially weary on public lands where they don't need a reason to roll up on you except for just going to check you for illegal activity.

 

Pretty much the way I am. I'm pretty confident those rules are in place because someone abused the alcohol while riding around and they got tired of having to police it (or clean up after people got hurt). No big deal - we'll park and ride, then drive off to another area to camp if we NEED to drink.

Don't mind primitive camp grounds - hell a flat clearing and fire ring of rocks is all I need.