Updated 9/28/2023453 Molleystown Road
Pine Grove, PA 17963
570-695-3900
Email:
info@rc4x4.orgFirst time visitors to Rausch Creek should check out their site
LINK.
There you can find the current cost (yikes!), park rules and maps.
The trail network consists of existing forest roads and trails that were cut open by hand. The trails are marked with signs and color-coded maps are provided. The trails are rated:
Green - trails range in difficulty from flat dirt roads to slightly off-camber and small rocks and/or mild mud/water crossings. 4wd may not be needed for entire trail. Sliders and Undercarriage protection (skids) recommended but not required. Trails are good for inexperienced wheelers and bone stock vehicles. Threat of vehicle damage is at a minimum if you drive responsibly, however brush scratches are possible. During nice weather OEM tires should be ok however if you are planning to continue on this self-destructive course do yourself a favor and get some more aggressive tires yo!Blue - trails will be rockier, may have more off camber situations, may include rocky mud/water crossings and offer more of a challenge for slightly modified vehicles. Bone stock vehicles with an experienced driver can handle some of these trails, but without skid plates and rock sliders, both undercarriage damage and rocker panel damage should be expected. The threat of damage on these trails should not be unexpected. Careless or inattentive driving will result in body damage. Obstacles will require the use 4wd. Sliders, minimum 31" aggressive (MT or AT) tires are required, undercarriage protection are recommended.Blue/Black (Purple) - trails are rocky, tight and off-camber. Most of these trails should only be attempted with a 33" tire or larger aggressive tires. Full protection of the undercarriage and rocker panels is advisable (unless you just don't care about your truck). Any vehicle with tires smaller than 33" will spend a good part of the day at the end of a tow strap or winch.Black - trails include very large rocks, very off-camber sections and are usually tight to make them that much harder. 33" tires or larger aggressive tires, 1 locking device OR a winch and undercarriage and rocker panel protection is required. Aftermarket front bumper recommended. Likelihood of getting stuck is high. Body damage should be expected.Red – if you need a description of a Red trail you should only be on one as a spectator...Several trails have many bypasses so that groups of different levels can run a trail together.
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the maps and ratings so you can decide what you want to run before you get to the park.
So you can save a bit of time and anxiety the morning of your visit you will want to download and print out the membership application/waiver
HERE and the parental waiver (if you need it)
HERE so you can fill them out
BEFORE you get to the park and bring it (them) with you.
Everyone from NEXTerra will be willing to help. No one will ever scold you or put you down if you don't do something you should have, at least until you've been out with us a few times and then
you can feel free to break my balls for forgetting all the crap I asked you to remember.

Most of us enjoy trying to turn new people on to our hobby, so there is an effort made by the NEXTerra officers and staff to help new people have a good time.
The truck you plan to wheel should be in good working condition. You are going to abuse it. We will never leave you stranded however recovering it off the trail can be problematic.
The stock step rails on the Xterra are made to help your grandmother get into your truck. They tend to do more damage than good if they come in contact with a rock. Same with the mud flaps. They're easy to take off, a few bolts, unless you try to do it at 7:30 in the morning in the Rausch Creek parking lot while a bunch of grumpy guys are waiting on you.
If your Spare Tire is still under your truck it can be real PITA to lower access it when you have a flat trail. The spare also limits your departure angle if you're dropping off some ledge when it's under your truck. You might want to move and strap it down.
After relocating your spare the chain that was holding it in place is going to hang down, if your luck is anything like mine it will catch on something and rip it off making it imposable to put the tire, zip tie it up.

CB radios seem to be out of favor so you should have an FRS/GMRS radio, ether a handheld or installed in your truck. I have a CB, GMRS and FRS handheld. I'm not a fan of radio chatter on the trails however they are a cheap and easy addition to your gear that will make life easier for you and your trail leader.
Food and drink: Always bring water or something to keep you hydrated. You're probably going to want to eat something when the group stops for lunch. I normally bum half a sandwich off Dennis. It's at the point that he plans, and I expect him to have it for me. If you don't have a friend like this or if he's not going to be on the trail with me, I'll bring a breakfast bar or something from home.
IMHO the minimum a person wants to have with them to run Green type trails with a NEXterra group;
Air pressure gauge
Basic Tool Set
Full Size Spare Tire
Tow Strap (no metal hooks)
D-Ring or two
Vehicle jack capable of lifting your truck enough to change your tire on the trail.
Work Gloves
Water
Snack or food
When you get into the parking lot a half hour before everyone else and the office isn't open yet for you to check in; take out your Tire pressure gauge and air down your tires to 20-15 pounds and make sure everything is strapped down in your truck.