2010 Central California Fall Meetup

[charlie56]

I am wondering if anyone is interested in repeating last year's Central California weekend Meet & Greet. Since the Spring California meet-up kind of fizzled out I thought we might try a Fall one again. Last year we met at Sample Meadows which is a primitive Forest Service campground in the Central Sierras outside of Fresno (Area 2).

Below is a survey to gauge interest in an event and general area. I know there are a lot of choices in the first four areas identified. I have no experience in the Central Coast area but assume we could find a worthy location. I'd offer up the Northern California coast as well but assumed it would be to much of a drive for the south-landers.

The weekends that work best for us are October 2, 23, or 30

So post up if you are interested and we can start working up some ideas.

[billwilson]

see below

[yvrr]

We are already planning to be in the Mammoth area along 395 October 5-12...based on previous trips, the aspens SHOULD be at their peak around then.

[SteveInLA]

October 23-24 for us please. This will probably be the first trip in my SMB and I can't think of a better way to kick it off. I vote for Area 2, but any of the four are fine with me.

[daveb]

It would also be nice to know:
Do you prefer a campground or boondock?
Are you wanting to off road at all?
How long do you want to camp?

Depending on where the group wants to go will determine how long I'll plan to stay. I also like area 2 but can adjust as well. Early Oct would be a short trip for me unless I can pull some strings.

[billwilson]

See below

[charlie56]

OK Next step now that we have some interest.

3 votes for the 395 corridor & 3 votes for the Central Coast. I'm going to combine Area 1 &2 and call it a 3-way tie.
I like the Sierras and propose the area around Oakhurst/Bass Lake. It was right on the border of Area 1 & 2 so this justifies my combining them. This area is inside Sierra National Forest and is easily accessible for 2wd rigs and offers some mild to challenging trails for the 4x4s as well. There are a number of primitive camps similar to what we had last year in Sample Meadows that should hold the group. There are other fee based campgrounds as well but my preference would be for the primitive areas.

So my recommendation is this area. I put together a Google Earth file that highlights the area as well as the Back County Roads that are listed in the Massey Wilson Guidebook. Here is a link to the Google earth KMZ file to download.
https://public.me.com/charliesikes


Would someone like to put together a similar synopsis for both the 395 corridor and the Central Coast? Im not too worried about finding remote locations along 395 to park a bunch of vehicles, but not knowing much about the Central Coast, has me a little concerned. Once the synopsis is done we can run a new poll to decide on a specific area and dates.

As always, suggestions & comments are welcome.

[gregsmith212]

Count us in! We would like the Tahoe area, how about Hope Valley off Hy 88. The colors should be prime and the fishing in Blue and Red lake will be hot. The $2 tacos at the Kirkwood Inn are a nice bonus on the way home....... Camp sites along the river are set up for groups and free... We vote Hope Valley!

See ya there!!!

[billwilson]

see below

[daveb]

Like I said, I can probably adjust. Here is some info on the Bass Lake and highway 41 area:
http://autoramblings.com/sportsmobile/?p=558

I have not posted about the area along Beasore road on my site yet which includes the OHV trail to Shuteye peak but I have several pics in my album. The area is 2 and 4 wheel drive friendly, not to sway anybody . I'd like to get a good turnout and if that means 395 or the coast I'll try to make it.