Where's the most scenic places/trails at Windrock

It's time to start thinking/planning for riding Windrock in conjuction with my annual family reunion at the end of June. My grandson & I did one day last year, but this year I'm planning on two days. One day with the Missus introducing her to Windrock (need to sell her on the idea of an annual pass, once we move down South) and another day with my grandson again.

I'm looking for recommendations for the most scenic places to take the Missus, staying on the easy/moderate trails. Overlooks, waterfalls, streams/rivers, and that kind of stuff. Something more than rutted, muddy or rocky trails, or dusty gravel roads, if you know what I mean. The waterfalls would be especially nice...

I'll save the rougher stuff for the second day with my grandson, now that I have more experience with the Rhino. Will still be riding alone, so I don't want to get too carried away.

This time I'll have a GPS at least, so hopefully it will be easier to find some of the trailheads than last year. Can't remember the trail number we were looking for, but it was on the north side, not too far from the highway crossing -- and we NEVER found it. Ended up giving up, turning around and riding the gravel back to the south side...

Has anyone tried the free GPS map for Windrock that can be downloaded at www.gpsfiledepot.com? Right now I don't need Brimstone or Royal Blue, so I'm reluctant to spend $50 to buy the complete set from the guy on the Wndrock ATV club. Maybe once I move south and can ride more there, but not for just one ride a year -- and then them get outdated, as they do so quickly...

Pics from last year's one-day ride:
https://southernsxsriders.forumakers.com/photos-f6/one-day-at-windrock-june-25-2009-t4254.htm

There is a nice waterfall that is just a short walk from where 16 meets a gravel road by a gas well.

24 has a nice overlook and an old dam

I should be able to come show you an overlook in June over on northside that will blow the one on T24 away........if ya want.....might go see the flatts also!

You might want to consider Pickett. That place is unbelievably gorgeous.

The flats is a must. You can also go to Little Fotterstack to view the windmills.

The windrock map from Dan is the best if you ride WR, Royal Blue, Brimestone, and Pickett and is well worth the money but if you do not ride these areas, I would probably pass. If you do get his maps, you will need a memory card for it so because it will overright the maps on your unit.

smith700 wrote:

I should be able to come show you an overlook in June over on northside that will blow the one on T24 away........if ya want.....might go see the flatts also!

May try to take you up on that. A guided tour would save a lot of hassles...

AIRBORNE wrote:

You might want to consider Pickett. That place is unbelievably gorgeous.

Maybe some time later. Right now I want to introduce her to Windrock -- it's only about 45 miles from where we'll be retiring in Walland, straight across the Pelissippi Parkway. The other places are much farther...

Some great suggestions, folks. Thanks! Keep it coming...

Kent,
If i'm lucky enough to be sitting in the parking-lot, It's a great view!!!!!!

KentT wrote:

smith700 wrote:

I should be able to come show you an overlook in June over on northside that will blow the one on T24 away........if ya want.....might go see the flatts also!

May try to take you up on that. A guided tour would save a lot of hassles...

There is one that will take your breath away on the northside.....right next to what we call the "devil's elbow"

smith700 wrote:

There is one that will take your breath away on the northside.....right next to what we call the "devil's elbow"

You are correct about that. I know where you speak. BTW, have you seen Devil's elbow lately? It was pretty nasty as of 3 weeks ago.

Ya,two weeks ago we were up there and I was locked in 4x4 with the pedal on the floor, but every time we seem to get slung in that HUGE rut on the left side if you are going up it......my whole side of my buggy gets to dragging the side of that bank and it wont go......had to do a little winching

Yup ... it is a skill level or 100 above the beginner level Jeep drivers I was scouting for. In a "normal" Jeep, I am not sure there is a safe way up that rut / rock ledge. I first went up it a few years back, right after it had been dozed and it was smooth, but slippery as grease. i was not sue then that I'd get my Can Am up it ....

how about atomic ridge???? anybody been there i havnt yet

Duke, if you are talking about the atomic ridge above trail 11, then yes I have been on it......it was ALMOST impassible for me on my 700 Grizzly.......but not as bad as Cadillac Hill or the Rail Trail.......Duke, I think they have it closed off now, but if you want to try it, I would like to try it with the Rhino!

i dont know about the rail trail aint that 39 my cuz and those guys saids its imposible in a rhino but theyve all dont it in buggys.

Lduke_01 wrote:

i dont know about the rail trail aint that 39 my cuz and those guys saids its imposible in a rhino but theyve all dont it in buggys.

Yeah, you are not making it out of 39 unless you winch!!!!

Big-R wrote:

Lduke_01 wrote:

i dont know about the rail trail aint that 39 my cuz and those guys saids its imposible in a rhino but theyve all dont it in buggys.

Yeah, you are not making it out of 39 unless you winch!!!!

yeah thats exactly wat they said about taking rhinos id like to go try it on and rhino and i mite borrow my cuzins rock buggy and try it one day 2 ive heard it was rough

KentT wrote:

AIRBORNE wrote:

You might want to consider Pickett. That place is unbelievably gorgeous.

Maybe some time later. Right now I want to introduce her to Windrock -- it's only about 45 miles from where we'll be retiring in Walland, straight across the Pelissippi Parkway. The other places are much farther...

when you guys come down holler at some of us that live close and know it pretty good smith700 knows it good and i think rhino rob is from knoxvill 2 and im just like an hour away we'd have a blast

Lduke_01 wrote:

KentT wrote:

AIRBORNE wrote:

You might want to consider Pickett. That place is unbelievably gorgeous.

Maybe some time later. Right now I want to introduce her to Windrock -- it's only about 45 miles from where we'll be retiring in Walland, straight across the Pelissippi Parkway. The other places are much farther...

when you guys come down holler at some of us that live close and know it pretty good smith700 knows it good and i think rhino rob is from knoxvill 2 and im just like an hour away we'd have a blast

Tentatively, I'm looking at June 21th and 22th for Windrock... sadly that's during the week (Monday & Tuesday) because I have to spend the weekends driving to and from. I'll have to play it by ear, depending on weather, because I need to put in a couple full days working on my lot in Walland, bush-hogging, weed-whacking, etc.

My family reunion is Saturday the 26th -- I'll be loaded up then, go to it, then start the 900 mile drive back to the socialist state of Massachusetts. That's a long drive, towing, somewhere between 16-18 hours (road time) usually. My poor trailer must have around 20,000 miles on it by now, and it's a 2004 model...

Kent, I can show you around up there on the 21st or the 22nd. But be prepared for riding some gravel on our way to the northside!

smith700 wrote:

Kent, I can show you around up there on the 21st or the 22nd. But be prepared for riding some gravel on our way to the northside!

Corey, I think I'll take you up on your offer, if you can still do it.

Let's plan on the 22nd, unless there's an Andy Griffith gully-washing, frog-strangler going on...

Anyone else who can make it is also invited, and would make it even nicer. I wish I was close enough to be riding there with you guys on the upcoming trip.

TTT

Corey, do you think you can do the 22nd?

I kinda like the view out of that big ditch on trail 56.