So Cal out of the way camping?

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Kirk_Ferentz

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Any recommendations for a nice camping area in southern california that is out of the way and won't be overcrowded for labor day? Most of the camping I have done in this area is at small camp sites that I'm sure have been booked up for a long time for labor day weekend.
 
Could be really hot. But if it's not, its out of the way, and pretty unrestricted. Get a good map, pick a spot. Email me if you want more info.

Kirk_Ferentz said:
Any recommendations for a nice camping area in southern california that is out of the way and won't be overcrowded for labor day? Most of the camping I have done in this area is at small camp sites that I'm sure have been booked up for a long time for labor day weekend.
Click to expand...
 
I know where I would go in Anza, but thought it would be too hot there. But I would be up in the mountains (as opposed to the valley, where I assume it would be hotter) ... maybe I'll check on the temps.
 
I got tired of going camping on labor day way too many stupid people out there. Now Anza desert is a great place but i done it once before and its hot during the day. Ended up going hiking right as sunrise or before sunset the rest of the day been sitting in the shade reading books or going for a very slow and easy hike lol. If you do find a spot please please let me know. Kings canyons used to be realy good and i know of a few spots but the last few years it started to get very crowded and not worth the long drive no more.

Sasha
 
I can't suggest specific locations (obviously), but I can give some general advice.

As a general rule of thumb you can usually rely on the laziness of people :D

The more inconvenience involved, eg distance from the nearest car park / trail, steepness of the terrain, density of the vegetation, remoteness, extremes in temps, etc, etc, etc, the less likely you'll see anyone else.

I hope you enjoy your trip :thumbup:




Kind regards
Mick
 
joshua tree is a great spot. mammoth lakes has some sick places to go. you can drive out on BLM land.
 
Most BLM land in So CA is in pretty inhospitable areas, especially this time of year. Out of the way, yes, but for good reason.

That said, it's about the only place I go camping these days. I like the desolation and extreme climate.
 
I remember when I was a kid going out to BLM land and just having a great time. we would shoot guns and ride motorcycles. It was fun because only the people you invited along knew where you were at.
 
Honesty, I can't think of a single place that won't be a mess on Labor Day...... That is the trouble here in So Cal. Too many damn people just about everywhere.
 
All of the family camp grounds will be packed, so you're probably left with some sort of compromise involving heat, distance, and little/no water. For remoteness I like the dripping springs trail in the Cleveland National Forest. Not that many people take this trail (dry, hot, switchbacks out the ying-yang, no water) so the solitude is great. A 5 or 6 mile hike in will open up to some pretty decent places to camp. This time of year it's to warm for my blood, but to each his own.
 
About as far away as you can get in the lower 48 and in the PRK:

Saline Valley, DVNP.

We were there summer 2008 and while the air was nice, the ground was HOT! Oh well, we still had a great time.

If you go, how about picking me up some salt from the (usually) SV dry lake? When were there, it was flooded (see second pic) and we couldn't get much salt and we're almost out now.

Thanks,

Al
 

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You all are more tolerant of heat than I ... anza borrego, joshua tree, and death valley are all blacked out on my calendar for this time of year. Availability is really tough for labor day weekend, but I did find an expensive group site reswervation up in the mountains in los padres national park. It's over 7,500 feet up and the weather looks like it's very nice right now, so hopefully it will work out well. Has a similar look to the campsite I was at in Mount San Jacinto state park near idyllwild (a cool area), but this place is even farther up, so we will see.

The best part... I should be getting my new swamp rat right before the trip! Also will be the debut of my wetterlings large hunting axe.
 
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