PEAKS 2 SHORE 2025

"I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them." - Andy Bernard

Venture Unknown is beyond excited to announce one of our most exciting events to date……Peaks 2 Shore 2025! This is a REAL overlanding adventure!! We traverse the entire beautiful state of North Carolina from the furthest point west to the Outer Banks! This is our 5th year doing this trip and is the one that started it all!!! Our P2S trips have been some of the best times we’ve ever had with some really amazing people! This trip has a lil bit of everything.... From mountain trails full of creek crossings, to meandering mountaintop to mountaintop on the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the popular trails in Uwharrie NF, to trekking to the coastal forest of Croatan NF and then the rewarding finish of beach camping on Cape Lookout National Seashore!! It will be 7 DAYS of adventure-packed fun while also becoming closer to old friends and meeting new ones. Believe me, this is a trip you will never forget and will tell the grandkids about on that rocking chair porch one day.

READ EVERYTHING!!! THEN ASK QUESTIONS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND THIS TRIP HAS A LOT OF MOVING PARTS. GET INFORMED AND STAY INFORMED

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXACT ROUTE FOR THIS YEARS P2S IS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROUTE CHANGE DUE TO THE DAMAGE OF I40. WE WILL FIND A SUITABLE ALT IN A WORST CASE SCENERIO 

Ride Options

BEACH ONLY: When you arrive and depart is ultimately up to you.The majority of folks typicall show up Friday, June 6th and depart Wed June 11th

WHOLE TRIP: (Highly recommended) Wed June 4th - Wed June 11th

The journey is as important as the destination.

MOUNTAIN ONLY: This is not an option as we reserve these spaces for folks that are making the whole trip since we are limited to a max rig count. We hope you will understand this policy. 

 Max rig count:

• For the whole trip, for each team, will be approx. 15

• The beach-only portion does not have a max rig count but still requires an official registration on the VU website due to a National Park  beach permit VU must register for in advance.

Itinerary:

Day 1 

RALLY DAY 

Wed June 4th (anytime of the day or night)

Day 2

 DEPARTURE DAY (Harmons Den to Old House Gap)

Thursday, June 5th (drivers meeting 8 AM / depart 9 AM)

We will promptly begin at 8:00 AM PLEASE BE ON TIME. We will air down and depart at approx. 9:00 AM to explore the beautiful Goat Trail, Buzzards Roost, and Hurricane Creek. After Hurricane, we will air up and make our way to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway till we arrive and set camp near Old House Gap. Approx. seat time: 10 hours.

Day 3

(Old House Gap to Uwharrie to Croatan NF)

Friday, June 6th

Drivers meeting at 7:30 AM. We will break camp and make our way over to Uwharrie NF where we will rally at 4021 NC-109, Troy, NC 27371 (Eldorado Outpost) to obtain ride permits ($5) and ride the exciting Uwharrie trail system. We will split into 2 teams for this section of the trip: stock 4x4 and built 4x4 teams. Afterwards will be a long drive to the coast where we will set camp somewhere in the Croatan NF and may have a Hipcamp. This is where we will stage to board the ferry the following day on Saturday morning. Approx. seat time: 12 hours. 

Day 4

(Croatan NF to ferry to Cape Lookout)

Saturday, June 7th

This is the day we will have a reservation to ferry over to Cape Lookout. When you leave Friday camp depends solely on when your ferry time. Once on the island, you may choose to explore the island or you may proceed to camp VU. Camp coordinates will be shared in the P2S chat.  Depending on your ferry time, it will determine how you spend this day. This is a great time to grab a shower at the bathhouses located on the island!!

Day 4-7

(Beach days) Once on the beach, we do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT RELAX!!! NOTE: YOU CAN DEPART ANYTIME YOU NEED FROM THE BEACH AS LONG AS IT’S ARRANGED WITH THE FERRY SERVICE WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION. Most will stay on the island till Tuesday/Wednesday.

Cost:

• Venture Unknown donations: This registration is a "pay what you want." Donations are welcome and encouraged. We will have keepsake patches and stickers made for us all to remember the experience. Your donations help make this possible. We thank you with all our heart for being part of this journey and will be forever grateful for any generosity that helps VU stay strong.

Other costs:

• State permit:

  • Permits purchased before March 13, 2025, will cost $35.00. Beginning on March 14, 2025, the permits will cost $75.00. READ THE PERMIT WEBSITE CAREFULLY. EVERYONE MUST PRINT AND HAVE IT ON THEIR PERSON. Link to purchase HERE STATE PERMIT

• Uwharrie permit:

  • $5 per day or $30 for the season (you only HAVE to purchase a day permit for this trip). Can be purchased the day of at Eldorado Outpost across from our URE rally spot.

• Ferry cost:

  • All ferry cost and info can be found HERE Ferry Cost 

• Ferry reservation: WHEN YOU CALL TO MAKE A RESERVATION FOR THE FERRY, YOU MUST ARRANGE "ON" THE ISLAND AND "OFF" THE ISLAND TIMES.

VU Level 2 (The Overlander)

4x4 with mild mods (mild lift, all terrain tires) long seat times are expected for Peaks 2 Shore, mild pinstripes may occur. Hardest trail is Hurricane Creek and Goat Trail. We have had mild 4x4 builds make it just fine.

Rig requirements and ride expectations

• 4x4 required (AWD capable)

• All terrains tires required

• A small lift recommended

• First aid kit

• Full spare tire

• Recovery points required

• Recovery gear recommended but not required (lead guide has gear)

• GMRS radio (we have loaners if needed)

• Beach gear (sand stakes/bags/bug spray/sunscreen)

• TREADlightly online awareness certification is required for all VU rides (Free and takes 30 minutes to do online). You will be asked to show certification of this course. https://treadlightly.org/learn/online-courses/

• Adventurous spirit is a must.

• Seat times for this ride are long. We have checkpoints we must make it to in order to make our ferry times.. We do stop for lunch, fuel, and restroom along the route.

• Beach camping can be nice when the weather is cooperative, but has the potential to change and be brutal. Rain, wind, sand, temperatures can all be factors. It is important to stay informed and ask questions so we can all help each other be properly prepared.

• We will all attend daily driver/ safety meetings before each day.  The hardest trail we do on this route is Hurricane Creek. Experienced spotters will be available.

Communication leading up to the ride: VERY IMPORTANT

Once official registration is complete we will have 2 scheduled video conference calls. 

• First one is to thank y'all, go over the permit process, discuss ride plans, and answer any questions. 

• Second will be to check in and make sure everyone has their permits before the ride and check all systems are a go. We also will create a private chat on FB messenger appx 1 month before the ride. This is a way to prepare, get excited, plan food prep, etc. It is highly encouraged to be in this chat.

All conference calls will be sent via email and will use "Google meet" please be present. We will give everyone a choice of 2 dates for each call. It is required to pick one of two dates. This meet invite will be shared via email.

GAIA FILE

Previous route file

Subject to change every year

Event Shirts and Hats

Be on the lookout for announcements about placing an official Peaks 2 Shore 2024 shirt order. These are always a fun way to remember the trip. They are presale so if you miss out there will be no second chance to get one!

IMPORTANT NOTES

-I will have communications leading up to this trip to include a group chat on FB messenger, emails, video conference calls, and Facebook discussions.

-I will ensure you are fully informed and prepared to embark on this trip.

-Arrive to the rally point with a FULL TANK OF GAS!

-This trip is a matter of endurance and will require a tight schedule and good nights sleep. Once we arrive at the beach is when we can cut loose and relax.

-Some will choose to do only the mountain or beach portion but the entire trip is highly recommended

-we will give priority to those running the whole trip vs those wanting to run only the mountain portion

-Permits purchased before March 13, 2024 will cost $35.00. Beginning on March 14, 2024, the permits will cost $75.00. If you purchase your permit between January 1st, and February 28th, your ORV decal will be mailed to you. For permits purchased after March 1st ,you must show your printed permit to a Park Ranger upon arrival to North or South Core Banks to receive your ORV decal.

-PACK FOR THE BEACH APPROPRIATELY. THERE IS NO STORE ON THE ISLAND. BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE FERRY YOU MUST HAVE EVERYTHING FOR THE DAYS PLANNED TO STAY. BAGS OF ICE ARE AVAILABLE , FUEL, AND HOT SHOWERS ON THE BEACH BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.

-It seems expensive to visit Cape Lookout. The way we always justify it is it's under $200 to have a million dollar view for several days and wonderful nights. A beach hotel is more than $200 per night.

-Come prepared for high winds. Sand bags and stakes are a necessity.

Venture Unknown is looking forward to this epic adventure again this year with everyone! THIS IS NOT A RIDE……THIS IS A REUNION AND THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL!

Ok, let's do this!! Thanks for your interest in joining Venture Unknown for PEAKS 2 SHORE 2025

Venture Unknown is looking forward to this epic adventure again this year with everyone! THIS IS NOT A RIDE……THIS IS A REUNION AND THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL!

Ok, let’s do this!! Thanks for your interest in joining Venture Unknown for PEAKS 2 SHORE 2025!!!!