Tray Mountain report

I’m just a messenger... Trying to show y’all where to look and who to call. You can drive on closed roads at your own risk.

I assume any LEO who catches you on a posted closed road will claim Ignorantia juris non excusat... “a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because one was unaware of its content”.

Plus there are 101 posts in this thread and 34 of them mention the word “closed”.

 

I know it's been awhile since this posting, but I am in for helping with some trail repair. Looks like 2-3 sections need work from the posts I have read.

Most of what I have done is closed to Charlie's creek but I love this whole area so I want to help take care of it so others can enjoy as well.

Please let me know if there is a recommended way to organize an effort. I can bring chainsaws, shovels, gravel, etc.

 

Call the Chattooga River RD and ask them what you can do to help.

 

Thank you!

 

Opinion or not, get caught in there and you will get a fine. While not common knowledge most states will refer you to check online or call for FS road closures, and calling is probably the best option.
Claiming ignorance will not get you out of a fine.

 

I'm game to help if we get something going.

 

I sent an email probably 2 weeks ago and left a voicemail last week. I definitely need to give another call in and see if we can get something organized.

Been a little swamped with work but I will try to sometime this week.

 

Just a heads up, saw a post on Facebook dated 6/15/19 on the North Georgia Overlander's Facebook group.

Tray Mounted is officially posted as closed. There are now 'Road Closed' signs posted at both ends of the Chimney Mountain side of the trail. I'm not sure when the signs went up, but they're there.

I know it's been listed as closed on the USFS page for almost a year, and there was a debate on whether or not there were signs up. When I went in November there were no signs posted anywhere. The signs are now installed on posts and nailed to trees.

 

Good hopefully the signs stay up and it can be fixed sometime

 

Bummer. Headed up that way in August and was thinking about revisiting this trail.

Oh well, need to come with Plan B, C, & D. Will be staying at Black Rock Mtn camp ground. Suppose I could check out the eastern sections of the GA Traverse.

 

FSR163 is close to Tray and Charlie's Creek Trail is still open. Also Earl's Ford Rd. east of Clayton has a nice water crossing.

 

I went from high shoal falls to tray mountain rd today. (I believe the road is Indian grave gap) There was once big mud hole and a route around it that also had deep ruts and was narrow between trees. So it looked worse than the mud to me. I got though the mud hole just fine. But as I was driving I saw this hill climb on my left. They didn't have it blocked at all. No signs so I assume it's ok to drive it. I went up it a little ways but it got narrow between trees too and I can't afford body damage on my daily so I backed out. I really dont want to cave in my quater panels. It was a fun drive though. Plus the hike to the falls is pretty

 

I did that drive as well, though I don't recall the section that you're talking about. I do remember thinking there was a good campsite that could fit a handful of trucks on the left as you are driving out Indian Grave Gap. Taking the right onto Tray Mountain Rd. is ok, but the road is closed if you try to go left.

 

I'd be up for getting a group together some time and camping.

 

The closed portion is the section from Corbin Creek Rd. to Chimney Mountain Rd. Everything else is public. It's a damned shame, too. Tray Mountain was one of the most fun off-road trails I've ever been on.

 

Yeah off roading should be treated like how skateboarding should be treated. This is dangerous, it could kill you but it's your life good luck.