Saturday, August 7th | Flagpole Knob | Up Switzer Lake/Dunklehollow Rd - Down Union Springs?

[ffxcores]

Updates: We’re on! Not sure exactly how many we have at this time. Plan to meet at 11a at Sheetz linked below, or we can meet up other places if you let me know.

GMRS channel 17 and I’ll have it in during the drive.

We’re bringing a cooler with sandwiches and just doing a late lighter lunch at the top. If anybody wants to throw something from Sheetz in there we should have extra room. Plan is to go down the Union Springs side from there, and anybody who doesn’t want to do that can of course exit via the fire road.

Meeting at Sheetz in Harrisonburg at 11am.

Sheetz · 798 E Market St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

★★★★☆ · Convenience store

goo.gl

Plan is to go up the Switzer Lake side and have a late lunch at the top, then I know a couple people are likely headed out after that. I’d like to try going down the Union Springs side for the first time, but I’d feel better about it if some people were there who were experienced with that side. (@TerryD ?)

If we end up not doing Union Springs I’d be open to going back down Switzer Lake, or maybe exiting with the others then doing Peter’s Mill Run on the way back. Kinda open as of now.

 

[TerryD]

I'll have to see what's going on. I was wanting to do some wheeling soon. I much prefer going up US though. More fun to be had that way.

I'll let you know a little closer to the weekend.

 

[Prime]

Is Flagpole all there is anymore? What about Dictum? Dry Creek?

 

[ffxcores]

Is Flagpole all there is anymore? What about Dictum? Dry Creek?

Valid question. The main reason for doing Flagpole (specifically Switzer Lake) so often is comfort level for everyone. This trip we have somebody relatively inexperienced off-roading bringing an Xterra out for the first time, and another guy who has never been off road before. Another guy maybe coming with a Colorado has only been off road once before. None of them would’ve come out to a more difficult one, and at least one other just isn’t interested in more difficult trails.

For me, my wife has a lot more fun when she’s less worried about breaking down or getting shook up, and I don’t want to try out a new difficult trail for the first time with people I’ve just met or still haven’t gotten used to. Not on a personal level, but meaning I don’t know what recovery gear they have (if any), how well they take care of their truck, and how risk averse they are.

I do want to try more trails like the Union Springs side of Flagpole (Dictum Ridge is on my list but I haven’t heard of Dry Creek), but I’m content with more participation and getting to know everyone.

 

[Prime]

That makes perfect sense. It's just that between you and my buddies in Hampton Roads, Flagpole is all I ever hear about.

Is the Union Springs side of Flagpole the actual fun trail? I never knew what it was called, but you get up to the top of Flagpole Knob and go down and back up a different line and it has some actual obstacles on it.

Dictum is a solid trail.

Now that I mention it, I think they closed Dry Creek because the creek wasn't dry and people kept bombing through the water.

 

[TerryD]

Not familiar with Dictum.

Union Springs is the more challenging side. I really enjoy it. It's getting more challenging too. The line up "The Steps" has changed a lot in the last year.

I might make it out Jay. Have to see what's going on and if any kids want to go along.

 

[ffxcores]

Not familiar with Dictum.

Union Springs is the more challenging side. I really enjoy it. It's getting more challenging too. The line up "The Steps" has changed a lot in the last year.

I might make it out Jay. Have to see what's going on and if any kids want to go along.

We should do Dictum soon! Accessible from Long Run Rd. From Long Run there’s an access road then to the right is Dictum Ridge and to the left is Second Mountain, which we found out was closed.

And I want to camp up there at this spot we found a couple weeks ago:
Post in thread 'Saturday July 24th - Long Run Road (near Harrisonburg, VA)'
https://www.xterranation.org/index....n-road-near-harrisonburg-va.10172/post-528972

 

[TerryD]

Looking like I'll be there.

 

[ffxcores]

Don’t know how many we have in total, but we’re on for tomorrow!

 

[ffxcores]

Man this was incredibly fun. We ended up going up Union Springs and that was a blast. Very challenging, but we all made it out. I volunteered to demo the bad lines for everybody since I have full skids and sliders. @TerryD volunteered to show us the correct lines and spot us over the toughest ones.

pics/videos coming soon

 

[TerryD]

View: https://youtu.be/3bQpS0L-YbE

 

[ffxcores]

View: https://youtu.be/3bQpS0L-YbE

IMO, you cut out the best part of when I finally made it up, the camera pans to you, and you just smile and shrug with the “I ain’t gonna say it because I’m being recorded” look. Haha.

That was a lot of fun. I just realized watching that @C3NK0 wasn’t aired down.

 

[Newb]

Glad you guys made it out! Looks like some good stuff! Wish I could have been there.

 

[C3NK0]

IMO, you cut out the best part of when I finally made it up, the camera pans to you, and you just smile and shrug with the “I ain’t gonna say it because I’m being recorded” look. Haha.

That was a lot of fun. I just realized watching that @C3NK0 wasn’t aired down.

Thank you for taking the time to put it all up together.
Yea wasn’t aired down. Never am. Too lazy

 

[MiggieX]

dang i missed it, whens the next one