Horse Pasture Road (NW SC)

[johncub]

This weekend I packed up the family for some stock LJ friendly riding. I had read about a place not too far from the new homestead that had a dirt road. Thusly we set off for the Lake Jocassee area in Northwestern South Carolina. Rumor had it there was about a 15 mile dirt road that cut through a wildlife management area. We found this to be true.

Certainly it was nothing a stock LJ couldn't handle but I would think some 2wd's might have trouble, especially anything without a little bit of ground clearance. The road was single lane and traffic rolled in both directions. The ability to get up on the bank to allow traffic to pass was one thing I was thankful for.

Being that the weather allowed we immediately pulled over and removed the soft top to take in the sights and sounds.

And now for the pictures (I hope they work ok) since:



I forget why I stopped. Maybe I was checking the map or something.


This is a view of the trail itself, very near the nicest camping spot I've seen in quite some time. I'll definitely be taking advantage of the campsite in the future.


The kids had a GREAT time.



Full photo gallery is at This Link.

Very family friendly, and the kind of ride you don't need to worry about having recovery gear and a spotter. If you are in the area it's worth the gas. Also, I found This Write-up of one of the features of the trail and they seem to be better with words than I am so I'll let them tell you of the grandeur of the ride.

[moneypit]

Looks like a good time. Always nice to "Get a little mud on the tires". Looks like the kids love it. What are the pics that look like fossils or tombstones?. Did you get to do any water crossings?

[nwquadriders]

Definitely looks like some happy kids in the back seat!!! That's what Jeep'n is all about

[johncub]

moneypit said:

Looks like a good time. Always nice to "Get a little mud on the tires". Looks like the kids love it. What are the pics that look like fossils or tombstones?. Did you get to do any water crossings?

The pic of the carving is something recent I'm sure. It's in limestone so I would guess someone had some time on their hands and carved it with a pocket knife. We thought it was cute and the wife is pretty trigger happy with the camera so she snapped it.

We didn't go over by the lake where I'm sure we would have encountered more water. As it was we didn't cross any that wasn't bridged. There was one area where it was obvious people used to do it (to the left of the wooden bridge in the picture) but they put red gates up on both sides to curb that.

In case anyone is thinking of going they close the whole thing from Jan 1 to Mar 20. Also, they allow 4 wheelers as well (but I don't think they allow motorcycles.) Also, 4 wheelers are not allowed on Sundays. Beats me. I can get a picture of the regulation sign next time I go. I have found almost zero information about the place on the net.

Also, the location in case anyone wants to check it out is here Google doesn't yet know about the southeastern entrance near here which is where we actually joined the trail.

[moneypit]

Thanks for the reply. I just love the kids picture. They are at the age when it takes two of the to fill one mouth with teeth!

[johncub]

I hadn't thought of it that way but you're right on track.

That smile was the result of the speed humps placed around the trail. At about 20 miles per hour the tires may not leave the ground but the belly leaves the belly cavity and those are the smiles that ensue afterwards.

[johncub]

moneypit said:

Did you get to do any water crossings?

I got to go back today and I did find a water crossing. It was, in fact, my first water crossing ever. The water was up over the stock entry steps but not quite to the bottom of the door. There is a designated camping area just across the water crossing. I shall be camping there. Oh yes, there is no doubt of that.

I realize a bad picture is better than no picture at all so I offer this:

[Jeeper9]

johncub....is that picture blurry or is it me? It is New Year's Eve afterall.

P.S. Glad you find a nice trail to run on.

[johncub]

Blurry as all get out. For some reason the autofocus on our camera goes nuts when it is raining. But it sounds like you had a good new year's eve anyway.

[moneypit]

I thought it was blurry from SPEED! Nothing messes up an auto flash like a 60MPH water crossing.