Hurricane Creek Rd to Max Patch in NC
 

So... I'm a total newbie to "off-roading". I think I'd prefer trail riding if that's the right term. I just took Horse Pasture Rd to Jump Off Rock at Lake Jocasse in SC, but I'd like to flex my car's abilities a little more than a fire road.

I recently saw there was a pretty big T4R trip up on Hurricane Creek Rd to Max Patch this past February... is this going to happen again over the winter?

From the video, it looks like the road is pretty doable without f@king my new Pro up.

Has anyone done Hurricane Creek lately and can report on the condition, or would want to take me on a "guided" trail ride up there?

I guess I should mention my Pro is stock for the time being... assuming it will be fine on this trail?

Any tips or upcoming trip notices, even to other places in the Asheville area, would be welcome.

Thanks!

So I have not done this before, but I have been trying to find someone to ride this trail with. You also may be able to make some local connections on the facebook group carolina 4runners

I have heard the same thing from some of my friends...it was definitley rutted and I would make sure to take someone with a winch or at least someone with traction boards. I also heard that there was a whole bunch of trash.

Join this Facebook group, most of the people are super nice and helpful! I always get the answers I'm looking for.

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Thanks, I'm "pending" now and will ask if anyone has done it recently once approved.

There are ruts but if you go when its dry you can straddle them

A stock 4runner is fine, you may rub skids in a few spots but nothing bad. I'm in a stock trail, only problems I've had was when wet I had to stack some rocks because I didnt have the traction to avoid a verticle drop into a deep rut.

So heading up to NC early September and wanted to go a little off the path but would anyone recommend- Hurricane Creek to Max Patch?

Stock SR5 4R - 4WD
Stock Jeep Wrangler- 4WD

No experience really. I have heard mixed reviews depending on how much it rains before and ruts.

Suggestions?


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I'd be curious about a trail report too. I was hoping to check it out next week, but if it's still this rutted I don't see my stock limited coming out the other side unscathed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COESgHBHBXg&feature=youtu.be&t=1964

In NC and curious also for anyone who has current trail conditions

Does anyone have any updates on this trail? I am going to be in Asheville with my girlfriend in a few weeks and was wondering if this trail is doable for a first timer? It would be just me in a TRD ORP that is stock.

Or if anyone knows of any more beginner friendly trails in the Asheville area I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

I've not been on hurricane in a few years. Martha Sandquist right up the road is fun and comes out on top of max patch. I'd strongly recommend an app like Gaia with the nc motor vehicle maps overlay.

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Have you gone yet. I have done that trail several times the last couple years...most recently a couple months ago. If you want a more in depth reveiw, let me know..
Here are some highlights....
Yes your stock truck can do it with no problem, but you WILL scrape and bottom out on some areas. 90% is relatively easy/moderate. the other 10% can be bit scketchy especially the off camber narrow sections with a 30ft drop off into the creek....definitely pucker territory.
Also expect some pinstriping due to narrowness of trail.
Fun trail though...hike up max patch while you are there...great 360 degree view and sunset is incredible.

Thanks, I actually just got back from Asheville a couple days ago. I left a couple hours before you posted, so I didn't get to read the answers in this thread till I got back.

We did not end up going to Hurricane Creek, the little bit I read (before the replies here) said it could get rough after rain, and it did rain quite a bit the whole time we were there. So considering I didn't have anyone with me that had a winch, we decided to play it safe.

It was definitely a fun place, and a lot bigger than we expected. Pretty overwhelming with all the options of trails to hike.

We'll be going back for sure in a few months, and I have it at the top of my list of things to do.

The closure of Old House Gap Road last year, and the Nemo railroad tunnel last month, have strengthened my determination to get out there and explore more places before they are closed. The day will come when Hurricane Creek is a thing of the past.

Reviving an old thread here. With Spring not too far away I thought I'd put out feelers to see if anyone might want to run this together this Spring. I've been wanting to do this for awhile but I was waiting till I got my 275's and a winch. I've got them now but I'm still not comfortable going it alone. I live in SC but I have a home in Sylva NC that I visit fairly frequently and will be moving there in June. It'll probably be about March before I get a chance to go so if anyone is interested reply here or hit me up on PM.

Finally got the chance to run this trail about 2 weeks ago on spring break. I had a blast... my wife not so much. She was afraid we were gonna go rolling off the side of the trail. I'd say about 75% of the trail was just like driving a gravel road but the other 25 was obstacles from moderate to difficult. The only place I had any problem at all was the narrow rocky spot with the big tree about 3/4ths through. My wife got out but wouldn't spot me and it made it tough to choose a line. I'm 99% sure I would've been able to get through it under power but out of an overabundance of caution and not wanted to hear my wife say I told you so, I winched myself through it and continued. I really just didn't want to take a chance of sliding sideways into that big tree. Otherwise, we got to see the bus and we had a picnic lunch alongside the creek and just enjoyed the scenery. As for my rig I'd say it performed great, 10/10. I did find out though that I'm gonna need to correct the driver's side lean that I've had ever since I lifted it. On a few occasions my LR tire scrubbed when bottomed out. The rh side never rubbed. Already ordered parts from Ironman and Toytec to correct this. One last thing. We went solo on a Tuesday which I don't recommend. We didn't have any problems but if we had we would have had no one to help. We didn't see another person or vehicle the whole trip. I'd recommend going with another vehicle or a group or go on the weekend when there's people around to help if you have trouble.