Let's try the great NJ/PA trail ride idea again

[Vetteboy]

OK...let's really do it this time, boys and girls.

My suggestion is the wonderful and scenic Wharton/Lebanon state forest area in southern NJ. It'll be some easier riding; the terrain is mostly sand and mud/water type stuff. So the possibility of breakage is fairly small...it's more likely you'll get stuck. So some kind of recovery gear and tow points are highly recommended.

That being said...I don't know that area well enough to lead a trip down there. Rich (Mewantsnow) knows some dudes who rule that area, so maybe he can hook us up on this trip? If not, I'll do a scouting expedition, or we can just go and see what happens anyway.

This is a legal area to go wheeling in, and it's also free. So here's the possibility for a low-cost, low-breakage-risk, high-fun-factor jeepin run for anyone willing to drive out for it.

The date we're looking at it some time in March, but it's quite negotiable at this point.

Any other ideas are very welcome.

So who's up for this?

[JennyX]

I'm in! I plan to be away March 14-20 or so though. Anytime other than that sounds great! I've never gone wheeling anywhere in NJ, only been to Paragon and Shamokin so far, unless you count Assateague Island. So let me know when and I'll be there.

graemlins/driving.gif

[MeWantSnow]

I'm in, but I think if you want to have a large group, the best bet would be Paragon or Rausch Creek. Both places offer much more than the pine barrens. Shamokin isn't too bad either, but it's hard to tell what's legal, and what's not legal to wheel on.

[XJ Fanatic]

sounds good

[YJeff]

Originally posted by XJ Fanatic:
sounds good graemlins/grinyes.gif

[phillyzj]

I'm in of course.

[XJ Fanatic]

we should make it the week of 5-13th i have spring break than

[JennyX]

I'll be hoppin on an airplane on the 13th or 14th.

[XJ Fanatic]

Originally posted by JennyX:
I'll be hoppin on an airplane on the 13th or 14th. well than we will have to have it before than

[97XJ_95YJ]

Depending on when and where, you can count me in too graemlins/driving.gif

[Spyder041]

ill be in...i kno my way around the barrens if need be. Me and my friends are always out doin sumthin. hey vette, if you ever venture down this way, hit my cell up, and ill go with ya on a scout graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[Vetteboy]

OK...sounds like there's some interest out there.

On a completely unrelated trip, I think I'm heading down to the Barrens this weekend anyway, so I'll do some scouting and take some pics, so you can see what the place looks like.

Spyder, check yer PM's.

[Vetteboy]

http://jeepin.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=012050;p=1

That thread (courtesy of Bob) has some pics of what the terrain looks like. The amount of water depends almost entirely on the weather in the days before you go - it could be dry, muddy, somewhat wet, or impassable. Usually though it's easy enough to find trails that don't interact with the deep stuff.

[pawoodwagon]

depending on when and where i would be up for it. would love a Rausch Creek run! graemlins/rock.gif

[97XJ_95YJ]

Originally posted by vetteboy79:
http://jeepin.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=012050;p=1

That thread (courtesy of Bob) has some pics of what the terrain looks like. The amount of water depends almost entirely on the weather in the days before you go - it could be dry, muddy, somewhat wet, or impassable. Usually though it's easy enough to find trails that don't interact with the deep stuff. Hey Vette...WTF is the trail in those pictures? All I see is the river :eek:

I like JHASH's post in that thread:
Yeah, that trail looks fammiliar. I'm NEVER goin' back there again!!! It took me 3 weeks to clean up after that place last year. I didn't think we were gonna make it out alive a few times!!!! I knew it was really gonna be a bad day when we came around a bend in the trail and saw people fishing in the middle of it!!!!

[phillyzj]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p0c264f401b5a9bf3742d92d67884e8f1/fa50c6a4.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p4bdd2f39025f2c2485bd3f66e4542247/fa50c68c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p9908d0a968e618b4264a715bc85ba4a0/fa50c694.jpg

that's in the pines as well. That was my first wheeling trip ever...

[JennyX]

I haven't been to Rausch Creek yet or the Barrens. I'm game to try anywhere. Let's set something up! I'm anxious! icon_smile_big.gif

[Vetteboy]

Well, it's not all like that, all the time. There's actual trails too. There are a lot more pics of that trip but they're locked away in an Exploder forum that I don't feel like registering for.

Like I said, I'll be out there this weekend (or within the next few weeks if that doesn't happen) so I'll scout it and see if it looks like something we'd have fun doing. If not, Rausch Creek is definitely kickass. It's just not free though and a much longer drive for me. graemlins/cry.gif

For those of you who haven't been to Rausch Creek, check out some pics of it here:

rausch creek pics (http://www.tcnj.edu/~macock2/stuff/rc/)

graemlins/jeepincom2.gif members there were myself, phillyzj, matts96zj, pawoodwagon, braveyota, dandunn, and some other guys too. It was a great time. We ended up camping there and running for two days, which I'd definitely be up for again.

[matts96zj]

If ya'll end up goin' to RC again, I might be able to convince my wife to drive while I navigate/spot on the stock trails. She just isn't to keen on letting me wheel the ZJ because every time I go out, it comes home with more body damage. icon_smile_big.gif

[phillyzj]

matt how are the xj's coming a long. Got any pics of the progress?

[matts96zj]

I haven't touched the XJ's in months but, the ARB is mounted on the ZJ as of tonight... so whenever you want that shackle mount/hitch, just lemme know. graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Pics to come tommorrow.

[phillyzj]

excellent, i just gotta get my check from insurance and i should have some cash. That and i start full time at the end of march. Did you find a way it stronger like we talked about?

[JennyX]

So, when do we wanna go?

[Vetteboy]

Nice, Jenny - sounds like you've got a wicked case of the wheelin' bug.

Hopefully sometime in march. I'll see how the Pines are lookin, see if it would be worth it for ya to drive 2 or 3 hours to wheel on this stuff...and if not, we'll set up a Rausch Creek run cuz I like that place.

If (or when, cuz it'll happen eventually anyway) we go to Rausch Creek, would anyone be up for camping one or two nights again? I drove out Saturday morning and that sucked. Plus I'd like to use this membership card again before it expires and I have to buy another one.

[JennyX]

It's gonna be a 2 or 3 hour drive for me no matter which of those places we go to. I have a Paragon waiver card, but it's only worth a few bucks. I would be excited to go to any of these places.

As for camping...I haven't camped in a tent since i was a freshman in college in 92 or 93...lol. I don't have a tent either.

[MeWantSnow]

Chris...you started this thread, so pick a date!!!!! I just want to go wheeling...It's been too long since the last time I went. Hopefully, this time, I'll make it back home on my own power. The last trip, I needed AAA and a flatbed for the last 70 miles

[MeWantSnow]

I know you were thinking March, but how about a short earlier trip...say...the weekend of the 21st, or the 28th of Feb?? Saturday or Sunday...either day or both...it doesn't matter.

Here's the options I'm thinking of.

Paragon...probably lots of ice and snow on the trails, making alot of the easier trails a little harder to navigate..which could be a good thing :)

Rausch Creek... Same as Paragon, except I don't know the trails as well.

Pine Barrens....Lots of bottemless Jeep Eating Mud Pits, and locals with Full Size Fords running 60" tires, and confederate flags mounted next to their gun racks. But it is close to Atlantic City, and I do have a comped room I can use..hmm :)

Shamokin...can get kind of boring, but again, with the snow, who knows? I know those trails pretty well too.

[MeWantSnow]

It's too bad Blackwoods is off-limits now. It's right next to Shamokin, with alot more Mud. Oh well...maybee it had somethin to do with all the locals driving around on their ATV's with semi-automatic weapons mounted to them...I kid you not!!!!!!

[phillyzj]

the weekend of the 21st is out for me. That's axle hunting weekend at harry's, can't miss that. I can prolly do the next weekend the 28th, and the first weekend in march. The second weekend kind of sucks cuz it's right befor finals. But after finals which end the 19th i'm good for most every weekend.

[JeepsR4Girls2]

Originally posted by JennyX:
It's gonna be a 2 or 3 hour drive for me no matter which of those places we go to. I have a Paragon waiver card, but it's only worth a few bucks. I would be excited to go to any of these places.

As for camping...I haven't camped in a tent since i was a freshman in college in 92 or 93...lol. I don't have a tent either. Jenny, If I can make it up there too, I have a huge tent, cause I go camping constantly in NC... So you can sleep with me in mine, I only have one sleeping bag so that'll you'll have to find!!
________
medical marijuana doctor (http://mmjp.org)

[muddweiser4x4]

i'm kinda new to this site but me and my girlfriend would like to do some local wheeling. we go to bridgeport everyonce in a while and play but we're always up for new places. on a side note if the guy who stopped to see if i was ok when my axle fell out on west chester pike reads this, i'd like to say thanks and the jeep is back on the road.

[phillyzj]

welcome. He is definately on the sight. just do a search for west cheste pike axle breaker or something over in jeeptalk. It was around a couple of weeks ago.

[mikes]

anyone out there know where to wheel in ny. If its close to fishkill that would be great. I live in the bronx and i am willing to travel.

[pawoodwagon]

hey vette, id definatly be interested in some camping at Rausch Creek. The first weekend in march would be good for me. gives me some time to get the "Woodwagon" put back together! icon_smile_big.gif

[KC's YJ]

I would love to go. Me and the wife have been looking for some place to go with my new toy (she wont let me wheel HER Jeep) The camping part sounds pretty cool also (we used to do that a lot) Im near Pittsburgh but we're always up for a road trip. I should have a lift and Good tires after the Govt. sends me back some of what they have stolen from me each week! KC

[Vetteboy]

OK...so to summarize...

It's looking like there might be two trips then. I'd still like to go exploring down by the Pines but that'll probably be a smaller, one-day affair for people who are a little more local. The more I think about it, it's probably not worth driving more than an hour to an hour and a half for. So I'll dig up some good stuff down there and let y'all know what's happening.

I'd also like to check out Shamokin sometime; Rich was showing me some pictures and Brian had some too, and it looks like some cool stuff. Also free. For me anyway, that's a nice factor. Maybe we can set something up where we run Shamokin one day and Rausch Creek a second day?

As for Rausch Creek, I checked their calendar and the only thing they've got going on in March is the Hartford Country Off Road club on March 19-21. The way that place works is you can't just show up, you tell 'em when your group is gonna be there and they open it up for you. Camping there is free, and I believe it's less expensive than paragon, and less crowded and nicer staff. It's $25 per day, but if you're not a member yet, you'll need to pay a one-time fee of $10. Passengers must also be members, but it's only $5 per day for a ridealong. Also there's a minimum group size of 3, but I don't think we'll have any trouble getting that.

As far as a date goes...I'm on spring break from the 6th to the 14th of march, and I know Brian is too. So I think if we do it that first weekend, the 6th-8th, that covers at least four of us. How does that sound to everyone?

[phillyzj]

hmm that's my birthday weekend, well my birthday's the 9th, but i might be out if we have a party or anything for it. We'll see though.

[JennyX]

Works for me!! Let's do it!

[JennyX]

Here are a few pics from when I went wheeling in Shamokin last time. No snow then...There is easy stuff and trickier stuff. It's a good place to go if you got beginners along. We did our fair share of strapping that day though regardless...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/pde853b4b3a29cd323b05b51d74012cc4/f9924d1d.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/pd1ae26f54d32d2b2a1ab5ae0038973a2/f9924edc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p1db6bbda3bab408c18c456b581a91b73/f9924dca.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p90731209a7df330e993d67d4e4f90a28/f9924e44.jpg

[ February 19, 2004, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: JennyX ]

[MeWantSnow]

Shamokin is definatly a good place to get some light wheeling in. With the snow on the ground, it can be alot of fun.

We just need to pick a date now. I'm game for a couple of trips, so lets get a date out there.

[phillyzj]

jenny, ya can't post pics through webshots like that. They are pretty red x's though. Try using imagestation to host your pics, they normally let you post them like that. If you guys want to do a day trip on the 6th that would probably be cool with me. I don't have toooo much work to do on the ZJ before that, haha not. There's always tons of stuff that needs to get done.

[JennyX]

Why is it that Webshots doesn't work? I put everything on Webshots from another account and now I have to put everything in Webshots on ImageStation? Grrrrr. LOL.

Well if you want to see my Shamokin pics, click the link on my profile and look at the Shamokin album.

[pawoodwagon]

sounds good to me. id like a two day trip. might try to run Rausch Creek the 6th and 7th.
graemlins/icon_beerchug.gif

[97XJ_95YJ]

You could probably count me in for some wheelin at Shamokin. Would the RC and Mokin trips both be the week of the 6th?

[Vetteboy]

I think so. I was thinking like do shamokin the first day, nothing real serious, just a "warm up run" of sorts. Then maybe spend the night at Rausch Creek, run there the next day.

Of course, if y'all would rather do something different, that's fine. I'm just throwin out ideas.

edit: I didn't make it to the pines this weekend, either...because of this mess (http://jeepin.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=013873) .

[ February 15, 2004, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: vetteboy79 ]

[YJay90]

I'm in. I'd def rather go down to the pines b/c I won't have my quick disco's by then. I still have to prep my heep for water crossings, but prob won't be able to do it until spring break sad_anim.gif

Here are some more pics from the Wharton/Lebanon area. Don't remember if there are others besides what were in that previous thread...don't feel like looking right now...
http://sj4x4.cjb.net/

vette: lemme know when you do your scouting mission. I'd be interested in goin.

Vette:

[ February 15, 2004, 08:58 PM: Message edited by: Bob ]

[Vetteboy]

Bob - I'll definitely let you know. You prolly know your way around down there better than I do anyway.

For the rest of you people...since you want a date...

I'm proposing something like this...Saturday, March 6 running at Shamokin. Start sometime that morning, but not too early, to give us eastern people a chance to get out there. Maybe meet everyone for a late breakfast, then go play around by Shamokin/Centralia and basically just warm up and tweak the vehicles. I hear there's a wide range of stuff there, so I don't think anyone will be bored.

That night (the night of the 6th), spend at Rausch Creek campground. This is free of charge. Unless someone lives not far away and would be willing to donate some square footage for a bunch of tired jeepers. This gives the advantage of being on-site early in the morning to get the maximum run-time for your money, which will be $25 if you're a member, $35 if you're not, and $5 if you're a passenger.

Sunday the 7th, we run at Rausch, until 4 PM or whenever they kick us out, then we have a group photo session, maybe a parting dinner, and we go our seperate ways to report back here how awesome it was and how everyone else is lame for having not gone.

That's my suggestion. Please alter it as you wish.

graemlins/icon_beerchug.gif graemlins/jeepincom2.gif

[97XJ_95YJ]

I would be up for some wheelin at Shamokin on the 6th. The RC trip would be out for me, but Shamokin sounds good. As long as you guys don't mind a little YJ tagging along. icon_smile_big.gif

[Vetteboy]

Nope, not at all. Bring whatever ya got and I'm sure you'll have fun in it.

The rest of yous guys...well? Y'all wanted a date, and I put one out there. Any takers?

[ncGPgrl]

Mel...
If your driving up there you have to pretty much go right by raleigh on 85...come scoop me up...it will be a blast!

[phillyzj]

Are you ladies acctually thinking of coming up? i think it's awesome if you are i'd really like to meet you. I hope you do make it up, it should be some good wheeling.

I'm trying to figure out what i can do. It depends on how much work i get done in the next few weeks on my rig, hopefully i'll be ready for at least one day.

[ncGPgrl]

well we'll see how the whole work school thing goes for the next few weeks...i'm already taking off the weekend of the 26th so we'll see whatelse they'll gimme...but i would love to!

Gotta see if mel do the same with work and school, i'm not coming without her!

[JeepsR4Girls2]

Originally posted by ncGPgrl:
well we'll see how the whole work school thing goes for the next few weeks...i'm already taking off the weekend of the 26th so we'll see whatelse they'll gimme...but i would love to!

Gotta see if mel do the same with work and school, i'm not coming without her! WOOHOOO!!! I'm so up for it, but like Vikki, I have to see about work and school.. I'm already takin off a lot of time to go skiing and to some concerts in ATL.. But I am sure as hell gonna try my hardest!! So hell yeah Vikki, if I'm going you're definitely going with me!!!!
________
mac games (http://macgame.org)

[ncGPgrl]

rock and roll

[phillyzj]

I understand the taking off thing, well i don't have a job right, i kind of lost my last one because i wanted to wheeling... but i have tons of school work, and that weekend is getting close to finals. It's also my birthday weekend but i'll definately try and make it for at least a day trip.

[wrink99]

I just read this thread. I already have taken off work for the saturday of the 6th, I was planning on running both days at paragon since that's the weekend of their monthly open ride but think I would definitly enjoy getting to meet some people from jeepin.com instead. I'm up for whatever(within the level of my jeep). I have a 99xj with a 4in trailmaster lift and arb front bumper and that's it. I'll keep watching for updates feel free to pm me if there's something I need to know

[phillyzj]

sounds like you're right in there capability wise, hope you can make it.

[JennyX]

So I should plan on Shamokin on the 6th? Who all is in?

If this run doesn't work out for some reason, I'm gonna head over to Paragon that day.

[ February 19, 2004, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: JennyX ]

[Vetteboy]

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'll be there most likely, but it would really help to have someone who knows the place too.

I'd like to know also about Rausch on the 7th, because you need to call ahead and tell them that you're planning on being there.

[capengoggles]

graemlins/thumbsup.gif I think I should be able to make for the shamokin run, if ya don't mind another YJ tagging along. icon_smile_big.gif

[pawoodwagon]

Myself and some others are going to run at Rausch Creek on the 6th and then meet up with all ya guys to run Rausch on the 7th as well! graemlins/icon_beerchug.gif

[97XJ_95YJ]

So whats the deal...this thing still on or does no one want to play on the 6th and 7th?

graemlins/driving.gif

[MeWantSnow]

6th and 7th are fine for me...so now what's the itinerary? Rausch Creek, Shamokin, Paragon?

My suggestion would be wheel at Paragon on the 6th. It's their monthly run...it should'nt be too crowded, becuase it's still very early in the season, and paragon would be a very easy place to meet up with everyone. We should have no problem getting us all into the same group. There's a campground very close to Paragon. Camping there is $10 per night, per person in the group sites. Then on Sunday morning, we can head on the road to Shamokin for some lighter wheeling. There are no fees at Shamokin...it's open wheeling. I know the area pretty well, and will be more than willing to lead the group around.

So that's my suggestion....if it happens or not, I think I'm still going to head on up to Paragon on the 6th, and take it from there.

Sound good??????????

Rich

[JennyX]

Oh my gosh this just keeps getting more confusing! My vote is for Shamokin on the 6th because it is FREE. I can't go wheeling on the 7th, just the 6th. Paragon and Rausch Creek sound great too, but are $35. I will come to any place but my vote is Shamokin. And that is IF we have someone who knows Shamokin well enough to lead us around...

[MeWantSnow]

Shamokin is fine with me on the 6th. I know my way around there pretty well, so getting around won't be a problem. I can do Shamokin on Sat, then go to Paragon on the 7th.

haha...maybee we should just set this in stone right now, because too many options, makes people (including myself) go a little nuts :)

[Spyder041]

id be in for some local wheelin...but not outta state, cuz im kinda "grounded" from wheelin for a while.. graemlins/iono.gif

[97XJ_95YJ]

MeWantSnow and Jenny X...Shamokin on the 6th sounds good to me. I'm up for that as long as you know your way around. I've never been there before. Keep in mind, I'll be running a YJ with 1.5 inch shackle lift and 31" tires so no hard-core stuff for me.

Where are we going to meet and when?

Who else is in with us?

[MeWantSnow]

You'll do just find in Shamokin....it's alot of coal roads with some harder stuff being small loops off the main access roads...meaning you don't have to take anything you're not comfortable with and still stay with the group :) I know my way around there pretty well, so we should be able to occupy the day no problem. I know a pretty good meeting spot...I just have to look at a map again and get specific directions for everyone, then I'll post all the information.

[97XJ_95YJ]

Originally posted by MeWantSnow:
You'll do just find in Shamokin....it's alot of coal roads with some harder stuff being small loops off the main access roads...meaning you don't have to take anything you're not comfortable with and still stay with the group :) I know my way around there pretty well, so we should be able to occupy the day no problem. I know a pretty good meeting spot...I just have to look at a map again and get specific directions for everyone, then I'll post all the information. Sounds good. Just let me know when and where to meet. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[XJ Fanatic]

yeah i vote shamokin on sat. its free!!!

[MeWantSnow]

Here's a small video of Shamokin that my Xterra fiends made 2 weeks ago. Ready for some snow????

Shamokin Video (http://www.pantlessproductions.com/DX/pilot1.mov)