• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

Graves Mountain Rally Syria Virginia 2025

CGarbee

Well-known member
2,479
577
113
Location
Raleigh, NC
The dates for the 17th Annual Graves Mountain MV Trailrides and Rally are Wednesday, August 27, through Monday, September 1, 2025.

I'll be updating the website soon....

The thread for last year's event (for reference) is located at Graves Mountain Rally Syria Virginia 2024 | SteelSoldiers

Same basic plan as in years past...with a few updates based upon everyone's feedback...

Website (with last year's dates) is
https://gravesmountaintrailrides.com/

The registration and information pages include details for preview weekends and the Trail Crew cleanup dates are attached.
Hopefully, I'll get the website updated this week... :)
 

Attachments

Last edited:

CGarbee

Well-known member
2,479
577
113
Location
Raleigh, NC
I will be at Graves for the 4th of July.
Mom asked me to take her up for the festivities, so I will be in her Honda, NOT in one of my MV or Jeeps....
If you want to come up to the Lodge for a trail preview/trimming or to just check out the fireworks and other festivities, please let me know by email, DM, or post here...
I'll be back up for Peach Day at the Graves and a few other times during July and August, both to work on trails and to work on Mom's cabin.
 

CGarbee

Well-known member
2,479
577
113
Location
Raleigh, NC
I have managed to update the website to show the correct dates and to have this year's registration/info form.
I think that I also managed to delete all the references to "social distancing"...

I may come back in a week or two and update the page with the shirt info once the design is set...

Hoping to see a bunch of you at the event!

 

CGarbee

Well-known member
2,479
577
113
Location
Raleigh, NC
The mailing of registration forms/info sheets via USPS occurred last Tuesday...from Hartford, CT (I was at a conference for work...).
Hopefully, everyone who has attended in the past few years received a copy or will soon.
Next year, I am thinking that we should email it to most folks unless you really want/need a paper copy...especially since it is posted on the event website (and on this forum, etc.).
 

Blake

Active member
323
65
28
Location
Opp, Alabama
The Virginia rally is a great family friendly event and Cabell is an excellent host. The Graves family farm is 1000+ acres with a rolling meadow for our rally area. This is a “working” rally so there are special once-a-year opportunities to drive our military vehicles on off-road trails, convoy on local scenic mountain roads, or park in the display field. In previous years, participants have come from as far as 700 miles away and many from South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio.
Lodging in the Graves lodge/cabins or meals at their farmhouse style restaurant are also available (reservations are to be made direct with them) - https://www.gravesmountain.com/
The local towns also offer some nice restaurants, artisan shops, and wineries.
Primitive camping/ military vehicle entry is included in the rally registration as well as a homemade group buffet supper on Saturday night, one of Cabell’s famous specialties. Showers and flush toilets are onsite for campers use. The weather is typically warm in the afternoon and cooler at night. Rally T-shirts will be available for purchase. The meadow has a rock base under the grass so stable for large military vehicles/ tow vehicles/ trailers and motor homes with capacity to spread out.
Graves market and tackle is adjacent to the rally and has made to order deli sandwiches, seasonal milkshakes, drinks/snacks, ice, local artisan wares, fishing supplies, and light groceries- perfect for lunch on the go or picking up small items that were left at home.
Trail rides are planned throughout the day and led by a local/ seasoned off-road team. Trails vary from a grassy ride in the Apple orchard to extremely challenging. Most rides are a mid level challenge. The terrain varies between rocks, inclines, dirt, and fresh mountain river crossings. A local road convoy will be planned If there is interest from the “show Jeep” participants. The closest gas station is in Madison, VA so fill up before you get there and good idea to bring some extra gas. There are many opportunities to drive and enjoy your vehicle. Ethanol Free gas is available at the Exxon on corner of route 33 and route 29 - (8899 Seminole Trail) in Ruckersville, VA.
The rally goes on rain or shine. Even in the rain, the participants can gather under the registration tent until the showers pass. If you are looking for a relaxing weekend in the blue ridge mountains and enjoy your military vehicle with other friends, the Virginia rally is your place!

Attached are a few pictures from last year - great weather!
 

Attachments

CGarbee

Well-known member
2,479
577
113
Location
Raleigh, NC
So, it looks like Steve and I will be doing some trail checks/clearing on the 4th Holiday weekend.... Trying to see if we can convince Blake and others to join in. Remember, it will be hot, but there will be shade and a breeze on the mountain. The water in the swimming hole in the river is ice cold....and the Graves will have having their annual fireworks, music, food, etc...on the 4th itself.
WE are going to pace ourselves...

If you can't make it this time, consider sliding over during Peach Day weekend or one of the other preview/work weekends.... :)

Thanks,
Cabell
 
Top