SCCamper Summer 2010 NO/SOCal Meet Ideas

[Hoagie]

I just got off of the phone with a friend that suggested The Rock Creek area near Mammoth. I started googling and came up with this:
 
http://www.rockcreeklake.com/camping/
 
Check it out. Maybe if someone was going up that way in a few weeks they might be able to possibly check into this area for the rest of us and give a report on it.
 
Happy Camping :tent:

We just drove up to the end of the road at Rock Creek as part of our post-Smithwoods. It's a beautifuly area. We have friends that are campground hosts at one of the CGs in the canyon every summer. If this is truly and option I can ask them for their recommendations.
 
Some things to consider:
There are water spigots scattered throughout the sites. There is no water at each site, no electricity and no sewer. The dump station is just off Hwy395, at least a 1 hour round trip from the upper campgrounds. Not sure about Rock Creek, but most of the NFS CGs in this area ban connecting hoses to water spigots for purposes of filling your water tanks. You have to use the 6 gallon tote method to fill up.
 
There are bear boxes at every campsite. Our friends told us that the bears have been very prevalent this summer, but not a problem as long as you don't leave food out. (They also told us a mountain lion was spotted in Rock Creek Canyon this year.)
 
The campgrounds that are reservable are done so on ReserveAmerica.
 
The fishing and hiking in this area is fantastic. There is also a horse wrangler at the top of the canyon that runs horse back rides. Your are within easy striking distance of a fish hatchery, hot springs, Obsidian Dome, the Owens River, and other sights. The ghost town of Bodie would be an all-day trip, but worth the drive if you've never been there.
 
So, a great destination, but with a few things to consider. If this is a possibility for everyone, let me know and I'll shoot off an e-mail to our friends the CG hosts.

[miss kathy]

Below is what I received from Morro Dunes

Hi,
At this time our rates are $41.80 per night for 2 people. Additional people age 6 and above are $1.10 per night. No more than 6 people per site. Dogs are $1.10 per night.
A club that has 10 or more RV's get a 10% discount.
The clubhouse is $15. with a $100. deposit.
We do not book groups or clubs in July and August.
If you give us your mailing (snail mail) we will mail you a brouchure. Our website is under construction at this time.
Thank You,
Morro Dunes

miss kathy

[Azusateach]

Here's another option for the eastern side of the Sierras:

http://www.brownscampgrounds.com/default.html

I had some friends who stayed at the CG "in town" and they liked it.  The only consideration for staying that low in the summer is the heat.  If we go somewhere like this we'd have to do it as early in July as possible to avoid it.

Anywhere we go near the mountains is going to involve climbing hills.  For those worried about their cars sucking gas, most of us don't travel very far from the CG once we're there, thus we're actually saving.  Nobody said that it's cheap to RV, but it's sure a heck of a lot cheaper than the motel route.

For what it's worth, it might be fun to go the mountain route again.  We've been on the west side of the state for the past 2 years -- let's go the other way next time.  Personally, nothing can get better than the Yosemite area for me.  That said, there's really not a lot of good parks available.  We did lots of looking a few years back and came up empty.  The TT preserve and Yosemite Pines were really the best options we could find.

[miss kathy]

http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com

What about this place?  



Miss Kathy

[Hoagie]

Here's another option for the eastern side of the Sierras:
 
http://www.brownscampgrounds.com/default.html
 
I had some friends who stayed at the CG "in town" and they liked it. The only consideration for staying that low in the summer is the heat. If we go somewhere like this we'd have to do it as early in July as possible to avoid it.

We spent an afternoon in Bishop the week after Smithwoods and, YES, it was hot. Low 90s if IIRC. And it is a very dry heat. You feel like the moisture is getting sucked right through your skin. In the shade though, we found it quite comfortable.
 
As for the area, this is one of our favorites. For the trout fisherman, it doesn't get much better than the Eastern Sierras. Plenty of things to see and do if you don't mind driving a bit. Plus, Bishop is home to the famous Mahogony Smoked Meats, a local institution when it comes to beef jerky.

[Gracy]

Just curious why this rally is scheduled for August?  Is it what the census decided worked best?  Is doing this say in June or for spring break out of the question?

[Recumbentman]

Here's another option for the eastern side of the Sierras:

http://www.brownscampgrounds.com/default.html

I had some friends who stayed at the CG "in town" and they liked it.  The only consideration for staying that low in the summer is the heat.  If we go somewhere like this we'd have to do it as early in July as possible to avoid it.

Anywhere we go near the mountains is going to involve climbing hills.  For those worried about their cars sucking gas, most of us don't travel very far from the CG once we're there, thus we're actually saving.  Nobody said that it's cheap to RV, but it's sure a heck of a lot cheaper than the motel route.

For what it's worth, it might be fun to go the mountain route again.  We've been on the west side of the state for the past 2 years -- let's go the other way next time.  Personally, nothing can get better than the Yosemite area for me.  That said, there's really not a lot of good parks available.  We did lots of looking a few years back and came up empty.  The TT preserve and Yosemite Pines were really the best options we could find.

Laura
This looks like a really nice place. I would think this would be a great place for a rally. No one has set-up a presidents day rally yet (hint hint) and this would be a great place to go in February.

[wavery]

We spent an afternoon in Bishop the week after Smithwoods and, YES, it was hot. Low 90s if IIRC. And it is a very dry heat. You feel like the moisture is getting sucked right through your skin. In the shade though, we found it quite comfortable.
 
As for the area, this is one of our favorites. For the trout fisherman, it doesn't get much better than the Eastern Sierras. Plenty of things to see and do if you don't mind driving a bit. Plus, Bishop is home to the famous Mahogony Smoked Meats, a local institution when it comes to beef jerky.

Every time that we drive through there (which is too often) we make jokes about "Road Kill" every time we see the beef jerky signs.........get it......Hwy 395.......road kill.......jerky?........forget it.....I guess you had to be there....:p

We are going up there (again) in 2 weeks so if you guys want something checked out, let us know.

[OC Campers]

IMHO Bishop in July will be wayyy too hot.  Their normal temp is 90's-100's.  Mammoth and Bridgeport are a little further up the mountain (Mammoth is about 50 miles further and Bridgeport is 90 miles).  My feeling is if it is too hot everyone will stay inside their air conditioned campers.  I enjoy sitting around outside and socializing with everyone.

If Yosemite is a place people are interested in going maybe the Mariposa KOA
http://koa.com/where/ca/05195/.  It at the south entrance so it isn't as far as Yosemite lakes/Groveland.   Is there something near San Luis Obispo?  It is close to the beach with lots of things to see and do


Jacqui

[Azusateach]

Jacqui, I've stayed at that KOA, and it's all on a hill.  Great for an overnight or quick trip into Yosemite, but not a good place for a rally.  Honestly, I think Yosemite Pines is about our best bet up there.

Laura

(Notice that I'm not commenting on organizing anything over Presidents Day -- YOU do it!)  

[miss kathy]

so does someone want to contact Yosemite Pines about a rally?


Do we want it

late June
Mid July
Early August?

Miss kathy

[Recumbentman]

so does someone want to contact Yosemite Pines about a rally?


Do we want it

late June
Mid July
Early August?

Miss kathy[/QUOTE

There is also interest in going to Morro Bay as well. Maybe we should collect some more locations and then set-up a Poll thread to vote on which ones sccampers would like to go to. We have plenty of time, so lets not rush this

[dkutz]

My 2 cents....

I liked the location of the rally.  There was lots to do, and I would love to go back to get to the things we couldn't get to.  I would rather stay in the area.  To me flying flags or Morro bay is a Meet in the middle rally, I would rather it be further north, on the coast if possible.....

that is all...

[OC Campers]

Jacqui, I've stayed at that KOA, and it's all on a hill.  Great for an overnight or quick trip into Yosemite, but not a good place for a rally.  Honestly, I think Yosemite Pines is about our best bet up there.

Laura

 

That's a good FYI.

Is the 1000 Trails cg Yosemite Lakes or Yosemite Pines?  They are both in the same area I think.  I am thinking the 1000 Trails is Yosemite Lakes

Jacqui

[JohnandLeann]

Recumbent Family, how was Shaver?  How about some of these Edison type lakes on the East side for a rally?  Should we be looking into a place that has a group camp?  

Lake San Antonio near San Luis has a group camp but not near the water.  I know that these sites have water and elec for sure.  It is a short drive to the day use area for the water.

Just adding more thought and questions  :confused: