2008 Camp Swank

[NirvanaMan]

Since iSm keeps mentioning that we need a camping thread but does not appear to have created one (what would he have left to bitch about if he did), I have created this thread.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Though personally this trip in 2007 ended on a particularly sour note for me, the trip as a whole was awesome and enjoyed by most everyone. I am looking forward to releasing my demons and enjoying the 2008 Camp Swank Festival.

Do Jews have some biscuit that they toss into the woods for such an occasion?

[Morrigoon]

I heard iSm suggest that the time we should go will have to be reserved ON Jan 15th, so let's get this hammered out ASAP. Then again, he said May through June, but some swankers will be on a 2-week cruise in mid-to-late May, so we should plan around that, I think.

[Not Afraid]

OK. So, here's the link to the reservation information. (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm)

[innerSpaceman]

Well, the chances of actually GETTING a Valley camping reservation, when literally hundreds of people are competing in the same 3-minute window, are depressingly slim.

Can we get a bunch of volunteers to hit the phones together the morning of the 15th to try in concert, and stay in touch by cell phone? Strategy and planning, people! Oh, and they only allow 2 campsite reservations by any one person ... so if we need more sites (and are lucky enough to get them), they would not be adjacent to each other.

Lower Pines is by far the best campground in the Valley. I think we should try for this, give it our best shot, and hope for the luck of the swanky!

Yeah, ^ that.

[Alex]

I'm already planning to be there either Memorial Day Weekend (it wasn't so bad so long as you didn't show up on Saturday) again or the weekend before. I'm not the one making reservations so I can't say for sure.

[Gemini Cricket]

Will someone bring a hammock?

[Kevy Baby]

Couldn't we just go up and commandeer a few sites - taking them away from some rightful owners?

We could make this the Pirate Swanking! :argghh:

[Disneyphile]

I'll cut and paste this from an old thread this summer about the drive-through we did on the way back from Sacramento:

We found the PERFECT sites at Crane Flat, which is about a 20-minute drive north of the main valley.

The sites shown are 502,504,506,508,and 510, as shown on this map:

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/map_of_Crane_Flat/r/campgroundMap.do?camparea=82267397&agency=NRSO&parkId=70930

As you can see from the pictures, there is ample parking, ample bear box space, flat ground, and tons of shade. We checked all the other sites at the campground, and they were on hills and pretty close together. This cluster of sites is perfect for a communal environment, located at the back of the main campground, with site 502 being a great spot for nightly campfires.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Disneyphile/Sacramento/3f324897.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Disneyphile/Sacramento/040d3de1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Disneyphile/Sacramento/c0d363ed.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Disneyphile/Sacramento/9a5d3def.jpg

We checked a lot of other campgrounds, but they were very crowded with tiny sites.

So, hopefully, we'll find this helpful one day when planning another Swank Camp.

[Alex]

If you're end up planning any any of the three weekends surrounding Memorial Day (the one before, the one, and the one after) it might be best to pick a spot where you can park and then never move your car until you're leaving, definitely so if you end up picking Memorial Day weekend.

[Kevy Baby]

Is this Yosemite a popular place to go? If so, maybe we could camp out at Mile Square Park since it is closer.

[Not Afraid]

Yes, camping in Yosemite in Summer is like camping at Disneyland in July. (Not a favorite thing of mine - but I don't care for crowds in National parks.)

[BarTopDancer]

I will express tentative interest in this. It will ultimately come down to the dates and the cost.

[Capt Jack]

I will express tentative interest in this. It will ultimately come down to the dates and the cost.

yeah, that pretty much says it. although Ive got a ton of vacation days accrued now, so whatever works out you can pretty much count me in (barring any unforseens of course)

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I'll go as long as CaptJack cooks breakfast. ;)

[BarTopDancer]

yeah, that pretty much says it. although Ive got a ton of vacation days accrued now, so whatever works out you can pretty much count me in (barring any unforseens of course)

I have the time, I don't know if I'll be able to take the time. My summer is on hold until we know when our software release is going to happen.

[Capt Jack]

I'll go as long as CaptJack cooks breakfast. ;)

ok, but just recall if you would, Katie did the bulk of the work, buying and prep for that.

I stood around playing with the fire, drinking pirate coffee and occasionally flipped over the chorizo.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, we're not talking summer. It's got to be Spring or nothing, if you're with Yosemite newbs.

Otherwise, winter and autumn are the next best seasons. Summer is dead last, but also has certain advantages (the only one coming to mind is that I find the Merced warm enough to swim in).


Of the campgrounds outside the Valley, I'd sooner pick Wolf Creek than Crane Flats - because it encourages visits to Tuolumne Meadow as well as Yosemite Valley via its location between the two (but much closer to the Valley).

[keith - SuPeR K!]

I hope i can make it this year!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

ok, but just recall if you would, Katie did the bulk of the work, buying and prep for that.

I stood around playing with the fire, drinking pirate coffee and occasionally flipped over the chorizo.

Me and my failing memory... :(

"Just as long as KatieSue cooks breakfast and CaptJack stands around drinking coffee and flipping things, I'll be in.." :)

[katiesue]

"Just as long as KatieSue cooks breakfast and CaptJack stands around drinking coffee and flipping things, I'll be in.." :)

I'm in again. With a new and improved tent, chairs and bbq/griddle. As long as ISM still does the dishes ;)

[Morrigoon]

I still have a big ol' tub of Hollandaise sauce mix :evil:

[Capt Jack]

CaptJack stands around drinking coffee and flipping things, I'll be in.." :)

that would be pirate coffee, which was in fact more rum than coffee.

:D

[Morrigoon]

Oooh rum!

Hey, if we wanna have Pirate Camp, you won't hear any objections from me!

[Kevy Baby]

Me and my failing memory... :(

"Just as long as KatieSue cooks breakfast and CaptJack stands around drinking coffee and flipping things, I'll be in.." :)I'll second that - there meal was my favorite of all.

As far as dates and details, we can't do Memorial Day weekend, but otherwise I will leave it up to others as to details. I am willing to help, but being a newbie I have no input to offer.

Whatever we do, I hope that Alex is able to make it this time!!!

[NirvanaMan]

I'll go as long as CaptJack cooks breakfast. ;)

I second that!

I mean third that.

[NirvanaMan]

ok, but just recall if you would, Katie did the bulk of the work, buying and prep for that.

I stood around playing with the fire, drinking pirate coffee and occasionally flipped over the chorizo.

Well then second that too. You must not work in management. You haven't learned to take credit for other peoples work yet. Besides, they wouldn't have been nearly as good had you not been standing near them.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I'm thinking I'd like to go, but man, my brain barely works a month ahead. I leave it to the better brains here to make decisions, and GD and I will discuss possibilities...

[innerSpaceman]

You're the main newb (to my mind) that MUST see Yosemite, or be considered a California traitor!!!

(If CP and GD aren't going this time, I'm really not interested in it being Yosemite ... certainly not Yosemite Valley.)

In any case, I think we should still get a team together to try for Valley ressies on January 15. If we get any, we'll work around it. Memorial Day is out and so are the dates of the Panama Canal Cruise (can someone please provide those). Other than that, mid- April to mid-June dates are ideal.

[Disneyphile]

Cruise dates are May 10th - 25th.

[Morrigoon]

I'm putting my vote in for "earlier the better". I am also a Yosemite newb, but I have no objection to the alternate campsite option.

[innerSpaceman]

Heheh, it's looking like most of May is out.


Um, which leads me to wonder ... how are the peeps going on the cruise going to manage camping in the same time period? Is that even possible, or should we really consider one to be exclusive of the other.

I mean, taking the entire month of May out of consideration for the sake of people who would not be able to come camping anyway .... well, it just seems potentially wasteful ... especially considering how hard Yosemite ressies are to come by.


So, for those of you cruising ... could you also get time off in late April, the first week of May, or early June for camping? Or is that a pipe dream?

[Disneyphile]

I'm self-employed, so I make my own schedule. And, I approve my vacation request for camping. ;)

[Alex]

Reservations for April have been available for the last 3 weeks and a quick look suggests that the valley floor campgrounds are already pretty full (the five random sites I just checked only had a few days available and not any consecutive ones).

If I go with my usual group it does look like we'll be there around Memorial Day (May 23-28 is what they're reserving). So if April is full and May is out, if you want to reserve when the next dates open you'll only have the June 1-15 available.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Totally interested but it will depend on the dates locked down. My oldest friend is getting hitched, so I may be camping out in Wisconsin sometime in May. (Camping on the grounds is offered as an alternative to staying in nearby B&Bs.)

[Morrigoon]

Found one major problem with Disneyphile's suggestion: reservations at Crane are non site-specific, meaning we can't guarantee getting the spaces she saw.

[Not Afraid]

I'm going to suggest the weekend of either April 18th or 25th. It looks like we may be able to get sites then at one of the "Pines" sites.

Actually, the 18th has LOTS of availability - more so that the 25th.

[innerSpaceman]

But is what Alex says true, i.e., that on January 15, the dates coming open are early June?

I have no problem with early June, btw. But if Alex is right, then April is either gone already, or certainly will be by the time we get our act together.

We have to go for dates that will first and only first become available on the morning we try, with hundreds of other people, to get through to 3 operators in the 3-minute window before all campsites are taken.

It's rough.

[Not Afraid]

Like I said above, there are LOTS of sites available for the weekend of the 18th. Go look at the resie site.

[Kevy Baby]

Are the sites that DP recommended available?

The weekend of the 18th is our wedding anniversary, but it is the 11th anniversary, so not that big of a deal. I mean, ANY anniversary is a big deal of course, but as anniversaries go, the 11th isn't one of the major ones.

[€uroMeinke]

The 25th is also Coachella weekend

[katiesue]

Per Morrigoons post above, at the site Disneyphile suggested you can't reserve a specific campsite just a place at that campground. So we wouldn't be guaranteed together or at those sites.

[Alex]

I must have looked wrongly if there are lots of sites. April 18 would be far enough apart from Memorial Day that I might even be able to join for a weekend only. I wouldn't need to worry about Lani's schedule since there is no way she'll be camping when it is as cold as it can be up there in mid-April (the average is about a high of 49 but last April the 15th was a high of 32).

[Capt Jack]

...as cold as it can be up there in mid-April (the average is about a high of 49 but last April the 15th was a high of 32).

whoo hoo! real camping!

[Not Afraid]

Reserve-able site IN the Valley proper are Upper Pines, Lower Pines and North Pines - which are all right next to each other.

Other areas OUTSIDE of the Valley are Wawona (about an hour from the Valley), Hodgdon Meadow (off 395/120 and about 1 1/2 hours outside of the Valley and about an 7-8 hour drive up 395/120). The other area is Tuolumne Meadows which is appears is not available at all (and may not be open that early in the year due to road closures and elevation of 8000 feet.)

[Not Afraid]

I must have looked wrongly if there are lots of sites. April 18 would be far enough apart from Memorial Day that I might even be able to join for a weekend only. I wouldn't need to worry about Lani's schedule since there is no way she'll be camping when it is as cold as it can be up there in mid-April (the average is about a high of 49 but last April the 15th was a high of 32).

The Valley is not that bad. I would NOT camp in Tuolumne in April. I camped in August one year and it was 29 at night.

[Alex]

According to weather underground that was the high for the valley floor last April 15 (not that I mind). And when I was there a couple of years ago a week after Labor Day we got snowed on (that made coming down off Half Dome in shorts and t-shirts a lot of fun).

Again, that is not the standard, but people probably need to be prepared for the possibility (nothing sadder than a campsite full of people sleeping in their cars with heaters on) of it being pretty cold.

[NirvanaMan]

Are there camping sites available where your vehicle is not within sight of your tent?

[Not Afraid]

Oh yeah, it will be cold in April. I just don't think it will be unbearable during the day. A large fire at night and some warm sleeping bags will be a big help. And lots of lesbian outerwear. ;)

[Not Afraid]

Are there camping sites available where your vehicle is not within sight of your tent?


Yes, they are called Backpacking or Wilderness Camps.


Have fun.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Are there camping sites available where your vehicle is not within sight of your tent?

IT's called "Riding with me..." :rolleyes:

[innerSpaceman]

Well, April may be too early. There's no point in going if the high trails are still closed. That's some of the best stuff.

The prime Yosemite season is very, very short. Especially nowadays with snowmelt getting less and less with each passing year. You want the waterfalls to be glorious, but you don't want a bunch of the best trails and sights off-limits due to snow.

Frankly, it's all about May.


As in MAYbe we should put Yosemite off till next year, when so many people aren't taking a cruise that takes up half of May.


:confused:



(of course, next year more than a few of us will be aiming for Japan in April. You can't win.)

[CoasterMatt]

What about Space Camp? :D

[Kevy Baby]

One time, in band camp...

http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/flutes/signature/flute.jpg

[Capt Jack]

yeah right....ONE time

:p

[MouseWife]

I do agree with you, iSm, about the big trails being closed until May.

But, it also would depend on how long the camp trip would be. If it isn't too long, there is still plenty of hiking, walking, biking to be had.

The days are shorter, though, which on one hand is an excuse for shorter hikes. :D

But, we do go and while the Mist Trail is missed, there is so much else to do.

But, that is me. I prefer the shorter hikes, and, I like it cold so that I am not sweating.

The good thing about waiting, though, is also that more people can go who this year will be cruising.

That is a big :snap: .

Those temps!!!

[BarTopDancer]

When is MouseAdventure?

April 13th is MA.

Sadly I'll have to put myself in the "no" category and hope things work out. I'm taking a few days in May to go back to SF, and with our software push I won't be able to get coverage (and they'll want me to actually work at work. The nerve!)

[Not Afraid]

Well, I don't care if the high trails are closed. I wold like Tuolumne to be open, but only because I never get up there any more. Yosemite Valley is a place I've been thousands of times and my brother lives just outside the gates, so it's easy for us to go up any time.

So, whatever works. There's always Kings Canyon.

[Kevy Baby]

There's always Kings Canyon.And Mile Square Park

[MouseWife]

Mmm...I actually also prefer the high trails to be closed....then no one can guilt me for not going on them....:D

I love to walk. All over. Flat land. Slightly elevated trails. Good times. :snap:

[innerSpaceman]

Here's the deal, and it's mine personally. I won't go to Yosemite again with a newbie that I can't introduce to the Mist Trail and the Fissures/Sentinal Dome hike. These are the most beautiful expeditions in beautiful Yosemite, in my most humble but keen-eyed and Yosemite-experienced opinion.

My impetus for doing Camp Swank in Yosemite is to share the glorious Nature Temple with friends, but in large part to make sure that good friends who have never experienced its wonders get to do so at last.

I really have zero interest in a half-hearted stab at that. So if the stuff that, in my blah blah opinion, is not available ... i could not find it in my heart to go with newbies. Also, since the last time I was there myself was in early Spring when these fantastic elements were off-limits, I have no desire to have my next visit there be under the same too-limited conditions.


Again, that's just me.



But if anybody's up for Yosemite in early June, I'm all for that being this year's Camp Swank.


Otherwise, yeah, I also want to camp in King's Canyon. But won't that be too freaking freezing in April anyway?

[Not Afraid]

If we do Kings Canyon, that would be June or even July. It's a ghost town most of the year.

Regarding Yosemite, keep in mind that MANY people would not be able to even handle the Mist Trail. It's a strenuous hike (6 miles and 1000 ft elevation gain) and INCREDIBLY slippery - especially when the water is flowing. You also get soaking wet which is not comfortable in April. I've done it several times and I don't know if I could do the entire hike at this point in my life.

Sentinel Dome is also a difficult 6 miles that, again, not all people would be able to do (not to mention that the starting elevation is 7200 feet). Besides the fact that the Glacier Point road MAY still be closed in April. (I believe they opened early last year.)

[Disneyphile]

Early June in Yosemite sounds great to me.

Or, we could do the Joshua Tree thing in March this year, and save Yosemite for next year...

[Morrigoon]

Mmm...I actually also prefer the high trails to be closed....then no one can guilt me for not going on them....:D

I love to walk. All over. Flat land. Slightly elevated trails. Good times. :snap:
I suggest lots of vacations in the Netherlands

[innerSpaceman]

Joshua Tree's not really a camping thing. (But, ask the mousepod clan, it would be a great thing to rent a house for the weekend and explore. I love Joshua Tree. It's nearby and I intend to go more than once this coming Spring.)


And of course, not everyone would be amenable to every hike in Yosemite. The Fissures/Sentinal Dome hike is a mild hike ... yeah, until the final push up Sentinal Dome ... but I've seen folks of every age, stamina, and build do that hike ... and love it.

The Mist Trail, ditto. Not flat ground, but hardly a mountain climb. Ok, not for everyone. So???


But yeah, the Glacier Point Road closed, the Mist Trail still closed. Yosemite in April is less than ideal (not that I didn't enjoy it ... ask zapppop how i thrilled to finally seeing the dozens of tiny waterfalls that only flow in early Spring. There was nowhere you could go in the entire Valley that did not have at least one waterfall in view. It was like being in Rivendell.)


That said, the big impressive falls, five - count'em - five of 'em - are flowing in June, and I feel the supreme majesty of the Mist Trail and the Sentinel Dome Trail should be available if and when we go ... and that newbies especially should behold these wonders with their own eyes.

[Morrigoon]

June works, that's about when we went camping last year.

[NirvanaMan]

Yes, they are called Backpacking or Wilderness Camps.


Have fun.


Lightweight.

So there isn't any camping out here where the cars are just a bit away, calling for the smallest of hikes. As much as I love cars, they do seem to encroach on that "one with nature" feel when they are 6 feet from your tent.

[Capt Jack]

not when my tent actually sets up in the back of my truck. Im betting they would frown of me driving my tent into the communal area for the night. :P

[innerSpaceman]

I agree, but I've never seen a National park with such camping.

National Forests, yes.


It's not that I would be against camping in a National Forest, just that the National Parks have the spectacular stuff that I'm drawn to see for the trouble of camping.

I want both elements. I love our camp life, and would enjoy it if we did it in some nameless forest in the middle of nowhere with nothing around. But I also love the excursions to some of nature's most splended offerings.

I'm sure many of those can be found in National Forests ... but ever since I found out some of our pals who live in California haven't been to freaking YOSEMITE ... I've had a keen yen to remedy that pronto.


Maybe we can invest in a bunch of camoflauge nets and drape them over all the vehicles!!

[Alex]

There are a couple "walk in" campgrounds on the valley floor but they are still pretty much in the thick of things. The most prominent is Camp 4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_4_%28Yosemite%29), but while the cars may be farther away the campers are dense enough that you won't be any more likely to feel particularly natural.

On the other hand, it is the primary campground for the mountain climbers so the people watching is pretty nice with very toned bodies and people scurrying around in place people shouldn't be.

[innerSpaceman]

Um, ok, I (and undoubtedly others) totally spaced on the January 15th Call-In.


Anyone want to try for the February 15th Call-In??? It would be our one and only shot for Yosemite Valley Campsites this Spring.


Or do we want to take the less hassle (now) route and more hassle (later) route, and simply try for sites outside the Valley?


Is anyone still interested in a 2008 Swank Camp? June 2008. Glorious Yosemite (as seen in Soariin' Over California!)

[katiesue]

I'm definately in - just let me know what I can do to help.

[Capt Jack]

not only "yes" but "773H yes!"

althought I should probably wash the dishes from the last camp trip first, huh?

:p

[katiesue]

not only "yes" but "773H yes!"

althought I should probably wash the dishes from the last camp trip first, huh?

:p

Nah - oh and I have your knife and fork, not sure how I ended up with those. But they are clean.

[GusGus]

Are the sites that DP recommended available?

The weekend of the 18th is our wedding anniversary, but it is the 11th anniversary, so not that big of a deal. I mean, ANY anniversary is a big deal of course, but as anniversaries go, the 11th isn't one of the major ones.

However, it is the 11th anniversary of our 11th anniversary.

[Disneyphile]

Ken and I are still interested, of course! :)

[Sohrshah]

I'm not exactly sure where we're all headed, but I trust that more specific information on the when, where how and why will come available shortly. I am not certain if I'll be able to come, due to a mid-May family obligation and my current bid to start working at the Park on weekends, but I definitely would love to go!

I've never been to a major state park in CA, including Yosemite. I've never seen a Sequoia tree either (is that even how you spell it?), so wherever we go, should I be able to make it, will be wonderful and amazing for me, I'm sure.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, you can see Sequioa trees in Yosemite, as a matter of fact.


The question to determine an answer to in the next few days is if, this coming Friday, February 15, we want to assemble volunteers to man the phone and internet at 9am Pacific Time to try, along with thousands of others, to snag camping reservations in Yosemite Valley (Lower Pines being the prime choice) ... or at one of the other campgrounds outside the Valley (Wolf Creek and Crane Flat being the leading candidates).


Camping in the Valley would be glorious. As I've said before in this thread (and elsewhere), newbies to Yosemite should LIVE in the Valley as their introduction, if at all possible.


HOWEVER, I believe only two Valley campsites can be reserved by any one person. Last year's camping trip required 5. That means it would take two of us the off-chance of both getting reservations, in the same campground, to get 4 sites. Chances of that are slim. The sites would likely not be near each other, much less adjacent. And there would be room for less people than last year.

These are daunting facts, and we may just want to go with the out-of-the-Valley sites where the limitations are far less stringent.

Of those, I'd vote for Wolf Creek. It's about a 20 minute drive to the Valley from there. Closer to Tuolmne Meadows (another beautiful area) than Valley campsites. (It's also closer to a hidden grove of Sequioas, far less touristy than the one near the road at the Park entrance).

Crane Flat is about a 40-minute drive to the Valley, but it's much closer to Glacier Point (a wonderful spot) and to the Taft-Point/Sentinal Dome hike, one of the Park's best adventures.


Oh, the time frame we are looking at now is mid-to late June 2008. On February 15, reservations will open for June 15 thru July 14. Last year's camping trip was the last weekend of June, first of July.


Whether we want to try for Valley sites or not, we need volunteers to launch a coordinated effort at snagging campsite reservations this coming Friday morning, Feb. 15.

[MouseWife]

You guys probably have already seen this site but I went to it and loved the photos.....

http://www.yosemitefun.com/Yosemite_National_Park_camping.htm


And, might be inspiring to those who have not yet been.

[Disneyphile]

We're only available the last weekend of June (I have a shoot and CineGear the previous week), so if that can be considered, then please do. And, if not, then we totally understand, and will reminisce vicariously through the pictures and tales. :)

[Alex]

Are the reservations cancelable? If so you might want to just go ahead and try and book sites, see what you get and then go forward from there.

[MouseWife]

Well....I don't know if this works with the campsites but when I reserve a room, I like to send a check {or I have in the past}. They say they will hold my reservation for 2 weeks while waiting for the payment.

If this has changed, I don't know. For rooms, they require one night as a down payment. Don't know about campsites.

Hope this helps.

[innerSpaceman]

The payments are refundable ... but we'll need a small phone army to try and reserve both Valley campsites and Wolf Creek sites.

[Gemini Cricket]

I'm in.
But y'all will have to put up with my snoring.
:D

Do we have to stay in a place called Wolf Creek? Wasn't that the name of a horror film?

And no one's brought up our mountain lion defense plan. Someone should come up with something.

[Disneyphile]

And no one's brought up our mountain lion defense plan. Someone should come up with something.Noise usually keeps them at bay. And, being too quiet was certainly not an issue at the last one. ;)

[Capt Jack]

I'm in.
But y'all will have to put up with my snoring.
:D


dunno. my money is still on Kevy

[innerSpaceman]

OK, we need volunteers for Friday morning.

I know that's the day after Valentines Day. So those without love interests are especially needed. It's got to happen from 8:59 to 10:00 a.m., so we need people who are basically unemployed.


If there's anybody currently this patethic, er -sorry- totally useful to the cause ... please volunteer your services and let us know here in this thread a.s.a.p.

:p

[Capt Jack]

um...rather than scan backwards through this whole thread at work...what is it exactly we'd be volunteering for?

[katiesue]

I should be able to pitch in - it's usually quiet here in the morning but I can't guarantee.

[innerSpaceman]

um...rather than scan backwards through this whole thread at work...what is it exactly we'd be volunteering for?

Calling and redialing and redialing and redialing ad infinitum the Yosemite Campsite Reservations Line, which opens at 9am on Friday. You and thousands of others will be trying to get thru to a handful of operators. Each minute that passes makes your ultimate success at getting what you want unlikely. Heheh, but eventually you get thru ... and really, we should be able to grab campsites.

Specific information as to how many sites, the dates we want, the number to call, blah blah will be forthcoming in a day or two. But we need as many volunteers as possible. The more people trying, the better our odds of success! MwaHaHa!!

[katiesue]

Swanie can help too.

[Kevy Baby]

I can't do it, but I will see if GusGus is available.

[Chernabog]

Is there going to be room service this year?

[Morrigoon]

If you're getting serviced in your room, you can bring your own tent, bucko!

[Capt Jack]

Is there going to be room service this year?

room? only room anywhere nearby was the outhouse...and that was DEFINITELY self serve
:cool:

[blueerica]

You know, I'd be glad to do it. I can't foot any cost at the moment (since I am still looking for work), but I have the time, and would be glad to offer my phone calling services. Perhaps we could work something out, if someone trusted me enough with their informations.

Anyhow, just a thought. Let me know...

[innerSpaceman]

Well, I'm willing to foot the bill (as I did last time), so I'll let the anyone on the volunteer brigade have my credit card numbers and blah, blah, blah.

[Morrigoon]

How much cost are we talking about, anyway?

[Kevy Baby]

Well, I'm willing to foot the bill (as I did last time), so I'll let the anyone on the volunteer brigade have my credit card numbers and blah, blah, blah.Ditto

[innerSpaceman]

Here's (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm) the link. It looks like the reservations line opens at 7am, which means you don't have to necessarily be unemployed to try and help us get reservations.

Campsites are $20 per day. We reserved 5 last time. Same this time? We did 6 nights last time (even though some people stayed less time). Same this time? If so, the campsite reservations run $600.


Don't let me run the show. Because I will pick Valley campsites and they won't be adjacent. I have heard no input as to whether we should camp outside the Valley and possibly get sites together (though only 4 at a time can be reserved) vs. inside the Valley where only 2 can be reserved at a time.

I know it makes more sense for us to camp outside the Valley, but I still don't want to. So, um, we need to have some other opinions, please.


From the site linked-to above, it appears that - of the outside-the-Valley campgrounds, only Crane Flat accepts reservations. White Wolf, my preferred campground (erroneously referred to as Wolf Creek) is apparently first-come-first-served. I don't think that will work.

The reservations phone line number is (877) 444-6777. This (http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70928) is the site for booking Lower Pines sites (inside the Valley), and this (http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70930) is the site for booking Crane Flat sites (outside the Valley).

[swanie]

OK, we need volunteers for Friday morning.

I know that's the day after Valentines Day. So those without love interests are especially needed. It's got to happen from 8:59 to 10:00 a.m., so we need people who are basically unemployed.


If there's anybody currently this patethic, er -sorry- totally useful to the cause ... please volunteer your services and let us know here in this thread a.s.a.p.

:p

Swanie can help too.

I'm not an unemployed, unattached pathetic individual...but as a happily married, stay-at-home Mom I certainly can help :D Can we all IM on Friday to keep up with everyone's progress?

swanie

[innerSpaceman]

Oh, the news just keeps getting crappier the more research I do.

Crane Flat Campground is really far from Yosemite Valley. It's just past the Tioga Road (which is the road that actually crosses the Sierra's, and leads to the lovely Tuolmne Meadow). I don't want to camp there. Bah.

White Wolf, the closer campground, does not take reservations.

Lower Pines and the other campgrounds in the Valley will not allow for more than 2 adjacent reserved campsites.



I hate to say it, but Yosemite is going to completely suck for Swank Camp.


But if I don't hear anything to the contrary, my plan is to reserve 4 campsites in Lower Pines, in pairs as close to each other as possible.


If you will recall last years' Swank Camp ... there was the hardscrabble no-man's-land between Upper and Lower Camps (or whatever cool nicknames we had for them). If we're lucky, the distance between our two sets of double campsites would be simiilar.


Here's (http://www.recreation.gov/camping/map_of_Lower_Pines/r/campgroundMap.do?camparea=82267465&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70928) a map of Lower Pines Camground. The best sites, and those that will go most quickly, are the ones on the outer edges of a loop, near the Merced River. From the looks of it, 36, 37, 38 and 39 would be the prime 4 sites.

17, 18, 19, 20 also look good, though farther apart from each other (but perhaps more individually spacious, who knows?)

[Disneyphile]

Have we ever considered just reserving a group site?

Seriously - the rangers leave you alone more, and there's more room to spread out, noise is not generally an issue since you don't have others around, there are less parking restrictions, more bear boxes, super large firepits than can withstand big fires, and usually a central restroom.

For our Pagan group campouts in the Angeles Forest, it rocked. People could still spread out for privacy, but then commune in one central location. We would have (sometimes topless) drum circles that lasted until 5am, with the night ranger joining in at times. And, we even burned a very large wicker man in the firepit once.

[Capt Jack]

that actually sounds kind of fun. would there be enough attendees to qualify for a group site?

[innerSpaceman]

But a group site where? It wouldn't be in Yosemite. The Group campground there is horrible.

[Capt Jack]

hmm...I dont have enough diverse recent camping experience to answer that.

[Not Afraid]

The Valley group site was destroyed by the flooding, there are only group sites outside the Valley.

[Disneyphile]

that actually sounds kind of fun. would there be enough attendees to qualify for a group site?Some places have minimums and others don't. Most don't care, because you pay a flat rate for the site, not per person anyway.

The Valley group site was destroyed by the flooding, there are only group sites outside the Valley.I'm totally cool with staying outside the Valley, if others are.

[Disneyphile]

From the Yosemite website:

There are four group campgrounds in Yosemite: in Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, Hodgdon Meadow and Bridalveil Creek. The valley group campground was destroyed in the January 1997 flood. A maximum of 30 people are allowed in each group campsite, and check-in/check-out time is noon.

During periods of peak visitation, all group campsites may be booked early. Make reservations for the Wawona and Bridalveil Creek group camps by writing to: Wawona Group Reservations, Wawona District Office, P.O. Box 2027, Yosemite, CA 95389 no sooner than 12 weeks in advance.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm totally cool with staying outside the Valley, if others are.I would rather stay outside the valley in a site where we could spread out and still be communal than trying to shoehorn into several small sites.

I am all for a group site thing! Good idea DP.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm cool with staying outside the Valley, but not a million miles outside the Valley. It we're going to camp all the way out by the Tioga Road, we might as well stay at Not Afraid's brother's place in Oakhurst. :p


White Wolf is a workable distance outside the Valley. We can take our chances with first-come, first-served, but I don't think that would get us any closer to four adjacent campsites.

[Disneyphile]

OOOOH!! Check this out:

http://www.evergreenlodge.com/groupcamping.html

Group Camping
The Evergreen Lodge private Group Campground can accommodate groups as large as 50 people. Situated in the serenity of the towering pine trees, the campground is designed for groups looking for a unique Yosemite camping experience without the hassles of public campgrounds. Our campground offers the following amenities:

Private bathrooms for men and women, including hot showers
Large campfire area
Parking for vans
Ample space for small and large tents

However, they don't allow cooking at their site:

Please note that cooking is not allowed in the campground due to bear and fire-related issues.

Catering
Our food & beverage team is happy to tailor outdoor meals and barbecues to fit your group's budget and schedule, and our restaurant and tavern are always open for groups as well.

Recreation
We offer a team of outdoor guides who can help plan naturalist hikes, horseback riding, rafting, and fly fishing tours to give your group a truly memorable outdoor experience. We can also arrange for local park ranger, naturalist and hiking guide presentations, discussions & slide shows. Click here to learn more about our extensive Recreation & Activities program.

School groups find our camping especially fun for their students. With campfires and activities planned especially for your group by our recreation team, students can learn first hand about environmental issues and the wilderness, including the wildlife and plants that make up the beauty of Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest.

Pricing
Rates depend on your specific program and group size.

[Not Afraid]

Reservations cn be made through Recreation.gov, but it seems 3 of the group sites are already filled for a big block of May - July. Hodgdon is the only one available. (http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundSearch.do)

It is 45 mins from the Valley.

[innerSpaceman]

I don't know where Evergreen Lodge is, but Bridalveil Creek is along the Glacier Point Road, if I'm not mistaken. That wouldn't be horrible.

ETA: Ok, nix that then. Where the heck is Hodgson Meadow??



As for Evergreen ... seriously folks, Not Afraid's bother's place in Oakhurst would be closer.

[Disneyphile]

The pricing for a group site in Yosemite is $40 per night for up to 30 people. That's a hell of a lot cheaper than a bunch of individual sites too.

[Not Afraid]

Evergreen is not in a good location. Hodgson is close to Evergreen.

[Not Afraid]

If we want group sites, I think we need to start thinking of another location, because Yosemite proper is not going to work.

[Not Afraid]

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/map_of_Quaking_Aspen_Ca/r/generateBrowseMapRecGov.do?topTabIndex=CampgroundM ap&map=PARK&parkId=71610&contractCode=NRSO

[innerSpaceman]

Yep, the Hodgson location sucks. I had no idea Group campgrounds were allowed to reserve earlier than 5 months out. Um, maybe that's a good idea for next season's Swank Camp. Heheh.

We missed that boat.


Do you guys want to do King's Canyon this year, and Yosemite some other time?

Thing is, the Group sites at Yosemite are simply too far from Yosemite Valley. We'd be in the same boat. It's an enormously popular attraction ... and for good reason. Camping is not going to be as convenient there.



My personal preference would be to let fate decide. Even if we have six people calling and/or clicking on Friday morning, the chances of getting 4 reasonably close together campsites anywhere in Yosemite Valley are slim. So what if we leave it to chance? ... and if we get them, use them. And if not ... well, not?



I had another group camping trip to Yosemite Valley with some different people skuttled because it's just not a place that works for big groups. But the fact remains that too many swankers have never been to Yosemite Valley. That's a tragic sadness.

[Disneyphile]

Do you guys want to do King's Canyon this year, and Yosemite some other time?If that's the case, there are quite a few group campsites in Sequoia/KC too.

Or, we could always do it closer to home this year in the Angeles Forest or some other region if it would help more people attend. Just a thought.

[innerSpaceman]

Should we start a new thread with a poll?

[Disneyphile]

Should we start a new thread with a poll?
Maybe in a sec. I'm researching a few other cool locations and maybe we can add them. :)

[Not Afraid]

The link I posted to above is to a group site in Sequoia NF. I've both camped and cabined there and it's really beautiful but doesn't have the spectacular scenery as the NPs.

There are also many sites outside the Valley nearer to Oakhurst and Bass Lake.

Personally, I'd prefer going to Kings Canyon.

[Capt Jack]

poll: always a good call to get things rolling and let everyone know 'da haps'

[Gemini Cricket]

I say King's Canyon or the dreaded Widow's Peak.

[Disneyphile]

Kings Canyon National Park

Sunset Campground (elevation 6589 ft): 1/8 mile west of Grant Grove Visitor Center. Store and showers nearby. Two sites available (A and B). Each site hold 15-30 people with a fee of $40 per night per site. RVs and trailers must camp in regular campsites nearby.

Reservations are made by mail or fax only:
-Sunset Group Sites
-PO Box 926
-Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633
-FAX: 559-565-4391 or 559-565-4390

For group camping information only, call 559-565-4341 November-April or 559-565-4335 May-October.
Click for information on regular campgrounds including Sunset.


Canyon View Campground(elevation 4635 ft): 1/2 mile east of Cedar Grove Visitor Center. Store and showers nearby. Four sites available (A, B, C and D). Only one site per organization per day. Each site holds 20-40 people, with a fee of $40 per night per site. RVs and trailers must camp in regular campsites nearby.

Reservations are made by mail or fax only:
-Canyon View Group Sites
-PO Box 926
-Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633
-FAX: 559-565-4391 or 559-565-4390 (January-April)
-FAX: 559-565-0314 (May-October)

For group camping information only, call 559-565-4335 November-April or 559-565-3792 May-October.
Click for information on regular, non-group campgrounds including Canyon View.

[Disneyphile]

Just called to inquire about the KC sites I just posted. We need to fax in a request, and then they'll contact us if the dates are available. However, the ranger was confident that June should be available - he said the holiday times are usually sold out first.

Anyone want to fax over a request today and see if we can score it?

How about June 26th - 30th? (Th-M)

[innerSpaceman]

Well, i went ahead and posted a poll anywho. It's got the basic choices, and we can hash out details later.

[Morrigoon]

Group campsites are only $40/day? That beats the heck out of paying for 4 or 5 individual sites!

[Disneyphile]

Group campsites are only $40/day? That beats the heck out of paying for 4 or 5 individual sites!Yep. Even if only 10 people showed, it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

[innerSpaceman]

That's cause, in my experience (admittedly limited to a few National Parks), Group Campsites are absolutely lame.

[katiesue]

I can send a fax inquiry to the Kings Canyon group sites. If avaible we'd at least have a plan B should we be unable to get enough sites in Yosemite.

[innerSpaceman]

Here's (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm) the link again to the general reservations info page.

The reservations phone line number is (877) 444-6777.

This (http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70928) is the site for booking Lower Pines sites.

BUT ... I just found out only 2 sites can be booked under one name. So, even if we can snag 4 or 5 sites, we need a different person's credit card for each transaction. Any volunteers?

At 4 people per site, 4 sites will allow for 16 people. A 5th site would be required for a capacity of 20 people.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, that was fun.



Lower Pines campground sold out in about 2.6 minutes. The only person who got through on the phone was swanie ... and of course, she was the only one not on our I.M. conference, and so communications did not extend to checking other Valley campgrounds while she was still on the line.

Le sigh.



Yosemite may be a cabin or lodge adventure from now on.



OR: There's the allure of White Wolf camp .... just 10 minutes outside the Valley and populated on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a big campground, and I've never experienced problems getting several adjacent sites there on a just-show-up basis.

Of course that was in the days when it took a ful 16 minutes for Lower Pines to sell out. ;)
Things might be a little trickier now, and in the high season especially. Dunno for sure.



The other avenues we are exploring are:

1) A Group Campsite at King's Canyon. Katiesue is faxing a request this morning, and there appear to be sites available.

2) Regular campsites at Sheep Creek campground in King's Canyon. Not Afraid, €uroMeinke, Nirvanaman and myself scoped this place out at the tail end of last Swank Camp and there are some killer campsites near the river. This is also (as are all King's Canyon campgrounds) a first-come, first-served situation. We'd have the same chance as anyone else, and this campground is vast ... if the coolest sites were to already be taken.


* * * * *

When you try to get a slew of campsites first-come, first-served, you really have to be first-come. You show up at the crack of dawn on a weekday when demand for new sites is lowest, and basically wait in line at the campground entrance until noon ... and then see what's available.


I think that strategy can work almost as well at White Wolf in Yosemite as it can at Sheep Creek in King's Canyon. And I'm alarmed that, absent some fantastic stroke of luck .... camping in Yosemite Valley is apparently a thing of the past. Certainly it's not going to happen for a handful of campsites.

And so, White Wolf will remain the only viable camping option for Yosemite, whether we have swank camp there this season or some other.





What says any of youse??

[Gemini Cricket]

Disneyland's picnic area?

[innerSpaceman]

Nope ... not since they blocked access from DTD. Pfft.

[Kevy Baby]

Disneyland's picnic area?Nope ... not since they blocked access from DTD. Pfft.Actually, they swapped the blocked entrances. You now do not need to go through security to get into the picnic area (but you, for obvious reasons, cannot go out the other side).

[Morrigoon]

Sounds like someone is working on King's Canyon. But weren't there some group sites somewhere just outside Yosemite that were being talked about? I remember something about lots of shade and flat ground being mentioned.

Alternatively, we could come closer to home this year, maybe something within easy drive distance?

[innerSpaceman]

The remaining Yosemite Group camps are way too far from the action, and - since booking is allowed one year in advance - are likely full-up.

In a nutshell, the remaining options are (more details in the other camping thread):


a) First-Come, First-Served at Sheep Creek campground in King's Canyon

b) First-Come, First-Served at White Wolf campground, 10 minutes outside Yosemite Valley

c) Group Campground reservation at King's Canyon.

[Kevy Baby]

My concerns on the FCFS option are:

Is site squatting allowed? If we wanted four sites, would we have to have enough people able to go up on Thursday to get four spots? If say, only two couples can go up, would they be able to hold four spots?
Is it too much of a crap shoot to hope to get four spots? This concerns me a lot.If we were all going up at the same time as a single caravan, it might not be as bad, but everybody will be arriving at different times. With as many people coming, I think we are much better off having a set destination.

[innerSpaceman]

We'd have to have at least four people and their tent(s) to nab 4 spots. But I don't think 4 adjacent spots would be a problem.

Certainly not a problem at Sheep Creek.

As for the Yosemite option, 2 nonadjacent pairs of internally-adjacent campsites is the best we could have hoped for anyway. I think that's a worst-case scenario at White Wolf, with 4 adjacent sites a distinct possibility.


We should know about the Group site in King's Canyon soon. But, personally, I'd rather take our chances at Sheep Creek if we're going to do King's Canyon.

[katiesue]

OK - here's the scoop.

No group sites avaliable in Cedar Grove for our dates. However - June 1-15th Campsite B is open and A, B, C & D (she thinks D is the best one) are open June 8-14. If we get a reservation we do not pay until arrival then it's $40/night.

There are 5 midsize campsites in Cedar Grove but they are first come/first serve. They hold 7-19 persons. Then at least we'd only maybe need one of those plus a regular campsite. Just an option.

So do we want to try for an earlier date? If so when or do we move along to the plan B chance it method?

[Kevy Baby]

Moderators and admins can still post in closed threads.

For example...Showoff

[Kevy Baby]

OK - here's the scoop.

No group sites available in Cedar Grove for our dates. However - June 1-15th Campsite B is open and A, B, C & D (she thinks D is the best one) are open June 8-14. If we get a reservation we do not pay until arrival then it's $40/night.

There are 5 midsize campsites in Cedar Grove but they are first come/first serve. They hold 7-19 persons. Then at least we'd only maybe need one of those plus a regular campsite. Just an option.

So do we want to try for an earlier date? If so when or do we move along to the plan B chance it method?OK: I will defer to your expertise and experience on this. Since we are not taking any other vacation time as of yet, it shouldn't be a problem for me to get time off to go up Thursday (or was it Wednesday... maybe I should go look).

[innerSpaceman]

1) I'm cool with earlier. It was Disneyphile who had an issue with dates, so hopefully we'll hear from her soon.

2) Am I to understand you can reserve a random Group Campsite, but which one you get is first-come, first-served?

3) In any event, but especially if Item 2 is a "yes," I'd rather take our chances with first-come, first-serve at Sheep Creek.

[Morrigoon]

Why don't we go ahead and snag a reservation, we can always cancel if something better comes up, but at least we'll have secured something.

[swanie]

If you decide to do it earlier in the month...I might be able to make it. The dates late in June interfere with our cruise from hell with the in-laws and in-family.

swanie

[Kevy Baby]

Why don't we go ahead and snag a reservation, we can always cancel if something better comes up, but at least we'll have secured something.Agreed

1) I'm cool with earlier. It was Disneyphile who had an issue with dates, so hopefully we'll hear from her soon.

2) Am I to understand you can reserve a random Group Campsite, but which one you get is first-come, first-served?

3) In any event, but especially if Item 2 is a "yes," I'd rather take our chances with first-come, first-serve at Sheep Creek.Where did you get the idea for #2? I looked back at DP's post (copied below) and I don't see anything that mentions this.

Kings Canyon National Park

Sunset Campground (elevation 6589 ft): 1/8 mile west of Grant Grove Visitor Center. Store and showers nearby. Two sites available (A and B). Each site hold 15-30 people with a fee of $40 per night per site. RVs and trailers must camp in regular campsites nearby.

Reservations are made by mail or fax only:
-Sunset Group Sites
-PO Box 926
-Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633
-FAX: 559-565-4391 or 559-565-4390

For group camping information only, call 559-565-4341 November-April or 559-565-4335 May-October.
Click for information on regular campgrounds including Sunset.


Canyon View Campground(elevation 4635 ft): 1/2 mile east of Cedar Grove Visitor Center. Store and showers nearby. Four sites available (A, B, C and D). Only one site per organization per day. Each site holds 20-40 people, with a fee of $40 per night per site. RVs and trailers must camp in regular campsites nearby.

Reservations are made by mail or fax only:
-Canyon View Group Sites
-PO Box 926
-Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633
-FAX: 559-565-4391 or 559-565-4390 (January-April)
-FAX: 559-565-0314 (May-October)

For group camping information only, call 559-565-4335 November-April or 559-565-3792 May-October.
Click for information on regular, non-group campgrounds including Canyon View.

[innerSpaceman]

Where did you get the idea for #2?
No need to go back to DP's post from days ago. This is from Katiesue's of a little while ago re Cedar Grove group campsites:

A, B, C & D (she thinks D is the best one) are open June 8-14. ... There are 5 midsize campsites in Cedar Grove but they are first come/first serve. They hold 7-19 persons.

So, I reiterate. If Group Sites are first come, first served ... why bother with them over the Loved-It-With-Our-Own-Eyes pre-swankapproved sites in Sheep Creek?


Yes, Group Camp would be a few dollars cheaper for each camper. And technically, some spot would be reserved.


I don't think either are sufficient advantages.



In fact, I'm gonna vote we grow a collective set and try for White Wolf in Yosemite.

[Gemini Cricket]

Hmmm. White Wolf or Sheep Creek...
I vote for Sheep Creek. But that's just based on the name and that's all.
:D

[swanie]

According to Katiesue, the group site reservations are for a specific site.

[Morrigoon]

Looks like the "midsize" campsites are the FCFS ones.

[Kevy Baby]

Hmmm. White Wolf or Sheep Creek...
I vote for Sheep Creek. But that's just based on the name and that's all.
:DWhat if it is a White in a Creek's clothing?

[Kevy Baby]

Looks like the "midsize" campsites are the FCFS ones.Yeah, I think we need a clarification from KS. My take was "some group sites are specifically reservable and mid-size group sites are FCFS."

[katiesue]

Yeah, I think we need a clarification from KS. My take was "some group sites are specifically reservable and mid-size group sites are FCFS."

That is correct - the group sites for 20-40 people you need to reserve. And you reserve a specific group site A, B, C or D (the ranger thought D was the preferred one).

The Mid-Size sites are FCFS. I just threw the mid-size in there as they hadn't been in the discussion before and the ranger suggested them as an alternative.

[Not Afraid]

I'm confused, but I got up early.

Having this many people with no reservations makes me nervous - more so in Yosemite than in KC. KC has many campgrounds in the Valley to choose from. Yosemite has less. I have chanced WW before and gotten a spot in August, but 4 spots, together? Not sure about this.

[innerSpaceman]

Oh, it's a gamble alright. I don't expect too many votes for that option, but it's my preference anyway.

The way I see it ... the gamble is not going away. And each and every year brings more crowding, not less, to Yosemite. Oh sure, we could go a little earlier in the Springtime ... but not much. Late May is perhaps the earliest.

And so what if we delay Yosemite Swank Camp for a year, or two or four? Same boat then. Maybe worse. Maybe late May two years from now is just as crowded as late June this year.


Also ... what if this morning a miracle happened and two of us were able to get reservations? Do you think they would have been 4 adjacent campsites?




I'm just sayin'




Anyway, King's Canyon is lovely. I would love to camp there.



But what about next year? Are we really going to venture to the Tetons, and start swank-camping in places that take multiple days to even get to? Or are we going to be facing the Yosemite dilemma sooner or later?



So, i will go against the grain, with the highest risk being most attractive to me, and the lowest risk the least.

White Wolf (the better to eat you with), followed by Sheep Creek (the better to be shorn), followed by Group Camp D (are we all branded on the ass at that one??)

[Disneyphile]

The only weekend in June we can't make it is the 21st/22nd. We're open on the earlier weekends if that's what's available. :)

[innerSpaceman]

May I just point out that, d'uh, if we go somewhere without reservations, we don't need to have the trip be five months from now. We could non-ressie camp in March if we wanted.







by which i mean to suggest that White Wolf might be as uncrowded in mid-May as Sheep Creek is in late June.

[Not Afraid]

I say we plan for Yosemite in May. It's the best time of year in the Valley anyways and, with some advance, we could pull it off. The Cruise got in the way of may this year.

[Disneyphile]

Y'all have fun! :)

[Capt Jack]

um...so like, Ive been out of touch for a couple days.

was anything decided or resolved?

[innerSpaceman]

No, and with all due respect to Disneyphile, I think we should wait on the decisions for a while.

But here's the current status. We are awaiting (are we?) word about the availabilty of a King's Canyon Group Camp. This, btw, is not my preferred modus for camping in King's Canyon.

So .... if we don't reserve the Group Site ... we're basically going to whereever we go without a reservation.

And the choice thus becomes ... Kings Canyon (Sheep Creek campground) and, because that place is less popular, we can go in late June (which would allow Disneyphile to join us). The downside to that, imo, is that we visited many of the King's Canyon highlights during last year's Swank Camp.

The other option is Yosemite (White Wolf campground) earlier in the season, to hopefully find adjacent campsites available before the summer rush. The month of May has a conflict for Disneyphile, as she's going on a 14-day Disney Cruise.


Right now, however, it's all up in the air. And since (apart from the Group Camp option) we have no ability to make any reservations, we don't have to come to a decision right now.

[Kevy Baby]

No, and with all due respect to Disneyphile, I think we should wait on the decisions for a while.Agreed!

[katiesue]

But here's the current status. We are awaiting (are we?) word about the availabilty of a King's Canyon Group Camp. This, btw, is not my preferred modus for camping in King's Canyon.


The dates we wanted - June 26-July 1 were not avaliable for group sites. There were sites avaliable earlier in the month. I have no request in any other dates. I can fax one over if we pick alternate dates.

[innerSpaceman]

If I recall (and the information is hidden somewhere in this girnormous thread) those dates were picked because Disneyphile had a shooting-schedule conflict in early June.

ZOMG, she is one busy woman. And we love her, so we're gonna wait till things get a bit less frenzied for her before we come to any conclusions.


But it looks to me like we'll be camping on a whim and a prayer. Fix up the Gypsy Carts and Get 'em ready to roll.

:cool:

[Capt Jack]

hmmm...ok.
guess I need to change to a tentative yes depending on the dates selected

[katiesue]

I agree to wait a bit. Worst case we call all pitch tents on my balcony. I've got pine tree's it'll be just like Yosemite ;)

[innerSpaceman]

We can all take turns peeing over the side to simulate the waterfalls!

[Morrigoon]

No, and with all due respect to Disneyphile, I think we should wait on the decisions for a while.


Visible mojo for this

[MouseWife]

Has anyone gone back to see if those dates have been freed up? While people reserve dates, they don't always come through with the deposits and their cc's don't always work....

I'm just sayin'....

[Capt Jack]

We can all take turns peeing over the side to simulate the waterfalls!

I'll be needing a lot of beer then

[Kevy Baby]

I'll be needing a lot of beer thenWork, work, work

[Morrigoon]

What's the latest on this? Anything?

I mean, anything besides Big Lots having those inflatable mattresses that can be a king or a twin or a couch for only $25?

[innerSpaceman]

No. Holding pattern for a while. Disneyphile respect holding pattern.


Nothing needs to be done. 90% chance we are chancing it without any reservations.

[katiesue]

I found a webcam for Kings Canyon/Sequoia (http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/sekicam/sekicam.cfm)

[Disneyphile]

We're fully available in June, except for the weekend of the 20th-22nd.

And, I might like to bring my dad too. He hasn't been camping in years, and I know he'd love it. :)

[Morrigoon]

Good idea!

[katiesue]

The group campsites called again today and they have wait listed us for the June 26-30 dates. I'll keep you posted.

Earlier dates are avaliable - June 5-10 or June 12-17 (as of this afternoon).

[Morrigoon]

Earlier the better, IMHO. But that's just for my own selfish scheduling purposes ;)

[innerSpaceman]

I'm fine with earlier.

What I am not particularly fine with (but perfectly voted downable) is taking a site that's sight unseen, even though reserved, vs. the beautiful sites some of us purposefully scoped out for a future Swank Camp that we'd like to try for.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm mostly fine with nailing down a date so I can plan my time off.

[Capt Jack]

ditto.

[innerSpaceman]

ok, why don't you folks who want to nail it down pick a date?

[Capt Jack]

The group campsites called again today and they have wait listed us for the June 26-30 dates. I'll keep you posted.

Earlier dates are avaliable - June 5-10 or June 12-17 (as of this afternoon).

without rehashing and rereading the whole thread, any of the above work for me. the earlier the better as I need a break before the insanity becomes permanent

for the most part, I can go at any time. I just need to let the powers that be know a couple weeks ahead so they can volunteer me for 3x the work in my absense.

[Not Afraid]

As far as I'm concerned, pick a date. If we can go, we'll go. If we can't, we won't.

[innerSpaceman]

I hereby nominate Wednesday, May 14 through Tuesday, May 20 for Wolf Creek in Yosemite.


I can't help it. That's where I want to go. We did (a little bit of) Kings Canyon last year. I know these days conflict with certain people's schedules. I'm willing to go with the majority decision, but this is where and when we'd do it if I had my druthers.

I'm anxious to share the wonders of Yosemite Valley with Gemini Cricket. He helped save a boy's life at Bridalveil Fall ... and then ventured no further into the Incomparable Valley. Being as I saw someone fall to their death from the top of Yosemite Falls, G.C. and I share a Yosemite Waterfall Tragedy bond ... and it is a life-debt I owe to him to see that he discovers the rest of the Valley.

BUT ... that's just my lone guy preference so far.


So no more of this 'sometime in May' or 'I'm good in late June'. Propose some actual dates and places ... and we'll come to a group consensus based on actual plans.

[Disneyphile]

June 5-10 at Kings Canyon group site is my pick.

[Kevy Baby]

OK. I have looked through this and other threads, pulled some known conflicting dates and have come up with this summary (using just the weekend days for discussion). Let's use this as a discussion start (well, continuation since ISM and DP have already posted).

Known Bad Weekends

April 12-13 - Kevin unavailable (MS Walk)
April 26-27 - Coachella (and I think Susan and I are at a wedding in Oregon, but I am not sure)
May 10-11 - Disney Cruise
May 17-18 - Disney Cruise
May 24-25 - Disney Cruise (and Monday the 26th is Memorial Day)
June 21-22 - Ken & Teresa unavailableRequested Weekends

May 17-18 - Wolf Creek (ISM)
June 7-8 - King's Canyon Group Site (DP)Obviously, no individual drives the event, so any one person's absence or requests should drive choices. However, there are a couple of people on the Cruise (DP and GusGus and possibly others that I do not remember), so I would personally request not booking those weekends and Coachella will eliminate a large number of potential campers.

And personally (again - sorry), I would like to accommodate T&K 's (Disneyphile & Frodo Potter) schedule - they could REALLY use this.

With that in mind (accommodating individual unavailabilities), I see the following availabilities:

Possible Weekends

April 5-6
April 19-20
May 3-4
May 31-June 1 (although this is the weekend after Memorial Day Weekend)
June 7-8
June 14-15
June 21-22
June 28-29Let's start by eliminating weekends. If you have a conflict with any of the weekends above, or prefer one of these weekends, post now (let's keep it simple and start with just the weekends and the build the extra days around it). Then we can get it narrowed down to a couple of weekends for voting.

Everyone okay with that?

[Capt Jack]

any of the 'possibles' from the beginning of May forward work for me. April has an event or two already booked and I can't manage another extended leave during that month. (either work or money-wise). the "Wednesday, May 14 through Tuesday, May 20 " @ wolf creek sounds great as well

thanks for the summary K. that helps me a ton

[Disneyphile]

And personally (again - sorry), I would like to accommodate T&K 's (Disneyphile & Frodo Potter) schedule - they could REALLY use this. Thanks, Kevy. My dad could use it too - he and my mother used to camp a lot back in their early days, and it would probably be good to get him out and reminisce. He'll also be good to keep watch over the site during long group outings, since he can't walk for more than a couple hours at a time anyway. But, if the majority can't make it around our schedule, then we totally understand.

June 21-22I have a shoot that weekend, and that's the only conflict for us in your list.

[Kevy Baby]

[June 21-22] I have a shoot that weekend, and that's the only conflict for us in your list.Crap - I even had that on the upper list. Sorry.

Using the responses so far, this brings the list (preliminarily) to:

Possible Weekends

May 3-4
May 31-June 1 (although this is the weekend after Memorial Day Weekend)
June 7-8
June 14-15
June 28-29

[Morrigoon]

AFAIK, I am available for any, but getting the time off work will be increasingly difficult as it gets later into the summer season. Oops, I take that back, June 15th is Father's Day, so count that right out for me.

D-phile's suggestion of June 7-8 is fine by me. It's approximately when we went last year, if I recall, it's not too close to a holiday weekend.

On a personal level, the 7-8 is the only weekend that immediately follows payday for me ;)

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I think I'm pretty good with whatever date is picked.

[Kevy Baby]

D-phile's suggestion of June 7-8 is fine by me. It's approximately when we went last year, if I recall, it's not too close to a holiday weekend.Actually, last year was end of June/beginning of July.

[Disneyphile]

Actually, last year was end of June/beginning of July.That's why I like earlier in June - not as hot.

Then again, I can't remember too much of the weather last year, because I was largely comatose with altitude sickness most of the time. I'm hoping that won't happen again this year. It shouldn't, since I can usually adjust to climates/surroundings that I've visited within about 2 years.

[Kevy Baby]

That's why I like earlier in June - not as hot.I don't recall it being too hot last year.

[Disneyphile]

I don't recall it being too hot last year.Yeah, could have just been me then. My body was really having some strange reactions last year.

[Not Afraid]

Possible Weekends

May 3-4 - Too soon after Coachella for us.
May 31-June 1 (although this is the weekend after Memorial Day Weekend) Possible
June 7-8 - Great weekend for me
June 14-15 - Possible
June 28-29 This is my third choice even though I have it earmarked for time off already.

[innerSpaceman]

As the weekend i suggested clearly wasn't one of the possible weekends that Kevy later listed, i hereby declare Disneyphiles' suggested weekend and location the winner.

[Kevy Baby]

As the weekend i suggested clearly wasn't one of the possible weekends that Kevy later listed, i hereby declare Disneyphiles' suggested weekend and location the winner.Its definitely starting to look that way. I think we should wait for a couple more people to weigh in before declaring a chosen weekend.

[Disneyphile]

As the weekend i suggested clearly wasn't one of the possible weekends that Kevy later listed, i hereby declare Disneyphiles' suggested weekend and location the winner.
Hey, and if you absolutely hate the group site, you can totally blame me, and I'll never suggest one again for future events. And, I commend you for giving it a chance. ;)

[Kevy Baby]

And, I commend you for giving it a chance. ;)All we are saying
is give peace a chance...

[innerSpaceman]

oh, and i knew those dates would be somewhere too close to the cruise to work, but - hehehe- i didn't know they were the ACTUAL cruise dates.

Figures.

[Kevy Baby]

BTW iSm (totally off topic): I can't help but stare at your avatar every time you post. I LOVE that photo!

[innerSpaceman]

And, well, we'd still have to get the Group Site reservation.

I would personally still vote for Sheep Creek over the group camp. Like I've said before, four of us specifically scoped out many campsites there for a future Swank Camp. We had no idea it would be the very next year. But I don't see why we don't go with the investigation legwork that was put in.


Again, just my one-man's vote.

[Not Afraid]

Is the group site at Cedar Grove? Is there a map of the site anywhere?

[Kevy Baby]

And, well, we'd still have to get the Group Site reservation.

I would personally still vote for Sheep Creek over the group camp. Like I've said before, four of us specifically scoped out many campsites there for a future Swank Camp. We had no idea it would be the very next year. But I don't see why we don't go with the investigation legwork that was put in.


Again, just my one-man's vote.Didn't you agree with the leg work that Disneyphile and Frodo Potter did? I thought that is what you posted.

[innerSpaceman]

Um, no, I never wrote that. I'm agreeing that their dates and choice of National Park ... as one of only two dates posited, and the ONLY ONE included in your list, Kevy, was the defacto winner.

So I went on to urge, as I always and consistently have ... that we consider using the campsites that Not Afraid, €uroMeinke, Nirvanaman and myself visited last year for the express purpose of determining a location for the future Swank Camp in Kings Canyon.

If this year IS that future Swank Camp, why not use the sites we personally visited and approved?


Has anyone visited this Group Camp? Seen it with their own eyes? It seems to me, and perhaps I'm incorrect, that the desire to have a reserved site is trumping all other considerations. But I am constrained to again point out that it is our reasonable bid for security which has us going to Kings Canyon for the second year in a row, instead of trying for Yosemite.

Ok, I understand and appreciate that. For the dates that work for most people, Yosemite would be too big a gamble. OK, so we choose Kings Canyon which is far less a gamble. Are we willing to take a sight-unseen site over a personally scoped-out campground in some kind of (imo) misguided effort at complete security?

Personally, I think choosing an unseen group camp over a visited campground to be a far greater gamble.

[Not Afraid]

Why don't we get a map of the group campsite? From the description, it seems all group sites are by the river. If we can get a general location we can look at it via Google earth. Or we can trust on a description from the ranger and specifically ask how the group sites compare to the Sheep Creek campsites that are on the Kings Riverfront and border Sheep Creek.

There is NO guarantee that the Sheep Creek sites will be available anyways. They are beautiful spots and usually go first.

[Kevy Baby]

OK - my bad. I mistook DP's location suggestion for her previous site suggestion (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?p=183761#post183761)(eighth post of this thread). Is Crane Flat an option (I don't know and I don't have the energy to look at this point)? Since it is (per DP's claim) only 20 minutes from Yosemite, do we want to consider that location?

[innerSpaceman]

Ok, let's (meaning someone else, please) do that. Get the location and Google Earth it. Scope it from the Spy Satellite.


But, yeah, the pretty sites go first. Who's to say we won't be first?


But, um, first things first. Let's get the location and spy view info on the group campsite.



ETA: Crane Flat is NOT 20 minutes from Yosemite Valley. It is much farther, being near the intersection of the Tioga Road. Thus, out of consideration. And, if I recall correctly, also not reservable.

[Kevy Baby]

So, what you're saying is that DP is a liar liar pants on fire?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

So you're thinking about going June 7-8? Oop, I guess doing a party to renew our vows that weekend is a no-go. Ah well, maybe another anniversary.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm saying DP was apparently misinformed about the proximity of Crane Flat to Yosemite. What's the difference? We have apparently ruled out Yosemite non-reservable campsites as too big a risk for Swank Camp, because we have so many people.


So ... what I'd like to know at some point is whether that will always disqualify Yosemite from being a Swank Camp location. We can't reasonably go there before late May, because too many great places are off-limits due to snow. We can't reasonably go there after August, because the waterfalls which are arguably the park's highlights won't be flowing worth a damn.

SO ... I'd like to know whether the gamble of trying for some consecutive campsites at White Wolf (which is the campground rougly 15 minutes from the edge of the Valley, and 25 minutes from Curry Village Day Parking) will ALWAYS be a Swank Camp non-starter. Because if that's the case, I'm going to try to arrange a much smaller excusion, perhaps at a lodge and not a camp, for me and Gemini Cricket and Cadaverous Pallor (and her hubby and anyone else who's never been) ... perhaps even for this year.



As for the anniversary party ... Gee, I'd like to do that, too. I hate to can-worm open, but arent' there any other June camping weekends possible?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

NO NO NO - we will definitely do the vow renewal thing with you guys sometime. We'll find a weekend, it totally doesn't even have to be our anniversary. We're flexible.

(On another note, if there's lodge "camping" at any point this year, well, T&I like lodges)

[Kevy Baby]

I'm saying DP was apparently misinformed about the proximity of Crane Flat to Yosemite.Dude, I was joking.

[katiesue]

The rangers who I've talked to about the group sites have been quite helpful and I'm sure can give you more information about the exact locations. The number they called me from on Friday was 559-565-3341. They do call back if you leave a message. Having only been in the area last year I have no idea locations etc.

My two cents - the kings canyon sites seemed to be pretty empty when we were there last year. If we're going even earlier in June I'd be fine with chancing it and picking out our own sites. The problem is communication with the others coming in at later times. But I'm sure we can figure out some sort of smoke signal system.

What if we compromise - do a group campsite in Kings Canyon for the whole group camping experience. Then as ISM suggested, another time, and maybe even this year, reserve a lodge or something in Yosemite proper for that experince (or plan ahead enough and do the lodge thing next summer instead?). Just a suggestion. That or we just have to break into smaller groups to do yosemite camping.

I'm happy to fax to them again with alternate dates just let me know what's decided.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm happy to fax to them again with alternate dates just let me know what's decided.June 4-10

[katiesue]

We want Wed - Tuesday or Thursday to Tuesday? At least a few people are going to have to be there the first day.

[Not Afraid]

OK. Pending a return phone call from a ranger confirming that Sheep Creek will even be OPEN in early June....... I'm going to suggest we do the following:

Sheep Creek
June 5-9 (or 10)

Following Memorial day weekend (and prior to school being out) the Kings Canyon campgrounds are REALLY deserted. So deserted that they may not have them all open in June. In my experience, Sheep Creek and Sentinel open first, Canyon View and Moraine open last. But, like I said, I'm waiting confirmation (if they even know). In any case, choosing that first weekend in June will give us the BEST opportunity for choosing the Sheep Creek Campsites of our swank dreams.

The following is a google earth map of the area. The campgrounds from left to right are:
Sheep Creek
Sentinel
Canyon View
Moraine

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/Kings%20Canyon.jpg

[Capt Jack]

So ... what I'd like to know at some point is whether that will always disqualify Yosemite from being a Swank Camp location.

wow. I hope not. Ive not been there in ages and would love to re-visit it with the Swanksters, especially ones who know whats what there. speaking just for myself, I can do the take your chances camping without a lot of issue.

[Kevy Baby]

It certainly is a more logistical challenge.

[Not Afraid]

If we really want to do Yosemite, I suggest we go off season (or early season) and stay at the Lodge.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I'm all for Kings Canyon.
I'm all for Yosemite.
I'd go to both. I'd go to just one.
If thats our cup of tea
Just as long
as I don't see Kevy's Shlong...

:) bornieo's camp swank poem.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, let's put Yosemite off the table for now. Camping is only even worth gambling for during the time Gus Gus and Disneyphile are on or getting ready for or recovering from the Cruise (with the further proviso that they've taken 2 weeks off from whatever do that cruise).

So ... assuming we want to camp this year and not lodge this year, let's do King's Canyon in early to mid June.


If we want to Lodge this year, that's a whole different experience. But again, I would recommend it for the earliest possible dates ... late May, early June that may or may not (or june or june not) conflict with the cruise again.


It's just that if we are never going to take a chance on non-reserved White Wolf for Yosemite Swank Camp, I'd like to arrange a lodge trip for this year or next.


I hate to say it ... but this whole mess requires a poll with zilliontul options.

[Kevy Baby]

(with the further proviso that they've taken 2 weeks off from whatever do that cruise)Uh, yeah; don't get me started on THAT detail. :mad:

[Not Afraid]

There's also housekeeping camps and tent cabin options in White Wolf. Also, for 2008 the tentative opening dates and closing of White Wolf are Fri. June 13 to Sun. September 21.


The will often times "unofficially" open the high sierra campgrounds earlier if the roads are clear and the post-winter maintenance has been done. This has been a larger snow year (but not terrible) so it's a crap shoot.


Oh, the other thing to consider about Kings Canyon, because of the wonderful snow pack, the river will be INCREDIBLE and not like the sad river it was last year. Also, the wildflowers will be starting to bloom at that elevation in June, so it should be very pretty in the meadows. BUT, keep in mind, there is not as much to do in Kings Canyon as there is in Sequoia or Yosemite.

[Kevy Baby]

BUT, keep in mind, there is not as much to do in Kings Canyon as there is in Sequoia or Yosemite.Well, that just leaves more time for drinking and...

Oh, wait.

[Not Afraid]

Yup.


I always miss river-chilled crisp white wine when I'm camping in Kings Canyon.


Ok. I've made my own suggestions and recommendations bassed on what i know or have experienced. I've also spent as much time as I have on this today. Unless i get a call back from the ranger, I'm done for now. You guys decide what you want to do.

[NirvanaMan]

I don't think I can swing a full week. A long weekend is more what I had in mind. The only weekend that is officially out for me is Fathers day due to a car show I have to run at work.

[Kevy Baby]

I don't think I can swing a full week. A long weekend is more what I had in mind. The only weekend that is officially out for me is Fathers day due to a car show I have to run at work.Methinks it is like the 2007 Camp Swank: some people will arrive earlier and/or stay later than others. I suspect most will just make a long weekend of as was done before. I think the longer number of days is just being alloted for those who want to make a longer trip of it (which I am considering).

[Alex]

Just a thought unrelated to this camping endeavor. But it might ease things for next year if you all just picked a date now for 2009 and said "come hell or high water we'll be camping somewhere on this weekend, we're all creative good hearted people so even if it ends up being a Wal-Mart parking lot we'll have fun. Hold the date and details to be determined later."

Simultaneously trying to pick the when and the where never works smoothly for big group activities in my experience.

[Morrigoon]

If we want to Lodge this year, that's a whole different experience. But again, I would recommend it for the earliest possible dates ... late May, early June that may or may not (or june or june not) conflict with the cruise again.


It's just that if we are never going to take a chance on non-reserved White Wolf for Yosemite Swank Camp, I'd like to arrange a lodge trip for this year or next.


Just wanted to say I really like the idea of a lodge trip for next year. That's probably how I want to do Yosemite the first time (unless you count when I was 6 months old, in which case that's exactly how I did it.)

[innerSpaceman]

Well, if there's enough interest in a Lodge Trip for next year, I'll postpone any thought of a smaller lodge excursion this year.

Alex was right about not debating both a time and a place. I think we have narrowed to Kings Canyon in early June. Which of two weekends and which of two campgrounds are what's in play. That shouldn't be too hard to deal with, i hope.

But if NA's Google Earth photo of Kings Canyon posted above is illustrative, I don't see how that tool is going to help us get a handle on what the Group Camp may be like.

[Not Afraid]

Well, if you choose to go with my recommendation, it will be Sheep Creek the first weekend in June.

[innerSpaceman]

I second Sheep Creek the first weekend in June!





Or do I first Sheep Creek the second weekend in June?

[Capt Jack]

the lodge thing for Yoze works for me. so should the first weekend in June dates.

so something like the 4th or 5th through the 10th yes?

[katiesue]

Ok so Sheep Creek first weekend in June (and that's not a group spot so I'm not faxing a reservation correct?)

[Not Afraid]

I'm still waiting a call back to confirm Sheep Creek will be open (but it usually is by June). But, according to the ranger I spoke with today, Kings Canyone is deserted after Mem Day (and even then it doesn't fill) and is pretty clear until mid June. That coincides with the many experiences I've had in Kings Canyon as well. So, I'm thinking it's a pretty good chance for us to take.

Now, if I'm wrong and you all throw me in the rushing Kings river, you will be charged with murder.

[katiesue]

Now, if I'm wrong and you all throw me in the rushing Kings river, you will be charged with murder.

Only if they find the body ;)

[Not Afraid]

Maybe they're find a portion of my left elbow. (Sorry, obscure Lovely Bones reference.)

[Kevy Baby]

In an effort to start narrowing it down, I think we have tentatively decided on the first full weekend in June. I may be guilty of confusing things a bit as I have used both the two days worth of weekend (which is June 7-8) AND the "extended" version (Wed., June 4 - Tuesday, June 10).

Are we in agreement on the date? (If not, no biggy: I am just try to get this narrowed down.)

And as of right now, I think the leaning is towards Sheep Creek?
Is that a group or individuals site?
Is there another site that is still in contention?

And I like Alex's idea of planning NOW for 2009. It sounds like we can push it towards a lodge or something similar in Yosemite.

[Capt Jack]

I agree on the extended dates. my personal plan is to try and stay for the whole time.

the site I'll defer to those in the know as Im not familiar enough with them to yay or nay.

Im also in agreement with a lodge stay for Yoze next year and planning for it now.

[innerSpaceman]

Weekend of June 7 and 8, and days surrounding ... going once, going twice .... hearing no objection by the end of the day, I think we should declare those the dates.

Whether to shoot for a Thursday arrival for those who can, or a safer Wednesday arrival, can be decided later. We need as many "early arrivers" as we want campsites. Once those are claimed, others can arrive at will, and depart when they want. BUT ... to make things easier, everyone participating will pay their equal pro-rata share of the entire campsite costs. Heheh, we don't need the money to be any more difficult than it was last time (i.e., someone please bring a laptop to camp!)

There's no harm in seeing if a group camp reservation could be made for those dates (if we have a reservation, the dates could even start on Friday). But I'm leaning heavily toward Sheep Creek, with no reservations, and we should put that to a vote.


* * * * *

We would have to plan a Yosemite Lodge Trip 13 months in advance. Bookings are available either one year or 13 months prior to arrival.

If we are lodging it, I wonder if we all need to stay at the same lodge. Of the three, only one has any kind of common area where we might hang out before retiring to our separate sleeping places. That lodge is the, ahem, Ahwanee. And I'm thinking not everyone would want to spring for that.

I am, however, thinking of springing for a bungalow at the Ahwanee. I've always wanted to stay there, and I'm not getting any younger. It's quite a wad of cash though, so I'm on the fence about it.

The other two facilities are: Curry Village, which has rustic cabins; and Yosemite Lodge, which has modern motel rooms.

This would be early June 2009. It would not be cheap like camping. Camping may not be as cheap as simply figuring the inexpensive costs of campsites, but it is a lot cheaper than lodging. Of course, if time and effort are money, then simply shelling out dollars for rooms and meals can be viewed as a big savings over camping.

BUT: The big elephant in the room is the April 2009 Japan Swanking, which is going to break the bank and the vacation time for many of us. Would a Yosemite Lodge trip two months later be remotely possible?

I have my doubts.

[Morrigoon]

ooh, good point. But I must say "rustic cabins" is appealing. As long as they're more "rustic" and less "refugee camp"

[Alex]

They are (in my opinion) very refugee camp. Crammed in tight. But a lot of people like them.

And if you aren't all trying to be in one spot then anybody who wants to, and gets lucky, can still camp as well.

[innerSpaceman]

^ That's all true.

Um, there's a variety of lodging types available at Curry Village. Top of the line are the rustic cabins with bath. They are close together, but they are charming and lend you the feeling of National Parkness without being ...well, like the other offerings at Curry Village ... namely, rustic cabins with no bath (closer together, also) and -shudder- tents with cots that are one on top of the other and, imo, not a reasonable option.


BUT ... the more I think about it, the more I realize a Lodging Trip to Yosemite two months after a Japan trip is likely not feasable.

[BarTopDancer]

and -shudder- tents with cots that are one on top of the other and, imo, not a reasonable option.

We stayed in those during Outdoor-Ed in the 8th grade. Much fun in the 8th grade. Probably not as much fun now. But this has promted me to go find the pictures from then.


BUT ... the more I think about it, the more I realize a Lodging Trip to Yosemite two months after a Japan trip is likely not feasable.

I would agree with this statement.

Yosemite Lodging in 2010

[Kevy Baby]

Weekend of June 7 and 8, and days surrounding ... going once, going twice .... hearing no objection by the end of the day, I think we should declare those the dates.I'm in for those dates.
Heheh, we don't need the money to be any more difficult than it was last time (i.e., someone please bring a laptop to camp!)I am willing to handle the money. I'm a numbers guy, so it is a breeze for me (and I don't no stinkin' laptop - I have my abacus).

[Morrigoon]

Just for the record, since we're back (somewhat) to talking about this year's Camp Swank... I have a ginormous tent. Thus far it's Sohrshah and myself in there, but there'd be room for a third comfortably if anyone needs to.

And I probably wanna be on a dinner team, if we can lay claim to that this early.

Hey, why don't we start using the Wiki again?