Most Challenging Off-road--Old House Gap Road in Pisgah National Forest

[@justinsmith623]

I live on Clarks Chapel Rd in Gamewell and these are my stomping grounds as well. Love fishing on Wilson’s Creek and hitting the trails in my Rubicon. This is truly God’s country. Those 828 roots go deep. Great video and hope to see you out and about.

[@dznmodsparrish]

I love how you brought history into the video i never knew we were fighting cherokee indians in 1976 that was 2 years before i was born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kiltedoverland4551]

Looking forward to spending some time there. Thanks for the great trip video!

[@operationcontingency]

Enjoy it Bruce. It’s a fun trail.

[@skeeburton3360]

Like vid and history report well done

[@jcreeker5581]

Fun trail. Maybe closing soon for some maintenance. And, thx for the background information

[@CharlesPiccolaPhotography]

Good vid...looks like a bumpy ride...but a good one....

[@SpartanOverland]

Awesome! Old House Gap is a favorite of ours, go after a heavy rain and it can be pretty difficult. We recently took a lifted Subaru Crosstrek down that trail (video coming soon).

[@operationcontingency]

Oh man, can’t wait to see that! Do post back when you’ve got it loaded!

[@stavid7870]

That sounds interesting !

[@appalachhaun_adventures]

I’m herding this trail is closed now?

[@SpartanOverland]

It is closed. Likely won't open back up to vehicles.

[@Bruiserthelandcruiser]

This is a fun trail! Did it during a Mtn to Sea overlanding trip.

[@austinbrackney1752]

In the last 20 years, USFS has closed nearly all of Pisgah’s unimproved trails after even a single incident where someone gets stuck, hurt, starts a fire, does a donut, litters, or in any way requires the rangers to get involved. This is one of the very last unimproved trails left that isn’t gated. It’s just a bumpy little trail next to a creek that connects two established FSR’s. If you want a place to send it, please take it to Brown Mountain OHV which is literally 4mi.’s away. Better yet, Windrock to the NW, Patriot to the N, or Uwharrie to the SE. If you want an overland route, this is an underwhelming trail. Best to check the ADV forums for Nantahala NF or the Georgia Traverse.

[@operationcontingency]

Austin, I agree completely. Living in Pisgah I respect and appreciate all it has to offer. Hell it bothers me when I see people tearing through mud holes that have formed on the side or even speeding on FSR. Most don’t know there are speed limits on them. If you don’t know, go do the research. Thanks for taking time to share and we completely agree....go “send it” at a place that doesn’t mind you destroying their land.

[@jonmr1]

This comment should be at the top. Some of the best info I've seen about NC forest service roads on KZbin. I'm gonna loose my shit if I see one more person raising hell on roads like old NC 105

[@armyretired28]

The National Parks Forest service closed down the Old House Gap road last year and probably never open it back up to vehicles again! That's what a Ranger told me when I was there last fall!

[@liammcmahoniscool]

Sucks to hear they closed this. We used to hit this up in high school all the time in all sorts of vehicles we shouldn’t have ha.

[@stevebooth4663]

I did Maple Grove Church road a few years ago (between Blowing Rock/Globe and Adako/Colletsville). This looks like its in the area. Such a beautiful area.

[@operationcontingency]

I’ll have to check that out Steve. I love about 20 miles south of Boone!

[@jonmr1]

90 to Roseboro to Old House Gap. When you turned left the road straight ahead was 90/Edgemont. Hours of dirt roads to ride in that area.

[@GuerillaJib]

Do you have a map of the route you took. I am look on a map but want to make sure I take the right route

[@operationcontingency]

The road has been closed now for a couple years.

[@WEEKENDWNDR3RS]

Awesome video! Thinking about taking my lifted Forester up this trail at the end of the month! Is it still open? And are there any dispersed camping sites on it that you came across?

[@willrobinson6866]

Looks to be closed. Not sure if reopened or not :/ www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=66849

[@WEEKENDWNDR3RS]

@@MrIBBeats that’s sick!! Yea definitely

[@nc_mtbmedic1399]

Looking at going out there mon-thurs. Any updates on this road? I know it's a long shot

[@greyhounds72]

Just found your channel. As soon as you mentioned born, raised, and love NC... I knew I was in the right spot haha! I'm hitting Old House Gap with some buddies in a couple weeks and really looking forward to it now! Out of curiosity, what suspension and tires are you running?

[@greyhounds72]

Sorry... got excited and started commenting before I finished the video lol. Heard the part about the lift.

[@operationcontingency]

3" Toytec Boss Coilover Lift with 200lb Constant Load Rear Springs and Bump Stop Extensions, 275/70/17 BFG KO2 Tires. You’ll enjoy the trail. It’s a tight squeeze and if they haven’t done any clearing you might get a few trail pinstripes!! What part of NC are you in? I live right at Lake James but grew up in Salisbury and lived in Wake and Harnett co too.

[@greyhounds72]

Operation Contingency Awesome! I’m on about a 2”/1” lift with 255/80/17 (~33”) tires so I’m thinking I’ll be good! I can live with pinstripes haha. I grew up in Harmony (North end of Iredell Co) so not far at all from Salisbury. Now living in Chapel Hill but head out to Western NC often

[@operationcontingency]

Tanner Hedrick I’m right out here, let me know if you ever wanted to hop on a trail together

[@WolfOverland]

Always air down man!! Good voice over history lesson on pisgah! I did not known any of this. Have you done hurricane creek or Charlie’s creek?

[@operationcontingency]

Overlanding Tundra thanks for the kind words. Kinda wondered if the voiceover would go well. We did end up airing down about a minute after I said I thought I would regret it! Good thing. I’ve done hurricane Creek a couple times but haven’t heard of Charlie’s Creek. Is that a pretty good trail? I’ll have to look that one up.

[@WolfOverland]

Operation Contingency it’s one of my favorites. Definitely worth any kinda drive. It’s near Clayton ga.

[@operationcontingency]

I’ll have to check that out.

[@operationcontingency]

eseguero2011 I wouldn’t say super technical. Just smart driving and paying attention to lines depending on your vehicle.

[@operationcontingency]

Overlanding Tundra went to try out Charlie’s Creek this past week. Oh my goodness you weren’t kidding. Such a fun trail and the water crossings were amazing!

[@turbo_lander7301]

So full size truck probably would be too much for this?

[@operationcontingency]

I don’t think a full size would have an issue. Just would need to pick your lines.

[@nc_mtbmedic1399]

Doesn't look like this will open again.

[@PaulKind3d]

Been dying to run this trail. Seems fine for my tundra.

[@danielhemric1754]

hey there. Is this trail posted as ONE WAY? any coordinates for where you got on?

[@operationcontingency]

Daniel Hemric didn’t see it posted as one way and no one came against our flow either. Let me see if I can find gps coordinates for the trail head. I remember it sneaks up on you quickly.

[@operationcontingency]

36.0318724, -81.8032383

[@SpartanOverland]

It isn't one way, but MOST people travel it from the Mortimer side going up to 221. I would say objectively, it's more fun going up vs coming down from 221.

[@Salty_reviews]

Sadly I've heard it's now closed

[@matthlifka6223]

I accidentally went down then had to come back up in a Kia Carnival 6.09.23 thanks Waze for trying to kill my family in the dark after we went to max patch (FA 2250 & 2251) if it’s the same. Sure looks like it. I should be a legend as it was a minivan

[@NoahSham]

So this might sound like a dumb question, but for the time being, instead of buying a proper truck or 4x4 I’ve been thinking about taking my current car camping. How easy are the trails at Pisgah? I’ve got a stock 2005 stock Corolla 🙃

[@lemaitrethemonk]

86500\5 dollars= 17300 acres. Wow

[@crawdaddy14]

The land was "given" to pay for taxes owed after Vanderbilts death.

[@sciontist]

Heard in this video;: “I am 1/8 Cherokee”. Also heard in this video: “Only the Fed can be trusted to care for the land”.

[@operationcontingency]

Both correct. One is a factual statement the other regarding the Feds pertains the the background of the Pisgah National Forest and why the family donated the land to the government. That part is NOT my personal opinion, just a factual statement of history which was the Vanderbilt’s family belief.