Samuel Joines demonstrated the proper technique for ascending the Hunters Uh-Oh! obstacle in his fuel-injected, 3.4L-powered buggy. This obstacle was named for a guy named Hunter who almost had a near-spectacular crash on this obstacle while trying to descend it shortly after it was built. Further, this site was actually the scene of the park's first rollover (backwards, no less).
Skip and Lydia Wilkenson like to wheel. Wait, let's rephrase that. Skip and Lydia Wilkenson really, really like to wheel. As a matter of fact, they like to wheel so much that in 2006 they took a huge leap and purchased 80 acres of land in Laurens County, South Carolina, for the purpose of creating an off-road park.
The land they purchased didn't look much like a park. It was densely covered in trees of all types, it had an elevation change of 450 feet in a very short distance, and it was filled with gnarly gulches of all shapes and sizes. In other words, it had potential. The Wilkensons put the word out that they had purchased the land and would soon be opening a park to the general public, aptly named Gulches. Immediately, a flood of volunteers came out of the woodwork to help build trails. Club members from Twisted Intentions, Trick'n'Traction, Clemson 4x4, Palmetto Krawlers, Renegade 4x4, the Carolina Jeepsters, and others all showed up ready to work. Over the course of several weekends, there were more than 50 volunteers at any given time armed with bow saws, chainsaws, and nippers carving trails out of the brutal terrain. Due to this united effort, the park opened with 21 trails after only 29 days.
That was a couple of years ago, and nowadays the park's trail count has grown to 37 well-marked and rated trails that encompass something for every skill level. There are trails ranging from easy to evil. The trail system was designed to ensure that the easy and intermediate trails would carry lesser-built or stock rigs to all the extreme obstacles. This gives everyone the ability to go anywhere in the park. In addition to trails, the park offers eight four-wheel-drive-accessible primitive campsites strategically located on the riverbank along the scenic Reedy River. Three minutes from the campsites at the main office are restroom facilities with hot showers and a kitchen area with a large sink, microwave, coffeemaker, and freezer for storing ice. Also at the main office is an air compressor so you can air up your tires after a day of wheeling or run air tools if things didn't go so well. The Gulches also has miscellaneous tools and a MIG welder you can borrow.
We recently spent a day at The Gulches running the trails and seeing what the park has to offer. We think everyone involved did a great job capitalizing on the natural terrain to create a park that offers a wide range of challenges. We found the ambience of the park, and the people, to be warm and friendly and very family-oriented. Alcohol is forbidden, but pets are welcome as long as they're on a leash. The park is kind of out in the "sticks," so it's a good idea to bring a lunch. Or, if you're there on a Saturday, ankle on up to the main office and purchase a burger or hot dog straight from the grille. Like we said, the park is very family-oriented.
For more information about Gulches, including fees and operating schedule, visit their Web site at www.gulchesorvpark.com or give 'em a call at 864/449-5698.
Twisted Intentions Hill is the park's longest hillclimb. Lockers and at least 32-inch tires are required to climb it on the easiest line. Here, Kevin Marsh gives it the ol' college try in his daily-driven 302ci-powered, locked front and rear '74 CJ-5. Unfortunately for Marsh, the hill won this time when his rear driveshaft grenaded. | 
With 1.3 liters of fury under his right foot, Rodney Graham showed how to successfully navigate the toughest terrain. His Samurai has a 6.5:1 transfer case, an SOA leaf-spring suspension with Jeep YJ leaves, Geo Tracker power steering, and 33-inch Baja Claws. Graham is in paint and body sales, which probably explains the rig's good-looking bodywork. |
Matthew Greene has only been wheeling for less than a year, but he's learning the basics fast at Gulches. Here he finds himself in a fascinating position in his '06 Wrangler as he maneuvers through the Wishbone obstacle. His rig only has a 2-inch Pro Comp suspension lift and the factory rear limited-slip, but he did amazingly well on the day of our visit. | 
Danny King built this '72 Ford Maverick/'79 F-150 hybrid because "I had the parts lying around and I thought it would be cool," he says. Unfortunately for King, the rear driveshaft opted out of the drivetrain during an attempt on the TnT Rock Garden. |
Renegade Alley, built by the Renegade 4x4 Club, includes this area that is calisthenics for suspension systems. This trail is the longest trail in the park and is park owner Skip Wilkenson's favorite trail. Here, Peter Lindley droops and stuffs his way through in his doorless '91 XJ. | 
The Shipwreck trail includes this Moab-looking slab of rock. Unfortunately, those unprepared soon find that it doesn't have near the traction of Moab slickrock. |
Palmetto Krossing, created by the Palmetto Krawlers, is rated Triple Black Square. In other words, it's one of the most challenging trails in the park. Here, Dale DuBose lowers his '97 TJ down a waterfall and into the mix. His rig has a twin-sticked Dana 300, a Dana 60 front axle, a Dana 70 rear axle, Yukon 7.17:1 gears, custom triangulated four-link suspension with Fox coilovers, and 39.5-inch IROKs. | 
Yep, this is one of the many gulches that the park is named for. This particular area is called Radical Ravine. If body damage or breakage isn't on your agenda this is a good one to avoid. However, if you're looking for excitement then jump in. By now you've probably already noticed that the terrain is very similar to Tellico. |
Gulches ORV Park isn't hard to miss as you travel on Indian Mound Road. Just look for this old white farmhouse with the red tin roof. This is the main office for the park. These people aren't always there (though you never know, they are pretty friendly down there). This is the friendly group we wheeled with during our visit to the park. | 
You'll often find Gulches owner Skip Wilkenson out on the trail in his '04 Wrangler, and it goes most everywhere thanks to a Detroit-locked rear axle, an EZ-locked front axle, a Rough Country 4-inch lift, hydraulic-assist steering, and bead-lock wheels in 37-inch IROKs. Here he's in action on the Wishbone obstacle at the end of Trail 28. |
Dean Childress ain't right. Just check out that wild look in his eyes. Childress kept us entertained all day by attacking even the most hard-core obstacles in his '85 Toyota 4Runner. The rig has been bobbed 28 inches, and it has welded spiders in the rear and a Detroit up front. Big surprise: this rig is his daily driver. | 
This is one segment of the TnT Rock Garden, which was built by the Trick'n'Traction 4x4 Club. Unlike the slickrock in Moab, this rock doesn't have a grippy surface, so wheelspin is standard. Here, homemaker Shelly Center begins her dusty climb up the obstacle in her Samurai that features Toyota axles with welded spiders. |