CROC

Tellico OHV Area and Trail Map (NC)

*** This trail is closed until further notice.  ***

Here are a couple of maps for the Tellico OHV area of the Nantahalla National Forest located in and around Murphy, NC.

Map courtesy of the Carolina Trail Blazers .  Click here for map

Map courtesy of the Central North Carolina 4x4 Club .  Click here for map

Upper Tellico OHV area.  Click here for map

Map to Tellico OHV area.  Click here for map

Google Map of Tellico area.  Click here for map

{slide=Basic Information}

Tellico ORV Area was donated a couple of decades ago by a logging company and consists of 12 trails of varying lengths and difficulty. The trails consist of rocks, mud, big rocks, ruts, loose rocks, steep hills, rock ledges, a few water crossings, highly eroded dirt "walls" with roots and rocks protruding from the sides (sidewall eaters) and rock gardens. The easy trails can be run with stock vehicles, vehicles that do the medium trails should have 33" tires and a rear locker, the hard trails require 35" tires, front & rear lockers, winch, and a disregard for body damage. Our "hard" trails are quite different than the ones out west; with they're near perfect traction. More times than not, you'll find the trails at Tellico to be wet with several of the hardest obstacles have seeping springs located right at the base of them. Ultra low gears are not needed here and sometimes hurt more than they help, as wheel spin is required to clean the tires and heat up the rubber in hopes that they will stick to the wet rocks. You will see a lot of local rigs here with 300 horsepower and tires in the 40"+ range. These big rigs (locally called hybrids or cab trucks) are what keep our trails interesting. When they "hammer down" they tend to move large quantities of rock and dirt, so the trails are in a constant state of change. Therefore, the "line" that worked for you on your last trip, may not be the correct approach the next time out. That's what makes this place such a hoot to ride.it's always changing!

Speaking of change, the trail ratings that you find on the Forest Service maps were put there several years ago and do not accurately portray the conditions that are now prevalent. The following ratings are based on our observations and recent experience.

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{slide=Directions}

Directions from Murphy, NC

Take Tennessee St in downtown Murphy north across the bridge where it becomes Joe Brown Hwy (NC 1326). Follow Joe Brown Hwy 2.8 miles to the flashing caution light at Beaverdam Road. It comes up fast! Turn RIGHT onto Beaverdam Rd. and proceed 5.5 miles to Davis Creek Rd. Turn RIGHT onto Davis Creek Rd and follow it about 5 miles it to where it becomes Trail 1 (Forest Road 420-1) at Allen Gap. Stay on Trail 1 to get to State Line Campground. There are fee stations for the OHV area on Trail 1 at Allen Gap and just inside NC near the head of Trail 6.

Directions from Tellico Plains, TN

If you are in Tellico Plains, you are at or near the intersection of TN 68 and TN 165 (Cherohala Skyway). Turn onto TN 165 and proceed to the River Road (FR 420-1). Turn RIGHT onto River Road. The signs are marked Tellico Ranger Station, Bald River Falls, Tellico Hatchery, and Green Cove. Make no turns until you come to State Line Campground and you're there. You'll know you're right if you pass the Green Cove Motel and Store and the Tellico Lodge Store on the way in. OHV area fees are currently $5.00 per day or $30.00 per year.

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{slide=Phone Numbers}

USDA Forest Service - Nantahala National Forest 828-837-5152

Upper Tellico District Ranger 423 253-2520

Cherokee County Sheriff's Department 828 837-2589

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{slide=Trail Legends}

Trails are rated from 1(easiest) to 10 (most difficult). Keep in mind that rain or snow can increase the ratings at Tellico by two to three points.

1-3 feature trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, some of these trails may not require the continual use of four-wheel drive (4WD).

4-7 trails are moderately demanding and require 4WD. You may encounter a wide variety of challenges, including mud holes, boulders, and stream crossings.

8-9 ratings indicate that the likelihood of getting stuck is considerably higher. Mud holes here may be deep and rock climbing will be more arduous. There is a chance for parts breakage and body damage on these trails.

10 is reserved for the rocky, off-camber, most difficult obstacles. Rollovers, breakage and body damage is to be expected here

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{slide=Trail Ratings}

Trail #1. Rated Easiest. We agree and give this one a 1. This is the rough dirt road running through ORV area from NC to TN. Even though this is the easiest trail in the ORV area, you still need to pay close attention while driving. One weekend last year (2000) in Sept., two different vehicles ran off the side and rolled down the mountain. It is very steep with nothing to stop you, except a tree if you're lucky.

Trail #2. Rated Moderate. Definately WRONG! The bottom of 2 is known as the "Rock Garden" and is a solid 8-9 with a couple of real nasty ledges. Which ledge is the toughest depends on what the weather has been and how much traffic the trail has had. Due to erosion and rocks being moved (or stacked) it's hard to say which ledge you'll have the most difficulty with. Be assured though, both are fun! This was the site of SFWDA's Rock Crawling contest during the 2000 Dixie Run, and none of the BIG DOGS completed the course without winching. The upper part of 2 is known as the "Bobsled Run" and is a 7-8. Trail 2 is arguably the "Most Difficult" trail now at Tellico.

Trail #3. Rated Moderate. We believe that it's easier and give it a rating of 2-3. Trail 3 offers a nice view of the bottom of Trail 12 and the backside of Trail 11.

Trail #4. Rated Easiest. We disagree and give it a 4. It has a nice creek crossing and connects to Trail 6; together they run across the entire area and are used to access most other trails.

Trail #5. Rated Moderate. Challenging level 5&6 with some ledges and rocks. The creek crossing that used to be known as "Rough Crossing" has had the obstacles removed that made it a challenge. A bridge is also going to be built across it to reduce the amount of sediment washed into the stream.

Trail #6. Rated Most Difficult. Interesting fun trail, but definitely not in the same league as Lower 2, 9, 11, or 12. It's more of a hard moderate and we rate it a 6-7 going up and a 5-6 coming down.

Trail #7. Rated Moderate. Most of the trail is an easy 2-3 with the exception of one big rock ledge that is a 7-8 and has been the scene of many rollovers. This ledge used to be pretty much impassable to all but the those with extra long wheelbases. However, some recent "trail work" has been performed here and now shorter vehicles can navigate it. Trail 7 is also known as "Peckerwood".

Trail #8. Rated Moderate. We agree and give it a 4-5. Very nice loop trail with some loose rocks that provide excitement.

Trail #9. Rated Most Difficult. Known as "Hard Rock" going up and "Slick Rock" coming down, either way, this trail provides plenty of excitement. The approach to the rock runs right up a creek bed with lots of big, loose muddy boulders that get shifted around each time someone goes up. Steering linkage damage and tires coming off the rim happen quite frequently here. There is no getting around Hard Rock, so when you reach this point on Trail 9 you are committed. The rock has a very smooth surface, is about two stories tall, and has a natural spring at the base to ensure that it's always muddy and wet. There are three lines that can be taken to ascend the rock, you can hang either far left for the easiest approach; far right and it will be an 8-9 climb, or you can attempt the middle and take your chances! This is a favorite place for the locals to gather and watch the show and rollovers are quite common. The fun is not over when you get to the top of Hard Rock either, as there is still a couple of good ledges awaiting you before you run into Trail 8.