Calling all Virginians (Tidewater area)

I am down and so is@MattJakobs

 

So is*
Illiterate

 

Alright so here lies my issue, it's likely going to be mid week and not a weekend. It's just a stop on a larger journey for me. The end goal would be the Big Dog's Ice Breaker starting Friday night April 27th. The goal is to book it to the base of Pott's around Tuesday night, camp and hit Pott's on Wednesday. From there camp again at that location or keep moving on towards Flagpole/Reddish and camp there Wed or Thursday night. From there it's exploration on Friday and camp/get to Big dogs for Friday night wheeling in Winchester VA. Is this something you guys can maybe swing? Or is mid week wheeling too difficult to setup?

 

Mid-week is going to be too didficult for me, gotta save my leave days. If you go on a weekend I’m in.

 

I won’t be able to swing during the week with school

 

Not sure how much research on Potts you have done, but if you are running it the "hard way" (uphill) there is only a very small gravel area at the trailhead. Not really an option for camping. Also, potts is quite difficult to run in a day trip. Most all trips/guys run it to the halfway point and camp, then run the rest the next morning. Not saying it can't be done. Just would really put you in a time crunch.

You may also want to check and see if it is open during the week... not really sure as I don't recall ever hearing anyone running it during the week. But there is a ranger station you can call for info

 

This is all great info and the type of information I am looking for, trying to make the most of my visit that far south. I know @AaronArf @ckeene9 @ajohnson use to run it I think. Any of the PJ's can offer advice or are even still in the game? lol

 

I have run it as well, not sure what PJ's are???

Don't know how much they are in the game currently, I think chris is back overseas and Aarons is in the fullsize game now and running trails on two wheels now.

 

They are literally the only VA/NC guys I knew Is the track that is on Trails Offroad accurate? It seems like it is considered on the mild side through that but the photos and videos I have seen of it show otherwise. As far as camping at the "base" or trailhead, I didn't mean it literally the start, just near enough so that it's a pack up and get on the trail in 20-30 mins instead of the 6 hours of travel it takes me to get there from Jersey. Honestly making it a 2 day trail wouldn't be an issue either. It would just mean I get down there a day earlier than I originally planned. My whole goal is just to not run it solo. Even just one similarly built truck would make me feel better. I don't think I would have any issues but stuff like this is always better done with company.

 

From the way I read it, no. It is not accurate at all. It is ranked toughest trail in VA and in top like 5 or something for the southeast. There are no bypasses to obstacles, 1 way in 1 way out kind of trail. Also, not many places 20 to 30 mins away for camping as it is mostly private land around, not even a local Walmart parking lot to camp in. Would have to drive a bit further to find a good prerun camp spot. I would DEFINITELY recommend against running it solo. But would recommend that with most offroading adventures. Just especially on this particular trail. Need at least a winching partner, plus a good spotter.

 

Do you have a GPX file for the actual trail?

 

Nope. I'm not that fancy.

 

Definitely a two day trip if you are coming from Jersey.

It's not hard really, I ran it open open and didn't pull string not one time my first Potts trip. Don't go alone as with any Wheeling trip. All us loved Potts because of the phenomenal camping up top! Hit all the obstacles they are fun for sure. Maybe Andy come up and run with you...

You can camp at shoe creek and then head to Potts the next morning. Lots of legal places to camp out that way. Trail head is well marked and it's a well maintained route. Real hard to get lost

 

You might as well skip flag pole and head to the mall...

 

Where is Shoe Creek closed at now?

 

Mid way through, I haven't been in years. It's open up to that section though.

Personally I'd just grab a camp site somewhere for the night if unfamiliar with shoe

 

While I agree that for difficult wheeling like what I hope Pott's will be, you shouldn't go alone. But there are ton's of offroad exploration that can be done solo if you are prepared enough. I did a large portion of exploration outside Moab solo as well as a couple run's in Red River, NM on the way home.

Ha it's just a spot I want to check out, been doing a lot more exploration when I can with wheeling in between.

 

Won't catch me out there alone, no sir.

Ask Phil or some of the other guys who were on plain ole' simple stuff and ended up in quite the predicament.

 

There is a campground right before the trailhead and end. They come out about a mile or so from eachother on the main road through. Campground is called the pines. Definitely wouldn't do potts alone, no cell service at least for verizon. Its the hardest easy trail you'll run. Broken parts every trip from at least one person and nearest parts store is about a half hour away, nearest anything really. I'm about an hour from potts.

 

Just to be clear, doing Pott's alone is not something I am looking to do. The other exploration on my trip that will occur between Potts and the Big Dog's event (Flagpole and Reddish as well as other things) likely will be solo because not many people can do runs like that during the week.

So you're saying you're in for this mid week trip Luke? Been a minute since we've wheeled together. Since I've wheeled with all of you for that matter.