Wolf pit/shortoff access closure

The worst kind of PSA, i’m sorry.

I feel sick. This is a terrible day to have eyes. We need to band together and fight this, I’ve never cared more about access than this spot. I’m simply at a loss for a whole lot of words right now.

Dang that sucks. Any info on what started the trouble?

There have been threatening signs for several years, major land owner concerns are parking on private property, trash, road dust, and private owners are paying to upkeep the road.

Parking on private property can easily be solved with some fences, it does get out of hand.

I’ve never seen outrageous amounts of trash there, especially considering the quantity of people that go.

Don’t like dusty road? Maybe they shouldn’t have built the house next to the road? 

The trail head easement has been in place for 60plus years, so they knew the deal when they bought the place unless they are 60+

The loudest complainer is always the guy right next to the road on the left before the trail head. I watched him out in the road with his mini excavator digging trenches in the road past his house one day no doubt to keep people out, thats why the road is absolutely jacked up there.

Unconfirmed, Apparently this property changed hands in 2023?  

The like wilderness survival place? I’m having a hard time remembering. It does make sense, I’ve seen some wild parking a time or two. I don’t have a long history with the area but it does seem to get more traffic than you’d think. Either way keep this up to date, I’d be happy to contribute to the cause if needed!

Wilderness survival place? Are you thinking NC outward bound? They are NOT the issue, they are off gingercake rd. and excellent stewards of the gorge. 

 Best of my knowledge, it is private property owners on wolf pit road 

Nah not outward bound over by Table. I specifically remember a like primitive skills camp or something near the top of wolf pit. 

Sad news,

I have had many great experiences at shortoff,
does the homeowner have legal legitimate authority to actually close the road.

I hope the access fund and the ccc are involved.

J van:

Yes there is the gun range slash black smith and whatever else they got going on at that property maybe primate skills too?

Ezra:

The owners seem to think so hence the sign. There has been a lot of speculation ranging from, can’t do that, there is an easement in the deed, they can build a gate and wait to get sued… to all other ideas I don’t know what is right or wrong or whats what but 

the mud falcon is entering the turbine 

Access fund litterally has a pic of shortoff as the thumb nail for “wilderness climbing access” i believe they have been notified?

grey is private property, yellow land is USFS WILDERNESS, greenish is USFS, red is NC

The property owners up there have some kind of easement through the NC land 

edit: 

This may be useful info, lifted from the web:

Burke Plat book 7 page 97 is the original subdivision survey (1970s), and it shows an existing RoW for FSR 117(aka wolf pit road)

i wonder if the USFS can provide any clarity? When i was on facebook there was a relatively friendly ranger in the linville? Group one of those groups

If the state is giving them easement through state land, perhaps that can be used as leverage to maintain access through the private land.

maybe the access fund can kick in a few thousand dollars to help with road maintenance and grading,

I hope this ends with continued access.

we may need legal assistance on this, can anyone involve Sean Cobourn?

Well this is going to make climbing at shortoff quiet. 

As far as I can tell the new approach would be parking where wolf Pit road meets 126 then hoofing it 5 miles on the mountain to sea connector trail.

Wonder if CCC is aware of this yet? 

WP property owner here. I found out about the sign through FB. Interesting to see the drama has made is way to MP.

I bought the land with the understanding the USFS has a ROW through my land based on the plat referenced above. However USFS staff told me that they relinquished their ROW on WP Road - USFS 117 is now officially on the west side of the gorge and named "Wolf Pit West". 

Maybe the lawyers can figure that one out...  

I will offer that most of the comments above are correct ( although the shooting range is long gone ) and solutions seem reasonable.

I think if the USFS would construct a parking area with pit toilets the majority of the concerns would be addressed ( although I'm not threatening to gate it ). It's no fun finding the occasional toilet paper, sanitary napkins and other unfun items on my property. I don't know what role the Access Fund can/will play in the story, but do know the CCC ( and Wild South ) is aware and will likely be a voice as this plays out.

Stay tuned...

In the meantime -  climbers that find themselves locked out are welcome to park at my place and walk to the trailhead ( ~ 1/4 mile ).

Just send me a PM and I'll hook you up.

McLovin wrote:

The owners seem to think so hence the sign.  

 

I'm assuming the WPLOA acronym in the bottom left of the sign stands for Wolf Pit Land Owners Association. A Google search reveals no web presence. That doesn't mean they don't exist, but can anyone confirm if this is a real organization? If so, what authority do they have and are they required to be incorporated by state law?