2024 Uwharrie Forest Trip Report

I got my 2024 4Runner in mid July 2024. This was my first time taking any vehicle on a 4WD trail. I'm a noob when it comes to 4WD but I wanted document my experience for others interested in trying 4WD for the first time as well as document some information I found on the Uwharrie Forest trails for those interested.

My rig is a 2024 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium with 265/70/R17 Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires and the XP Predator pro step bar. It is unmodified from the factory except for the XP Package with the tires, wheels and step bar installed by Toyota Southeast.

TLDR;
Uwharrie has some novice, moderate and difficult trails. The 4Runner had no issues on the novice or difficult, but the predator step bar caused some clearance issues in spots and needs to be addressed if more clearance is desired. Fun was had by all.

The Uwharrie Forest is located South West of Asheboro, NC and North East of Charlotte. There are trails that range from novice to difficult. The camping spots I researched included Baden Lake Campground which had some nice lake views on a few of the spots, to Arrowhead Campground which had a bit nicer common shower/restroom area than Baden Lake. I ended up in Arrowhead Campground because Baden Lake was fully reserved on the Saturday night I was going to stay.

I stopped at Eldorado Outpost to get a Uwharrie 1 day OHV Pass ($5 / day). Other locations I've read you can get a pass:
Eldorado Outpost (910) 572 3474, 4021 NC Highway 109 North, Troy NC 27371
Mountain Market (910) 572-1213, 3079 NC 109 North, Try NC 27371
Jakes Kwikstop, 1330 Eldorado Street, Try NC 27371
Swift Island, 4560 NC Hwy 27/27W, Mt Gilead, NC

Thursday 9/26/2024 and Friday 9/27/2024 we had lots of rain from Hurricane Helene. I wasn't sure how the condition of the trails would be. I aired down to 25PSI and chose the following trails. I took to the trails on Sunday 9/29/2024. It rained again lightly Saturday night before.

Started at the Wolf Den Trail head, took #89 Wolf Den Trail (Easy) first. Trail was a bit wet, but not slippery. Most of the trail had good drainage.

Turned left on #79 Slab Pile, (Moderate). A bit more challenging with larger rocks and larger and steeper hills. Still good drainage. There were a few spots that as I came over the hills, I had to stop and get out to look because I could not see the path and didn't feel comfortable driving without seeing the path. This was a bit more challenging for me and I had to carefully pick where I was going to avoid the rocks, some downed trees, and some steep hills. The 4Runner was in 4WD low and the Nitto Ridge Grapplers never slipped. Several times going up a hill and the ground looked slippery, but I didn't slip at all. I was really impressed with the 4Runner, there didn't seem to be anything I could throw at it on those trails that it didn't just chug along and keep going without any issue.

There were several spots that the "speed bumps" that are placed on the trail (i.e. high ridges in the trail), that as I went over them, the predetor steps drug over the top and you could hear a scraping noise. The clearance on the stock ORP 4Runner is 9.6" and the bottom of the predator steps is about 10.5", but they still drug in a few spots. If you have the predator steps, be aware they may drag on such a trail.

I took Trail #79 then to #92 Rocky Mountain Loop then to Dutch John Trial Head. That trail was a bit more challenging still, but the 4Runner kept chugging along. After the Dutch John Trail Head I continued on #92 to come out on 553, but that was more challenging still. As I got to the road opening and after coming down a tall hill, there were two downed trees that blocked the exit. Unfortunately I was at the bottom of a large hill with the trail rising up on both sides by about 10', and a very narrow trail, making it very very difficult to turn around at the spot I was. I was a bit concerned because I didn't have enough room to turn around, but very slowly wiggled the 4Runner around and pointed back up the hill. That was the hard part. I thought outloud, I can't believe I came down that hill and now I need to make it back up it, but wasn't sure I would. I just put it in gear and crawled back up it with no issues.

Overall, I was totally impressed with the 4Runner and the Nitto Ridge Grapplers after that heavy rain. There was no spinning or slipping of the tires when engaged going forward. I did have one spot I was moving to avoid a rock and the 4Runner slide sideways about 4-5", but other than that, you would never have known there was any mud based on how it drove.

The trails #79 and #92 say they are rated moderate. OnX says they are a 3/10. Most of it was, but there were were lots of spots that looked very intimidating to me as a first timer. My wife was with me and on one spot she thought we were going to rollover. It didn't seem that way to me, but there were definitely some spots I was challenged and wondering if I was going to ding something on the brand new 4Runner.

The trails I picked were a good way for me to test and understand the limits of the 4Runner and get to know the limits of the vehicle. Other than the clearance of the predator steps, the 4Runner had no issues and I learned a lot.

There are far more complicated "difficult" trails (Dutch John, Daniel, Dickey Bell) and if you search on youtube videos you can see where folks have flipped their 4WD on some of them, so in no way was I ready for a "Difficult" rated trail. OnX rates some of these 8/10.

I only saw a few other 4WD vehicles on the trail, but did see quite a few more side by sides and 4 wheelers.

If your near the Charlotte, Raleigh area, and interested in 4WD, I would recommend the Uwharrie Forest as a good starting point.

A map of the Uwharrie Forest and Trails: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1182108.pdf
Reservations at Badin Lake Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233911
Reservations at ArrowHead Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233910

If you decide to go, I'd suggest researching some videos of the trails you want to take and make sure you're comfortable with what you see. "Moderate" can be a bit tricky for a newbie like me and a wrong turn can take you quickly down some of the more difficult tails.

A video (not mine) of some of the same trails mentioned.
https://youtu.be/1fK1F48Aeks?si=a5MlLV5EGDHBvVcI

A map of the section of trails I look. Refer to the link above for the full map.

 

I'm trying to organize a trip for next month. I've never been, but two others on the trip have been. The three of us did Windrock in TN this past April and had a ball.

 

Thanks for the informative write up, it is definitely on my list as I live in Raleigh. While my wife likes the predator steps (as actual steps since I lifted my truck), your experience confirms for me the need to replace those with actual sliders.

 

Be careful I have seen some examples of predator steps sheared off creating a mess. Rocker panel damage is expensive to repair.

 

Thanks, I may be in the area in February, wondering about snow that time of year.

 

As much as I would like to see some snow here in Raleigh, it probably won't be an issue for you as snow has been pretty sparse the last several years. EDIT: Just noticed that Uwharrie is not open for OHV from January through March, opens back up April 1st.

 

Yuck, I’ll have to do more research, honestly, we really will be happy if we can camp for a day or two, off roading is always the bonus.

 

Depending on where you're planning on camping, wanted to pass on I thought I saw a video where some of the campgrounds they shut off the water in the winter there as well. I don't know exactly the dates. There is also primitive free camping at various spots in the forest as well.

I'd agree snow in February is probably not going to be an issue in that region in NC. Raleigh seems to be right on the snow line. In January we could get snow accumulation North of Raleigh, and South of Raleigh, just a dusting that doesn't stick, or none at all.

 

Thanks, I’ll just need a place to park the runner and open the RTT.

 

Edit, right now the trip depends on some concert tickets, and with the current cleanup, I’m not sure if the tickets will still go on sale next week.