OFFICIAL Kings Canyon Camp Swank Thread

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

If persons pay for individual sites on their way in and I know about it (it is recorded), it all works out in the end.

But, it still requires that person to get there early (probably before 10am), and set up gear at each site.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

If persons pay for individual sites on their way in and I know about it (it is recorded), it all works out in the end.

That is, as long as no one has a problem with me handling the accounting.

Is there really a need to do any accounting except between people who are sharing a campsite? The only accounting that really needs to be done with through a person at a campsite and the national Park Service.


OH! And, since no one travles with a checkbook any longer, it might behoove you to bring one along. It's much easier to slip a check for the correct amount into the envelope than to try and have exact change.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

We base the costing of common expenses on an overall average. For example, the total cost for all sites for all nights becomes a lump cost spread evenly over all participants. It is based on an average of four persons per site.

And like NA said, $18 per site per night is dirt cheap.

Since the sites are not done by advance reservation and people may want to spread out if we have that possibility, I think that people or groups should be responsible for their own site fees. That way, I can choose 5 nights at $18 if I want or split the cost with another person, group, vehicle or whatever.

It also keeps the mess of accounting down to a per campsite transaction.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

It also keeps the mess of accounting down to a per campsite transaction.

It also means the person collecting all the funds needs to arrive early enough to get all sites and also set up stuff in each site to "reserve" it until everyone else gets there.

That's precisely why I'm not volunteering.

[Morrigoon]

Team "Where the Rum Has Gone" could still use some early arrivers...

[Not Afraid]

Cedar Grove Hikes

Roaring River Falls5 min Begins at parking area 3.0 miles east of the Village turnoff. A refreshing and shady walk leads you to a forceful waterfall rushing through a narrow granite chute

Zumwalt Meadow 1.0 .4.5 mi east of the turnoff to Cedar Grove Village One of the most scenic in Kings Canyon. It affords magnificent views of high granite walls, a lush meadow, and the meandering Kings River. A booklet for the self-guiding nature trail is available at the Visitor Center book store or at the trailhead Don Cecil Trail This trail climbs the relatively cool north-facing slope of the canyon. This historic trail was the major access route to Cedar Grove prior to the completion of Highway 180 in 1939.

Sheep Creek Cascade 2 mi* A moderately strenuous hike up the forested Don Cecil Trail provides views of the Monarch Divide and leads to a shady glen on Sheep Creek. This takes about 1.5 hours and gains 600' in elevation.

Lookout Peak 13 mi* Continue beyond Sheep Creek. The climb to Lookout Peak provides an incredible panorama of the park's backcountry. This strenuous, all-day hike climbs some 4000' to the summit.

Hotel Creek Trail The cool of the morning is the best time to hike this trail, which climbs up the relatively dry, south-facing side of the canyon.

Cedar Grove Overlook 5 mi, The trail switchbacks up through chaparral to a forested ridge and a rocky outcrop. This strenuous hike will reward you with a gorgeous view up and down Kings Canyon. A 1200' elevation gain, this hike takes 3-4 hours to complete.

Hotel Creek - Lewis Creek Loop 8 mi If you continue 1.25 mile past the turn-off to Cedar Grove Overlook, the Hotel Creek Trail drops down to join the Lewis Creek Trail. This area was burned in 1980, in one of the largest fires these parks have experienced in recent years. The last 2 miles, from the Lewis Creek Trailhead back to your starting point, follow a trail above the roadway. This trip takes an average of 5 hours and gains 1200' to the highest point.

Mist Falls 8 mi This sandy trail follows the glaciated South Fork Canyon through forest and chaparral, past an impressive show of rapids and cascades, to one of the largest waterfalls in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The first part of this trip is relatively flat; during the last mile to the falls, the trail gains 600'. The average time for this trip is 4 to 5 hours.

Horse Trail Hikes
There is also a pack station at Cedar Grove where you can rent horses or mules and go on a guided hike.

[Not Afraid]

There's also Boyden Caverns to visit.

Also, on the drive in from Fresno is Cat Haven Wild Animal Park.

Another thing to watch for are the fruit stands on the Highway 180. Some of the best fruit I've ever had in my life came from the orchards behind the fruit stands. It's worthwhile to stop and pick up a few bits of what's in season.

[Morrigoon]

That's an amount that can be managed

[Disneyphile]

Heh. In that case, I'll need a clydesdale.

[Not Afraid]

The other thing to account for when budget planning is the per vehicle charge to get into the National Park - $20 per vehicle for a 7 day pass.