COFSTA

Our wet spring and summer has been good for forest service roads. Sunday, Greg and me investigated some new to us roads and trails between Old Fort and Black Mountain to the south and bordering north at the BRP between Mt Mitchell turn off and NC-80 intesection. Like it's been for a few months: there's just enough moisture in the roads to keep them packed, dust free and big fun for dual sports.

Fer example: We ran out of time to try it Sunday but according to more detailed maps the following road from the BRP goes all the way down to the town of Black Mountain. We'll be back!

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.7120653 ... 328!8i1664

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Black ... 82.2565116

BTW, we consider road gates as barriers only to keep tourists and the clueless from getting stuck/lost/eaten by bears...not us!

Just don't get caught--fines can be nasty--or nonexistent, depending on the ranger's mood that day.

I talked to a ranger about riding gated roads. It's $100 if they decide to write it up. The chances of getting caught are slim and the cost isn't as bad as a speeding ticket on the street. Those cost me $400 to get cleared up by lawyer.