1ST ANNUAL OBXJ MEET AND GREET CAMPING TRIP FOR 07

  • Thread starter Thread starter brianb2247
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brianb2247 said:
here is the regs about where and when for obx www.nps.gov/caha/bdriv.htm

Definately something everyone should look at and take seriously . They fine HEAVILY if you screw up . There was some joker doin donuts and drivin about 60 in a KJ last weekend ( on the hardpack ) and although he/she didn't get caught > you'de better believe people saw it and most likely turned them in . Those people don't mess around .

But also > notice on the map that all areas except between Salvo and Buxton are seasonal . That limits any driving on HI during good weather . Oregon Inlet is a nice place to go as is Corolla . Keep all that in mind when planning the trips .
 
Sounds like fun, set some dates. Surf fishing is not good from January to April. I've been skunked on a couple of trips in that time period. Summer months are Ok, just be prepared for crowds and heat and humidity. The Fall is the best time at the OBX IMO. Never been to the Northern beaches toward the VA line, I prefer the area around Buxton. There are miles of beaches that are open all year long. Sections get closed off for turtles and birds, but the ramps never get closed. There's several access points near Avon a couple in Buxton near the Lighthouse, one in Frisco, and one in Hatteras Village that takes you to the south end of the island facing Ocracoke. I’ve driven on the beach from Buxton to Frisco.

I was just down at Ocracoke 2 weeks ago. The first day I was there the wind was pretty strong:
xj_tire_erosion.jpg


This was taken at the south end of Ocracoke as the tide was coming in:
xj_on_beach.jpg

The water didn't get any higher than that.

Me fishing and not catching:
gary_fishing.jpg


The reason I took my vacation at Ocracoke rather than the rest of the OBX were the beaches. Ocracoke beaches are very flat and safe for kids, my daughter, to play in the surf. Beaches from Hatteras to Oregon Inlet tend to be steeper and have bad rip currents and under toe. Plus Ocracoke is much more laid back place, and Howard’s Pub is there!!

The sand south of Oregon Inlet can be really soupy. However if your aired down and drive with some common sense it's no problem especially with a group to bail you out. The sand on Ocracoke was really soupy and the swampers really dig in. An all terrain tire might have been better. I recovered a Subaru Outback at Buxton buried to the frame and as I was pulling him out I could feel the XJ sinking as she was digging!

If you set something up south of Rodanth I'd definitely be interested in participating. (The northern beaches are just too touristy for me!)

Gary
 
Hey, I've been hearing good things about Ocracoke! That's the southern end, right? Does that make it closer to Bama??? I'm OBX ignant, at the mercy of you OBX veterans!:sunshine:
 
i usually go there about 3 times a year maybe more, actually im going there this weekend and stayin in avon. for me its about a 2 hour drive to oregon inlet, but getting down to the buxton avon hatteras area is more about 3-4 hours. I prefer the beaches around hatteras myself, fishing at the point and the lighthouse is very good and the beaches are huge! Ocracoke island is a pretty chill place, theres a really good bar right when you get into town and the ferry ride is very relaxing, takes about 30-45 mins i think. keep dates posted ill def make it down there
 
heres a pic of me doin some ridin down there...it may look like im driving on dunes but im not there was a ranger right out of the picture it was a little hill in the middle of the beach
mesand.jpg
 
You got lucky ! That park ranger musta been cool or lazy . I was fined over $250 for going over something 1/4 that size simply because it had grass on top ( which your 'dune' does also ) . Maybe the ranger just thought "doesn't this guy see me ? He must be F'n crazy !! I ain't messin with him ." hahahah .
 
Count me in for a spring trip.

What pressures are you guys running on the beaches?
Not seeing a lot of sidwall flex on the photo's. I ran 7-10 psi in the desert blow sand (just came east from SoCal) and never got stuck but I saw lots of tires at 15-20 dig right in.

Got a pickup, a HMMWV (rescue vehicle) and an offroad forklift (rescueing the rescue vehicle) stuck at Fort Story VA a few years ago. All aired UP except for the fork lift. Recovered everything with a Cat.

John
 
nosigma said:
Count me in for a spring trip.

What pressures are you guys running on the beaches?
Not seeing a lot of sidwall flex on the photo's. I ran 7-10 psi in the desert blow sand (just came east from SoCal) and never got stuck but I saw lots of tires at 15-20 dig right in.

John
Where in SoCal you coming from? I used to run 6-8 lbs in my Samurai, on
31's at Pismo. I haven't had the Heep in sand yet, but I'm looking forward to it. The Samurai had better gearing, the Jeep's got more hp and torque....and ofcourse A/C!:D
 
San Diego. Ran all over the Yuha, Anzo-Borrego, Superstition (sand dam) and the narrow gauge RR between Plaster City and Ocotillo Wells (where all the blow sand was).

The sidewalls on my tires have gotten progressively softer over time. Initially I had to run 12 psi in the rocks, 8 in the sand. Six months later I ran 18 while crossing the Rubicon and they looked as bulged out as they did on 12 when new.

John
 
nosigma said:
Six months later I ran 18 while crossing the Rubicon and they looked as bulged out as they did on 12 when new.
John
NOW I'm jealous! I left SoCal (The OC) in '96. That year I chose Moab over the Rubicon (I could only afford one big trip that year)....and I never made it there! Of course, I enjoyed Moab, and I've been trying to get back there ever since....:sunshine:
 
I'm about 5 hours from OBX, haven't been in a few years. Last time I went we drove down to Oregon Inlet to wheel and fish....what a great time!

Count me and the wife in for a spring trip! Hopefully I'll have my project xj out of the garage by then!

Keep us posted on dates, so we can start arranging time off, etc.

Thanks,
Rick
 
I usually run 15-20 in most of the OBX . Only time you need pressure lower than that is when you hit those hidden 'sugar bowls' ( most of which are on Hatteras Island ) . It also depends on the conditions . I've seen fully inflated tires on Oldsmobiles ( no schet ) driving around in certain spots . But I've also been stuck in a stripped down lightweight Toyota p/u on 35X17.50 Mickey's aired down to 10lbs and the driver had a light foot . ( that was a long day !! hahaha )
 
Just moved back to Va from the OBX a little over a month ago. I already miss living there! Seems that there's alot of tourists year-round these days (atleast more than a few years ago).I'd suggest maybe going Sometime mid-sept to mid-oct. All the families are back home by then putting their kids in school and the weather and water are usually still pretty pleasant. Starts getting crowded early in the spring these days once people are ready to get over their spring fever.

I'd also like to suggest a cruise north of Corolla in the 4x4 area named Carova. There's miles and miles of beach up there and also tons of wild ponies! Many houses up there also, but you have to drive on the beach to get to them and cross the dunes and there isn't a single paved road. It's a completely different world up there. There are also some nice little mud holes up there off to the side of some of the trails. In such a large group I'd be a little hesitant of having TOO much fun in them though; as the locals can get a little upset now and then. Just a thought though! That's one of my favorite places to go play and I even know a few secret hidden mudholes up there that I haven't seen anybody make it more than half-way though.
 
Count me in with any luck I will be living on Ocracoke again by then. i lived and worked there for close to 15 years and i have to tell you that there is more to the is land than Howards pub I worked there the whole time I lived there. the best time to go is the mid fall or late spring no ding batters and the fisherman are happy becuse the fish are bitting not the green heads. put me down for a spot at the bar.
 
So would you happen to know the secret lost location of Ye Olde Penny's Hill ? Supposedly the land was bought by none other than Charlie Falk ( rumor ) and was shut down decades ago . I have the 'supposed' location marked on my GPS ( from doing a little research ) but have never actually found the place . Hell .... it may be leveled now . What a shame if it is .

I also know the wrath of the Carova locals . Just meandering down a trail one day , I was met by a local with a hard rake in his hands . He warned if I continued down the trail , he would ruin my day . I turned around ! hahahaha
 
Not sure where that is but would love to find out more. is it closeto ocracoke or the va line? thats the problem with living on a island you forget that there is a main land.
 
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