Feeler for a CA gathering

sasha said:
Lambertiana can you come with a good location sort of midway to everyone. I know you pack in the area often. How about snow up there. I used to camp of the N-90 about 1-2 miles past the N-50 at horse meadow creek road or the was a smaller meadow before the horse meadow on the other side of the road. Any input from someone that lives there would be great. I think we can still use Bows and Arrows..

Sasha
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I do a lot of backpacking in the high country, and that will still be buried in snow until at least early July. But I am fairly familiar with some of the middle elevation areas in the National Forest. Two general areas that could yield a good camping location would be around Grant Grove, over toward Horse Corral, or above Shaver Lake going toward Wishon Reservoir. I would have to check to make sure the forest service doesn't have any permitting requirements. But those two areas should have plenty of places where we could pull up and camp.
 
I've backpacked extensively around the Shaver/Huntington Lake area. There's a big parking area at the Dinkey Lakes Trailhead where we usually camp for a night before heading up the trail. There are half a dozen lakes within a half day's walk of the trailhead. I just don't know how early in the year the access road is snow free. It's a long dirt road and would be a bit challenging for passenger cars with snow on it (although I once did it in the snow using a 2WD Volvo sedan).

lambertiana is right about this being a nice area.

DancesWithKnives
 
The following weekends work for me:

Apr 4, 18
May 9, 23

SLO area would be easier for me to get to, but the Kings Canyon area is okay. Re KC, we are talking about outside the NP, right?
 
is there anyway somebody could post/find a general map of the area.. so folks have an idea where it might be... i haven't been in that area, for a long time.. it's gorgeous...:)
 
mtnfolk mike said:
is there anyway somebody could post/find a general map of the area.. so folks have an idea where it might be... i haven't been in that area, for a long time.. it's gorgeous...:)
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Dinkey creek, shaver, wishon area?

Google map "dinkey creek" then zoom out.

Here's a screen shot, wishon is right below Courtright.

Ah, never mind, couldn't figure out how to paste a print screen.

Anyways, anywere between Shaver and Wishon, or Shaver and Huntington would be nice. Shaver itself however is an actuall town and probably a little too crowded for what we want to do.
 
Maybe you should consider somewhere a little lower. Shaver Lake is around 5000ft and will probably still have a lot of snow this time of year.
It is a beautiful place though as I am very familiar with the area.
 
DWK2 said:
I've backpacked extensively around the Shaver/Huntington Lake area. There's a big parking area at the Dinkey Lakes Trailhead where we usually camp for a night before heading up the trail. There are half a dozen lakes within a half day's walk of the trailhead. I just don't know how early in the year the access road is snow free. It's a long dirt road and would be a bit challenging for passenger cars with snow on it (although I once did it in the snow using a 2WD Volvo sedan).

lambertiana is right about this being a nice area.

DancesWithKnives
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I've done some hunting/fishing/camping in the Shavers lake area and my opinion, is that it's an excellent area for a meet up. Bear country, so equip accordingly.:D Here's a link to a map of the Dinkey Creek area.

Dinkey Creek
 
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Yes, if the road from Tamarack Ridge to the Dinkey Creek/Lakes trailhead is open by the time we want to go, there's a lot of forest service land on which you can camp with few neighbors and little official oversight. But if there's still snow on the ground, 2wds would have a lot of difficulty (and Tamarack Ridge is well above Shaver Lake's 5,000 ft level).

If Sasha's spot in Kings Canyon is lower and easier to access, it might be better.

DancesWithKnives
 
Hey guys.. O.k i been reading about Montana Oro beach park.. It would be easier with toilets and comfort. The big problem i have with it is that they tell you what camp site you would have when you get there. So we might end up all over the place All spots need to be reserved months in advance. Lets not forget the extra price. I called the park asking if there is any way we can have atlist 3 sites next to each other and been told they cant promise that. They dont want more then 3 cars per site and 8 people.
I emailed with Lamertiana and the place i were thinking about is a no go cause of snow. In turn he said he knows of a place in the area with lots of trees and open space. At lower elevation(warmer). We should get more info later on tonight and maybe a pic or two from the area. I would realy like to make it as intresting and fun as we can. To make sure people would want to come back again and again. The first time would be the hardest to set up. Bear with me as its my first time getting such a large group from all over the state come togher.
Do you want to have a name for our first gathering???

Sasha
 
Ray i got pics of a bears from the area. One of them was about 60ft or so away... I should scan and post on here. My friend said he never seen anyone run so fast up a steep hill even in the movies lol..
 
I like the general area about which you are speaking. Let's hope that's a "go".

If you want a name, how about "WildTimes I"? Sort of captures wilderness and party themes. Next year you can just add a II. I'm sure there are plenty of more clever names but that ought to get the ball rolling anyway.

DancesWithKnives
 
Here are some ideas.



http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/el_chorro.htm
http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/lopez.htm
http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/santa_margarita.htm

And

Location and Reservation Information
San Simeon State Park is located 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1, and 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center. The community of Cambria is located 2 miles to the South and offers gas stations and grocery stores.
San Simeon, CA - Latitude/Longitude: 35.6438 / -121.1897
San Simeon Creek Campgrounds
The San Simeon Creek Campgrounds offers 115 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for a RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. Water spigots are available throughout the campground. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin operated showers, a dump station and water fill-up for RV's, and pay phones are also available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host.

Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Trail may also be available.
 
sasha said:
Ray i got pics of a bears from the area. One of them was about 60ft or so away... I should scan and post on here. My friend said he never seen anyone run so fast up a steep hill even in the movies lol..
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Lol, yes please post. The only bear I've ever seen in real life, was at Giant Forest, and he was maybe 10 ft. away. Scared the bejezzous out of my at first.

Sorry for the thread hijack, as you were.
 
I did some checking around today. The middle elevation areas that I think would be ideal would just not be accessible before the end of May because of snowpack. The forest service roads are generally not open until Memorial Day weekend (that is what the forest service told me today).

I can think of two locations that are lower elevation (around 4500') that should be accessible. Both are in NF land, and I have gone shooting in both locations.

The first is above Hart Christian camp just below the Redwood Mountain grove. This one has a big grassy area for camping and decent transition forest cover - primarily a mix of oak, ponderosa, and incense cedar. Of the two spots, this one definitely has better tree cover. Here is a picture of the grassy area where we would camp:
Wortman2007023.jpg


This spot is fine for trap and pistol shooting, but a little marginal for large caliber rifle. There are occasionally cattle grazing through the area, so there are cow pies present.

The second is off highway 180, over McKenzie Ridge. The access is probably a little easier (not as complicated a route) but the tree cover is not very thick. Again, mostly scattered oak, ponderosa, and incense cedar. This picture was taken from the edge of the area where we would camp (campsites behind where I was standing):
11-29-08013.jpg


This spot is fine for all kinds of shooting. And there are a couple of cars there that are now well ventilated.

We would need a fire permit, but nothing else. Both locations are about 75 minute drive from Visalia; the first one would be a little closer for those coming from the south, the second would be a little closer for those coming from the north. I will be taking some friends shooting in a couple weeks, and I could take careful notes so I could post directions that give mileage at various points where you would turn.
 
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