UPPER TELLICO ORV AREA, North Carolina
Tellico is an ORV area with about 9.700 acres established in the early 1980s and used to be a logging area. Now a National Forest and managed by the US Government, efforts are made to run trails which offer 4-wheeling adventures for all levels but also maintain nature with little impact. It is a beautiful, lush forest with 11 trails and one gravel road. All trails intersect with others and there is a variety of combinations possible. There is a self registration station at either entrance. The day fee is $5. We highly recommend to purchase a map ($4.50) at the Ranger Station.
We approach the park from Tennessee
in the north. At the State Line Campground (which is located right at the state
line to North Carolina) there is a little parking area with the self-registration
booth from where trail 6 leads uphill into the thick forest. The terrain is
mostly dirt with rocks, and the creeks provide enough water to create muddy
areas to add to the challenge. This will get messier when it rains, of course
- just the right recipe for 4-wheel fun. About half way through trail 6, we
turn off onto trail 4 which is rated 'easiest'. At this point I want to mention
that it is a good idea to check the conditions of the trails at the ranger station.
When we drive trail 4, it is impassable for most stock vehicles and anything
but 'easy'.
So we crawl along until we reach trail 8. The dense forest with its variety
of trees and creeks is a gorgeous scenery to cruise through. The trail leads
left and right, up and down the mountain; and inbetween the more challenging
spots, you can relax on 'smoother' sections. We stop at the intersection to
trail 9 (rated most difficult) and hike down part of this trail. It is definitely
a most difficult trail with huge boulders, water running over the rocks, mud
in between and long stretches of loose dirt where the articulation of your rig
is challenged. At the end of trail 8 we get onto trail 4 again and it proves
trickier than most parts we have passed. There is a water crossing with a pretty
tough entrance. A big step leads down into the water and your rig better has
some ground clearance. Then you follow along the creek downstream until you
get to an easy exit. From here the trail requires still quite some manouvering
skills. A long mud puddle with deep tracks offers a fun sliding experience not
recommended for novices. After this point you can relax. The gravel road is
now just a hop away.
If you are ever in the area, definitely
consider going there - believe me, it's worth it.
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Directions:
From Murphy, North Carolina, head north on Joe Brown Highway (Route 1326) for
2.8 miles. Turn right on Route 1331 and go 5.5 miles. Turn right on Davis Creek,
a gravel road, and go 5 miles to top of mountain and Allen Gap staging area.