Canaan loop + optional camp and 2nd day at Flagpole - VA/WV/MD/DC/Southern PA members

Hey everybody,

It’s been a long time, but I finally have some PTO coming up and like any self-respecting T4R member, I’m going to load up the truck and hit the trail. Figured I’d post up here and see if anybody else was able to get away for a day or two…

The short version of the plan is to do a day run of the Canaan Loop outside of Davis, WV (meet early on Friday morning (29DEC17) and caravan out to Davis for a fuel stop then run the loop.

Anyone wanting to peel off and head for home after the loop is free to do so. I’m planning on heading over to George Washington National Forest to camp that night, then running the Flagpole Knob loop (Union Springs past Meadow Knob, then Flagpole) on Saturday (30DEC17).

I’ll post the planned track, major waypoints, and meet up times over the coming weeks and have added standard COMMS info below.

Reply here if you’re interested and I’ll keep a tally and make sure everyone is updated.

Hope you can make it!

——————
Confirmed:
[MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION]
[MENTION=174597]gfxcruncher[/MENTION]
[MENTION=3442]Boyds4Runner[/MENTION]
[MENTION=138048]01100101[/MENTION]
[MENTION=153136]Dougthelurk[/MENTION]
[MENTION=170397]trox_355[/MENTION]
[MENTION=112177]4RnR Grl[/MENTION]

Tentative:
[MENTION=135601]mgoblue[/MENTION]
[MENTION=113833]e60ral[/MENTION]
[MENTION=54391]troopa4life[/MENTION]

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Update:
Tuesday19DEC17 @~2000ET

• Uploaded the track info. Remove the *.pdf from the filename to view it in Google Earth, Gaia GPS, Basecamp, etc. -- the forum software won't let me upload a .kmz directly

• Added meet-up times for Haymarket, WV and Davis, WV rally points

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Update:
Wednesday13DEC17 @~2028ET

Adding some way points here to help people get an idea of the ground we'll cover on Day 1.

I'll post the departure time for the first waypoint, ETA for secondary meeting location, and track info around midweek next week.

As a heads-up:
Pasting the coordinates into Google Maps on a computer/phone will pull up the appropriate location and give you an idea of where we’re going and the major rally points. I wouldn’t recommend relying on mobile phone coverage out there, these are more for pre-planning purposes. If you're feeling fancy, throw them into Google Earth or Gaia GPS.

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Day 1 - Major waypoints:
(1) Morning meet up to caravan to WV:
Location: Sheetz in Haymarket, VA
Meet-up time: 0730 ET
Coordinates: 38.815077°,-77.642966°

(2) Secondary meeting location for folks not based in Northern Virginia/Maryland/D.C. or central/South PA:
Location: Marathon Gas in Davis, WV
Meet-up time: 1000 ET
Coordinates: 39.128750°,-79.473533°

(3) Canaan Loop, North Trailhead (ingress):
Coordinates: 39.106248°,-79.508797°

(4) Canaan Loop, South Trailhead (egress):
Coordinates: 39.097963°,-79.430812°

(5) Day 1 Camp for anyone interested in meeting that night or early to run Day 2:
Coordinates: 38.55294,-79.15489

###
Day 2 - Major waypoints:
(1) Camp/Morning wake up
Coordinates: 38.55294,-79.15489

(2) Union Springs - Air Down Point:
Coordinates: 38.495196,-79.081320

(3) Meadow Knob overlook
Coordinates: 38.506827,-79.154348

(4) Flagpole Knob overlook
Coordinates: 38.510375,-79.183291

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COMMS:

Ham:
Simplex 146.46 MHz

Repeaters (if necessary. Will select repeaters based on proximity indicated in RepeaterBook (Android/iOS) depending on where we are)

CB:
Channel 22 (Ch 23 as backup)

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Heads-up for the usual suspects:

08runnertjb
232vzlano
4RnR Grl
Antman
Big_Orange
Boyds4Runner
floridafj80
Hertz4R
n2advnture
Sleeter
MrsOutbound
techno
Zapper

New timer here, but the dates line up and the interest is there, I’m itching to get out...
I got my rig late September and the lift and tires kinda blew the budget, can’t look like a soccer mom right?
I can cobble together camping stuff from what I have, but am minus recovery gear and comms - depending on how good Santa is, I could have comms.
How difficult are the trails? Passable lifted and nothing else?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome [MENTION=174597]gfxcruncher[/MENTION] - Congratulations on the new rig and welcome to the forum!

I've got you covered on recovery gear if need be. No worries there.

Most of the track is more contingent on the driver than the vehicle. A stocker with an experienced driver would be fine and a less experienced driver with a built truck would be fine.

Regarding COMMS:
I have a spare Ham handheld to lend if you end up coming out this time. If you're planning on going out on future trips with the crew from t4r, an inexpensive Ham (or CB) would be worth it's weight in gold.

Let me know whether to put you down as tentative or confirmed and I'll update your status.

gfxcruncher said:

New timer here, but the dates line up and the interest is there, I’m itching to get out...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION]. Seems funny, I've lurked here for years, literally, just never had a 4Runner.
My target was to be ready for the April trip you and [MENTION=137555]Sleeter[/MENTION] do, but having done some work on the rig, I'm itching big time to get out...
I'll take you up on the coms and recovery assistance. I'm not an idiot, so hopefully recovery won't be needed... famous last words

Unless something unexpected comes up, put me down as confirmed. Yeah!

Timing is a bummer. I'll be visiting family in Pittsburgh during that week. And coincidentally, I'm planning a day trip that same day but to go explore the Allegheny National Forest around Marienville up thru Kinzua Dam area.

Have fun though! Wish I could be on this one!

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Sounds good and thanks for the heads up, but also planning on doing the Allegheny NF trip with 08runnertjb.

Hey [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] thanks for the post!

Count me as tentative for the 29th Canaan Loop. Just have to check with work to see if I can get the day off.

I was already trying to plan a day-trip to Rausch Creek for the 30th so I might be able to get those folks coming with us instead to Canaan.

Would love to get one more trip in for 2017!

Heh... don’t feel too bad about lurking. I had a couple of cruisers and an 06 4runner for a decade and was lurking too. It wasn’t until I picked up my 2016 and started my build that I started posting.

Will update the first post and put you down as confirmed.

Looking forward to it!

{QUOTE=gfxcruncher;2861175]Thanks for the welcome [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION]. Seems funny, I've lurked here for years, literally, just never had a 4Runner.

![/QUOTE]

Aww man... I’m seeing your thread now. That *is* a bummer.

Looks like it’s about 5.5hr from home to the dam for me. That’s a bit of a hike, but would like to catch up. Also would be a new area to me so that’s appealing.

What’s the trail like? Technical? All fire roads?

Worst case we can link back up when as Spring approaches. I’m full tilt at work until March timeline other than this break, so I’m trying to maximize trail time.

Either way, hope you and the fam are doing great and will hopefully catch you soon.

08runnertjb said:

Timing is a bummer. I'll be visiting family in Pittsburgh during that week.

Click to expand...

Got it [MENTION=9776]techno[/MENTION]. Knew you were around Pittsburg and figured I’d give you shout.

Next time!

techno said:

Sounds good and thanks for the heads up, but also planning on doing the Allegheny NF trip with 08runnertjb.

Click to expand...

Awesome [MENTION=3442]Boyds4Runner[/MENTION]!

That make three trucks at this point. And the more the merrier.

I’ll put you down and add rally points/track info as we get closer.

Looking forward to it!

Boyds4Runner said:

Hey [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] thanks for the post!



Count me as tentative for the 29th Canaan Loop. Just have to check with work to see if I can get the day off.



I was already trying to plan a day-trip to Rausch Creek for the 30th so I might be able to get those folks coming with us instead to Canaan.



Would love to get one more trip in for 2017!

Click to expand...

carlos.elmotor said:

Aww man... I’m seeing your thread now. That *is* a bummer.

Looks like it’s about 5.5hr from home to the dam for me. That’s a bit of a hike, but would like to catch up. Also would be a new area to me so that’s appealing.

What’s the trail like? Technical? All fire roads?

Worst case we can link back up when as Spring approaches. I’m full tilt at work until March timeline other than this break, so I’m trying to maximize trail time.

Either way, hope you and the fam are doing great and will hopefully catch you soon.

Click to expand...

Thanks brother. Will be looking forward to a spring trip and catching up. The trails in ANF will be new for me but if it's anything like much of the rest of the national forest up there, mild first roads, very little technical stuff (there is more for ATVs than for full size rigs), and some mild water crossing. Nothing crazy, but some new vistas to explore.

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Non-4runner guy here (land cruiser), but put me down as a 'tentative' for the day run. Thanks

I'm a maybe, need to check with the wife if we already have plans

Gotcha on the trails and thanks for taking the time to send an update!

Absolutely looking forward to reconnecting in the Spring. Already starting to think about a mid-range/multiday trip.

Safe travels during the holidays and hope you’re enjoying your time off.

08runnertjb said:

Thanks brother.

Click to expand...

Sounds great and I was a cruiser guy before I was a 4runner guy - no platform-specific snobbery here...

I’ll update the original post w/ you as tentative. Send me a heads-up when/if you’re able to commit.

Hope you can make it!

mgoblue said:

Non-4runner guy here (land cruiser),
but put me down as a 'tentative' for the day run. Thanks

Click to expand...

Ok cool. Will put you down as tentative. Let me know whenever and I’ll update the list.

e60ral said:

I'm a maybe, need to check with the wife if we already have plans

Click to expand...

So this will be my first time out and am admittedly "overstoked"...
Fab'd up a quick and dirty storage/sleeping arrangement in the rig last weekend and "tested" it last night. All is good!
Regardless of weather and trail availability on Sat. it would be really cool to find a spot to camp Fri night to chill, recap the day and general T4R bs... [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] thoughts?

Hey all,

Just updated the first post to add some Day 1 waypoints. I'll continue to add updates there and bump the thread over the next two weeks.

Really looking forward to it!

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Separately:
[MENTION=138048]01100101[/MENTION] - I missed you in my original heads-up message. Wouldn't feel right not checking in with you to see if you could make it up...

Glad to hear you're stoked - I am too. It's been way too long since I've been able to get out.

My thoughts on wheeling, camping, and fireside trash talking? They're three key ingredients for a great weekend...

I will say that my camping and Day 2 activities will still be partially contingent on the weather and how much progress we make on Day 1. If we're on the loop winching up icy hills and clearing trail with the chainsaw all day, I may decide to motor back home and pass out once we're back on pavement.

Having said that, I doubt that will be the situation in two short weeks from now.
I'm planning on bringing as much cut wood as I can stuff into my Trasharoo and would ask that anybody that ends up coming along bring some wood too.

Wrapping the day up around a hot fire with a cold beer (or few) makes it that much better. And going to bed knowing that you're camped at the base of a new and sometimes technical trail makes waking up on Day 2 all that much more interesting.

gfxcruncher said:

So this will be my first time out and am admittedly "overstoked"...thoughts?

Click to expand...