
Guidance Resource
I. INTRO
Unseen Pass typically recommends its River or Peak Route to our renters.
We keep it simple.
Both routes consolidate the most of the top spots on either the New River and creeks -or- the ridge lines for an experience that won’t disappoint. The River Route takes approximately 2.5 hrs, while the Peak Route takes 4.25 hrs to drive.
Click here for the primary routes.
For those of you who’d like to explore specific way points along these routes and/or more than what these routes offer, keep reading…
If you follow Unseen Pass’ Instagram (@mrunseenpass) – you’ll see many places that aren’t on our standard routes, such as the backroads in the Mouth of Wilson:
Scroll through and check out the photos.
The thing is – you could rent a UTV for a week and not see all that Ashe and the surrounding counties have to offer.
For repeat customers -or- for customers who rent for more than 8 hrs or for a period of days – we want to provide you guys with the details you need to directly navigate to certain way points and/or explore all the other cool spots.
This webpage is a comprehensive guidance resource that includes all the details for the waypoints, destinations, and routes outside of the two, primary routes.
This page is broken down into the following sections:
- Intro
- GPS
- River
- Peak
- Extra
- Summary
We start with the tools you’ll use to navigate to the destinations.
II. GPS
In order to navigate to the destinations highlighted below, you’ll need to have a smart phone with decent cell service or a GPS.
#1. Cell Service
Let’s start with cell service.
Folks with Verizon typically have the best reception in the northwestern parts of Ashe County. Those of you with Verizon can use Google Maps to get to most places or the REVER app, which is the GPS app we use for our routes.
AT&T has poor service and T-Mobile has almost no service in northwestern parts of Ashe County. If you have either, Google Maps really won’t work and if you would like to use the REVER App, you’ll need to do the 7-day premium trail upgrade to premium to be able to download off-line maps.
#2. Maps
Recommend to use Google Maps over other smart-phone GPS.
Google Maps is the most up-to-date phone GPS, while others like Apple Maps are not. Google Maps will take you to Pond Mountain Game Lands, whereas Apple Maps will not and won’t even show Pond Mountain Game Lands (emphasis Game Lands) as an option.
So, use Google Maps 🙂
#3. REVER App
Unseen Pass currently uses the REVER App for its River and Peak Routes. You’ll also find routes for Maxx Powell and one to Damascus, VA.
#4. Garmin GPS
Unseen Pass currently offers a Garmin zūmo® XT | Motorcycle GPS Navigator for those who don’t have Verizon as a cell provider or upon request. We’re in the process of buying more to make the process seamless for renters (i.e. not having to download REVER and etc.).
III. RIVER
This section is dedicated to highlighting the details for the best spots on the creeks and the New River.
#1. Rundown
At a minimum, you need at least 2.25 hrs to run Unseen Pass’ River Route.
The River Route Consist of several sections on the North and South Fork of the New River and the converge, which is the point where the north and south forks come together. It also consist of a few miles along Helton Creek and a little bit of Big Horse Creek.
You could simply drive the River Route or draw out the river route for an all day adventure.
There are many different swimming holes and places to stop at along the unseen parts of the New River.
There is also 10+ swimming holes on Helton Creek. You could spend a half a day exploring all that Helton Creek has to offer. Check out this Instagram post that highlights a few:
In addition to all the different spots to stop along the New River and Helton Creek – there are several places to shop and eat at that are on or nearby the Unseen Pass’ River Route like The Old Store in Grassy Creek, NC.
These are just the places on and around the route.
If you’d like to travel to specific waypoints on the River Route or if you would like to travel to river waypoints outside the route, you’ll like the next section.
#2. Waypoints
Each waypoint, when clicked, will take you to the coordinates on Google Maps:
- The River House | Website: https://www.riverhousenc.com/ | The River House is located on Old Field Creek Rd, which is a road that goes down by the New River and up to Silas Creek.
- Garvey Bridge | Website: N/A/ | Garvey Bridge is one of the coolest bridges in the county. It’s about 40 ft off the New River
- Twin Rivers Campground | Website: http://www.twinriversfamilycampground.com/ | Twin Rivers Campground is near Garvey Bridge, the converge, and is along a really cool dirt road that goes into Allegheny, NC.
- Helton Creek Campground | Webpage: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/64446Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Helton-Creek-Campground-106332776056677/ | If you navigate to Helton Creek Campground, you’ll be on the main road that runs beside Helton Creek where all the swimming and fishing holes are. The best two are 1/4 of a mile on either side of the campground.
- Todd Island Park | Website: http://www.blueridgercd.com/toddisland | By navigating here, you’ll travel along a single lane road on the New River leading towards Watauga.
- Wilbern Waters Memorial on Big Horse Creek | Website: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/64446 | Wibern Water’s Memorial is on Big Horse Creek in Lansing, NC. It’s very pretty traveling up from Lansing to it.
If you only have a 2-hr rental, you can go to one of the way points.
Most of the waypoints will take you back to the dirt roads along the New River. It
#3. Destinations
Experience the cool stores, restaurants, and attractions along the way:
- Stateline OutPost and Grub | GPS Link | Address: 3979 Jefferson Hwy, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363
- The Old Store in Grassy Creek | GPS Link | Address: 710 Grassy Creek Rd, Grassy Creek, NC 28631
- Red Dog | GPS Link | Address: 9531 NC-93, Piney Creek, NC 28663
- Molly Chomper | GPS Link | Address: 165 Piney Creek Rd, Lansing, NC 28643
- Pie on the Mountain | GPS Link | Address: 9360 NC-194, Lansing, NC 28643
- Old Orchard Creek General Store | GPS Link | Address: 9350 NC-194, Lansing, NC 28643
- The River House | GPS Link | Address: 1896 Old Field Creek Rd, Grassy Creek, NC 28631
The red hyperlinks above will open these attractions websites. To visit the GPS, click on the GPS Link. You can also copy and paste the address into Google Maps if you’d like.
#4. Route
Here are the links to the River Routes on REVER:
Once you click the links, you’ll be asked to download the app. Once you download the REVER App, make sure you re-click the links to navigate back to the routes.
One goes through Lansing, NC and the other doesn’t.
Lansing is where the River and Peak Routes intersect.
In Lansing, NC – you can grab a bite to eat, use the restroom, and even pick up the Peak Route.
#5. Instagram Post
If you haven’t already, follow @mrunseenpass on Instagram.
Once you do, check out these really cool Instagram Posts:
- Helton Creek | Swimming & fishing holes
- Helton Creek 2 | Swimming & fishing holes
- Garvey Bridge | The coolest bridge in Ashe County, NC
- The Converge | Where the North and South Forks of the New River Meet
- Kyle & Liz Swim Spot | Secluded Swimming Spot on the New River
- The Old Store in Grassy Greek | Great spot to shop at, pick blue berries, enjoy the Grassy Creek.
- Stateline OutPost and Grub | Great spot to stop and eat it. It’s right over the NC line off HWY 16.
- Todd Island Park 1 | This is a great place to take the family and friends for a swim
- Todd Island Park 2 | Ditto above
- Mouth of Wilson 1 | Lovely dirt roads through the country and by the riverside. Timeless.
These IG Post will give you ideas of all you can do.
Now it’s time to switchover to resources and content for the ridge lines and peaks.
IV. PEAK
#1. Rundown
At a minimum, you need at least 4.25 hrs to run the Peak Route.
The Peak Route Consist of peaks like Pond Mountain and WhiteTop, and then unseen roads in the northern parts of Ashe County and southern tip of Grayson Highlands, VA.
You could simply drive the Peak Route or draw out the river route for an all day adventure.
You can hike, camp, or simply soak in the incredible views.
#2. Waypoints
Drive directly to these waypoints:
When you click the links above, you’ll be taken to the GPS coordinates on Google Maps.
#3. Destinations
Experience the cool stores, restaurants, and attractions along the way:
- RailRoad Market and Cafe | Address: 16103 Highlands Pkwy, Whitetop, VA 24292 | Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Gas-Station/Railroad-Market-Cafe-107349451617869/
- Old Orchard Creek General Store | Address: 9350 NC-194, Lansing, NC 28643 | Website: https://www.oldorchardcreek.com/general-store
- Molley Chomper Hard Cider | Address: 165 Piney Creek Rd, Lansing, NC 28643 | Website: https://www.molleychomper.com/
The red hyperlinks above will open the GPS links. You can also copy and paste the address into Google Maps if you’d like. We’ve included the websites too, if you’d like to visit those.
#4. Routes
Here is the link to the Peak Route.
Once you click the links, you’ll be asked to download the app. Once you download the REVER App, make sure you re-click the links to navigate back to the routes.
#5. Instagram Post
Check out these Instagram Posts:
- Pond Mountain
- Pond Mountain Featuring Hole Lot of Doughnuts
- Pie on the Mountain to Pond Mountain
- WhiteTop 1
- WhiteTop and Pond Mountain
- WhiteTop and Helton Creek
Again, if you haven’t already, follow @mrunseenpass on Instagram.
V. EXTRA
#1. Rundown
If you’d like to go outside of the river route, peak route, and closely surrounding areas, this section is for you.
Some folks would like to take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock to eat at Town Tavern, others would like to drive through Green Cove to Damascus, VA.
If that’s you, we’ve got you covered.
#2. Waypoints
Drive directly to these waypoints:
- Green Cove
- Damascus
- Blowing Rock (make sure you take the Blue Ridge Parkway)
- Boone (make sure you go through Todd and Fleetwood)
The red hyperlinks of the waypoints above will take you to the GPS links.
#3. Destinations
Experience the cool stores, restaurants, and attractions along the way:
- Sarah’s Fox Creek General Store | Address: 7116 Troutdale Hwy, Troutdale, VA 24378 | Website: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Local-business/Fox-Creek-General-Store-168874103128372/
- Wicked Chicken | Address: 409 Fritz St, Damascus, VA 24236 | Website: https://www.wickedchickenwinghouse.com/
- Town Tavern | Address: 1182 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 | Website: http://www.towntavernbr.com/
- Speckled Trout | Address: 922 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 | Website: https://thespeckledtrout.com/
The red hyperlinks above will open the GPS links. You can also copy and paste the address into Google Maps if you’d like. We’ve included the websites too, if you’d like to visit those.
#4. Routes
Here are a few routes you’ll also find on the REVER app:
These two routes are very lengthy at nearly one day per route, but by the time you do both of them, you’ll see nearly all the unseen spots in and around Ashe County, NC.
#5. Instagram Post
Check out these Instagram Posts:
- Green Cove | Where you can drive through the rocks
- Sarah’s Fox Creek General Store | Some of the freshest food, south of Troutdale, VA.
- Wicked Chicken | Located off the Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus, VA