Chestnut Mountain Road Runs

That's probably the best time. When I've been up there on the weekend there has often been people already setup to camp. Only once have I been and no one has been in that big clearing, but it was cold and gross, exactly the same weekend I took the above pic.

 

FYI
I called Gorges State Park and asked if there is vehicle access to the Horsepasture River bridge. The ranger I spoke to said “no” due to all the recent rains. So scratch that.

Have any of you been to the Nemo Tunnel Trail? Someone (not on TW) said they heard about this place but he’s never been there.

 

Wow, I am really surprised by that. I can see them closing the bridge itself, but not the road that goes to it. That's a bummer.

 

Yeah. And I specifically asked if it was the road or the bridge itself. He said the road.

 

There must have been a pretty bad washout. That's the only thing I can think of.

 

Might be the only way to actually “close” the the gate off. Don’t remember seeing too many gates on the main road on the way down to the river.

 

There is the main gate at Chestnut Mountain Rd, then pretty sure there is one at Auger Hole Tr. There used to be one at the bridge, but I think they removed it. I remember seeing it closed in a video, but don't remember ever seeing it in person.

 

UPDATE:
I went to Hurricane Creek Rd today. Walked through the creek with tall rubber boots and still got water in both boots. Almost busted my ass as well, HAHAHA! Also, I drove through it, left my truck in the middle of the creek, took pics. Got it out of my system. Hahaha.

Some info,
It is .9 miles from I-40 to the creek (35.71847, -83.01501).
The road is rutted out BAD.
I-40s right lane on the westbound side is closed. That just made it easier to drive through the cones and not slow down anyone behind me.

I forgot how to post pics from my I-phone to the forum. I’ll do that when I get home. Or you can go to Facebook and look up PetrosnMercy.

 

This 1st pic is where GPS sent me to. I was on my way to Hurricane Creek Rd. This road goes up a mountain and ends at someones property. GPS isn't always 100%. On the way down towards I-40 GPS kept telling me to make a U-turn. HAHAHAHA! Once on I-40 I remembered the sign to look for. I didn't mind the detour.

 

Nice! It has been a couple years....even more since they "graded" it. Is it more fun again?

 

It was my 1st time there. I couldn’t compare the current road conditions to previous times but I can tell you it’s rutted out pretty bad. Doable but ride slow because some of the rutts are pretty deep. I thought it was very fun and scenic.

 

I left my house on 03/03/19 at 11:00pm and after a stop at Eddys shop in Laurens, SC I was at this trail at around 2:30 pm.

03/04/19. The 1st creek on Hurricane Creek Trail. There's a campsite on the right just before the creek itself. I was hoping the water depth would've been deeper & more challenging but it was still fun & very cold.

Next time I go I will give more notice. Hopefully I can meet up with some of you.

In the 3rd video I ended up getting water in both of my rubber boots & almost busted my ass at :16.
Coordinates of the entrance: 35.72328, -83.02637.
Coordinates of the 1st creek: 35.71847, -83.01501.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvOdM0OU2g&t=124s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMmVUsaMgtw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf6aqhagysQ&t=8s

 

Next time you go hopefully we can get a small group to do Chestnut Mountain Rd. It's such a great trail.

 

That would be great @EricL

 

It is still closed at Auger Hole Tr from what I read on their website, but hopefully soon it will open back up.

https://www.ncparks.gov/gorges-state-park

 

Wow! must've been some pretty bad weather up there. BTW, That park looks beautiful!

 

Auger Hole is still closed. Was gonna head up there today, but there is no access to the bridge right now.

 

I've been studying my maps and it looks like when accessing Musterground Rd. from the Bad Creek area, it's an in and out with no outlets? (With the permanently closed gate at the NC/SC border on Auger Hole Rd.) Just looking for some confirmation before I start exploring.

Also up for joining a Chestnut Mtn/Auger Hole group ride whenever it opens back up, if you don't mind some new company!

 

Has anyone procured the coveted crossroads mountain pass code?
Read the "SC NC strike deal on access"

 

Correct. I've never been able to find a way around. The rangers have also told me that the gate never opens.

Also, from what I was last told, they may have to cut a new road for Auger Hole access to the game lands, so no telling how long that might take.