Dicks Creek to Dark Hollow (Unicoi to Erwin)

Still closed with barricade.

Still temporarily closed due to weather.

Closed to recent storms

The creek at start looked like it could be 2 ft. deep. Barricades were up stating closed due to storm.

First half of the trail wasn’t bad. Lots of fun. The 2nd half of the trail was pretty sketchy. Muddy/wet, slid around a bit and got too close for comfort on some drop offs. Trail had everything though. Mud, creeks, rock. It was a blast. Foliage pretty overgrown, definitely scratched up the sides of the Land Cruiser but looks like it will all buff out. Broke my passenger step on some rock climbing.

Good trail - went backwards instead. Definitely expect some new pinstrips. Higher than stock clearance recommended, especially as the hill gets rutted out more

(2018 4runner sr5 with a 3 inch lift) most of the trail you can make it through in 2wd, most of the deeper mud holes are avoidable. Hill climb can be challenging, make sure you have some clearance for it.

Trail is pretty solid hill climb at the halfway point is still slick but doable with proper tires. Only seen 1 hiker and her dogs but other than that the trail was empty.

Slick and icy in certain parts of the trail, definitely worth it. Also not for low clearance vehicles; so don't attempt. A Nissan Murano had blocked our path for a while since there are no pull offs due to tight road.

Bottom third of tge trail is wet middle and top are snow covered and slick. Hill climb at the half way point is very slick.

I came from the Erwin side and took about 2.5 hours to complete the trail. I had decent conditions, but encountered a lot of mud, and several places that were pretty washed out. This was my second time on this trail, my first coming from the Unicoi side. I would recommend coming from the Erwin side due to the mud and the spots that are washed out. The first half of the trail was dry with the exception of some large mud puddles. All were about a foot and a half deep with a solid bottom, but also room to go around for the most part. The second half of the trail was very muddy. Up to two foot deep ruts made for some squirrely moments, but with high clearance and 4lo, I was just fine. There is one very steep grate towards the Unicoi side I was thankful to be going down. It has washed out to a point I am not sure I could have gone up it. I would bring a friend or a winch next time just in case of getting stuck, but overall it’s not too technical. Just take it slow and carefully pick your lines.

Very muddy, rocky terrain. Some areas were probably 30 or more degrees off-camber. Had to be careful due to lots of trees, low branches and drop offs along the trail. One vehicle wide for most of the trail with very few places to turn around. Pin striping is unavoidable. Don’t enter expecting your truck to exit without scratches.