CUOFFRD and I (DARB) took my JK out to Beasley KNob in Blairsille GA. Overall impressed with her performance given the circumstances. Anyone who has been to Beasley will know what I mean. Plus it poured down rain on us so the trail was a bit tricky. Here are some pics!!

 

Im from Georgia, but never got to go to Beasley Knob. Now I'm stationed in California, so it will probably be a while before I'm back home with the Jeep. Can you describe the trail, and do you have anymore pictures?

 

Well, It is a bit of a trap... When you come in to get to the entrance you are on a gravel access road. When you get to the "entrance" there is a map (the only one available) that you need to take a picture of. However, the ratings and the trails are just enough different that the map is useless. Online it says $5 per vehicle but the board at the entrance says $5 per operator. I was with a friend that I had planned to have some time behind the wheel of mine so I put $10 in the envelope just in case. Once you enter there is a short run that is marked "easy" and is definitely that. You will come to a somewhat tight intersection. If you stop at the end of the "easy" trail and are looking at the intersection as a four way stop there is a trail to the left, right and somewhat straight ahead. The trails to the left and right are marked "most difficult" and the trail straight ahead is marked "difficult". Okay, so at this point you have a very important decision to make... If you have any doubt in attempting these TURN AROUND NOW! You are probably doubting because you know your rig and know what you feel it is capable of. I did not heed the doubt and came to see what it was like for a later more organized trip. We took the middle trail marked "difficult" thinking surely they wouldn't take you from "easy" to "drop you off the face of the planet" but they did and it gets worse... once headed down there are very few (if any) opportunities to turn around. We got down the trail and I was worried about getting back up if that was the way we had to come back. Well... It was one of two trails to get back out. Oh, and remember how I said it got worse? Once at the "bottom" the trail was marked "most difficult". WTH? We just came down a "most difficult" trail?!?! Now, to top it off... It started absolutely pouring down rain. We were screwed. I knew I couldn't get back up what we just came down and the rain sealed the deal. There was only one other trail. Guess what... marked "most difficult" as well. I had no choice but to try. We had to get out. We went up as rain continued to come down. I struggled to work up the trail. cross wash was bad and made the GA clay very slick. The rain stopped and after a 30 minute attempt to get up the second to tallest hill on that trail I wanted to see if it was worth attempting the next one that was bigger. We hiked up the next hill to what we thought would be the top to get out and what we found was mountain trail. I knew my rig wasn't going up any wall of rock like that. Not with these all terrains. So, there was an access road at the bottom and had a steel tube gate that was locked on it. We decided to head back down to it. I had a choice... go down backwards or try to turn around? The pic of my Jeep from the driver side up against a tree is that attempt to turn around. I was NOT going to try to go down backwards as slick as it was. I had to use that tree to get turned in the mud and took it down the whole side of the Jeep. I will post pics of what it did later after I wash it. We made it back down and 6" of steel tube gate was between us and getting the hell out of there. Here is some advice, If by some chance you get in our position. Just call 911 if it is the weekend. There is no way to reach the Ranger. The numbers to call let you leave a message. They obviously don't check it as we waited almost 2 hours before calling the local 911 dispatch. We had a way out in about 30 minutes. These trails are very difficult and If your rig looks like mine or more stock... STAY AWAY. I would NOT go back without mud terrain tires and plenty of equipment. Oh, and even though the local fire department guys that came to let us out the gate said other vehicles had been in there... The trails are tight and doubt any vehicle wider than a Jeep should be there if you care about your vehicles body. Took all I had to keep the damn fenders on mine. It was made more difficult due to recent rain and then an hour or so of drenching but I still would be overly prepared if you ever go. The lesson here is, you can't always trust what trails are marked. Trails change over time. Get ruts and growth and wear down or build up depending on weather and weather conditions play a big part. I tried to get out but I just couldn't with my current rig's setup. I have some money to spend before coming back. If ever

As for pics, that is it. So you know how difficult the terrain was... those were the only times I could get out to take any and those were the "easiest" sections of the "most difficult" trail that was marked wrong.

Thanks for asking and I hope this helps. I grew up in Jeep clubs with my dad and have owned 4 other Jeeps. I should have known not to attempt with my current rig but it was a long drive and I didn't come all the way out there to go down a driveway and a super easy "easy" trail. I almost had to leave her up there though so just be prepared.

I hope this helps. I'm sure that there are guys with better rigs and maybe even those that went under better conditions that may make fun of what I said in this post. However, if they want to meet me there sometime and show me they can get up and down out there... I would be very impressed!!

 

Crazy trip dude, I have been caught like that before good to hear you kept your rig together

 

Thanks man!!! I gotta spend some money before ever going back!

 

go again when there have been 3-4 days of no rain. The whole place is a cake walk with only a few technicals since they graded alot of the rock out. I could have lockers and 50" tires and would not go there if it is or recently has rained. its just not fun

 

Wow, pretty cool, but still sucks. I woulda had to do the same thing (tree down the side), but luckily I have the, in my case, tree sliders that stick out about the width of the flares, so I was able to walk around them using the sliders instead of the body. Still sounds like an awesome trip though!

 

The problem with the GA Mtns is the frequent and sometimes extremely heavy evening rain fall. You really never know what your going to find on the trails as far as mud because if you dont live in the mountains you cant really know how much rain has fallen.

I've about given up on running trails around here.. I've never been a fan of mud. More hassle than its worth to me. These infrequent and completely unpredictable storms that come through can make your run go from fun to misery in a matter of minutes.

 

Yeah, I wanna go back but I'm getting mud terrain tires first!!! Maybe you would like to make some runs with us in the future?? We are trying to get a good group together. If your not part of any clubs already? I wanna group of ga guys that wanna have each others back when we run and just have a good time. leave no one behind and no spoilers. Let me know!!!

 

Yeah, I am trying to redo a 70's retro renegade look so no "tree sliders''. I just hope not to be in that position again any time soon. Thanks for the response. It was fun but I really hate that my door is a bit screwed. I am surprised it looks as good as it does. I'll post after pics when I get a chance!!!