Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Gen1 Camping.jpg

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I ran into a couple of members at Peter's Mill Run this past weekend who directed me to this forum, and I'd like to try and organize a trip up to Flagpole Knob in the next couple of weeks. Who's in?

When:

October 10-11, 2020


NOVA Meeting Place:
Super Target
13301 Gateway Center Dr
Gainesville, VA 20155

Time: 9:45am - We're rolling out by 10:00am


Secondary Meeting Place:
Sheetz
798 E Market St
Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Time: 11:30am


What:
Flagpole Knob - Heading up Switzer Lake, coming down Forest Road 85A.
Camping - Sites are first come first serve, so no set camp spot.


Who's Invited:
I was getting some input from a friend and he would like to come.... He owns a jeep though. So initially I wanted this to be an Xterra/Frontier only trip, but I'm down to invite anyone.

*Our group size dictates possible camp sites if we want to remain together.
_____________________________________________________________

Once there, we'll get up near the top somewhere and set up camp, then relax and have dinner, talk, play music, etc., then in the morning, we pack up and head out through a different trail.

Feel free to bring:
  • your dogs (must be kid and dog friendly)
  • your kids (must be dog and kid friendly lol)
  • your guitar, or other instrument (no kazoos please)
  • anything else you would like
It will be BYOB/BYOF and feel free to cook there or bring something pre-made.

Expect temps to be at or below freezing, so pack warm and bring extra blankets/heater. I don't plan to camp at the clearing at the top because the wind can be murder at night.

Trails: I'd like to go up Switzer Lake and leave through Forest Road 85a, but I'm open to options. I'd like to go check out Union Springs once we're all set up or in the morning if anyone is interested, but I'd like to make it home also and I'm running 33" tires with no lift- not sure about the rest of you.
 
Last edited:

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I meant to tell you, if you haven't already also post this on the Virginia Xterra Facebook group. I think Terry or somebody posted the last group run there and that pulled in a few more people.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I haven't linked this ride there, so have at it! We need to try and wake up the VAXC a little.

I think some fellow Xterra guys are coming over to my place Saturday for wrenching and some light fab work so I'm not gonna make this trip either.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
I meant to tell you, if you haven't already also post this on the Virginia Xterra Facebook group. I think Terry or somebody posted the last group run there and that pulled in a few more people.
Thanks, I just posted there. I had it in the 4x4 trails of VA group since it was “awake”. Most of the Xterra groups are pretty sleepy, which is really unfortunate because I’d like to get an Xterra only group going somewhere at some point.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Thanks, I just posted there. I had it in the 4x4 trails of VA group since it was “awake”. Most of the Xterra groups are pretty sleepy, which is really unfortunate because I’d like to get an Xterra only group going somewhere at some point.
Jump in and start posting in the VAXC. Take it over! It's not like it's a club or forum anymore. Loose association is more apt.

If there's more activity there, I think folks would show up more and it would grow.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Hey Kyle, those who aren't on the 4x4 trails page can't see the link on the VAXC page. You might want to link this thread.

It'll be visible and possibly get more traffic over here.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Hey Kyle, those who aren't on the 4x4 trails page can't see the link on the VAXC page. You might want to link this thread.

It'll be visible and possibly get more traffic over here.
Yeah, next time I’ll just publically create the post on my page then add it everywhere. I mistakenly posted in the 4x4 first and it wouldn’t allow me to change the audience. You live and learn I guess.
 

MiggieX

Bought an X
Yeah it’d be great if the va xterra page was more alive, it be sick to have a cruise with like 10 or more x’s going somewhere lol
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Yeah it’d be great if the va xterra page was more alive, it be sick to have a cruise with like 10 or more x’s going somewhere lol
That would be dope. I had an old gen 3 4Runner several years ago and an old Gen 1 Xterra for a long time. I will say that there is way more of a “community” on the 4Runner forums and even my Yamaha motorcycle forum. I was a member of the new x forum several years ago and it seemed pretty busy, but there just isn’t the same life and camaraderie you get with other rigs. We’re kind of like the red-headed step children of the 4x4 world.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I agree we need to figure out how to get these groups to get more active.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
That would be dope. I had an old gen 3 4Runner several years ago and an old Gen 1 Xterra for a long time. I will say that there is way more of a “community” on the 4Runner forums and even my Yamaha motorcycle forum. I was a member of the new x forum several years ago and it seemed pretty busy, but there just isn’t the same life and camaraderie you get with other rigs. We’re kind of like the red-headed step children of the 4x4 world.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I agree we need to figure out how to get these groups to get more active.
Ok, so while I'm waiting for my grill to heat up for steak, I'll reply to this.

For this to happen, you have to have a group of folks who are dedicated. Above all, you need one person, here-to after referred to as "The Person" who is the most dedicated. It helps if they're single and childless or an empty nester who ONLY offroads or overlands.

"The Person" needs two or three others who are almost as dedicated. That way you get 3-4 folks at EVERY meetup. Even if it's just Taco Tuesday at the local cantina. These people form the core of the group. They would be the president and officers of a club ideally.

The constant posting of group activities of this sort draws in others, the "occasionallies" and "when convenients". And the group grows.

I'll be the first to say two things:

The VAXC has historically been centered around Richmond and guys out my way don't get involved because it stays there. Me included.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP! I've tried to go to two VAXC events that I could make the time for (father of 3, full time job, wife works) only to have "The VAXC" not make it out. People stop going when the group they want to be involved in doesn't show up. And we get involved in other groups.

Because of a couple groups going that route, I'm involved in the local Overland Bound group now. I've been working for a few years now to get it growing and it's working out, FINALLY. But I have two other guys who help and show up. That helps. And I've eaten more than one BBQ dinner by myself because no one showed up. It sticks but it is part of it.

The reason I started a local meetup is because of the Richmond/NOVA focus of the original VAXC. It's not personal, but there's a lot more state west of I64 that seems to get forgotten.

Anyways, hypocrite, @$$hole, Monday morning quarterback, whatever that makes me, that's my advice.

Start something, when I can, I'll be there! Even if we just gang up on the BWW in Waynesboro for wings and shooting the poop....

There's a group of us (the guys coming here Saturday) that have been hanging out when we can and wheeling if we can. It's generally impromptu and we're from all over the state (Ashland, Richmond, Buchanan, Covington and Grundy) but we do it.

Maybe we need to be more vocal but most of us have become a little cold on the light associations like the VAXC has become with the open type Facebook group VS a better established group but now we're off topic i think.

Anyways, if you're interested and INVESTED in getting it going, message me. I have more thoughts and I'd be willing to help!
 
Last edited:

MiggieX

Bought an X
Im interested in showing up but not hosting i suck at that lol but im in nova area so driving 3 hrs one way is far for me. And yeah i had a stance car and we had a car club and what you said is spot on. If you have a core group people will see the activities and show up
 
Last edited:

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I'm all for regular events, and I think this is the first local invite I've had to turn down in about a year. I'll continue to try and make events, so please keep posting them and let's work up to a huge X get-together.
 

MiggieX

Bought an X
I'm all for regular events, and I think this is the first local invite I've had to turn down in about a year. I'll continue to try and make events, so please keep posting them and let's work up to a huge X get-together.

i saw you're in fairfax and i think OP is in manassas, and I'm also in manassas so that's at least 3 of us in NOVA i know someone else in leesburg but he's moving to rihcmond in a couple of months. it would be cool if we set something up just to meet up or something. I'm not a big talker but at least i could show up haha maybe we can make a chat group in FB for local peeps and oh yeah i also found another white xterra in manassas that I've always seen drive by and we finally caught each other at a mcdonalds and exchanged info so maybe we can reel him in as well haha. damn i'm getting hype on making this nova group big
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Flagpole trip was a success. We had 3 Xterras, one first gen and 2 second gens. We also had a gen 4 4Runner and a JL Wrangler. Great group, great trip.

Had a really fun time getting up taking Switzer lake, and playing in the mud near the top. We had really good time making and having dinner with conversations by the campfire until after midnight. Very brief and light rain overnight, but cleared up and was mostly dry by morning. We had breakfast, packed up and went back to play in the mud before heading back down. We heading back down the way we came in. Decided taking the road out from the top would be cheating.

oh... and camera man was to the rear, so a few nice shots of my rig which is a huge plus.
 
Last edited:

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Side note: I know we’re a rare sight because a 4Runner/taco group was up there and was counting us... as I passed I heard one guy say, “Look, there’s 3 of them!” And the other guy replies, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many together.”
Anecdotal, but I’ve been saying the same thing....


Let’s get out there!
 

MiggieX

Bought an X
Side note: I know we’re a rare sight because a 4Runner/taco group was up there and was counting us... as I passed I heard one guy say, “Look, there’s 3 of them!” And the other guy replies, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many together.”
Anecdotal, but I’ve been saying the same thing....

Let’s get out there!

Nice! glad it was a success. the most x's ive seen together is with this other group i went with there was like 30 rigs and like 5-6 xterra and like 5 frontiers but other than that i don't really see many of us together. when im at peters mill run i see like 50 jeeps and maybe one other nissan which is like woohoo finally haha

i wanted to go but i went with this other group and they were going reallyyyyyy slow for my taste haha
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Ok, so while I'm waiting for my grill to heat up for steak, I'll reply to this.

For this to happen, you have to have a group of folks who are dedicated. Above all, you need one person, here-to after referred to as "The Person" who is the most dedicated. It helps if they're single and childless or an empty nester who ONLY offroads or overlands.

"The Person" needs two or three others who are almost as dedicated. That way you get 3-4 folks at EVERY meetup. Even if it's just Taco Tuesday at the local cantina. These people form the core of the group. They would be the president and officers of a club ideally.

The constant posting of group activities of this sort draws in others, the "occasionallies" and "when convenients". And the group grows.

I'll be the first to say two things:

The VAXC has historically been centered around Richmond and guys out my way don't get involved because it stays there. Me included.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP! I've tried to go to two VAXC events that I could make the time for (father of 3, full time job, wife works) only to have "The VAXC" not make it out. People stop going when the group they want to be involved in doesn't show up. And we get involved in other groups.

Because of a couple groups going that route, I'm involved in the local Overland Bound group now. I've been working for a few years now to get it growing and it's working out, FINALLY. But I have two other guys who help and show up. That helps. And I've eaten more than one BBQ dinner by myself because no one showed up. It sticks but it is part of it.

The reason I started a local meetup is because of the Richmond/NOVA focus of the original VAXC. It's not personal, but there's a lot more state west of I64 that seems to get forgotten.

Anyways, hypocrite, @$$hole, Monday morning quarterback, whatever that makes me, that's my advice.

Start something, when I can, I'll be there! Even if we just gang up on the BWW in Waynesboro for wings and shooting the poop....

There's a group of us (the guys coming here Saturday) that have been hanging out when we can and wheeling if we can. It's generally impromptu and we're from all over the state (Ashland, Richmond, Buchanan, Covington and Grundy) but we do it.

Maybe we need to be more vocal but most of us have become a little cold on the light associations like the VAXC has become with the open type Facebook group VS a better established group but now we're off topic i think.

Anyways, if you're interested and INVESTED in getting it going, message me. I have more thoughts and I'd be willing to help!
While I am childless and single and live alone (sad, I know lol) and I completely agree with you... organizing this trip gave me a taste of what that would be like and I’m just too busy day to day. And even after the trip, it wasn’t over. Still coordinating file sharing and getting everyone connected to each other.

While I’m not able to carry the torch, I can definitely support the carrier.
 
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