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!
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.
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!
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 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!
Big Levels is markedly more challenging than Peters Mill. Peters Mill is little more than a gravel road that happens to get really bumpy in spots. Big Levels will require 4 wheel drive, and depending on recent rainfall, can get particularly spicy at the water pits. When we shot this video, the water levels happened to be really low. The trail also has some pretty decent campsites as you get closer to the parkway.
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
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.
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.
That is such a great trail. Been there a couple of times and had a great time both times. Awesome video!
Yeah, it's a great trail. I can't even count how many times I've been there. Thanks for watching!
This is such a cool looking area! I'm going there for sure!
Big Levels is a lot of fun. Let's go!!
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!
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.
Awesome, man! I'm glad that you were able to hit the trail and liked it! Big Levels is definitely my favorite Virginia trail!
Will be out next week for Expo East. Thinking I should do this trail, since I don’t get up to VA often. Thanks for sharing.
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!
Nice! That flex pic though. Lol
It's kind of a thing at Big Levels. 🤣🤣
Looking to hit this trail soon!!
You won't be disappointed!
Iv spent a lot of time up there always fun I like duel sport for this trail
That area is so great! I'm sure it's a blast on two wheels!
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!
If you can please drop coordinates for camping spot! Would be very helpful and thank you again! Hope you see you on the trail some time!
Badass! One of the best trails in VA!!!
Agreed! It was good to get back out there. I hadn't been since the end of 2020!
I love that trail so much. I was out there in a snow storm once and it was nuts!
That must have been insane!
Awesome! I've watched several of your videos and this one of the best yet.
Thank you! I really appreciate that!
Great video, man. I love Big Levels! You should make more videos this long!
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!
Just added another trail to the to-do list. Thanks! How does this trail compare to Peter's Mill Run? Looks to be pretty similar.
Big Levels is markedly more challenging than Peters Mill. Peters Mill is little more than a gravel road that happens to get really bumpy in spots. Big Levels will require 4 wheel drive, and depending on recent rainfall, can get particularly spicy at the water pits. When we shot this video, the water levels happened to be really low. The trail also has some pretty decent campsites as you get closer to the parkway.
@@DefiantOffroad nice! It's only about 75 minutes west of me so can't wait to try it. Thanks for the info.
I grew up in those mountains and lived there my whole life live in N.c now but would like to go with you
It's a great area! Probably my favorite part of Virginia!
I have Bear hunted there and lots of broken parts I am interested in maybe running with you
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!
I'm glad you had a good time! The pinstripes are real at Big Levels, that's for sure! How big was the rattlesnake?
@@DefiantOffroad it wasn't huge, but it was also coiled up and I wasn't about to go poking at it with a stick haha!
I live 4 miles from it in Stuarts Draft. Fun fact, Steve Irwin almost got bit in the crotch by a rattlesnake in this area back in the day.
For real?!?
@@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
The water didn't look like it was too bad that day. I've seen some serious rigs get swamped out there.
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.
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.