Tennessee/Georgia/Alabama Riders-Lets Go

Posts: 213

I pm'd a moderator a while back and asked that he move this post because I put it in the wrong place-but I guess they've been busy-so I'm reposting here.

12,000 acres with approximately 100 miles of dirt roads/trails. Multi-use trails open to motor vehicles, ATV’s, hiking, horseback riding. Roads/trails can be a mix of dirt, gravel, or rocks. Terrain varies from very easy to very steep.

Join BIGE, rraland, and rockrunner at Prentice Cooper WMA the weekend of June 21 for some fantatic riding. The WMA is located about 10 miles outside of Chattanooga. Mountain bluff overlooks, views of the Tennessee River gorge. You don't ride around in circles at this place. Join us for one day or two, you're sure to have a blast.

Description: The Prentice Cooper State Forest and Wildlife Management Area occupies 24,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau. The eastern face has sheer bluffs (1000') above the Tennessee River, The central portion is carved out by Mullens Creek, and the western boundary is not quite as sheer, with jeep road access from TN27. The main forest road, Tower Drive, (12 miles) is wide, packed gravel and fairly level. A fire tower (1920') is located at mile 4. There are numerous roads looping off Tower Drive, as well as spurs (Richy Pt, Pot Pt) to various overlooks ( picture, 50K) on the east side as well as rides along the bluffs. The major roads are named and marked at their intersection with Tower Drive. The roads are sandy (from the breakdown of the underlying sandstone) with an occasional touch of red clay. From Lusk Cemetery, you can ride East Brow road along the edge of the bluff, exiting back to Tower Drive via Ralley Ridge, Lusk Point, Sulphur Branch, or Braddison Branch.

Roads to the west of Tower Drive cross the Mullens Creek watershed and are steeper and wetter than the eastern roads. Haley Rd travels west 6.6 miles to TN 27. The first mile of Haley Rd is a gnarly descent to Mullens Cr and a wet crossing -- perhaps impassable at high water. West of Mullens Creek are southern spurs to Elder Point and Long Point, and just past Dry Creek, Inman Point's more southern overlooks. From Inman Point intersection (mile 4.7), Haley Rd descends the western escarpment 1.9 miles to TN27 0.4 miles south of Ketner Mill Rd. Persimmon Rd crosses Mullens Creek (1.4 mi 1480'), intersects with the dirt road (Marshall Fork Rd, 4.7 mi,1970') from Ketner Gap, and provides access to the more western jeep roads. You can reach the western rim in about 8 miles, climb to 2040', then descend to Haley Rd (10.5 mi, 1580') just west of Dry Creek. You can head back on Haley Rd 4.7 miles to Tower Drive.

PM rraland, rockrunner or BIGE for more info.

Posts: 213

Here's a map of the trails. The light grey road is Tower Road. I bet we'll even find a swimming hole to cool off at. Come join us the weekend of June 21. PM Rockrunner, Rraland, or BIGE for more info.

Posts: 213

Now I'm not making any promises, but I might just show up with some ribs and smoked wings Shocked

Posts: 260 · Crazed Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 260 Pictures: 0

Posts: 213

Ben could you record a remote from there?

Posts: 260 · Crazed Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 260 Pictures: 0

that would be the plan. my wife does a great 'Porky Pig' imitation. she can do the intro to the ribs and wings. then get a sound byte from everyone sucking on a rib or wing. Laughing

now, that would be priceless.

if BIGE could bring one of those Apollo 250's for me to try out, also, that would be great too.

Posts: 3982

for a small deposit that could be done. Very Happy

Posts: 213

Well Ben there you go - just fine folks pitching in. Please confirm if you guys are going to make it.

Posts: 3982

yep we are in, maybe one buggy and 1 atv

Posts: 213

I'll be bringing two buggies and three humans. A friend from Chatt. is going to come with a dirt bike and maybe an atv, and I'm trying to get hold of another friend that rides an 80's Suzuki 185 dual range bike. How long has it been since you saw one of those?