The Hummer Club Inc. is closing out the year with two days of off-road adventure in North Carolina! Uwharrie National Forest is known for its rugged OHV terrain. The Badin Lake OHV area offers around 20 miles of off-road trails that range from scenic forest roads to rocky climbs that will test both driver and machine. This is the kind of place where Hummers shine, built for the challenge, capable on every surface, and ready for whatever is around the next corner. What other off-road destination do you know that has highway-style guardrails on its trails?

While smaller in scale compared to some other locations the club visits, Uwharrie offers a fun and challenging experience with a mix of rocky trails and clay-based terrain that can become slick and muddy in wet conditions. If it rains just prior to or during the event, hang on to your hats! The red clay mud will make the day interesting.

As an added bit of local flavor, Uwharrie National Forest is considered a Bigfoot hotspot, with numerous reported “sightings” and researcher activity over the years. Just make sure you are back in time for the traditional “Tall Tales” telling at the hotel. You won't believe half of what you'll hear!

It is recommended to register early to ensure that you receive the hoodie for the event. Last-minute registrations make it more difficult for the club to get you an event hoodie, so registering early on the website helps a great deal.

Each morning the group meets at the Waffle House in Biscoe for breakfast at 7:30 AM. The Waffle House is located approximately 1,200 feet from the Days Inn, so it is a short walk or quick drive. From there, the group departs together at 8:30 AM for the Eldorado Outpost (about 25 minutes / 18 miles away) where trail passes are purchased and the drivers meeting is held in the parking lot before the group hits the trails at 9:00 AM.

Waffle House Address: 550 E Main St, Biscoe, NC 27209

Eldorado Outpost: 4021 NC-109, Troy, NC 27371  |  uwharriecollective.com/eldorado-outpost

Arrive at breakfast fueled and ready to leave directly for the Outpost. There is a Marathon gas station at the Outpost if you need a top-up before hitting the trails, but it is recommended to fuel up the night before to avoid delays.

   

Uwharrie National Forest is a federally designated forest managed by the US Forest Service located in central North Carolina. The Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex offers nearly 20 miles of marked trails across a variety of topography. Trail selection on each day is at the discretion of the event coordinator and trail leaders based on group size, conditions, and weather.

All participants entering the Uwharrie OHV trails are required to have a valid trail pass, purchased in person at the Eldorado Outpost.

•       Day Pass: $5.00 per day

•       Annual Pass: $30.00

Park trail passes are paid separately and are NOT included in the Hummer Club registration fee.

•       Breakfast: Meet at 7:30 AM at the Waffle House, 1,200 ft from the Days Inn, before heading to the trails

•       Drivers Meeting: 8:30 AM at the Eldorado Outpost. Trail passes are purchased here and line up of the Hummers in a group photo is typically taken in the parking lot

•       On the Trail: Hit the trails at 9:00 AM. Lunch is eaten during the day. Bring your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of water

•       Return: Typical return to Biscoe is around 3:00 PM, depending on trail selection and conditions

•       Evening: Back at the hotel; the group typically goes out for dinner together (pay your own) at one of the local Biscoe restaurants
 

Official Hotel - Days Inn by Wyndham, Biscoe NC

The Days Inn by Wyndham is the official hotel for this event and is the only hotel in the immediate area, so it is highly recommended that you book early to secure a room for the weekend. The club has a room block of approximately six rooms reserved for this event.

Address: 531 East Main Street, Biscoe, NC 27209

Phone: (910) 428-2525

1 King Bed - $76 per night

Two Queen Beds - $84 per night

To Book: Please call the hotel directly at the number above to book your room. Mention that you are with the Hummer Club and have a room block. Based on current rates. Subject to change in the future. (Based on non-refundable room option)

Once those are claimed, additional rooms may still be available at the hotel, but availability is not guaranteed and you should book as early as possible.

Alternative Lodging

It is highly recommended to stay at the official club hotel for convenience. However, if the Days Inn is full or doesn't work for you, the following alternatives are within reasonable driving distance of the trails. The downside to staying at one of these options is that they are not particularly close to the official club hotel, so it is your responsibility to meet up with the group in the morning at the designated locations and to coordinate with the event coordinator. It is also somewhat inconvenient because the club members will often go out to eat together in the evening, and staying at another hotel limits the time you can spend with the rest of the group.

Town of Biscoe

Biscoe is a small town in central North Carolina that serves as the home base for this event. While there are basic amenities in the area, it is recommended that you bring any specialty supplies or parts you may need for the weekend. The town does have the basics:

• Walmart
• Tractor Supply
• Dollar General
• Two auto parts stores
• A handful of restaurants

Cell Service and GPS

•       In Biscoe: Cell service is reliable throughout town

•       On the trails: Cell service is also fine on the trails and a nice convenience for the area

Even with reliable cell service, downloading offline maps before each trail day is still a good habit. The group also uses radios for trail communication, which does not depend on cell coverage.

Weather

This is a winter event. December in central North Carolina rarely brings snow, but mornings can be cold and rainy weather is always possible. Dress in layers and bring rain gear, especially if the forecast shows precipitation. Wet conditions on Uwharrie's red clay can dramatically change trail difficulty and slipperiness.

All participants are required to have a radio for communication during the event. The club has moved primarily to GMRS radios, which have become the standard for most events. CB radios are still acceptable as well.

•       GMRS radios are the standard for this event

•       CB radios are still acceptable

•       A radio does not need to be permanently installed, a handheld is fine

•       If you arrive without a radio, notify the event coordinator. In many cases a radio can be borrowed from another participant

Maps are not required for attendees of this event. The event coordinator is highly experienced with the Uwharrie trail systems and will be leading the group. That said, having access to your own map is always useful for identifying points of interest, knowing what section of trail you are on, or navigating independently if you need to leave early.

Available Maps

•       US Forest Service - Badin Lake Recreation Area Brochure (PDF): Free official map covering the recreation area

•       onX Offroad: Digital navigation app. Subscription required

•       Trails Offroad: Another solid option for detailed off-road trail maps

•       Paper maps are also available in person at the Eldorado Outpost

EV charging options are available both near the hotel and at the Eldorado Outpost trail meet-up point. Planning ahead is still recommended, especially if you are arriving with a low state of charge.

Level 3 Fast Charging - Near the Hotel

There is a DC fast charging station about 0.3 miles from the Days Inn, across the street in the parking lot of the Shell gas station:

•       EV Connect Charging Station  |  (1x) CCS · 200 kW  |  (1x) CHAdeMO · 100 kW

Level 3 Fast Charging - At the Eldorado Outpost

There is also a DC fast charger right at the Eldorado Outpost, which is convenient if you need a top-up before hitting the trails:

•       ChargePoint Charging Station  |  (1x) CCS · 62 kW  |  (1x) CHAdeMO · 62.5 kW

•       Station details: driver.chargepoint.com/stations/16304241

It is strongly recommended to start each trail day with a full charge. Managing your vehicle's charging requirements throughout the event is the responsibility of the individual owner.

Food and Water

• Pack a full lunch for each trail day
• Bring plenty of drinking water
• Bring extra snacks in case of delays on the trail

Clothing

• Dress in layers - winter mornings in central NC can be cold
• Bring a rain jacket - rainy weather is possible and can come in quickly
• Wear or bring sturdy boots or comfortable walking shoes
• Gloves are recommended for cold mornings and for handling tools or recovery gear

Vehicle Preparation

• Arrive each morning with a full tank of fuel - do not plan on fuel stops during the trail day
• Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound; check fluids, tires, and recovery points
• Bring basic tools and spare parts as you see fit
• A camping chair is recommended for trail-side lunch breaks
• A radio (GMRS or CB) is required for trail communication

For questions about trail selection, lodging, registration, or anything else related to the event, reach out to George Yankay directly using the contact information above.