President's Day Weekend Winchester Bay?

[peecout]

I am planning a trip down to Winchester Bay for President's Day weekend and was wondering if this is a very big weekend. Just curious how many people take advantage of the 3 day weekend in Feb.

[guinness77]

Yep. It's busy. Better make reservations at discovery point now. February's are nice on the Oregon coast. (Wierd since January and March are wet.)

[peecout]

I actually made reservations at Discovery Point before Christmas, so I should be golden. It has been a long since I have been there though so I am getting really pumped. Ya, I saw some pics on a web site where people were wearing t-shirts on that weekend last year. Keeping my fingers crossed!:cool:
Is Banshee hill the hot spot or ....anywhere?????

[guinness77]

Banshee hill has changed alot in the last year. It's not nearly as steep. About 70% up the hill you can hop over to your left and take an alternate route to the top. But the alternate route is really a challenge since there's a 9" thick log across the it. The tops of the dunes are the most dangerous I've ever seen. They are not smooth anymore. The fierce winds we've had have carves deep crevaces into the face of the dunes. They range from 2 feet wide to 12 feet wide and 2 feet deep to 25 feet deep. Some are 2'x25' and others are 12'x2'. They really run the full spectrum. This makes for some challenging navigation. As long as you keep on your toes, you'll have no problems.

[peecout]

WoW thats does sound pretty bad. I was just curious because I havent been to Winchester Bay for about 12 years. I rode my brothers banshee, but now that I have my own quad I have been pretty anxious to go back!
Do you know of any other good spots at Winchester Bay? We are going to be down there for five days and I dont want to miss anything.

[guinness77]

About 30 minutes South of Winchester Bay,just North of the Green bridge of North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon there is a road heading West with bay water on both sides. It leads to Horsefall Camp. The camp is an RV type of camp with about 100 spots. There is a host. Each site is capable of holding a 40' RV plus trailer. There are showers, restrooms, and direct dune access. Most spots have a picnic table, fire pit, and room for a tent. The RV area is well shielded by trees. So the wind won't be a problem. You can be in the dunes in 20 seconds. There is a day use area. This particular section of the dune area is the most family oriented. It is about 5 miles long and 3/4 miles wide. So it's hard to get lost. Along the long Western edge the dunes are shallow. That's ideal for the kids. Along the long Eastern edge the dunes rise to 300 feet. Ideal for those who want challenges. There are several dune trails that are fun as well. If you drive out from Horsefall camp you can get to the top of the dunes and see the bay bridge. There are many quad drag races in this spot. If you travel along the length of this smaller riding area you will reach Houser. Houser has a couple ATV rental places, a KOA campground 5 minutes away from the dunes and a day use area. This whole smaller area I've described is connected to a MUCH MUCH larger riding area via a sand road (from Houser). If you take this sand road you will come out into the 7,000-acre area. Yeah, it's large and has many open dunes, forested areas, dune trails, and dune-locked lakes. Here you can turn South into the Bull Run riding area. It's very much like the smaller horsefall-houser riding area. If you continue forward from that sand road you will hit the beach. (Lots of fun!). If you turn North you will come to several lakes and eventually reach Spinreel Camp. Spinreel is the Northern most point of the large riding area.

You remember that road just North of the Green bridge? Well Horsefall camp is just an early turnoff. If you stay on that road you will hit the Southern tip of the Bull Run riding area. Bull run is a day use area with a brick out-house. From there you can enjoy Bull run (about 2,500 acres) traveling North until you hit the sand road.

You remember that road just North of the Green Bridge? Well if you stick with it to the end you will come to Horsefall Beach. Horsefall beach has about 60 RV spots. But only a few have picnic tables and fire pits. There are nice bathrooms and a camp host. You have direct dune access. You can hit the beach in under 30 seconds. Or you can go a little North along a road that parallels the beach and turn into Bull-run riding area. If you continue North riding your ATV on the beach you enjoy following the gentle curves of the beach break, sliding sideways, and smelling the cool ocean breeze. Horsefall Beach is poorly shielded from the ocean breeze and can get quite breezy at night. You can drive North all the way along the beach until you hit the big sign in the sand that say's "No riding past this sign." If you turn inland you will be on a sand road called Ten-mile road that takes you to Spinreel camp.

Spinreel camp is about 20 South of Winchester Bay. It's at the Northnern most edge of the riding area. It has many RV spots and direct dune access. All RV spots have pick-nick tables and a fire pit. There are bathrooms and a day use area. Off of the day use area there is steelhead fishing and pedestrian-only dunes.

Up until now I've described the outermost reaches of the dunes. Now for the goodpart. What's inside? The smaller riding area from Horsefall camp to Houser is open dunes with a perimeter of dune trails. But the larger riding area is a real mix. You can ride for a week in there every day and never go over the same dune twice. Most dunes are only about 200 feet. The Bull Run area parallels the beach and has a great many jumps. Past the sand road if you tend to stay to the West you'll enjoy many trails. If you tend to stay to the East you can stay in open dunes all the way to Spinreel. To give you an idea of how big this area is, if you ride the outside perimeter and go around the entire large riding area. You can expect the trip to take 90 minutes. (That's really stretching the gas.) If you have a good sense of direction you'll be fine. But if you don't, stay in familiar areas and open up your loops gradually. With an experienced escort, you won't want to leave. There are many forested area with dune trails going through them. There are several dune locked lakes with tree patches along side of them (ideal for a picnic.) There are a couple of wide dune roads leading towards the beach.

Now for the rules. There is a strict 93 decibel limit placed on all quads in the Oregon Dunes. The fine is $250.00. No riding between the hours of 10pm and 6am in the Coos Bay Dunes. Winchester Bay is 24 hour. No glass in the dunes at any time. Alcohol is AOK in established camping sights. There are many sand camping sights available (by reservation only.) Just off of Horsefall camp there are several RV sights on the sand itself. There are plenty of isolated picnic spots.

[peecout]

Dang! Thanks a lot for all the info. I am going to have to print that out and bring it with me so I remember where to go. Maybe we could get a tour when we get down there(if your up for a ride that is).
The only thing that is starting to concern me is the sound decibel levels. I bought my bike from a guy in Oregon and he has it set up for the dunes with a Pro Circut T-4 pipe. It looks like with this pipe, it runs around 101db. He rode this setup on the dunes the entire time he owned the bike. What I am getting to is, do they only harrass you if you are out there riding like a idiot looking for trouble? Or is it really that strict?
I just can't imagine people going to the dunes and throwing their stock pipes back on. Just about everyone that I know that rides the dunes, have aftermarket exhausts.
Also, are you sure Winchester Bay is 24 hours? I thought the curfew was 12pm.

[450RgETiRdONE]

If you go all out and be crazy, or even just ballin in 5th across flats they notice ya, they see ya , and if they are paying attention, they will stop ya. Bust out there stick and string and meter and see how loud it is!!!!! So just depends on the circumstances really. I know I'm not much help but if its scream n LOUD:eek2: they will stop ya:mad: !!!

Just hit some trails and loose em.....Not good idea..Lol
:D :D

[guinness77]

Unfortunately there's no way I can get that day off. Otherwise I'd gladly give you the full tour. I just got back from there. 5 hours of riding. Man oh man was that fun. It loos as if many of the crevaces will be gone by the time you arrive.

[z400roosteR]

Originally posted by guinness77
Unfortunately there's no way I can get that day off. Otherwise I'd gladly give you the full tour. I just got back from there. 5 hours of riding. Man oh man was that fun. It loos as if many of the crevaces will be gone by the time you arrive.
Lucky Bast*rd....Coos bay, man i wish there were dunes that close to me here in portland.

[guinness77]

Believe me. I count my blessings every week. That's how often I go out there.

[peecout]

Ya I couldnt imagine being able to go ride the dunes whenever you want. I have to plan a trip 4 months out, then dream about it everyday till I go.

[norcalatver]

Originally posted by guinness77
Believe me. I count my blessings every week. That's how often I go out there.
Guiness77, Are you going to be riding any time between February 17th--25th? My family, and a few friends are going to be in the Hauser area that week and would love to ride with you. P.M. me if you can. Thanks, Dave

[peecout]

Ya, we are going Feb 16th-20th. Maybe we all could hook up for a ride!!

[guinness77]

Originally posted by norcalatver
Guiness77, Are you going to be riding any time between February 17th--25th? My family, and a few friends are going to be in the Hauser area that week and would love to ride with you. P.M. me if you can. Thanks, Dave

Probably, I'm out there every week if I can. Been doing it 5 years. I won't know for sure until February 8th or so. February is usually very nice around here. If you liked Hauser-to-Horsefall camp, you're gonna LOVE the full circuit. Sure I'll show you and your family around. Any reason to ride is a good one! What kind of quads do you have? What kind of riding time can you get in before you need to re-fuel each one? Do you like wide open dunes? Dune trails? The beach? All-of-the-above?

I'll figure out how to PM on this site a little later. Gotta hit the sack. But a group ride is always fun. If you have little kids we can certainly stick to the easier paths.

Talk to you soon.
-Tim

[400EX QUADER]

If I have my quad done by then then I might have to join ya! might be a week too early though... we'll see.:ermm:

[guinness77]

Sure! The more the merrier!

[peecout]

Let me know as soon as you guys figure out a day. I will have to trailer up and head down to Hauser area. About 6 of us in my group.

[norcalatver]

Guiness 77, I p.m.'d you when I'll be there. I'll be able to ride nearly every day. Also, I'm going to be riding this Sunday with a couple friends. Do you want to ride with us? If so check your pm's, I left my cell# there. I won't have access to a computer until next Tuesday since I'll be in Coos Bay!

[guinness77]

Hey, 400EXQUADRACER. Clear out some room in your in-box and I'll send you some info.

Thanks!

[400EX QUADER]

Really clean now...:devil:

[norcalatver]

Hey Guiness77, did you get my pm? It sure was raining today! We didn't even go riding today because of the rain. Looking forward to riding over Pres. Day week!

[sandnmyteeth2]

I will be there. What site are you in? There is 6 of us coming over from Moses Lake that weekend

[400EX QUADER]

I cant make it guys... sorry. I can after march. like april if ya wanna plan another trip. I already have 2 march sandlake trips planned...:ermm: