ANF Ride Report

ANF Ride 2-5-11 ATV Traction http://atvtraction.org/ They have been having trouble with website

Timberline Trail Head

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/atv_trails/

I drove to my buddy Pat’s house Friday night “68 mi.” Loaded his machine, then we left at 6:30 AM for ANF, another 100 mi. Stopped at Russell City 8:30 for ANF permits ($35) then a few mi. to Timberline Trail Head. Parking lot plowed but all ice, unload & put on warm clothes & boots. We hooked up with a group & less than a mi. we came across this RZR that lost control & was partially off the trail downhill, got him pulled & winched back up. Snow was deep with ice underneath & a light crust, with 2 tracks, just like riding RR tracks, if you got in the deep edges you really were thrown. Fenders dragging & hi- centering, bottoming out a lot, if you got off trail you had trouble going.
We had about 10 or 12 in our group & the first hill we tried was short but steep, narrow & icy, the first guy made it, no trouble, the second guy decided to direct traffic, the third guy on an Arctic Cat, stock tires, tried & couldn’t make it & locked up all 4 wheels & came sliding back down crashing into my “Warn Bumper”, no damage, he tried 3 more times, the same results. They got him off to the side, then it was my turn, it was really slick now & I had reservations about making it but had no trouble at all, my buddy Pat has a Honda 4x4 02 Rancher ES, stock tires & he also made it with no trouble then few more guys made it & the rest turned around & when back to an easier way. It was a good thing the guy on the Cat turned back because a little farther up the trail were steeper & rougher hills, We rode till 11:30 & started back to the parking lot for lunch, everyone was to bring a dish. No sooner started back & it started an icy rain, glasses & goggles iced up & we had to take them off, ice all over helmets & clothes. Also we were farther away than we thought, made it back about 1 Pm & had to wait on some of the others before starting lunch. In the mean time this ANF worker in a tool truck stopped to talk, he said this summer they had bricked the hillclimb at the bike trail & installed new drain pipe & made other improvements, too much slit getting into the creeks. Then this enforcement Ranger in a patrol car came by & said there were a lot of wrecks on the highway so try & not leave for awhile. Both were very friendly
Finally lunch, we had 3 tables full of very good food & lots of deserts. Everything was so good, I had to make a second trip. We just finished eating & cleaning up & were getting ready to go back out on the trails & it started pouring rain. Pat & I jump in my truck, but some loaded up in the rain. We waited till the rain stopped “20 min” then loaded up & got out of our riding clothes & boots. We left at 3 pm. I was worried about road conditions but it had warmed up to 35 degrees, just wet roads on the way home, about 150 mi. trip for me. We had a very good time even though the weather & trail conditions were lousy.
I have buddy Pat talked into a trip to H-M this Spring. This is his first true trail riding experience, he only used his Honda for snow plowing & a little hunting

A few pictures didn't take many

https://picasaweb.google.com/Grizzly716/20110206ANF?authkey=Gv1sRgCOLhjLnu38Go7QE#

Looks like a good time was had by all Thanks for sharing

Thanks for the ride report.
Rain isn't bad when the temp is up, but in the cold...that stinks!!
That slick ice on top of snow is not fun to ride in.
We experienced that last year at Michaux and I almost ran into RadRed44 because it was difficult to get out of the single set of tracks in the snow.
The snow does look pretty and at least you had a good buffet and stayed safe!

Snow is always niceto ride in, but the ice can get a little old after a while.

Nice report! Sounds like a plan for a future ride (when it's warmer, though!) How much hassle was it getting the permits?

No trouble for my Buddy & I, we are Pa. Paid $35 each for an annual permit, registration & Insurance infor. You can also buy a Day Pass for $10

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/atv_trails/ all infor. should be here

Their are different Trails, some connect, The Marienville/Timberline ATV/Bike Trail is a system of 76.3 miles of interconnecting trails traversing scenic, forested hills of the Marienville District of the Allegheny National Forest. The trails are designed for the enjoyment of ATV and motorbike riders of intermediate and expert skill levels. The trail seasons run from the Friday before Memorial Day to the last Sunday in September; and December 20 to April 1 ("ATV Trail Area" only).

Please call ahead for current conditions 814-927-5700. Inclement wet weather may cause the trails to close on short notice.

I have seen the trails close quick if their is a thaw or heavy rains

Were are you located Come on over after the snow & ice thaw or better yet in the Summer

Camping is permitted along the trail as long as your equipment does not block the trail. There is limited space for camping at the FR 401, FR 395, FR 521 and Timberline Trailheads. Camping is not permitted at the Marienville and Pigs Ear Trailheads.

FR is Forest Road, FR 401, FR 395, FR 521 and Timberline Trailheads. I see Camping Trailers etc along a lot of roads, even the Main Road Rt#66 at timber loading area’s not in use, sanitation is the big thing, some people dump their tanks. Some of my Buddies camp in trailers in Hunting season

A Lodge & Campground very near on rt#66 http://www.theforestlodge.net/camping.htm

Nice report and pics Grizz. I've always wondered what those trails were like in the winter. I recognize the pipeline picture. Also recogninze the stream crossing with the bridge, that's one of break stops. Timberline is the trailhead we always park at.

Good Info, Thanks Grizz