Camping Swanking - June 28 - July 3 - Page 2

Alex · 02-02-2007, 08:06 AM

I won't be joining since I'm already committed to a Yosemite trip around the same time, but for those who haven't been, keep two things in mind:

1) You have to keep all your food in bear lockers so don't go crazy with what you bring, particularly if you're going to pack in the maximum people per campsite. Not all of the campgrounds have overflow community lockers you can use if you have too much (I don't recall Grant's Grove having any).

2) Grant's Grove I liked because it was relatively easy to get everywhere else of interest but other than a couple big trees there really isn't much right there (and I find big trees to be the least interesting part of the scenery around there). It does, however, have a full ranger station and a large amphitheater hosting (even early in the season, I presume) ranger programs. So overall we liked it and it wasn't a problem going without a reservation since we made sure one person in our party arrived early to stake out some space. That said, if you're going to need more than two campsites it can be difficult to find that many really nice ones consecutively (though you really only need one and the rest are for sleeping).

Also, I notice that iSm is presuming that someone else in the group will be getting up early so he can wake to the smell of coffee and bacon (I'm always an early riser when camping so I never wake up to the smell of food).

innerSpaceman · 02-02-2007, 08:10 AM

Um, no ... I was advertising the smell of bacon and coffee to entice others.

I would be shocked if anyone woke up before me in a camping situation. I'll likely have been for a hike in the forest, then back at camp making coffee and bacon before another soul wakes up.

Capt Jack · 02-02-2007, 09:28 AM

that works for me. I usually sleep in on camp trips. just remember:
bacon, crisp
coffee...strong and black as coal
bears...try not to piss any off before I wake up or at least make sure theyre fed and in a good humor.

be forwarned: Jack is NOT a morning person

I'd love to attend. I'll leave it to you folks to pick where and when and endevour to be there.

Ghoulish Delight · 02-02-2007, 09:37 AM

We've always stayed in the Grant Grove area. I wouldn't mind a change of scenery, but neither would I mind the familiarity. As Alex said, it's relatively central and easy to get places and we found a good variety of hiking around it. And having the full ranger station right there was a definite plus.

I think I vote for no reservations, mostly because, if memory serves, the large group sites that are reservable are the dullest, most featureless camp spots. We can do better just grabbing our own.

innerSpaceman · 02-02-2007, 09:48 AM

Ok, I'm good with grabbing our own ... but I would like a fairly pretty camping location ... with the paramount concern being things of beauty and interest reasonably nearby or get-to-able.

Let's narrow dates by a process of elimination. zapppop and I are not available the weekend of either June 2 or June 9 (we'll be at a different National Park).

Ghoulish Delight · 02-02-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

... but I would like a fairly pretty camping location

These pictures are embarrassingly old, but they do show what a typical Grants Grove area camp site looks like.

Cadaverous Pallor · 02-02-2007, 12:48 PM

I can't believe he posted those ancient pics! Hello 1997!

I'm not even in the pictures, but I'm embarrassed by my bad framing and low-res scans. Just remember what download times were back in the late 90's.

Anyway, I concur with GD - Grant's Grove is great and I'd be fine with a new spot as well. I've never been this early in the year so I have no clue what crowding would be like.

Alex · 02-02-2007, 12:53 PM

When I was up there last it was in the same timeframe and while the Grant's Grove filled up pretty good (definitely get someone there early if you want consecutive sites) I don't think it completely filled. That probably changes the closer you get to Memorial Day though.

I liked the spots over by the stream that runs between the campground and the ranger station/amphitheater/restaurant/showers. The sites in the rocks looked cool too, but probably not so much when it is still chilly.

Not Afraid · 02-02-2007, 01:02 PM

I'll have to find/scan/post pics from Sheep Creek and Zumwalt. It's magical. But, I really LOVE the water.

€uroMeinke · 02-02-2007, 01:40 PM

I definately prefer the valley with the river right there, the granite cliff faces, caves, and zumwalt. Maybe we'll be lucky and they'll do another controled burn again - hiling at night through a red glowing path was awsome.

Must hunt for pictures

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Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

02-02-2007, 08:06 AM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I won't be joining since I'm already committed to a Yosemite trip around the same time, but for those who haven't been, keep two things in mind: 1) You have to keep all your food in bear lockers so don't go crazy with what you bring, particularly if you're going to pack in the maximum people per campsite. Not all of the campgrounds have overflow community lockers you can use if you have too much (I don't recall Grant's Grove having any). 2) Grant's Grove I liked because it was relatively easy to get everywhere else of interest but other than a couple big trees there really isn't much right there (and I find big trees to be the least interesting part of the scenery around there). It does, however, have a full ranger station and a large amphitheater hosting (even early in the season, I presume) ranger programs. So overall we liked it and it wasn't a problem going without a reservation since we made sure one person in our party arrived early to stake out some space. That said, if you're going to need more than two campsites it can be difficult to find that many really nice ones consecutively (though you really only need one and the rest are for sleeping). Also, I notice that iSm is presuming that someone else in the group will be getting up early so he can wake to the smell of coffee and bacon (I'm always an early riser when camping so I never wake up to the smell of food).
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02-02-2007, 08:10 AM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Um, no ... I was advertising the smell of bacon and coffee to entice others. I would be shocked if anyone woke up before me in a camping situation. I'll likely have been for a hike in the forest, then back at camp making coffee and bacon before another soul wakes up.
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02-02-2007, 09:28 AM	#3
Capt Jack check your head Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,174	that works for me. I usually sleep in on camp trips. just remember: bacon, crisp coffee...strong and black as coal bears...try not to piss any off before I wake up or at least make sure theyre fed and in a good humor. be forwarned: Jack is NOT a morning person I'd love to attend. I'll leave it to you folks to pick where and when and endevour to be there. __________________ a clear conscience is a sure sign of a fuzzy memory
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02-02-2007, 09:37 AM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	We've always stayed in the Grant Grove area. I wouldn't mind a change of scenery, but neither would I mind the familiarity. As Alex said, it's relatively central and easy to get places and we found a good variety of hiking around it. And having the full ranger station right there was a definite plus. I think I vote for no reservations, mostly because, if memory serves, the large group sites that are reservable are the dullest, most featureless camp spots. We can do better just grabbing our own. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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02-02-2007, 09:48 AM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Ok, I'm good with grabbing our own ... but I would like a fairly pretty camping location ... with the paramount concern being things of beauty and interest reasonably nearby or get-to-able. Let's narrow dates by a process of elimination. zapppop and I are not available the weekend of either June 2 or June 9 (we'll be at a different National Park).
	Submit to Quotes

02-02-2007, 12:48 PM	#7
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	I can't believe he posted those ancient pics! Hello 1997! I'm not even in the pictures, but I'm embarrassed by my bad framing and low-res scans. Just remember what download times were back in the late 90's. Anyway, I concur with GD - Grant's Grove is great and I'd be fine with a new spot as well. I've never been this early in the year so I have no clue what crowding would be like. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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02-02-2007, 12:53 PM	#8
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	When I was up there last it was in the same timeframe and while the Grant's Grove filled up pretty good (definitely get someone there early if you want consecutive sites) I don't think it completely filled. That probably changes the closer you get to Memorial Day though. I liked the spots over by the stream that runs between the campground and the ranger station/amphitheater/restaurant/showers. The sites in the rocks looked cool too, but probably not so much when it is still chilly.
	Submit to Quotes

02-02-2007, 01:02 PM	#9
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I'll have to find/scan/post pics from Sheep Creek and Zumwalt. It's magical. But, I really LOVE the water.
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02-02-2007, 01:40 PM	#10
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,672	I definately prefer the valley with the river right there, the granite cliff faces, caves, and zumwalt. Maybe we'll be lucky and they'll do another controled burn again - hiling at night through a red glowing path was awsome. Must hunt for pictures __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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