Planning: BIG BEAR Trip (was western sierra trip)

[teebes]

I wouldn't mind waking up to two inches of snow on the ground!

+1 We'll start thinking of a secondary location just in case. While I wouldn't mind a little snow, the Forest Service may shut down the campsites early.

I wonder if this means we wont have to worry about any bears Unless, of course, they're still on the rampage for food before hibernation

[HighSierraTB]

Hey Guys, Sorry to say I have to change my status from Confirmed to Not Possible. I have a family matter that will tie me up for a few weeks. I really was looking forawrd to this trip. I'll be looking forward to the next one.

Mike

[Philberto]

Sorry to hear that sir.

In light of the change in attendance, and since it looks like it'll just be a SoCal trip, does anybody want to vote for a more local destination?

[That1Guy]

Sorry to hear that sir.

In light of the change in attendance, and since it looks like it'll just be a SoCal trip, does anybody want to vote for a more local destination?

If its more local I will more than likely go. I just need to know ASAP so I can try and get it off

[The Roadie]

I was going to call the forest office tomorrow because one web site said Gaggs campground, near Whiskers, closes Oct 3.

I would not mind a change to Big Bear at all. Greg and I know the area pretty well. And there's some great restaurants in town, and I have an extra Adventure pass that could save someone $30.

[teebes]

I'm down for big bear, plenty more trails on the southern side to check out. Plus, i wouldn't mind dropping down into JTNP one day.

[The Roadie]

Last time there with my wife in her Civic, we came out the east side and curled to the south and there looked like LOADS of neat trails up the hill. 2-3000 feet worth of hill.

[Philberto]

+1, Big Bear will be great to check out, and I need to scout for a trip this winter anyways.

[That1Guy]

Big bear sounds good. Let me know if this is official and ill talk to my boss tommorow

[kodachrome9319]

Well... If it's Big Bear then I've got to drop out... No job = no $ and it's going to be hard enough to scrounge the money for Whiskers...

[Philberto]

We'll definitely be doing something more local to you in the next year, but it's difficult to justify 500-600mi round trips for 3 of us when we're all relatively local, and pretty much everybody up there dropped out. It's one of those unfortunate things.

[The Roadie]

Forecasts ten days out look like 65-30 degrees at the lake elevation. Clear, but cold. Lots of campgrounds around the lake are closing that weekend. How about the Barton Flats area about 1500 feet lower on the south side? I've got a recommendation from a co-worker for a location just north of 38.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 4&t=p&z=15

But outside the organized campgrounds you normally can't have a fire. Sigh...

Calling the rangers to see what's up with Barton Flats or San Gorgonio and confirm they're open. On-line reservations isn't working to even test availability.

[The Roadie]

On the south side, Barton Flats is the only one still open, until the end of October. Pricey, but they have flush toilets and hot showers! What a luxury.

On the North side, Holcomb Valley is open year round (if you can get to it through the snow) but it has fire rings and a vault toilet. I think we should aim to meet there. If the wind comes up we can all tie our tents to the trailer.

As typical, I see data on these campgrounds on at least four web sites, two of them should be "official" government data, and they all have errors. Talking to the rangers seems to be the only way to get the straight poop.

I also got through to the rangers on the northern sites, and they say Gaggs and Whiskers are open until Jan 1, or when the snow closes the road to them, whichever occurs earlier. Currently no plans to close them during October at all.

[Philberto]

Holcomb Valley sounds good, and I'm sure we'll be able to get through the snow between all of us... just a matter of how long and how much work.

[The Roadie]

Snow/ice should be done with by this Thursday. Clear and warmer for when we'll be there. Just need LOTS of firewood to be able to have morning fires as well as nighttime ones.

[teebes]

Pricey indeed! Holcomb Valley sounds fine, it's tucked into the tree's with plenty of wind anchor spots

Anyone have one of these... Propane shouldn't be an issue.

Also, I'm working on a removable storage bin for the front of the trailer (yes, since I hacked off the original). I should be able to bring a few pieces of wood.

[Philberto]

I'll work on finding a place for mine... or just strap a bunch of wood to the roof and carry the spare inside.

[The Roadie]

I actually have one of those heaters about seven feet tall. It would be mockable to bring it camping though, or what ExPo calls glamping. It blows through about 5 pounds of propane an hour.

I've got a small propane firepit. Yah, that's the ticket.

[That1Guy]

So this is for sure happening in big bear?? Can someone text me info? Its hard looking at the forum on my phone

I just brought it up with my boss and she said it wouldn't be a problem for me to take the weekend off...

[teebes]

I've got a small propane firepit. Yah, that's the ticket.

Excellent! Let me know if you'll have enough space to bring it along.

So this is for sure happening in big bear?? Can someone text me info? Its hard looking at the forum on my phone

I just brought it up with my boss and she said it wouldn't be a problem for me to take the weekend off...

Yes, count on Big Bear come cold weather or snow!!! Here's a google map for all those making it. You can get directions from that link as well, even the dirt forest roads.

I'll be heading up Thursday morning, I think Roadie was planning to leave around lunch time Thursday. Let either of us know if you want to convoy/follow one of us, Nick. Philberto, it's probably just as easy to meet at the campground, forget exactly what part of town you're coming from.