Patrick,

I would discourage anyone from taking their 2WD Vanagon to Cape Fear/Ft.
Fisher.  Even the hard-packed trail behind the dunes has soft spots that
devour Volkswagens and other vehicles.  I used to have a blast down there
in my '74 THING, but only because my passengers could jump out and push
before we lost too much momentum in the soft stuff.  Has anyone taken the
doors off their Vanagon?  Then we would linger, loose track of the time,
and get caught by high tide, which flows over sections the trail twice
daily.  I spent several summers as a lifeguard at Carolina Beach, and we
jeep-patrolled the north end to Carolina Inlet.  I saw plenty of stuck
vehicles; I think the funniest was a Vega.  Buried to where the doors
wouldn't open.

My Subaru Brat did well in all but the loosest sand, and made it to the
inlet north of Bald Head.  If you can get there, it's a beautiful spot.
But unless your up for an adventure, you might consider leaving the van on
the pavement in this case.  If you go for it, good luck, and please post a
trip report when you get back.

Where are you from?

Cheers,
Chris Wyatt
'87 Syncro GL, Fairbanks, Alaska
'74 THING, Yaupon Beach, North Carolina
'85 Subaru Brat (sold)
I guess my next vehicle will be a HUMMER...

########################
Chris Wyatt
User Services Consultant
Alaska SAR Facility
Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska Fairbanks
903 Koyukuk Dr., P.O. Box 757320
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7320

Voice: (907) 474-7312
FAX:   (907) 474-5195
email: cwyatt@gi.alaska.edu