We have been on FS162 many times over the years; however, we have never been on the entire trail. We always have started from the BRP and turn around before all of the “big water”. My truck has some pinstripes on it from this trail. One of the last times we were there, we had to back up for about a quarter mile when we met a line of Jeeps coming up from the bottom.
It's a great trail...probably my single favorite in Virginia. It's worth doing in its entirety. When we shot this video, it was about a week after the trail opened, and the area where pinstriping happens had recently been trimmed, so I got lucky. Barely any pinstriping on that trip!
It truly is a great trail. I'd love to make longer videos, it's just a struggle when you're usually by yourself. Thankfully I had my stickman Andy with me, and he's not a half-bad cameraman!
Definitely worth checking out! Also check out Enchanted Creek, Broad Run, and Bailey Gap. If you don't mind venturing over into WV, also check out The Canaan Loop and Canyon Rim. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the great info. Looking to do this year. I’m in DC so it’s about 3.5 hour drive so probably an overnighter. Might hit it in April on my way to Windrock TN, especially if I leave after work as that would be a perfect place to stop for night and then hit it in morning before I leave. Think I’d have any issues on a Gladiator Rubicon with a 3 in lift on 35s with a winch? Looks like a lot of what I run on the regular, just thinking about the bog holes, although I usually check em if I’m not familiar with trail. Pinstripes = tattoos for rig 👍 lol- part of trail there looked like that part of Canaan Loop in WV with the rhodos.
You won't have any problems with that setup. The water pits can get a little spicy if there has been a lot of rain, but just stick to the outer edges of the pits and you'll be fine. You'll definitely get some pinstriping though. Overall, Big Levels is probably my favorite trail in Virginia!
@@DefiantOffroad sweet. Thanks man. Sub’d so I’ll have to check out vids of some of the other places you’ve run. I have some of the places I have done up on my channel which probably are a doable distance for you if you want to check them out. This is just a hobby for my and a way to pay it back and the time to edit just kills me, so I have done a lot more than I have vids for so feel free to hmu if you are thinking of a trail/system in MD, VA, PA area and need info, I may have done it.
I am really looking forward to this trail! I have never done these roads, do you think that a stock 24 Nissan Frontier Pro 4x will be alright here? Also any good camping areas near?
You'll definitely get pinstripes on it. The water pits can be very deep, depending on rainfall, and I've been told they got a lot of rain up there from the remnants of hurricane Debby. There's several campsites up there. They're mainly on the Southern half of the trail. There's also several sites on coal road, which is where the trails starts on its north end.
@@DefiantOffroadthank you so much for the info! Getting new tires put on truck this Thursday, may take a trip up to scout out camping spots. Very excited to see big levels!
It wasn't bad at all. The water level was definitely lower than usual. And yeah, I know what you mean about those water pits swallowing rigs. I messed up my old WJ out there.
Hey was able to hit this with my son on our way to Tennessee. Was a ton of fun. Bipolar trail- starts out rocky as heck, then its sandy and bogholes. Love that you get a bit of everything with it. We did it north to south and exited on BRP. Bogholes were pretty low and trail was pretty dry, not what I was expecting. Didn’t use axle lockers except for the ledge until one a couple of the bogholes. Turned out I didn’t need them, but being first time and not wanting to get stuck this trip and waste time figured I’d put them on. Didn’t film anything really because didn’t have time. Definitely plan to go back again. Thanks again for the info and vid on it.
I ran this one this weekend with a cool group of people I met at Expo East. You're not kidding about the pinstriping it's pretty bad. We also encountered a rattlesnake a couple feet off the trail, so watch where you step out there!
@@DefiantOffroad yea he was doing a part on the rattlesnakes in VA. He was right off coal road. Anyway bald mountain is my test trail for when I do mods on the Jeep since it's right next to me. I'm on it all the time
