Eastbay, Glad to hear your coming to the springs again after your unfortunate experience earlier in the summer. You might find this hard to beleive but I've been up that way 4 times since last Saturday and I may very well go up tomorrow also. Slow at work, can,t get enough of OZ this time of year! I'll try to catch up with you on Sat or Sun if I can weasel a reason with my excellent wife to go for a sixth time in one week :-) I have never had any problem parking my car at the spot I've told you about. Generally there is never any one else parked there except maybe a car or possibly two on the weekend. Since I've been up so many times this week it comes to mind that directions to the parking area are easier than previously explained. Once you take Route 4 just take every left hand turn that looks well traveled and you will eventually come to the forestry sign which says at its top " Adopt a Sign " and below " National Forest " below that on the next sign " Hegowee 4 wheel " or something like that. I could be sure, but perhaps to much box car wine tonight :-) As far as fines, I doubt you'll even be bothered, even if you don't have an adventure pass. If a foresty truck does go by and cite you the ticket is only 5 dollars and from what I've heard so far it seems that the Forestry Dept. is not following up on these citations except in extreme cases where persons have been cited numerous times. Also Eastbay I hope you noted my adjustments to my directions in my previous post. One addition, just turn left at the row of rocks, you'll see what I mean :-) Everything is ready for you to explore this new route to OZ :-)