Question on Flagpole Knob run in GWNF

[Chris_B]

All - I'm going down there this coming week with some friends and I haven't done Flagpole Knob yet. One of the families that will be exploring with us only has a crossover Honda Pilot (with new tires - I asked). What is the condition of the road If we start up Briery Branch Road and turn right on FS85 to go up to Flagpole Knob? Will the Pilot be able to do it without trouble? It looks like well traveled fire roads but I wanted to check with folks who have done it before. It has been rainy the last few days and if it looks marginal, we'll just follow the pavement up to Reddish Knob. The last thing I want to do is a recovery.

thanks,

Chris

 

[4gin007]

Id be really reluctant to run flag pole with that vehicle right now. To much rain lately. The one time I went through flagpole it was with a convey of 4runners and there was a few stock height runners that scrapped their skid plates on a few rocks. Id say peters mill would be more suitable for your friends Pilot, when I went there we had a Toureg with us that went through no problem. But again with all the rain we've had lately Id be cautious.
[MENTION=125025]GHARP57[/MENTION] [MENTION=121404]theBEAR[/MENTION] these guys are experienced at flagpole also, maybe they can give more insight.

 

[Chris_B]

Id be really reluctant to run flag pole with that vehicle right now. To much rain lately. The one time I went through flagpole it was with a convey of 4runners and there was a few stock height runners that scrapped their skid plates on a few rocks. Id say peters mill would be more suitable for your friends Pilot, when I went there we had a Toureg with us that went through no problem. But again with all the rain we've had lately Id be cautious.

[MENTION=125025]GHARP57[/MENTION] [MENTION=121404]theBEAR[/MENTION] these guys are experienced at flagpole also, maybe they can give more insight.

Thanks much. We'll try Peters Mill then. What is the road up to Flagpole like without all the recent rain? Is it still too rough for a crossover?

 

[theBEAR]

Hey Chris, If it were my Honda Pilot, I would not try to run FlagPole. 4Runners Xterras and Jeeps can do it, but a Honda Pilot was never designed for OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) use. It has AWD, yes, but it was not meant to be an OHV. With an experienced driver, a Pilot could probably make it, but not without a few dings to mark the experience. And this wet weather will definitely complicate things.

As a side note, I noticed that the 4Runners in the group running all season tires had a much more difficult time making it up Flagpole. Those with mud or all terrains made it look easy.

 

[4gin007]

Thanks much. We'll try Peters Mill then. What is the road up to Flagpole like without all the recent rain? Is it still too rough for a crossover?

A few words to describe the road up

rocky, jagged, steep, rocky

I little bit of this mixed with some bigger than this



some water boarding like this, which would be worse now because of the recent rain

 

[Chris_B]

Thanks all. I appreciate the assist. The recent rainy weather and my general conservative nature made me want to ask. I'll hook up with you guys later in 2016 for some GWNF runs when I can get away.

Best,

Chris

 

[Chris_B]

A few words to describe the road up

rocky, jagged, steep, rocky

I little bit of this mixed with some bigger than this

View attachment 184853

some water boarding like this, which would be worse now because of the recent rain

View attachment 184854

A picture paints 1,000 words. It will probably be a lake up there for several days :fishing:

 

[sovat4r]

To reinforce what others have said...

In the dry, then yes it is probably possible for an AWD Pilot with decent tires to make it up to Flagpole via Briery Branch unscathed. There are one or two hairpin turns with decent grade and slick rock that may give you problems, but nothing that a little experience couldnt take care of. Having said that, I doubt Briery Branch is even passable at the moment as it contains a few dry river / creek crossings which I'm sure are raging torrents at this point in time.

If you did attempt this, just DO NOT go left and down onto Union Springs Trail at the top intersection of Briery Branch (or up to the top via Union Springs for that matter). If so, then I pity the Pilot. Just bear right onto Flagpole road and you'll be in the meadow shortly thereafter.

If you really want to see Flagpole then you could always just go in and come back out via the road at the top (across from Reddish Knob), just dont go much further past it.