Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Skyguns MKII on December 21, 2011, 07:07:21 PM

Title: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: Skyguns MKII on December 21, 2011, 07:07:21 PM
Here’s the deal. IV been desiring to go backpacking/tent camping somewhere in California for a while. I put the idea up on the table for my friends as an after graduation celebration idea. They liked the idea and we start researching... Now we don't want to do any of that "payment membership campground trailer B.S." We have done that before and the only thing enjoyable is what’s local. We wanted to do the classic 3-5 mile walk into the middle of nowhere, make fire and camp, and stay as long as our supplies let us. One issue, the Californian state/national areas idea of this is, pay a parking fee, drive up a dirt road usually a mile or less from a busy one, park your vehicle, and set up camp in that dirt slot you have reserved. This is NOT camping. Can anybody help me here?
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: MrBill on December 21, 2011, 08:24:31 PM
180 out to Kanawyers then hike up into Kings Canyon.
299 to French Gulch then up French Gulch road to the end, hike up into the Trinity Alps.

No gas, no amenities, no lights, no cell service ... your on your own ... enjoy.
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: B-17 on December 21, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
Well... do you canoe?

Tends to be quite easy, at least up in Algonquin Park in Ontario, or on the Spanish/Temagami Rivers. Set up a trip, set the length, pack up all you need, then leave.

Downside=you still have the dirt sites on the side of the river.
Upside=not too many people, if you go at the right time of year, and there's some wicked canoeing to be had :aok

Not sure if it's helpful, just my $0.02
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: eagl on December 21, 2011, 08:42:17 PM
I think lots of people walk around lake tahoe, and there just isn't much out there.  This time of year it ought to be darn near deserted, although if they've had much snow recently they'll probably ask for some sort of credentials proving your 1337 outdoor skillz before they let you outside the manicured portions of the park.  So call ahead and ask.

I think the hike around tahoe takes about a week if you take the scenic trails.  The park service ought to have trail maps available.  Upside is that it's badazz back country, downside is it's waaay up the mountain so during the winter it's not a good place for amateurs to try.

There are lots of other state parks in calif though...  You just need to do some googling and then give the park service a call or go visit a ranger station nearby to get their recommendation.  If the ranger blows you off, keep checking around until you get some decent intel.


Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: B-17 on December 21, 2011, 08:44:35 PM
Oh, you're in Cali...

disregard my post lol.
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: oakranger on December 21, 2011, 10:18:19 PM
Wyoming's Wind River range or western Montanda has a lot of backwoods trails that you would go 3-5 miles. 
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: saggs on December 22, 2011, 04:25:07 AM
I'm nearly completly baffled by the OP.  :huh

Can't find a place to go backpacking in California??  Seriously??

There are literally tens of millions of acres of designated wilderness area, BLM land, FS land and National parks in California, I honestly don't understand what your issue is.  :huh

To bluntly answer the question that is your thread title.  No, it's not.  Your entire premise is completely backwards.  There are more people getting out into the backcountry now then there probably ever has been.  It kind of ticks me off because some of my favorite places where I used to not see another soul for a whole week trip, and now getting too crowded for my liking. 


Wyoming's Wind River range or western Montanda has a lot of backwoods trails that you would go 3-5 miles.  

That wins the understatement of the month award right there  :lol.  I worked as a backpacking/climbing guide in the Wind Rivers for 6 straight summers, I kind of consider the Wind River backcountry my second home. There is easily over a thousand miles of trail just in the Winds alone, and humongous tracts of pristine trail less areas as well.  I say if you're not going at least 10 miles from any parking lot/trailhead then it's not really camping.  Personally I like to go off trail as often as possibly too, just to get away from as many people as possible, I've hiked to lakes and peaks in the Winds that are many miles from any trail...  not that I recommend that to a novice...


Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: VonMessa on December 22, 2011, 05:00:13 AM
If you can't find a place to backpack in California, you are looking in the wrong place.  

I live just North of Philly and there are a hundred places to camping less than an hour from here.  The Appalachian Trail is just one of many that do not have any amenities...

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff107/tymekeepyr/165634_1682822224333_1050910708_31861652_274677_n.jpg)
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: CAP1 on December 22, 2011, 07:44:57 AM
Here’s the deal. IV been desiring to go backpacking/tent camping somewhere in California for a while. I put the idea up on the table for my friends as an after graduation celebration idea. They liked the idea and we start researching... Now we don't want to do any of that "payment membership campground trailer B.S." We have done that before and the only thing enjoyable is what’s local. We wanted to do the classic 3-5 mile walk into the middle of nowhere, make fire and camp, and stay as long as our supplies let us. One issue, the Californian state/national areas idea of this is, pay a parking fee, drive up a dirt road usually a mile or less from a busy one, park your vehicle, and set up camp in that dirt slot you have reserved. This is NOT camping. Can anybody help me here?

 yea. get outta kalifornia.
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: Jenks on December 22, 2011, 10:09:16 AM

299 to French Gulch then up French Gulch road to the end, hike up into the Trinity Alps.


Anywhere into the Trinity is an awesome trip. Might be a little bit o' snow this time of year tho'.  :D
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: Skyguns MKII on December 22, 2011, 07:34:20 PM
I'm nearly completly baffled by the OP.  :huh

Can't find a place to go backpacking in California??  Seriously??

There are literally tens of millions of acres of designated wilderness area, BLM land, FS land and National parks in California, I honestly don't understand what your issue is.  :huh

To bluntly answer the question that is your thread title.  No, it's not.  Your entire premise is completely backwards.  There are more people getting out into the backcountry now then there probably ever has been.  It kind of ticks me off because some of my favorite places where I used to not see another soul for a whole week trip, and now getting too crowded for my liking. 


That wins the understatement of the month award right there  :lol.  I worked as a backpacking/climbing guide in the Wind Rivers for 6 straight summers, I kind of consider the Wind River backcountry my second home. There is easily over a thousand miles of trail just in the Winds alone, and humongous tracts of pristine trail less areas as well.  I say if you're not going at least 10 miles from any parking lot/trailhead then it's not really camping.  Personally I like to go off trail as often as possibly too, just to get away from as many people as possible, I've hiked to lakes and peaks in the Winds that are many miles from any trail...  not that I recommend that to a novice...




then who better to help me out than you...
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: oakranger on December 22, 2011, 10:27:10 PM
Another great place is the Grand Canyon.  Going down into the canyon is one thing, but going back up is anal prob at best. 
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: fbEagle on December 22, 2011, 11:10:38 PM
Quote
Here’s the deal. IV been desiring to go backpacking/tent camping somewhere in California for a while. I put the idea up on the table for my friends as an after graduation celebration idea. They liked the idea and we start researching... Now we don't want to do any of that "payment membership campground trailer B.S." We have done that before and the only thing enjoyable is what’s local. We wanted to do the classic 3-5 mile walk into the middle of nowhere, make fire and camp, and stay as long as our supplies let us. One issue, the Californian state/national areas idea of this is, pay a parking fee, drive up a dirt road usually a mile or less from a busy one, park your vehicle, and set up camp in that dirt slot you have reserved. This is NOT camping. Can anybody help me here?

 :lol come to michigan theres no shortage of nothing up here lol
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: EskimoJoe on December 22, 2011, 11:36:46 PM
Move to Alaska.
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: ozrocker on December 23, 2011, 06:57:00 AM
If all else fails- Join the US Army Infantry :aok
Leadership never seemed to have problems finding
a desolate place for me to sleep.(When you can squeeze in an hour or so of napping
ie, Plane trip, helo ride, etc.)
Always had a place for "backpacking" (Anywhere you go).
70 to over 120 lbs of gear anytime for up to & beyond 20 miles a day. And usually timed or Mission based timing.
Had my fill of "Camping"
Hope you'll find a nice Civilian style Camping/Hiking spot.

                                                                                                                       :cheers: Oz
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: Maverick on December 23, 2011, 12:45:14 PM
Do a search for BLM land in your area. Check to see what is open for wilderness camping then go.
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: SmokinLoon on December 23, 2011, 01:40:49 PM
I suggest a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Quite scenic not just anyone can do it.  :aok
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: Reschke on December 23, 2011, 02:55:46 PM
Never had any issues camping out in California when we lived out there. We would go up north of San Francisco into the Russian River area and hike/camp several with several Thursday - Sunday weekend trips.
Title: Re: True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?
Post by: Skyguns MKII on December 23, 2011, 04:49:22 PM
Never had any issues camping out in California when we lived out there. We would go up north of San Francisco into the Russian River area and hike/camp several with several Thursday - Sunday weekend trips.

we live near San diego...