Who's traveled the Natchez Trace?

[jwkilgore]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Just be sure that you go 50 mph. The federal cops are vigilant. If you think that's slow, well, just remember you can go 50 mph for a very long time! It all works out.

Back before all the newer 4-lanes were built and the National Speed Limit was still 55mph I'd have that argument with people all the time. Specifically, driving from Mathiston to Tupelo. They'd complain about how much slower the Trace was (five whole miles per hour!!). I'd say yeah, but you don't have to worry about all the traffic lights and 4-way stops and 25mph speed zones in every po-dunk town you have to go through driving state routes.

As for policing the Trace, I received one ticket for speeding on the Trace a little less than 20 years ago. Back then I remember seeing Rangers all the time, but also back then there was a Ranger living at Little Mountain. I don't travel it as much any more, but when I do I almost never see any Rangers. There isn't a station at Little Mountain anymore. I imagine they police it fairly heavily near the larger towns (Natchez, Jackson, Tupelo, and Nashville) where people use it as a commuting route, but not in the rural areas far from Ranger stations.

[GrandviewGloria]

We used to love the Trace. Back then, we had Volvos. Could set the cruise on 50, and get over 35 mpg! It's a beautiful roadway. And it was nice to go on the old trails, and know my Native American ancestors made them.

It's a beautiful road, and very restful to drive. Just be aware that the fedcops are out to get you. Even slow drivers like me get ticketed, when the speed limit suddenly changes. 3/4 of the tickets I've gotten IN MY WHOLE LIFE, I've gotten on the Trace. And I didn't use it that often.

As far as BIKING the trace goes, FAHGEDDABOUDIT!!!! Unless you're in a large group, you risk having bottles thrown at your head, minimum. There need to be dedicated bike paths. But frankly, with America going Third World, I'm not sure that lone bikers (or small groups, even) would be safe on those trails for long.

Oh, and a current caveat: A friend emailed me with a warning about taking the trace from Clinton to Ridgeland. Apparently, there is a detour, which funnels you right into the deadliest part of Jackson. It happened to them as they were returning home late at night. Definitely uncool.

But the good news is that the Trace goes all the way into Natchez...finally.

[samanthastar22]

I've taken the trace for over a year. I've yet to see one cop. Maybe I'm just lucky? I travel the speed limit. I like to take the trace to slow down and enjoy the drive. I have sirus radio and I crank it up and sing along. I also travel the part that has the detour....I've never seen anything even close to scary. Seriously! The closest danger I've seen in the year I've driven on the trace is deer darting out in front of you. I would hate to be going 50 mph and hit one. They come out more at dust and in the evening. I also have friends that use the bike trails in the Trace. Can't speak first hand on that. Something being thrown at you? That's a new one to me. Can someone post a link where thats been in the news. Sometimes, I'm the only car on the trace!!! If there is a crime wave on the TRace I haven't been able to locate the info.

[DiogenesofJackson]

Originally Posted by samanthastar22

I've taken the trace for over a year. I've yet to see one cop. Maybe I'm just lucky? I travel the speed limit. I like to take the trace to slow down and enjoy the drive. I have sirus radio and I crank it up and sing along. I also travel the part that has the detour....I've never seen anything even close to scary. Seriously! The closest danger I've seen in the year I've driven on the trace is deer darting out in front of you. I would hate to be going 50 mph and hit one. They come out more at dust and in the evening. I also have friends that use the bike trails in the Trace. Can't speak first hand on that. Something being thrown at you? That's a new one to me. Can someone post a link where thats been in the news. Sometimes, I'm the only car on the trace!!! If there is a crime wave on the TRace I haven't been able to locate the info.

Deer herds is why I won't travel the Trace at night during fall/winter.

[samanthastar22]

Originally Posted by DiogenesofJackson

Deer herds is why I won't travel the Trace at night during fall/winter.

I'm with you on that one. Just got home from a Dollar Store in Clinton, and there are a lot of pine trees next to it in an empty field. There were deer frolicking and having a good ole time. And this Dollar Store is on Hwy 80 in Clinton close to Wal-Mart! I took some pics...but really.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by GrandviewGloria

Oh, and a current caveat: A friend emailed me with a warning about taking the trace from Clinton to Ridgeland. Apparently, there is a detour, which funnels you right into the deadliest part of Jackson. It happened to them as they were returning home late at night. Definitely uncool.

What's uncool is the poor advice you were given by your friend...

The detour is a stretch of US49 from the Trace to I220. If that's the "deadliest part of Jackson" then I'm Jefferson Davis!

Your idiot friend missed the detour and got lost. The well-marked detour route is safe.

[John Ryder]

just one piece of advice about going if you do decide to go, look to see when they are doing burning, dont go when they are burning clear brush, it will ruin the trip, this is Mississippi you will see a load of our fav tree the Pine !!!!!