Appalachian Mountains and Valley - Experiences East of the Mississippi

[TSO_NJ]

I don't understand how or why but once in a while the planets, moons, and stars align to a specific focal point.

The honest comment by @Wellspring was the start of the trajectory from the focal point: "East of the Mississippi has as many interesting places to travel to, and explore, it's just that nobody really covers the topics of places to travel to in the eastern part of the US as much as the publicity and number of published stories and YouTube exposure of the places to go to and visit west of the Mississippi West."

Overland Expo East 2022 "You know what we need to do next year is...."

Well said @Wellspring! It would be kind of cool if those of us that got to meet each other could plan a get together central to our locations in the Spring. Looking at Google Earth, Mount Cheaha in NE Alabama would be a pretty central place or even Cloudland Canyon in NW Georgia. I looked and it...

www.overlandbound.com

Hence, the reason for this "thread", created to be one of several ways to "showcase" the "overland experiences" in the "Appalachian Mountains and Valley" found within the U.S. East ("... covers the topics of places to travel to in the eastern part of the US ...").

Personally, soon after becoming member 29853 I found posts by @DevilDodge and @Xplorr313. I learned a lot from their posts about a few overland experiences available within a day's drive from home. The posts were also the catalyst for an appetite to begin a deeper and comprehensive inquiry into the overland opportunities available east of the Mississippi.

Hindsight? The "Appalachian Mountains and Valley" is only one of several topographical regions available east of the Mississippi River. Numerous square miles ready to explore .

 

[TSO_NJ]

LINKS:

1. DevilDodge Threads
2. Tri State Overland
3. The Appalachian Byway
4. Mountain State Overland
5. Pennsylvania Forest Adventurer 2022 by @DevilDodge

 

[nuclear_runner]

I was just out in the GWNF this weekend (Ridge and Valley Appalachian mountains) and frankly I was quite impressed with how much dispersed camping/fun trails there were. I know you can't go for 150 miles on trail on the east coast but I think there are plenty of good opportunities for adventure. I'll check out these vids for inspiration, I have been looking at doing a 2ish week trip through VA, NC, TN and back up through WV. I think the biggest downside is due to the freeze/thaw cycle here, they do close a lot (but not all!) of the good FS roads for a few months in the winter.

 

[Carnage_95YJ]

I was just out in the GWNF this weekend (Ridge and Valley Appalachian mountains) and frankly I was quite impressed with how much dispersed camping/fun trails there were. I know you can't go for 150 miles on trail on the east coast but I think there are plenty of good opportunities for adventure. I'll check out these vids for inspiration, I have been looking at doing a 2ish week trip through VA, NC, TN and back up through WV. I think the biggest downside is due to the freeze/thaw cycle here, they do close a lot (but not all!) of the good FS roads for a few months in the winter.

Sounds like a good time!

 

[nuclear_runner]

Sounds like a good time!

It was, I should maybe try and see if others on here want to join sometime...

 

[OVRLDZL]

I would go, bit cold would seem at the moment though

 

[DevilDodge]

I never knew PA lacked for wilderness or off pavement travel until I started reading these type forums.

I have never wanted to travel out west, Do want to see Wyoming, so maybe I am jaded. But there is so much to offer in PA. Plenty of off pavement travel and free dispersed camping. After spending 40+ years just driving around...i finally started plotting out routes and campsites...i could be gone for months if I wanted to.

So here are some screen shots of PA wilderness and popular out west areas. Same zoom level.

They look pretty similar to me...except here in PA...people live in these areas too. So you may see a bit more civilization. And with our rolling hills...you do not get the wide open feel...but some of our vistas give it.

Www.uncoveringPA.com

Www.pabucketlist.com

Thanks for putting this together @NJCoastal

 

[Frdmskr]

I'd also recommend Coddiwomple Overland out of Kentucky. They have some trips through TN and KY that are not too far west of the mountains.

 

[John Bishop]

I've been able to do some exploring of the GW/ Jefferson and Monongahala Forests over the last year and a half. Have absolutely loved it! My goal this year is to get deeper west and south into WV. There is so much to see in this state. I do, however find it frustrating and a bit annoying of how many forest service roads are closed until the start of October hunting seasons.
Being born and raised in western PA, I do want to get up to the Allegheny NF and do some exploring. Never did that as a kid. I think my dad had enough of the outdoors in the south Pacific in WWII.

It is a bucket list item to get out west and do some exploring, but until such time that I can take the required time off from work to make it worthwhile, I'll have to visit vicariously through ewetube videos.

 

[nuclear_runner]

I've been able to do some exploring of the GW/ Jefferson and Monongahala Forests over the last year and a half. Have absolutely loved it! My goal this year is to get deeper west and south into WV. There is so much to see in this state. I do, however find it frustrating and a bit annoying of how many forest service roads are closed until the start of October hunting seasons.
Being born and raised in western PA, I do want to get up to the Allegheny NF and do some exploring. Never did that as a kid. I think my dad had enough of the outdoors in the south Pacific in WWII.

It is a bucket list item to get out west and do some exploring, but until such time that I can take the required time off from work to make it worthwhile, I'll have to visit vicariously through ewetube videos.

LMK if you need company

 

[John Bishop]

I came across this guy's channel awhile ago. He does his exploring via sportbike.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU7w3_MeCRlEfrVc1JWot6g/videos

From what I've seen of his WV based explorations, he likes to run and explore abandoned state and county roads. I have mixed feelings about doing that after an experience I had a few years ago while out with a group. Most of the landowners along these abandoned roads have come to the mindset that the right of way is now part of their property. While legally not so, I'm not one to want to get into a p!$$ing match with some one over that. I really don't want to be potentially shot at. This is WV, after all. lol

 

[DevilDodge]

I came across this guy's channel awhile ago. He does his exploring via sportbike.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU7w3_MeCRlEfrVc1JWot6g/videos

From what I've seen of his WV based explorations, he likes to run and explore abandoned state and county roads. I have mixed feelings about doing that after an experience I had a few years ago while out with a group. Most of the landowners along these abandoned roads have come to the mindset that the right of way is now part of their property. While legally not so, I'm not one to want to get into a p!$$ing match with some one over that. I really don't want to be potentially shot at. This is WV, after all. lol

That is why I like the Purple Lizard Maps. They meet with all of the different land owner types. If a road isnt on their map...you know not to go.

If a road is...and you have a current release...you know you are allowed to be there

 

[nuclear_runner]

Most of the landowners along these abandoned roads have come to the mindset that the right of way is now part of their property. While legally not so, I'm not one to want to get into a p!$$ing match with some one over that. I really don't want to be potentially shot at. This is WV, after all. lol

Hell, I've experienced similar with maintained, state owned gravel roads in Loudoun Co VA while gravel biking.

 

[John Bishop]

Unfortunately, and understandably, PL so far only has maps of the more popular areas in WV.
I don't remember if this guy is here on this forum, but he has some nice looking maps that I keep procrastinating to buy.

Custom Personalized Amateur Ham Radio Maps and Overlanding information

Custom Amateur Radio maps. Personalized Ham Radio maps. Overland Communication Information. Waterproof USGS Topo hiking maps. Azimuthal / Azimuth, Maidehead Gridsquare, FCC Call Sign, and DX Entities maps. Ham Radio reviews. Overland reviews.

axlesandantennas.com

 

[Stormglove]

Does anyone know the guy that used to have the appalachian byway maps? I keep seeing links to it but it appears the site is no more.

I'm trying to go from AL to DC sometime next month and would love to start planning it, but having difficulty finding trail .Gpx outside of the GA traverse that would help. Seems like the byway is what I want but can't find it anywhere. I will say it is my first time trying to do a long haul so a bit overwhelmed on the best place to find info and put it all together. Been researching onx and gaia so far.

 

[Dusther210]

@Stormglove I paid for the Appalachian Byway routes and my wife and I did all sections in PA,NJ and NY. It was almost ALL highway/ populated areas. In fact the route through NJ and NY was the same route we took when we used google maps from the PA/NJ border to Peekskill, NY. I think whoever made the Appalachian Byway is charging people for routes from google maps. To date it’s the only route I was disappointed with (and also the only one I paid for).

 

[DevilDodge]

@Stormglove I paid for the Appalachian Byway routes and my wife and I did all sections in PA,NJ and NY. It was almost ALL highway/ populated areas. In fact the route through NJ and NY was the same route we took when we used google maps from the PA/NJ border to Peekskill, NY. I think whoever made the Appalachian Byway is charging people for routes from google maps. To date it’s the only route I was disappointed with (and also the only one I paid for).

I have not found any of the pay to play routes to be worthwhile. So far I have not paid for any. My favorite part of this hobby is making a route and scouting it. The MABDR is another of those disappointing routes. They missed so much off pavement routes in the area.