Trail to Buzzard Roost - NC Offroading

After seeing the elk and camping in Cataloochee we headed north to explore the area around Buzzard Roost Overlook in Western NC.
Full credit goes to Ian Hicks for shooting a lot of the B-roll and all the drone shots in this video.

[@BibleSamurai]

man, the high view. heart pounding

[@PHM00]

Love the boy in the back seat with his face in a bag of chips with the truck bouncing all over! Funny stuff!!

[@normanacree1635]

I thought it was a barf bag.

[@roblingenfelter4307]

Really enjoying your videos buddy. Been using them to learn where to take my Jeep and Tear drop trailer off grid. Learning a lot. Cheers!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks for following man, and glad the videos are useful!

[@mikeharo6158]

I do the same lmao. I've been looking for new places to take my XK And homemade camper

[@leighdearle5965]

Absolutely epic 😮 That drone flight through the trees was awesome. I would of had sweaty palms if I was the pilot... Beautiful autumn colours coming through 😊

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

That was my brother piloting the drone and it was just one of a few sweaty palm moments on that trip. But boy the shots are worth it! Thanks for following Leigh... you and Steph are our heroes!

[@DomingoRogersNC]

LOL my palms were sweating when you went to the cliff!

[@honusail]

I’m moving up to Flat Rock NC next year and plan on getting a Jeep to explore. Thanks so much for these videos! Great source of info you’re sharing!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Awesome! That was the idea... provide a cache is spots to explore so everyone isn't always going to the same two spots and wearing them out. Just make sure you leave places better then you find them so we can maintain access!

[@nikstone2420]

Thank you Sir, This is an outstanding video. Makes me want to Explore my World.

[@dwp3206]

Another great video! Well done!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks!

[@peterlance3989]

Dude u have a kick ass and really helpful channel. I am based in Durham, NC and your videos are really nice for thinking about and planning trips in this neck of the country.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks man! I'm really glad you are enjoying it, and that it's helpful. I work in Durham, so we live pretty close. I saw you have been to the scales. Awesome place! That has become my family's favorite place to spend a weekend once the weather gets warmer. Do you drive a tacoma? It is hard to tell from just seeing the hood in your videos.

[@peterlance3989]

@@mountainstoseaoverland9855 That's awesome that you are nearby. The Scales is a fun trip. Amazing view. There is a great car camping place nearby and we used that as a base for exploring Mt Rogers. I am currently exploring the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah (the Dirt Dragon and Old NC105 are on my upcoming list). And you have good eyes! I have a 2016 Tacoma. I bought an SR5 4X4 V6 and changed out the suspension (2.5 inch ADS bypass shocks front and rear and medium Dakars), wheels and tires (265/75/16 Ridge Grapplers on SCS Ray 10s), cover (DiamondBack HD) and armored up (RCI Offroad). My next steps will be a regear and locking diff at East Coast Gear Supply, front bumper with winch and a roof rack. If you are ever interested in a trip out, let me know! (plance6 at gmail dot com)

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

@@peterlance3989 Wow, sounds like an awesome setup!

[@w.l.parrish629]

Been going to Buzzards Roost for several years now, Glad I have been up there before all the paint started showing up.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Yeah it stinks that people would feel such liberty to scar places like this :(

[@dylonjennings4700]

Hey is buzzards roost in NC. My daughter loves the dirt roads in Linville gorge and would love to go here but I can’t find any info on it online…

[@PepperDarlington]

I thought Snoopers Rock in Prentice Cooper was tall. This gave me the willies. No way in hell would I even get close to the edge of that perch. Maybe in my 20s when I was a bit more bold but nowadays I'll just watch y'all do it!

[@crawdaddy14]

Your kid chomping in the back is killing me. 😆

[@416Expedition]

Solid video. I’m looking forward to seeing more. 🤙

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks for following man!

[@dukewebb2083]

That's a awesome view that is amazing thanks for the video

[@WolfOverland]

i have driven right by this before not knowing. A few weeks ago we did it again. epic site. my heart stopped and i was shaking when i got half way down and i had to scootch on my butt to the overlook. A MUST for a nice weekend trip!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

That's how I was feeling to, and I'm a rock climber, so heights should be no problem! It was just unexpected and it's not often you see a drop off that's so dramatic.

[@TheRealParrisMims]

Would you mind dropping some gps coordinates?

[@lowrangeoverland9013]

Some breath taking views! Sunset was awesome. Thanks for the ride

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

The mountains really are beautiful... no better place to get out and explore! Thanks for following.

[@kakarote2277]

One of the trails in that area i have yet to explore. The ROOST Looks amazing!

[@billnesbitt8391]

Lol, that kid killing that bag of chips!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Nice catch! The video evidence is irrefutable...

[@itr0863]

your comment about keeping ur boys in the truck was like a weight off my back lol, because i was anxious watching this with my son. i was going to plan a trip to galtlinburg from florida and was going to stop by the roost, but i might skip it now, haha.

[@Outlaw_Media]

Good stuff brother, I just subed to your channel and liked. I am using KZbin to find trails and such that look cool.

[@mustangsally5901]

Fear is something to be listened to. I used to explore water filled caves with a team of four individuals. We always listed to fear, it told you when to turn around or to go on.....if that makes sense. Heights bother me too, not dark and small places:-)

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Right on!

[@shaneoakley8757]

I'm so glad to have found your channel! I have lived in NC all my life and it's very difficult to find all of the good secret backwoods spots. You are documenting some good ones! Are you an Overland Bound member?

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

I am not an Overland Bound member... I prefer to just get out and explore, and there are a ton of great sources of info out there. Glad you are enjoying the channel!

[@shaneoakley8757]

Hehe... I liked your pre edited comment better. 😂 Keep sharing my friend! I'm making my list! Headed to Hanging Rock tomorrow with my wife and kids. Looks like a good weekend.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

@Shane Oakley I was like "okay you have a channel here... you need to be responsible about what you say!" [click delete] I love hanging rock... window falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in NC and has some cool little hidden surprises if you poke around at the base on the left side!

[@DavidPerez-ok5yk]

Mountains to Sea Overland with

[@reidcardwell]

Just found your channel. I've lived in Burlington, NC most of my life, but I just recently got a Jeep Grand Cherokee WK and want to start doing some of this. Great video, just subbed and I'll be checking out your other videos.

[@nickn9600]

Great video! The perch was so cool!! I need to do this with my car haha

[@andrewdanokaras7461]

I've driven my lifted geo metro all over that area lol, I love it!

[@Afrojeeper1701]

That overlook was Epic..I will check it out this weekend for sure.Great video..Im planning to take 9 days and explore all these sites you have video taped...Telling my age I see lol

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Let me know if you figure out a good way to string them together into a somewhat continuous overland route. That would be a fun project.

[@Afrojeeper1701]

@@mountainstoseaoverland9855 I never thought about that..Great idea..I will work on it this weekend..I am sure there's a way.

[@BuilttoVenture]

Awesome man! Right up my style of video.

[@rowdyroadtrip3374]

Nice video!!!! Dig your channel!!! I hope to be overlanding more in NC this summer!!!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks for following!

[@mattreno998]

Great video man! Just caught the bug after going to Uwharrie trails yesterday!

[@dreamwhileyousleep]

Thanks for the ride along. I've been to the Roost several times but never the way you went. Awesome stuff! You missed a cool stretch of gravel just north of the Balsam CG... Heintooga-Round Bottom Rd takes you to Big Cove then Cherokee. I suggest turning left (after Big Cove) on Bunches Creek and going back to the BRP. Love NC backroads!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Cool man, thanks for the heads up! I have Heintooga on my list of roads to explore, but now I can add some detail. I agree... nothing better then seeing what those little lines on the map look like in real life!

[@TheHikeChoseMe]

yup been up there in my outback. it handled it very well.

[@usedkoolaid7474]

I remember before they closed this place up, there was a spot called frame twister and boy was it fenious, more. Than what any normal rig could handle

[@tigerstallion]

the fire-tower has a trailhead on Cataloochee turnpike you drove past. mile-ish hike. Above buzzards roost rd there are some roads, some knardy 4x4 trails, and one of the easier branches is called Tower Rd, and has a radio tower (not to be confused with the much cooler fire-tower). Leave no trash, just tracks :)

[@Maverick9110E]

Just found the channel, living in the triangle this is great!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Excellent... welcome!

[@cartman4241]

Awesome video 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks!

[@w.l.parrish629]

Have been up there when it was snowing....Awesome.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Oh man... add slippery rocks to the mix and that would increase the nervousness factor by quite a bit :/

[@great0789]

Awesome. Just moved to NC. Might stay!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

I hope you enjoy it around here. I love that NC has the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. I hope I never have to leave!

[@jamestaylor9258]

Would love some gps points and waypoints. Sorry to see no more videos!

[@hannahcollins6466]

Heading out there next weekend!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Awesome, you are going to love it!

[@norsefalconer]

What a view! 7:48

[@TCash703]

That kid in the back was smoking back those potato chips lol

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

7:41 the Pigeon River and I-40

[@dugdug007]

Good job ! Tell me about your trailer did you build it ?

[@Firstnamelastandlastnamefirst]

Was there anywhere on the is trail that a full-size longbed crew cab Duramax might have trouble?

[@dutchofsc]

I'm loving your content. Would you consider adding GPS coordinates for some of these awesome spots? I'm planning some adventures soon.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

I have had a lot of people request GPS coordinates, but I have shied away from that because I don't want me trips to get bogged down with tracking data and stuff. My first priorities are being a good dad and usually I'm leading a group of my friends, and then the video is next priority. To add on GPS tracking and publishing would start to make the sharing side of things a bit too much of a burden on the trip. Plus it takes away some of the fun for those following... you guys still need to do some exploring on your own to find some of these spots

[@dutchofsc]

@@mountainstoseaoverland9855 I can completely understand, and it would be fun to try and follow your directions, seems very doable, just have to be less lazy, lol

[@Afrojeeper1701]

We did Chestnut Mountain Rd to about half way.We are going to do the whole route 4 Jan.Buzzard Roost will be our next trip.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Saw the quick clip on your channel... very nice! Looking forward to seeing the longer video. Glad you could take advantage of this amazing weather and get out there to explore!

[@Afrojeeper1701]

@@mountainstoseaoverland9855 I am learning to edit.I will post them on New Years day.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Good deal, looking forward it!

[@kelliesharpe1067]

did you get a permit to use the drone in a national park?

[@gavingoodson9130]

Sick video. I’ve been watching all your videos! I want to tag a long sometime!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks for following, glad you are enjoying it!

[@JuanGarcia-px1jq]

Thanks I will be in Asheville next week. I have some new places to check out!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Excellent, its the perfect time of year to be getting out there!

[@JuanGarcia-px1jq]

@@mountainstoseaoverland9855 Yea I hope its as good of weather. We will be out at Cape lookout this weekend trying to reel in some Red's. Then the next week in the mountains of NC.

[@wlfmachine]

@@JuanGarcia-px1jq You gotta love NC... we have some of the best of both worlds. I'm actually headed to Cape Lookout in a week. Let me know how it looks out there. I've heard the storms this fall have torn it up pretty bad and there are some crazy high tides.

[@wlfmachine]

Woops.. replied with the wrong account. Same guy though :)

[@MrMrsregor]

oh man, when where you out there ? i was camping in horse pasture last weekend but we were just driving all of these roads the week before, must have just missed you.. . @ 6:26 those two trails do not go anywhere. most of the fun side trails around here have been closed.. 6:30-6:43 is really cool footage ! thanks for the videos !

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

We were there the last weekend in October. My brother Ian got all the drone footage for this video and yeah, that one shot came out so cool!

[@MrMrsregor]

@@mountainstoseaoverland9855 just missed you, we were there the following weekend.. it is nice to see other people taking their kids out on these fun adventures too !

[@zdollerbill1]

Hey another great video thanks I hope to get up there soon 🐟🐟🎣🎣

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

@@zdollerbill1 Thanks man!

[@PittsburghActive]

Yo dude! Great video. Keep it up. Both on the youtube thing and overlanding. I would love to overland one day.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks man, glad you are enjoying it! If you are in PA you should check out the Mid Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route. It would make a great overland expedition, and I'm sure there is some cool mountain biking along the way.

[@PittsburghActive]

Mountains to Sea Overland thanks for the reco! Hit me up if you’re ever gonna be in PA. I have a taco and plan on getting some gear together to go. PS. Do you know of any overlanding in Pisgah?

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

@PittsburghActive Sure yeah, check out the two videos I made titled "Brevard Forest Roads" and "Pinacle Mountain Road" or if you are interested in something tougher and a little further south then I have videos for Gorges State Park and Musterground Road. Lot's to explore!

[@PittsburghActive]

Mountains to Sea Overland thanks for the tip!

[@bushme69]

Any camping up there.

[@abc-ed1nr]

I can’t find this training any of the apps. Where is it!?!?

[@brianfernandez65]

Do you need to have a camping permit in the area?

[@tcooler002]

Is this a 1 way road, where it's narrow?? Going in October 2021, Thanks

[@appalachhaun_adventures]

Do you use Gaia GPS app? If so, did it continue to work in those mountains? Or did you have to download the maps?

[@toulor5518]

I was holding the tree for you on that cliff...holy shit

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Haha yeah that is a crazy spot, especially for us, when we were completely not expecting that at all!

[@timflaherty2731]

This guys hasn't posted in 4 years. Does anyone know what happened? Really like his videos.

[@wlfmachine]

Hey Tim, what happened is I quit my job as a software developer and started a small business in home services. The business has been awesome and I love my job now, but it doesn't leave nearly as much time for trips like this, and when I am able to get out to adventure I use the time to unwind, with no filming. I'm really thankful for how popular these videos have been and I've left the channel up since people are finding them useful, and I may come back to it someday (maybe when my kids take over the business!) but for now I'm happy to let it be in the background. Glad you are enjoying the videos and hope you have some awesome adventures out there!

[@timflaherty2731]

@@wlfmachine That's awesome man thanks for responding!

[@Dena77]

Cataloochee turnpike he said is how its labeled

[@gtf_outside2181]

Great channel buddy. I reside in NC and have always had trouble with finding places like this. How do you find them? Do you use a GPS service like gia GPS? Or something like it.

[@stidhamhimer]

Is it me or did you not show all of the difficult section? Before 289 turns into 288? Ive been out there a few times in my F150 the top has AMAZING views but is indeed terrifying. There is a huge FCC tower by “suttons lookout” maybe thats what you were looking for

[@jodybruce5097]

wow very cool, great video. were there places to ride quads up there?

[@stidhamhimer]

I really dont think you hit the section shown at 8:30, right? That definitely is a difficult route but from this turnpike it looks like you would coming up on the right from below.

[@baconstrips6260]

Was the bathroom comment necessary?

[@tlalexander3]

Is this still open? Are there any more places near Cullowhee that are still open? I will be going to WCU for graduate school and brining my jeep. Just trying to decide what all I need to do to it if anything. I currently have a 2.5 inch lift and 31 inch tires but I am thinking about adding a 1.25 inch body lift and 32s-33s. I am desperately searching for axles too since I only have 3:07 gears but they're very expensive

[@jackiejune1993]

How can we join you on some of these explorational drives

[@barrylemons3235]

Great videos. We are heading out this Friday. Do you have a map of the trails? This will be my wife’s first overlanding trip. Thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

I don't have a map except the clip from google maps that I put in the video. If you stop the video there you can see coordinates that should help you out in finding the spot

[@contactseanclark]

Where did u get ur trailer? You build it? Perfect size I'm looking for.

[@g_young_h]

What trailer are you pulling, and do you know it's general weight?

[@camerons2763]

Thanks so much for making these great videos! What all have you done to your 4Runner so far?

[@clintlicious]

As a beginner, Better to start at the end and go down the tricky stuff?

[@JonDoe-yv4br]

Dude I seen you before yeah you freaked me the hell out

[@JonDoe-yv4br]

Sorry about that

[@kyukyoku_]

That trail looks awesome! How would you say the new RAV4 with AWD would fair?

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Yeah I think so. Clearance wasn't too bad and I wheels weren't lifting. You definitely want drive to all four wheels because of how steep it is, but AWD should be okay for that

[@benjaminsouthard472]

Haven't seen any vids from you in a while.

[@shaneoakley8757]

Are you from Mebane? I’m in Hillsborough!

[@jonathanm1854]

How would I get here? I’m in central NC and want to take my wife west this summer for vacation and explore some. This place looks awesome

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Hi Jonathan, if you watch the first video in the two part series (Finding the NC Elk Herd) then you can see some more detail as to how to get to where we started. We camped at the Cataloochee campground and there is a dirt road that runs straight north from there. Once you start to get back to civilization then you will see another dirt road that runs east back into the back country. I show that road on the map in this video, and it's the one to take to get to the rougher section shown. If you have google maps open while you watch then you should be able to track our route pretty easily. Everything we did is listed on there.

[@JDS-Dalton]

I'm glad I found your channel. I just got some all terrains on my forester, and really want to get out there on these trails! Though I gotta say, I don't think I'd go anywhere near that lookout haha. What do you use to find all these trails by the way? Just google maps?

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Yeah google maps and I keep an eye out for when folks mention places they have been on facebook or youtube.

[@rayamanelly]

Quality drone shot @ 6:33

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks! That was my brother Ian at the controls

[@johnathanemory247]

So my fiance and I was at buzzard roost today and kept driving toward tower trail and 288. We stayed on 288 and noticed a trail that forked off to the right as we passed by tower trail and was wondering where what the name of the trail was and where would it lead us to. Do you know anything about this trail?

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

I saw this trail too, but we didn't explore it. I am planning to return soon with a friend so we can really explore all the side trails.

[@tigerstallion]

if your talking about the up hill by tower, that can be a fun one! (the down hill trail from buzzards near tower is an extreme 4x4 trail that was closed last i went by) can be pretty deep mud so i wouldnt take OP's rig on it, but my f250 on 33's has never hesitated (open diffs did have me fish tailing near the mountain edge :) It connects over the mountain to Sutton Top, but last time I did it, the gate was closed, the drive to the gate was too sketch to go back, so we made a path around the gate. Not too bad with 12" of ground clearance as it was more field/small trees than forest right there. That was a couple years ago and there was heavy equipment up there, so "road" conditions may have changed. Also most gates are pulled closed without locks, and the locks are generally illegal (growers, moonshiners, etc put them on; plus its the people's land)

[@zacharyfike1071]

Just found your channel. My dad and I live in Raleigh and hope to follow your routes together and see all of this!

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks for following, and glad to hear it is an encouragement to get out there and explore!

[@Harrylymon]

Great video. Thanks! Does you or anyone know if this is accessible in February? I have a 3" lifted tacoma- off road with rear slip diff so I'm not worried about handling the trail.

[@user-uj3zk2cx8t]

Don't bother, it's ruined as told to me by an ignorant KZbin commenter

[@Harrylymon]

@@user-uj3zk2cx8t Okay, you found my comment after I didn't like yours. In all honesty, How is it ruined? Ruined like tons of people? Ruined like it's closed? I see nothing on any of the Nation Forest Service sites that say anything about this road being closed, and no recent videos about it. I'll listen if you have anything that backs up your claim that it's "ruined".

[@Harrylymon]

And it's not like if I get to the trail head, and the gate is closed, that I'm going home. There are over 10 trails within a mile. Are you telling people to not try and go off roading in this area? I just don't understand the negativity.

[@scottydoesntknow254]

Could you take a full size truck on that trail you think?

[@tigerstallion]

Asplundah drives F550s by Buzzards Roost all the time doing whatever they get paid to do out in our woods

[@blue_stututu7567]

Hey man!! I’ve got a subie build I would love to take out there. I can’t find it on maps for some reason, do you have coordinates or a place where I could find it on google maps by chance? Love your videos! Keep up the great work

[@JDS-Dalton]

I got a subie I wanna take up there myself! Not sure if you found it yet on Google maps, but it pops up as 3534-3540 Harmon Den Rd, Clyde, NC 28721 for me, it's pretty much at the northern point of that road between 3534 on the east side and 3540 on the west.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Thanks for providing those coordinates Jess

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Check out Jess's comment below for the coordinates... thanks for the encouragement on the channel!

[@blue_stututu7567]

Jess if you want to join me and my subie group sometime hit me up on insta @project_outback and we can link up!

[@JDS-Dalton]

@@blue_stututu7567 Ha! I think I'm already a part of your group! Recognized your outback from the brown mountain area pictures on the Subaru offroad and MtnRoo NC groups. Even commented on your post from last week about the meetup lol

[@unsparingkarma]

Anyone have the cords to buzzards roost

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Sure, google maps has it pinned, and you can find their listing for it if you search for it: goo.gl/maps/ZeUeJNdhLiZrPSjbA

[@adamcurtis8907]

I heard it's closed now to protect some falcon or something. First service has a world full of animals to use as an excuse.

[@unsparingkarma]

That's a bummer was hoping it would be open

[@catharticcathexis4527]

@@adamcurtis8907 That’s a good thing.

[@raynellholmes1011]

I dint trust geology enough to stand that close.

[@mountainstoseaoverland9855]

Hah, you know, when we were up there I didn't even realize that we were out on an overhang like that. It wasn't till we saw the ledge using the drone that we could tell how much it overhangs. Scary!

[@backbonz]

That makes me ill (buzzard roost) just watching on video.

[@user-uj3zk2cx8t]

Not a hidden gem anymore after 52,000 views. Way to ruin a Good spot

[@Harrylymon]

yeah, I'm sure it's ruined, and just because of him making a video telling people to explore.... You can find this trail on a ton of websites Alltrails, OnXMaps, GravelMap etc. He just made a video for those curious and doing research.

[@jodavidson4767]

You'll have more fun in a Ford not a crappy Toyota

[@panzerkatze9485]

Maybe for a week then it’ll break down

[@NRGRX]

F.O.R.D= FOUND ON ROAD DEAD?

[@jefflilyea4669]

Too much talking , stupid music.