DHappel Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 As most of you know, for many years (10? more?) we've gone to Camp Edison at Shaver lake in February and done the Bald Mountain trail as our big winter trip. Recently we've been doing it over President's day weekend (2/13) as some people have that monday off. But this year we've still got the rona to deal with and Camp Edison isn't open. I've been putting this off as long as possible to see what happens but we're down to 2 weeks out and I think we're just going to have to call it a no-go. We may however revisit them later this year once things return to normal. We've been looking at other options, like Huntington Lake but they too are closed. We do still need to get out and do an overnight snow run though and with the storms coming through the last few days there's plenty of snow in the Sierra. With that said, we have a few ideas to propose: We could do an overnight to Uncle Tom's Cabin. They allow camping on the property behind the cabin/bar. There are no facilities other than outhouses, (and the bar) and it will certainly be busy during 'business hours' as it's a super popular destination. I had envisioned this as meeting at Georgetown in the morning (say 10am) then heading out all day before arriving at UTC in the evening to make camp, however with this weeks storms just getting to UTC may be a challenge for the heavier and/or less modified trucks so we may instead want to head there directly then depending on what we see head out for some exploration. We could head into Wentworth Springs campground. Again, this will likely be challenging and not for stock trucks. The campground has some picnic tables and outhouses as I remember but no showers or power. No reservations here, so it's possible we would find others but certainly it's going to be far less busy than UTC. Both of these destinations are close enough to the Sac area that people from there could easily make it a day-trip if they preferred. We could head out toward Bowman Lake, but we already have a trip planned there for March so I'd probably save that for later. I'm leaning toward option 2 - Wentworth Springs. We can meet at Georgetown and head in from there. Likely we'll spend the better part of the day getting there and setting up camp but if we want to push further the trail gets tougher further on as it is one entrance to the Rubicon. No big rock crawling to get to the campground, but if the snow is deep as expected it will be enough of a challenge. Regardless of destination, we will be heading for the mountains in 2 weeks. Let me know if you have any preferences and we'll nail this down this weekend! lutz and pilotgabe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 EDIT - looks like UTC's bar is actually closed for Rona as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Sad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted January 30, 2021 Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Sadly i wont be able to make it this year just to busy with work. I still want to make it up to shaver and bald mt but have no dates yet. bandykins 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 And apparently Wentworth Springs campground is closed from last year's fires. So I'm doing well here. The Wentworth Springs rd (trail) will still be open so we could dispersed camp along it if we want to go that route. Or we can make a long day-trip out off it. Or I'm open to other suggestions lutz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Stay tuned to this channel for updates - we may have an option for Camp Edison after all; awaiting a call back at the start of the week. pilotgabe and lutz 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Another option we are looking at is Miner's Camp in Forest Hill. They have cabins available and it looks like they may offer us a discount rate. It would be easy to get to as a base camp and we could put together a route from there based on snow levels. Several options out there; just keep your calendar open! lutz, pilotgabe and RobertDingli 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustav Dow Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 What about the high lakes area outside of Chico? There is always a good amount of snow out there and a decent amount of wheeling from lake to lake? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 What about the high lakes area outside of Chico? There is always a good amount of snow out there and a decent amount of wheeling from lake to lake? Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkToo difficult to run a group trip out there in the winter. Group runs in the snow are tough in easy conditions. It’s gets nasty out there and this year it will be deep. Edison will be our fingers crossed plan. I’m supposed to get a call back Monday or Tuesday on the status of Edison. Miners Camp would be cool, but I spoke to them today and that is not going to happen. Our best second option at this point looks to be Wentworth Springs Road with Georgetown hotels or dispersed camping along the road or the same thing but Bald. Virtually all camping options other than dispersed are the same situation as Edison or just plain closed for the season. Dispersed camping is fine and normally we have many opportunities along Wentworth and Rock Creek Rd, but with a lot of new snow it will require some work to clear an area unless others have already used it recently. It does look like we will be getting some weather coming in just prior and perhaps during the trip, so likely will be bit of work Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 It would be helpful to get an accurate idea of how many people are going to make the snow run and also what their thoughts on hotels vs dispersed camping. We should be able to solidify our plans by Wednesday after we hear from Camp Edison. If that doesn’t work then we will have to make a decision about the trail and also accommodations. The choices should remain between hotels/ cabins and dispersed camping and also between the Wentworth area and the Shaver area. Either way it should be a really good year for a snow run. We got buried a couple years ago and didn’t get anywhere close to reaching the trailhead. Last year we didn’t have much and easily made it the top of Bald. This should be the Goldilocks year as far as snow goes in the last few years. Shouldn’t be too much to prevent us from moving along, but should be enough to provide some entertaining challenge. I am looking forward to it regardless of what we end up doing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk lutz, Mr.BlueSky, bandykins and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickK Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 I don’t care where or what. I’ll be there regardless. RobertDingli, bandykins, Budeck and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertDingli Posted February 2, 2021 Report Share Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) I will join regardless of the accommodation or location. If we end up staying in a motel or cabin, I will bring my dear wife along. After all it is Valentines Day on the Sunday and I am sure she was dreaming of spending the day wheeling. While I would prefer to have my wife along and hence stay in a nice place, I would also be interested in any other dispersed camping trips this snow season. Edited February 2, 2021 by RobertDingli Mr.BlueSky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted February 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 OK - it's still a bit up in the air but we have a plan: We're going to Shaver Lake and running Bald Mountain trail as per usual. With a small caveat. At this moment, Camp Edison is not open. However they have given us reason to believe they may open before the holiday weekend. We'll be in touch with them regularly to see, but in the mean time we're going to plan to dispersed camp along Rock Creek Rd near the turn-off from Dinkey Creek Rd. Directions from the gas station in "down town" Shaver Lake to Rock Creek Rdhttps://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.1073002,-119.3189828/37.069056,-119.1812324/@37.0854446,-119.2698234,13z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0 -Saturday we will be meeting at the Shaver Lake Pub n’ Grub for lunch about noon.-After that we will head down Dinkey Creek Rd and use the entrance to Rock Creek Rd as our staging area.-From there we will head down Rock Creek Rd to find a suitable camping area, preferably something close to Dinkey Creek Rd.-Day trippers should come up Sunday morning and head down Rock Creek Rd to find our camp. We should be easy to find from the road as we'll be camped very near.-Depending on how many vehicles we have, we will run either one or two groups. Day trippers should plan to be here by no later than 9:30 as the last group will leave by 10:00-it appears that indoor dining is still a thing up at Shaver, so a post snow run meal somewhere in town should be doable As some people may not like the idea of camping in the snow without power (such as Michele) there are rooms available in Shaver Lake. I'll be looking into this myself and will post some options when I find them. IF CAMP EDISON OPENS - we will return to our normal plan of camping there where we will have power available. Again, that is only an IF at this point. We will keep in touch with them over the next week to see what happens. There you go - given the weather, 'rona, and generally closed trails in the Sierra this time of year it's a bit late in the planning stages and still not set in stone, but one way or another we're going to play in the snow. See you there! lutz, Elherbinator, RobertDingli and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilotgabe Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 OK - it's still a bit up in the air but we have a plan: We're going to Shaver Lake and running Bald Mountain trail as per usual. With a small caveat. At this moment, Camp Edison is not open. However they have given us reason to believe they may open before the holiday weekend. We'll be in touch with them regularly to see, but in the mean time we're going to plan to dispersed camp along Rock Creek Rd near the turn-off from Dinkey Creek Rd. Directions from the gas station in "down town" Shaver Lake to Rock Creek Rdhttps://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.1073002,-119.3189828/37.069056,-119.1812324/@37.0854446,-119.2698234,13z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0 -Saturday we will be meeting at the Shaver Lake Pub n’ Grub for lunch about noon.-After that we will head down Dinkey Creek Rd and use the entrance to Rock Creek Rd as our staging area.-From there we will head down Rock Creek Rd to find a suitable camping area, preferably something close to Dinkey Creek Rd.-Day trippers should come up Sunday morning and head down Rock Creek Rd to find our camp. We should be easy to find from the road as we'll be camped very near.-Depending on how many vehicles we have, we will run either one or two groups. Day trippers should plan to be here by no later than 9:30 as the last group will leave by 10:00-it appears that indoor dining is still a thing up at Shaver, so a post snow run meal somewhere in town should be doable As some people may not like the idea of camping in the snow without power (such as Michele) there are rooms available in Shaver Lake. I'll be looking into this myself and will post some options when I find them. IF CAMP EDISON OPENS - we will return to our normal plan of camping there where we will have power available. Again, that is only an IF at this point. We will keep in touch with them over the next week to see what happens. There you go - given the weather, 'rona, and generally closed trails in the Sierra this time of year it's a bit late in the planning stages and still not set in stone, but one way or another we're going to play in the snow. See you there!Sounds awesome. My uncle has a cabin at Shaver Lake so we may stay there (not sure my wife will want to camp in the cold). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) I’ll be camping with Hobie (dog). Merlyn will be staying home with the other 2 dogs this time. Too much hassle trying to deal with and fit all 3 dogs and both humans. Cabins and hotels are comfortable, but there is something to be said about the snow camping experience. Campfire, whisky, and Land Rover BSing the night away! Get your rock lights ready to party! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited February 3, 2021 by Elherbinator RobertDingli 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted February 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Michele has made it clear she will not be camping in the snow. If it comes to that, I'm solo. PaulD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Michele has made it clear she will not be camping in the snow. If it comes to that, I'm solo.Or you find a way to provide electricity. Very doable overlander task Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickK Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 I’m looking forward to camping as well. Whether I’m in the L322 or the Series will be a game time decision. DHappel and RobertDingli 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustav Dow Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Count me in on this. Question, would anyone be interested in heading up Friday? RobertDingli 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertDingli Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 I’ll come up Saturday morning. If people are snow camping then I’ll join in. Nida will definitely stay at home but I should be able to convince Jason to attend. If Camp Edison opens then that would be fun too but it’s still RTT for us either way. In previous years I towed the Winnebago trailer to Camp Edison and ‘camped’ in comfort. This is OK providing the roads are not as icy as two years ago. I’m not going to take that risk this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 I’ll come up Saturday morning. If people are snow camping then I’ll join in. Nida will definitely stay at home but I should be able to convince Jason to attend. If Camp Edison opens then that would be fun too but it’s still RTT for us either way. In previous years I towed the Winnebago trailer to Camp Edison and ‘camped’ in comfort. This is OK providing the roads are not as icy as two years ago. I’m not going to take that risk this year.Really? Why not? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Mr.BlueSky and SplurGn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted February 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 I've done some searching for a room and come up dry other than a $1500 cabin (sleeps 8 though....) That being the case, I'll likely be heading up solo as Michele won't be down for snow camping w/o electricity and bathrooms. If Camp Edison doesn't open up (I'd say it's 50/50 at this point) I'm solo. In that case I may be up for going on Friday. We'll see how thing shake out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertDingli Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Really? Why not? Yes, it was scary towing a trailer that year. There were times when I thought the L322 would not stop and we were only moving at walking pace. Andrew is very lucky there was a good snow bank to catch him. SplurGn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Mattson Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Were definitely hoping to make it over the hill for this,I know snow changes everything but how tuff are the trails? The reason I ask is its about 7 hours from home for us so that's about 8 days in a series but if our classic or lr3 can handle it that will be alot nicer drive. Thanks Mr.BlueSky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilotgabe Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Were definitely hoping to make it over the hill for this,I know snow changes everything but how tuff are the trails? The reason I ask is its about 7 hours from home for us so that's about 8 days in a series but if our classic or lr3 can handle it that will be alot nicer drive. ThanksI was just told that I’ll get stuck regardless and it’s to be expected. It’s kind of the point lol. So I’m going in my LR3. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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