Quick camping trip - Suggestions?

[Betty]

We're going on a quick 2 night camping trip this weekend. But where to go?

You know we like to go off roading - and I would prefer to avoid snow - and I prefer to not camp right next to other people.

I'd love to hear any suggestions from others for camping in the So Cal area.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Joshua Tree

[Capt Jack]

well, first off, let me offer this:

San Diego 10 day forecast (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/92105?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared)

got mud? liable to be that way across SoCal from all indications.

[Betty]

Yeah - I was hoping that it would magically not rain on us. Last I looked it was a 10% and 30% chance. Wishfull thinking perhaps?

Dammit - We've got no kids for a few days and days off and I want to go make house in the middle of nowhere!

[Not Afraid]

Wheeler Gorge (http://www.rockymountainrec.com/camp/padres-wheeler-gorge.htm) near Ojai is nice - or it was the last time I was there. There a nice stream through the campground. I also had a lynx climb into my trunk while we were unloading.

Joshua Tree or Death Valley are also good this time of year.

[Betty]

Wheeler Gorge (http://www.rockymountainrec.com/camp/padres-wheeler-gorge.htm) near Ojai is nice - or it was the last time I was there. There a nice stream through the campground. I also had a lynx climb into my trunk while we were unloading.

Joshua Tree or Death Valley are also good this time of year.

I'd not heard of Wheeler Gorge before - looks like a neat spot. I'll have to check and see if there's any off roading in the area.

At this point, I'm hoping we still get to go. It's pretty up in the air until tomorrow night weather forcast tells me for sure.

[Betty]

I think we're going to head out towards the Mojave National Preserve. It's got a 30% chance of "few showers" and I'm hoping that doesn't get worse. [fingers crossed]

Should be some fun off roading and no one camping right next to us. But also probably no formal pee spot either which kind of sucks.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

The world is your pee spot.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Have you ever been to the Mitchell Caverns (http://www.desertusa.com/mnp/mnp_mc.html)? They are out in that area. We enjoyed them.

[Betty]

Have you ever been to the Mitchell Caverns (http://www.desertusa.com/mnp/mnp_mc.html)? They are out in that area. We enjoyed them.

That effin rocks! Great tip. Haven't been - but will definately check it out now.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

There's a campground nearby called Hole-In-The-Wall (http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm). I've driven by, but never camped there. I hear it has an official pee spot.

[Betty]

That's actually the one I've been eyeing. Looks like some cook scenery too.

What we'd really like is to drive the entire Mojove road - but I think we'll need more time for that.

[Mousey Girl]

Hungery Valley near Gorman has a camping area with lots of off road trails.

[Kevy Baby]

I hear Yellowstone is nice and I am sure it is less than a two hour drive from somewhere.

[Betty]

I hear Yellowstone is nice and I am sure it is less than a two hour drive from somewhere.

Yeah - but not from me... would sure love to go though.

[Betty]

We are back!

To answer your first question - Yes - there was rain. We pulled in to Hole in the wall campground Thursday evening, a bit later then planned. It was windy and although we'd out driven the rain, the clouds in the distance looked rather ominous.

The ranger told us no rain until Saturday. But wind and coming from that direction (he points). So we get a campsite were we can have the vehicle block the wind a bit only to find that the wind isn't coming from that direction at all. But it's quickly getting dark so we put up the tent - which wasn't easy with the wind for sure...

Get a fire going and the lantern and the camp stove and make dinner only to have it start raining. Just very lightly - but with the wind and trying to make and eat dinner... It could have been a better evening for sure.

I slept pretty well taking some tylenol pm before bed. Normally sleeping camping is hard for me but that really did the trick. Husband ended up getting in the jeep with the heater as he couldn't get comfortable in the tent.

It rained and howled and then stopped. I got up in the middle of the night to pee and the clouds were completely gone - the moon was so bright there were strong shadows from it. The stars were amazing. I almost wanted to make a fire then and there and sit and enjoy the beauty of it all. But it was 2am so back to bed I went.

By morning it was sunny and slightly rainy here and there. I realized I didn't have coffee with us... How could that be!?! We made quick work of breakfast and went in search of gas and coffee in a very small, one gas station/only building town nearby. We paid top dollar for gas station coffee and reveled in just how great it really was. (when you're desperate for something hot to drink I think your tastes are a bit skewed.)

We then went back to camp and checked out Hole in the Wall. Simply amazing.

We saw an enormous, very vivid rainbow from end to end that was breathtaking. The perfect conditions of light rain and sun.

Made our way over to the caverns and took a tour later that day. (lot's photos to follow when I use my card reader at work tomorrow - apparently the only thing that will read my 4 gig sd card.) They were really exceptional. Between those two places, it really made the trip worthwhile - even with the rain.

By that evening it was really windy again and we had a quick dinner that finished in the jeep as it started to rain more and even hailed for about a minute. No fire - we sat in the jeep and talked for an hour or so and then called it a night. Glad the tent didn't leak. More tylenol pm and again I slept pretty darn good.

Morning came and it was really dark, overcast, windy and rainy.

Instead of a campfire and breakfast, we broken camp and headed out on Kelbaker road driving past Kelso dunes which we viewed from the car :( the train station that wasn't open :( and the lava beds. We will definitely be going back to see those things we weren't able to.

Got back about 2 or so yesterday, took a hot shower and nap.

No - I refuse to go camping in inclement weather again if I can help it.

We need a bigger tent and we can stand up in for sure.

Mitchell caverns and Hole in the wall are something everyone should go by and see if they can. How many times have you driven to Vegas and never even knew such amazing things were right over there just waiting to be discovered.

(photos posted tomorrow)

[alphabassettgrrl]

Oohh, waiting on the photos! Glad you survived your weekend in the weather. :)

Definitely a tall tent is a very good thing. I have one that's technically much larger than I would otherwise need for me, but in which I can *stand up*. That was one of my major annoyances with my other tents, is that I couldn't do so.

[Betty]

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009#53008185807 24753650Here's a view of Hole in the Wall

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009#53008187405 59680834


Desert view from Mitchell Caverns visitor center

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009#53008204769 00234674

Inside the caverns

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009#53008217881 76400882

Our ranger/tour guide was very much like Andy Griffith. Very friendly - dry sense of humor.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009#53008220980 72574562

In part of the tour, he's asking us what a particular area looked like. He says some people think it looks like santa, others like budda, or (he gave a list.) "what does it look like to you?" he asked. No one answered... until my husband jokingly says "The virgin Mary?".... I laughed out loud. No one else on the tour did. It was funny. Then Andy Griffith says - no - she was on my toast this morning. (still no laughter from anyone but us.) lol


Looking up into the stalactites (sp?)

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009#53008222217 50120578

It was a very memorable tour and I highly recommend it.

[Betty]

Well darn it - none of my pictures are showing. Let's try a link to the album instead:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mojave22/HoleInTheWallAndMitchellCavernsFeb2009?feat=direct link

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Nice pictures!

I think I saw some cave bacon in there.

[Kevy Baby]

I think I saw some cave bacon in there.That's not a nice thing to say about her husband.

[Betty]

That's not a nice thing to say about her husband.

Heh heh. :D

[SacTown Chronic]

I love the pics but, uh, wtf you mean there was no coffee!?! I'm not sure what you folks were doing lady, but if there was no coffee, you weren't camping.

[Betty]

I love the pics but, uh, wtf you mean there was no coffee!?! I'm not sure what you folks were doing lady, but if there was no coffee, you weren't camping.

Tell me about it. I KNEW there was coffee in there. I made sure I had everything to go with it. From now on, I'll have to always bring 2 cans just to be sure. (and actually check my list off as I pack - or hey, at least look at it instead of going by memory. :rolleyes: )