Group Ride 9/14/2024

It’s been too long since I have last been to TWRA area of Jellico & Tackett Creek. The place is awesome and I can’t let the amount of time that has passed since I have last been there happen again.

I had warned everyone that this was going to be a big ride planned for 115 miles and that more than likely we wouldn’t be getting back until it was dark. Well, that didn’t scare off a few individuals and we had us a ride all planned out.

We started our venture from Pioneer, TN and headed towards Jellico. Once in Jellico heading up to Primroy everything was just as I had remembered it. I always tell everyone going up that trail was like watching something in Jurassic Park. Our first stop was at the overhang which is just awesome and just a little challenging getting up there.

Next stop was the famous Primroy Natural Arch. It is very large and awesome. Pam & Nicole couldn’t help themselves but to go on top of it. There is also some awesome rock faces a little further down that we walked over to.

We were off to the caves next, last time I was there you could drive right into them, but it is foot traffic only now. I told everyone that it was very said that they weren’t going to get to do one of the most fun obstacles the V Notch Rock since they covered it with dirt. But I’m sure it will wear down and be back one day.

We arrived at the caves, and everyone was snipping photos like no other as it’s so amazing. Then one of them recognized the many natural arch as well. A great spot to see most definitely. Tammy has a thing for centipedes, so she was very excited to see one on the cave wall. On another note, the same trash can was there from years ago and it still had the original Indiana SxS sticker my youngest daughter Addie put on it several years ago.

We were off to our next stop the Jellico overlook. You just look out over the mountains as far as you can see with amazement. It’s an awesome spot that I never rush away from. Thanks to Leon Booth for showing me this overlook many years ago.

Now it was time to attempt one of my favorite trails out there the Frakes Mountain Trail. It’s very cool as it runs along the peak of a mountain ridge and when there are no leaves you have a 360 degree view of a constant overlook.

Heading over the ridge there was a mudhole that I easily avoided. I looked back because you never know with Terry Lynch but to my surprise, I see Casey & Nicole Snider lining up for it with Terry behind them. There Casey goes with Nicole screaming and then Tammy Arbuckle joining in as she was getting mud thrown on her sitting in her machine like a sitting duck with no wings. Terry Lynch quickly backed up and didn’t attempt it. Once Casey winched himself out, we were on our way.

We made it to the overhang and parked are machines together for a photo op and a little break. Pam & James thinks the cave up on the hill is directly across the overhang. But by the time they spotted it they had already had all the exercise needed.

From here on out for the rest of the Frakes Mountain Trail it seems to have more and more technical obstacles that everyone loved. I remember getting through one and then coming around the corner and someone saying “Holy Crap” as it was bigger and better then the last. I told everyone that the trail would be like the technical ones I took them through at Hollerwood. When I asked how it compared James & Casey said Hollerwood is nothing compared to this, :).

We finished Frakes Mountain Trail and came out at Frakes, KY. Everyone I could tell was getting tired, but we still have Slate Rock, Tacket Creek Cabin, and Mclean Overlook I told them, so we were off to Slate Rock.

Upon our journey I come around this little road with a truck blocking it with hillside to the side with all kinds of dumped trash and that’s what they were doing. It is very sad as it’s the most beautiful country and I almost puked going off the road to the left of the truck to go around and the stench was just so horrible. Next at the end of this road was a lady that never made eye contact with a bunch of dogs, it was really, really weird!!!

We arrived at Slate Rock and I told James that it was way more intimidating in person than videos and photos and that I doubt he would do it. When we arrived his and everyone else’s jaw dropped to the ground. It is a monster!

Now we are off to the Tacket Creek Cabin. It’s privately owned, and it is getting in worse shape than the other several times I have visited it. But that happens when something becomes so incredibly desirable to be visited in the middle of nowhere. I wish everyone was like us that don’t damage or mess with things but unfortunately, it’s not the world we live in. Everyone loved it and I was reminded off the amazing views from the back porch. Terry Lunch made a comment that getting to Tackett Creek Cabin was the rockiest, roughest trails ever, but at this time everyone is getting tired as well. He might have said something like the worst trail he had ever traversed.

With everyone tired I assured them the last trek of the trip was worth it to the Mclean overlook. Everyone agreed once we arrived and loved it until I informed them that we were going back the way we came. 🙂

One thing to mention at this point I could tell everyone was a little worried about gas and on their last two bars or less and I told them too cross their fingers that Red’s General store is opened, or I would divvy up my 3 gallons of gas in my roto pak with everyone to try and get back.

Reds was open as we arrived and had gas. Everyone fueled up and we were off. Earlier Pam Nott was complaining about me not stopping at the Elk overlook because I told her I looked out in the field as I drove by and there were none. She didn’t like that answer and wanted to see for herself. I told her maybe later as she grumbled on down the trail. Well, I was way ahead of everyone else and there it was and pulled in with the light bar on and the music playing and to my surprise there stood a huge elk. That everyone got to see in person and really finished off the night besides everyone being hungry.

We take off hoping to get to the Blind Frog Cafe by 9 PM. I was going a little fast and didn’t see a tiny, large dip, 🙂 and we went airborne which made Pam really happy! We make it to the Blind Frog a little later then 9 but they still seated us, and we enjoyed several appetizers, Pizza and a few cold beers.

WHAT A TRIP THAT NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET!