[kgillard]

Hey, any of you guys located in or near Southwest Louisiana?

 

[Poobah]

Hey Karl, I'm near Lafayette kind of southwest..
Do you have a lot of places to ride there?

 

[kgillard]

Hi Poobah! Well, not anymore than you have near Lafayette. Our areas are just about the same geographically. However, if we head north to Forrest Hills or Camp Claiborne, I understand there are a lot of nice places there. I look forward to going to Texas, where I understand there's a great ATV park about an hour east of Dallas. Glad to meet you!!

 

[Poobah]

I have been to camp claiborne four times and it is very nice. Three trails all about 30 miles each. Only one problem we have found you can get lost because the trails cross each other and there is a lack of marking to let you know which trail you are on.Other than that it is awesome.Guess i will have to get a gps.
I can't wait for warmer weather to go back. Maybe you can meet us there and we can show u around.

 

[lbierhorst]

I've been going to camp claiborne for about 8 yrs now and like you said it is nice. But the trails are very worn and many tree roots are exposed so it is rougher every time. There are very good mud holes but the forest rangers are very strict now and will ticket you for riding off trail, "hotdogging"in the mud holes, riding fast near the camping area and if you are running tires taller than 25" or your track width is wider than I think 48". It is in a national forest and your supposed to adhere to those rules. The rangers never bothered us much until about 2 yrs. ago when they started writing tickets. Also there are paved roads everywhere and if you get lost and get on one of the paved roads to find your way back you will get a ticket. I bought a GPS for that reason. Oh. I'm from Patterson,LA.

 

[kgillard]

Hi again Poobah and RedRincon! I didn't know that the 25" rule was for those forest also!! Oh well, that's why I'm buying a second set of wheels. I already the GPS mounted to the Rincon...so, no problem there.

Is the camping area you refer to at the dunes? Are there any "challenging" spots on the trails? Are there any other restrictions, such as helmets, flags, etc.?

You can either respond on this site or email me at: [email protected]

Thanks abunch for the info and I look forward to riding with ya'll sometimes!!

 

[lbierhorst]

Karl, I'm not 100% sure about the tire size and track width in the national forest compared to a WMA, but at claiborne they have iron railings to enter the trails from the parking area and I can't fit throught cut outs in the railing with my bike. There is a way around them, but you risk getting a ticket if you do. The dunes "LA DUNES" is close to this area, but not the same place. At the dunes it cost 20 buck per bike and you have to have a flag, which can be purchased there for 15 bucks, you don't have to wear a helmet at either place but I would suggest it. There aren't many bad holes at the dunes, but they do have a creek that you can ride in that is fun.

 

[kgillard]

Hey RedRincon! I noticed that you have 27" Mudzilla's with 1" spacers. Just how much too big is your bike when trying to go through the railings? The 27" Swamp Witch's on my Rincon are pretty close to the stock tires in width (I believe...I'll have to measure). Do your fenders make it thru?

 

[Poobah]

Karl the opening in the fence is about 2feet tall.No problem with the fenders. I have 26-10-12 mud lites on factory wheel and just fit through it.Maybe two to three inches on each side.

 

[kgillard]

Hi Poobah! Two feet tall...how do you get under it? My wheels are 27" by themselves, so how do you get the rest of the Rincon thru? By the way, how do you actually get to Camp Claiborne from 165? Do you pass by LA Dunes or do you take another road? Thanks!!

 

[Poobah]

It is a pipe fence 2 feet tall with an opening in it. Like a gate opening with no gate, so there is nothing to go under. As far a directions i will look that up and get back to u.
Sorry about the last post, I made it sound like u had to go under the fence.

 

[lbierhorst]

Karl, My rear tires rub on both sides of the cut outs in the iron pipe rail fence, but i can make it Some are tigher and I get off the rincon to offload some weight which lets the wheels come in slightly. Like Poohbah said its not a fence per say, just a railing about two feet high that surrounds the perimeter of the parking lot. There is a way around it by going through the campground area, but some trails and the staging area can really only be accessed by going through the cut outs in the railing.

 

[kgillard]

Ohhhhh! Hey Poobah, I understand now. If any of you can give me directions where to go from 165, it would be greatly appreciated. When I went Jeep riding up there about six months ago, I saw the trails that cross the road just east of LA Dunes. There were several ATV's going in and out of the "gates".

I guess my question is: where do you park your truck/trailer and where do the trails start at? Thanks!!

 

[Poobah]

Hey Karl, i got directions for u from hwy 165. Traveling north on hwy 165 pass la dunes and you will see hwy 112 on your RIGHT(tee-ing with 165). Stay north on 165 and take a LEFT on hwy 112. On hwy 112 about....3-4miles you will see a sign Claiborne multi-use trail take a right (gravel road) and about one mile to the parking area.Also i have the u.s. foresty #318-793-9427 call before u go to make sure they are open.(closed after heavy rains)

 

[kgillard]

Poobah...you are just too good!! Thanks!!!!

 

[Poobah]

Karl Let me know when u go, maybe i can get the guys together and meet you there.

 

[kgillard]

Hey Poobah! Got you covered. I believe there are several people from the Climb ATV forum going to Bundick's Lake this Saturday (17th). However, it appears that it may be raining cats and dogs, so I'll wait to see. Your more than welcome to come and bring your friends. The more...the merrier!!