Tray Mountain report

Couple of months have passed. Anyone been up there to see if it's open or not now?

 

I'll be headed up next week and can report back. I'll probably be coming in from the Helen side instead of the Chimney Side this time. I've heard that approach is easier and I'll have the RTT with a good bit of gear with me.

 

Awesome. Thanks for letting us know and report back when you get a chance please .

 

There's still a lot of debate about whether Tray is open or not. We did not see any road closure signs posted at all, and we passed a group of guys doing the Traverse on our route down. At the same time, recent posts on Instagram with the #georgiatraverse tag mention that the road is still legally closed. I won't claim to know the answer, nor am I willing to state that the trail is officially open. If someone knows the correct answer, let me know and I'll amend this posting.

That being said, it's passable although a few sections are pretty challenging. The rocky upper end makes for slow going... pretty much crawling your way down. The exposed pipe across the road has gotten worse apparently, and the area around it is extremely rutted. I posted info and pics about the descent in my build thread, here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...stly-modest-build.433701/page-4#post-19131731

Also the washout I'd posted previously about that I felt was impassible in a nearly stock vehicle:
https://twstatic.net/attachments/img_5808-jpg.2797672/


That entire section of the road has failed and there's a stream running across now. It's actually easier than when that photo was posted. I don't have any updated pics, but here's one posted by someone else:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnzqf_UHZCm/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet


So... Tray is doable. It's rough. And it may still be closed.

 

That last part you posted is probably what is making it closed. That has gotten a lot worse than when I was there last, it was a tiny rut and not it finally gave way. Too bad it was a fun trail while it lasted but I doubt it'll be there much longer

 

You think they'd just end up gating it off for good?

 

I doubt it. I've been driving up there for almost 30 years. They've had similar happen before. They've rebuilt the road a few times in the past. Just up from that wash out there was a washout that was nearly 10 feet deep. They brought heavy equipment in and filled in the holes and put down more gravel. That works lasted for a good 15 years. The challenge now is funding.

Perhaps the we off-roaders should offer to help do some repair to keep the road open. A groupd of 5-6 guys could resolve those washouts in a day or two.

 

I don't think they'll ever really close it/pave it because it doesn't make much sense. That's a long road to get paved for what? There's no views that are worth it (like Bell Mtn.) plus most cars can get to the top from the other side. I hope they fix it and just maintain it as well as keeping idiots from damaging it more. I agree with Will that it basically comes down to funding right now

 

Maybe the Georgia people can petition the powers that be to allow local Offroad groups to maintain the road and classify it as a designated 4wd trail.

 

I'm up in Helen today with the family . Its gotta be muddy up there today but I'm probably gonna give it a go. I'll report back.

 

Easy peasy but a little greasy . Came in on chimney mountain side and went through helen. The drainage pipe area was the same but way more water on chimney side due to rain.

No closure signs.

 

Last I heard there are no signs that say it's closed but if somebody were to catch you, you'd get a ticket. But I could be wrong but that's just what I've heard

 

Hmm I'm all for following the law but I didn't see anything(signs) although there were some other 4x4's . Has anyone that you know gotten a ticket? Makes me wonder if someone took it upon themselves to remove them.

 

Nope just hearsay ha. For all I know it's 100% open and people just don't want it to be busy when they go wheeling on it

 

I went about a month ago and passed several 4x4’s. Nobody patrolling the area, no signage or gated roads that we went around. I think a warning would be the most someone could do up there granted there are no signs saying anything.

 

I'd consider it open if that's the case, if there's no sign and nobody patrolling how are you supposed to know it's closed? At least that's what I'd say if I got in trouble

 

Precisely my thoughts

 

I’ve posted this several times... https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/conf/alerts-notices/?aid=45343

As of 2/6/2019 - According to the CONF website, FS-79 is closed from the top down to Chimney Mountain. The fact that there aren’t signs will probably not keep you from getting a ticket.

A phone number for the Chattooga River Ranger District is listed right above the closures. Call the district office and ask them directly.

 

If you’re on Facebook, give the CONF a follow...

If not, keep an eye out here for recent posts - https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/conf/home/?cid=FSEPRD562758&width=full

Also, take note of the recent post about driving on wet, rutted, muddy roads and the damage it causes to resources.

 

Who’s to know to go looking at that site though? If some joe blow cane rolling through and saw a road with no closures and no signs stating otherwise, I couldn’t see how they could justify giving him a ticket... just my opinion!