OFF ROAD ADVENTURES OF THE FAT BALD WHITE GUY - Hurricane Creek

PART ONE:

In January 2023 after waiting 694 days, the Fat Bald White Guy took delivery of a Ford Bronco Wildtrak...that we named "da Bronk"...it is a fantastically engineered off road vehicle..."smarter than a fifth grader"...and one fun drive. A trip to one of the best off road trails in the Great Smoky Mountains provided yet another adventure for the Fat Bald White Guy and his Faithful Hiking Compainion. We took our first solo trip to Hurricane Creek near the North Carolina/Tennesse border just off Interstate 40.

There are many videos on You Tube detailing the trail but the most important thing to know is how to get there. Hurricane Creek is a forest road that is off the right of way of a busy Interstate 40 at milepost 8. You should stop at the Haywood County Rest Area at Milepost 10...there are no rest rooms on Hurricane Creek. Look for the exit sign for Harmon Den Road. Just past that sign the guardrail ends and the road intersects with I-40 at that point. So as soon as you see the sign, get off onto the safety lane and slow down to a near stop. Check out the You Tube videos before you go. Hurricane Creek Road Entrance

The road is a generally unimproved forest road, not quite a logging trail but close. A narrow one lane road with the mountain on one side and the creek on the other. We visited just after a summer thunderstorm and the road bed was muddy but very passable and surprisingly solid. The initial part of the road takes you through some cabin areas. Don't stop there and air down as there is a better place up the trail.

The trail narrowed after leaving the cabin area and soon we encountered the first creek crossing. Right next to the trail at this point is a large camp site. There is plenty of room there to air down and get out and take a few pictures.

Fording the creek is a rite of passage for newbies on the Hurricane Creek Trail...we documented it filming the trail cam....woo hoo!

The trail generally follows the creek and is a rocky path but not very technical. The scenery is simply incredible. Birds, flowers, the roar of the creek, it is a very serene and calming ride.

At the second water crossing my Faithful Co-Pilot waded the creek to get a picture of Bronk fording the creek and she got a great video that could be a Ford Commercial.

Traveling up the trail, it became more technical and on the trail camera became invaluable. To be able to know where your tires are going and to see across the hood, there was no need for a spotter.

At this point, the rail sloped severely toward the creek which was about 30 feet below the road. The tree blocked the trail and forced a dangerous and narrow approach. Thanks to some trail instruction from a you tuber I understood the correct approach and Bronk was a beast. Watch the video...and understand I was holding my breath the whole time.

We made a wrong turn on the trail and ended up traveling up a very steep and more technical trail. We went right when we should have gone left. We ended up on the other side of the mountain at Bear Wallow Gap when we intended to be at Max Patch Gap. But nevertheless, it was great fun.

And of course, we found the bus! The most identifiable feature of Hurricane Creek Trail is the iconic abandoned school bus campsite.

Taking a scenic route through Bear Gap and back to I-40 then up the Harmon Den Forest Road, we made out way to out ulitmate destination Max Patch...the top of a bald with a 360 degree view! But along the way saw some neat scenery

Lots of folks on You Tube have more descriptive reviews of Hurricane Creek and are more experienced off roaders than the FBWG. Nevertheless, I have my opinion...what a great trail but not for the faint of heart. The trail is manageable with the right equipment. Bronk sits on 35" tires and is engineered to do this kind of off roading. Even so, there are a few very technical approaches which most off roaders can manage.

The access is convenient but challenging. The trail is narrow and a short wheel base vehicle has an advantage for sure. The water crossings are fun but not very difficult. A rookie off roader like the FBWG made it by himself...of course we know that the Good Lord looks after drunks, fools and fat bald white guys!

If you have an off road itch about you this is one fantastic trail...and the payoff is that it is just a more interesting way to get to Max Patch our ultimate destination for the day!