Potential Road Closure of Crabtree Meadows Jeep 4WD Off-roading Overlanding

Please share this with overlanding, 4WD, Jeep, and other offroading communities. 

If you enjoy 4WDing or overlanding and like the little bit of access we get now in our eastern US public lands, you might want to call to learn more so you can give an educated opinion on this potential 4WD road closure at Crabtree Meadows Jeep Trail.

This was posted right at the bathrooms before the road gets rocky. I have emailed and asked very specific questions regarding the newly found federally protected species, road impact and maintenance vs other offroads, etc.

I have received back three emails with brief answers, but no information that was not already on the sign.

Clint is going to call sometime this week if he can get a moment free to do so. I encourage others to do so also. James Keith Whalen Acting District Ranger p: 540-291-5205 pc: 479-970-2436 james.whalen@usda.gov The number on the sign is: 540-291-2188 but that guy David Whitmore only redirected us to James Whalen.

All of that beautiful scenery will become closed to only hikers which will end the enjoyment of that area for many disabled, special needs, and senior citizens who can only access that area by 4WD. Not only that, but the hikers that use that area will not have the benefit of the 4WD for directions, information, supplies, and rides in case of injury. We will also not be able to clear the roads or pick up trash to help the rangers. The 4WD community does a lot more than most realize.

UPDATE 4/2/2023: (This is what I shared with our off-roading community/4WD/Jeep groups.)

We received some information from the Glenwood-Pedlar District. The ranger in charge of it, James Whalen, has only been on the job for three weeks. 

He said he only knows that the 4WDers are driving into fields where the rusty patched bumblebee (the endangered species) lives which is messing up their habitat. Some drivers have also driven onto the AT access. Others are not sticking to the road. They have tried to put up signs to discourage these behaviors, but the signs are getting pulled down. 

If you call or email James Whalen he can add your contact info to a list. Right now everything is very preliminary but the plan is to move forward. They will take public comment at a later date. James Keith Whalen Acting District Ranger p: 540-291-5205 pc: 479-970-2436 james.whalen@usda.gov The number on the sign is: 540-291-2188 but that goes to David Whitmore who redirected us to James Whalen.

I know on other off roads it was the local young people with 4wd causing the trouble and breaking rules, so maybe signs about cameras (whether they exist or not) and moving boulders to block the problem areas can be utilized before they close the road. 

While camping at Scales Campground two weeks ago, we met a hiker who was excited to see us. He has disabled family members who cannot access that area through hiking or horseback riding. He plans to borrow a 4WD and take them there. If more roads are closed to 4WD, the disabled community will be the ones to suffer the most because 4WD is the only way they can get to those places. I had not considered this until we spoke with that hiker.