ABOUT
In 2022, THE OBX WAY was founded to organize a FREE public archive for Outer Banks trails, based on TRUE hiker research. Importantly, THE OBX WAY partners with communities and organizations to improve outdoor recreation appreciation and access.
In 2023, THE OBX WAY established Jockey's Trail, a 50-mile pilgrimage from Jockey's Ridge to the VA border, inspired by backpacking treks across Carolina, Ireland, and Spain. Although Jockey's Trail is an epic journey, it is not a thru-hike, limited by logistics. Specifically, there is only one authorized tent campsite, located in Colington. Wild camping is not permitted.
Alternatively, THE OBX WAY championed North Carolina's 2023 Year of the Trail initiative and engineered sections of Jockey's Trail as "Community Path" day-hikes. This project was made possible by a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation and produced a FREE online map with distance and service markers for trails from Nags Head to Carova.
Additionally, THE OBX WAY partnered with Dare County Schools' Careers Beyond the Counter HONORS course internship program to mentor an aspiring outdoor photographer. Our creative collaboration focused on trail composition and online editing to produce photos for competition, while authoring "10 Outer Banks Hikes" for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
In 2024, THE OBX WAY continued its Careers Beyond the Counter partnership, developing an Outer Banks Paddle Map, featuring public access sites, route distances, and service markers. The map was included in the "Outer Banks Paddle Trails" essay, again published by the OBVB. Also, through his initiative, our intern partner won 1st Place in the NC Wildlife Photo Contest.
Proudly, THE OBX WAY established The Outer Banks Trail Center in historic downtown Manteo. The simple shelter inside Magnolia Market provides practical outdoor recreation support: shade, rest, and accurate information. Crucially, the Trail Center is an symbol of progress, a location to host educational activities, and an example of community coordination.
MEDIA
Baily, L. (2021, April 14). Catawba College Alum Embracing Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Catawba College. https://catawba.edu/news/all-news/archives/catawba-college-alum-embracing-mountains-to-sea-tr/
Halton, L. (2022, June 2). Trail Friends Along the MST. Explore Elkin. https://www.exploreelkin.com/post/trail-friends-along-the-mst
Halton, L. (2023, January 12). New Year, New Trail. The Outer Banks of North Carolina. https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/new-year-new-trail-the-obx-way-begins-the-jockeys-trail-project/
Tab, K (2023, March 24). Hiker Follows Vision to Link Nags Head, Carova via Trails. North Carolina Coastal Federation. https://coastalreview.org/2023/03/hiker-follows-vision-to-link-nags-head-carova-via-trails/
Ruckle, P. (2023, March 29). Jockey's Trail. The Coastland Times. https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2023/03/29/jockeys-trail-new-hiking-route-from-nags-head-to-virginia-border-established/
Williams, A. (2023, June 29). Blazing a Trail. Catawba College. https://catawba.edu/stories/alumni/luke-halton/
Kane, K. (2023, July 25). NC ICONS - Jockey's Ridge. Our State Magazine. https://www.ourstate.com/nc-icons-jockeys-ridge/
Halton, L. (2023, October). A Year on the Trail [Google Slides]. Alumni Class, Catawba College. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1U8qXa7B4x159skiZbQEe0NxLaY_jBXCP9Vqf_AtiQCs/edit?usp=sharing
Halton, L. (2024, January 25). Corolla Civic Support [Google Slides]. Guest Presenter, Corolla Civic Association. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cOfOcKVi-bCnbS_L2WtgLDx3K_MVRNX1zlzeMD0IWyw/edit?usp=sharing
Halton, L., Lashley, B. (2024, January 25). 10 Outer Banks Hikes. The Outer Banks of North Carolina. https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/10-outer-banks-hikes/
Halton, L., Lashley, B. (2024, June 17). Outer Banks Paddle Trails. The Outer Banks of North Carolina. https://www.outerbanks.org/blog/post/outer-banks-paddle-trails/