BAD-ASS ROAD TRIP
 

Hey fellow travellers, <BR> <BR>I think I've narrowed down our road trip in June (in which I only have 2 weeks). <BR> <BR>We're gonna drive out from Chicago straight down 80 West to California, head out to Lassen Volcanic National Park, then down to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, then down to Sequoia and King's something parks, then out to the Grand Canyon. <BR> <BR>Does this sound feasible and is there something better you guys could recommend? <BR>I want to do major hiking and camping. Will the campsites be impossible to find without reservations in early June? <BR> <BR>Daniel

Daniel, can't help you with your questions, but that's a great thread title!

Daniel, your trip sounds awesome...but if you want to do major camping in those popular National Parks you need to make your reservations EARLY. I believe the National Parks let you reserve up to 4 months in advance - but campsites go like crazy so I'd start researching the parks and campsites you'd like to stay at and make those reservations asap!! Have a GREAT time!!

dear A.: <BR> <BR>well, i've checked out the national parks website and i can't find any campsites available for reservations! however, there are a lot of walk-in sites and 1st come-1st served sites. I just wonder how easy they are to get in early june. <BR> <BR>anybody have experience with this? <BR> <BR>daniel

You shouldn't have too many problems getting campsites in California. School doesn't get out until around June 18-20 so you will be beating the local family business. Can't answer for other states. Certain high profile coastal campgrounds are reserved a year in advance. This doesn't appear to apply in your case as you don't mention coming all the way out to the coast. In any event try to secure your campsite early in the day.

dear SFsally, <BR> <BR>yeah i hear you. my only concern is the major parks such as yosemite. it seems like all the reservable campsites are taken, and any 1st come-1st served sites might be a zoo. also, i've heard that campsites around there are $30. is that true?!?! what a rip-off! <BR> <BR>daniel

Hi Daniel, it's me again! Have you checked out the National Park information on the Fodor's site? It is JAM PACKED with great, detailed information with lots of stuff on reservations, including toll free numbers, and what campgrounds are first come-first serve and which ones aren't. You are right about the first come-first serve sites being a zoo, and you have to get up VERY early in the morning to get a site - but it's worth it!! Keep researching...don't get discouaged your trip will be awesome!

Oh, Daniel...there is no rip-off in Yosemite. The privilege of just being there is worth whatever they choose to charge. Enjoy, my friend. I am envious of your trip. <BR>

hey "A": <BR> <BR>i looked on the national parks thread and there are only THREE topics! it is not JAM-PACKED like you said! (unless i'm looking in the wrong place...i looked under travel tips, then national parks...) <BR> <BR>help? <BR> <BR>daniel

RE: Yosemite/Lake Tahoe <BR> <BR>Some camprgrounds in Yosemite are very hard to get into, others are not. <BR>Tuolomne meadows and Yosemite Valley campgrounds are the hard ones to get into. Since there is So much snow in the high country, Tioga Pass Rd may not open until July, which means no access to Tuolumne meadow. However there are other camp sites that are in the Park, but not in Yosemite Valley proper. If you can't get a reservation, your best bet in the Valley is Sunnyside AKA Camp 4, the climbers camp. Even if it's full you can share spots with climbers (esp if you come bearing gifts of beer). It's on a day by day reservation sys. Then go to the reservations place in Curry Village by 8:00am and try to get a cancellation. I did this last year in late May, and had no problems. It does help to go during the week though. Oh yeah, don't bother trying to enter/exit on highway 140, it's closed for all but 4 hours a day and it attracts some major backlog. Use 120. <BR>Re: Lake Tahoe, there is a HUGE snowpack in the Sierra, some ski areas will be open Memorial day weekend, and it snowed last night in Truckee. The MORAL? Be prepared for colder/wetter temperatures.

dear claudia: <BR> <BR>thank you so very much for your killer info on yosemite camping. i was starting to get hopeless! <BR> <BR>i also noticed that there are some other campsites that are non-reservations (e.g. Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, and Yosemite Creek). <BR> <BR>are these OK to get into as well, and how far are the campsites that aren't in yosemite proper? is it still hikable? <BR>(i'd like to avoid driving a lot.) <BR> <BR>thank you! <BR> <BR>daniel

Daniel, <BR> <BR>The only catch on those other YNP campsites is that they are located on Tioga Pass Road, which may or may not be open. Check out www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ <BR>It's the Caltrans highway information site, you can also call 800-427-7623 for the same info. <BR>As far as campsites outside of Yosemite, once you pass Groveland, it's all Natl Forest, so you can camp wherever you want. But I'd guesstimate that it's a 20 minute drive from Groveland to the Park boundary, and once you're inside the park it's another 30-45 minute drive down into the valley, so you're going to drive some. <BR> <BR>Another tip, I noticed you have 4 Natl Parks on your list. You can save yourself $10 if you buy a Golden Eagle Pass at the first Natl. Park you come to. Why? It's $10 to get into Lassen, $20 to get into Yosemite, $10 to get into Sequoia/King's Canyon and $20 to get into the Grand Canyon. <BR>You might also want to check out www.nps.gov/parks.html. <BR> <BR>Hope that helps.

Hi Daniel, it's me...AGAIN! Sorry I wasn't specific enough about where to find the info on National Parks on this site, but I think I can do a better job this time. Go to the HOME page - www.fodors.com, then click on the "parks" button towards the bottom of the page, then click your pick on "pick your park" and hit "go". Each park & it's information is divided up into Lodging, Camping, Dining, Exploring, Arriving & Departing, and Essential Information. I think all the parks that you mentioned in your first message are there except for Lassen Volcanic NP. Take a look...I promise you won't be disapointed!!!

To the big "A": <BR> <BR>Thanks again! I think that we are going to limit our trip to Yosemite and kick the living hell out of it (figuratively speaking). I would much rather stay in one place and do it right than drive everywhere and not do shit. (oops) <BR> <BR>so anybody here ever done the climb up Half Dome. I'm really looking forward to doing this hike...i hear it takes 10-12 hours! WHEW! <BR> <BR>danny boy

I find it curious that it seems people tend to push Yosemite over Tahoe. You run around Yosemite, jump in the stream if there's water and room to do so, look at the trees, and feed rats that you think at first are squirrels (don't argue, I have film). Although, there are some waterfalls that are fun to play in. Tahoe has a beautiful lake (Emerald Bay anyone), especially when it's like glass, as many trees as Yosemite (though none you drive through), and an oppourtunity to do more than just see the sights (a touch or so of mountain-high Vegas). Tahoe roads are clear, and you wouldn't be there until June (when it can be in the 80's or more). So, think about it --- <BR>Yosemite is okay, but I can spend five in Tahoe to one in Yosemite (days that is). <BR>

<BR>I thought you can camp anywhere on federal property out west. My boys pitch a tent anywhere off road when they are on federal property.

Daniel, you'll have a great trip! Yosemite will probably be the only place you'll have trouble getting in. If you do, just go for the national forest campgrounds. Many more of them and much less demand. Usually no showers, but I'm sure you guys can work around that. Also, if you're going back by way of Grand Canyon, why not go up and back through north rim, Zion, Bryce and Arches? All fantastic and Zion and Bryce have killer hiking. These parks don't take reservations, but if you get there early (8-9am) you should be able to get a spot. In Arches, be sure to make reservations to go on the Firey Furnace hike. It's great!

dear cedar: <BR> <BR>you mentioned camping anywhere on federal property. how does one know if the land is federal property? <BR> <BR>for example, if we get tired as we're driving along the highway, how do we know we can just camp somewhere back in the woods? <BR> <BR>daniel

D.B.: <BR> <BR>are you referring to Tahoe national forest? i think i would like to check that out, too. <BR> <BR>i hear what you're saying about yosemite's touristiness, but i definitely wanna climb half dome and do the full-day hike. <BR> <BR>daniel

No, you cannot camp on any old Federal Land out west. <BR> <BR>Natl Parks restrict you to designated campgrounds, or require wilderness permits. <BR> <BR>BLM has designated lands, some for recreation, some for mining or grazing or some industrial use. <BR> <BR>Military land (of which there is a LOT out here)... <BR> <BR>Natl Forest is the one type of land where you CAN camp willy-nilly. Coincidentally, most highways are most likely to go through Natl forest and usually have a big brown sign, like You are now entering Stanislaus Natl. Forest. <BR> <BR>Hope that helps. <BR>

hey claudia: <BR> <BR>so are you telling me that we can camp ANYWHERE in a national forest? has anybody done this before? i want to know where good spots are to do this...such as how far off the road you have to do this. <BR> <BR>daniel

I've done this before. Basically, I wait for the Big Brown sign then I look for something that looks like a fire road leading off the highway. A lot of times there are actually primitive campgrounds with little signs. I prefer these (environmental impact, smoother sleeping surface etc), but barring that, I try to get at least 400 yards off the road. Since I don't really like it if folks on the highway can see where I am. The recent yuckiness in Yosemite makes me even more cautious.

claudia: <BR> <BR>what recent yuckiness? <BR> <BR>and where do you park your car? <BR> <BR>dan <BR> <BR>ps thank you!

Re: the car. <BR>I camp right next to it. This is why I try to get back at least 400 yards. I guess I should mention that the times I have done this I've just been staying the night and moving on the next day. the only time I've ever stayed for a prolonged period is when I was climbing at a place called Lover's Leap near S. Lake Tahoe. That time, I was at place that was sort of a primitive casual camping site eg. obviously used for camping before, but no water or facilities. Then I just pulled my car as far off the road as I could get it. <BR> <BR>Re: the recent yuckiness <BR>A mom and her teenage daughter and their exchange student were mysteriously abducted and found dead in their burned out rental car. It's not been solved, although the evidence points to someone very familiar with the areas bordering Yosemite Natl. Park. I realize it's a freak incident that could happen anywhere, but I use it as a reminder to myself about being careful. That's all.

Hi Daniel: <BR> <BR>I think Claudia was refering to the recent murder of a mother and two teenage girls. They were missing for about a month before their bodies were discovered. <BR> <BR>I worked in Yosemite one summer during my college years and the rangers always advised us to hike with others, especially in the high country. Not to scare you, but FYI, criminals have been known to disappear into the forests and hide out. Just exercise your normal precautions. It's no more dangerous than any place else. <BR> <BR>Someone else recently asked about the climb to Half Dome and I, along with several other people, posted a response. It's under the heading "Yosemite Hiking - Half Dome?" I've climbed it four times and it's a great hike. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR>

Dan -- it would be great misinformation to categorize Yosemite as more touristy than Lake Tahoe, and I would not want to put you off visiting Yosemite (especially for the 1st time). It is just that there is more opportunity for accomodations and variety of activity in the Tahoe area. A couple of times (many years ago) we went to Yosemite and it was so crowded we pulled off the side of the road and spent the night in the car, and then said the heck with it and drove up to Tahoe. You can easily visit both in two weeks if you want, and I think you might get a little bored spending a full 2 weeks in Yosemite (unless you want to go up El Capitan the hard way, hah). Depends upon what type of campers you are. <BR>

hey D.B. : <BR> <BR>what time of year did you go to yosemite? we will be there right after memorial day weekend. is it still crowded as hell in early june? <BR> <BR>so tell me more about the tahoe area. i assume you mean tahoe nat'l forest? i think we will be driving through there and i would love to stop and camp if it's as awesome as you say it is. <BR> <BR>tell me more! <BR> <BR>daniel

Dan, <BR>More Mtn info from me. <BR>Where you camp in Tahoe depends on whether you want north lake or south lake. <BR>North Lake is where most of the Ski resorts are. It's a little more nature oriented. There's a great restaurant called the Cottonwood in Truckee. The Pacific Crest Trail cuts across Interstate-80 just west of Truckee. So you could hike in on that for a while. Donner Lake is nice if you want to rent a boat and tool around on the water for a while, the only camping immediately close to there that I can think of can be found driving up old Donner Pass Road. Up at the top, the PCT cuts through, so I guess there is probaly spots in there to pitch a tent, sure would be a nice view. There are also a couple of campgrounds due south of Truckee on Highway 89, right next to the Truckee River. <BR> <BR>As you head toward South Lake Tahoe you need to head away from the Casino-land if you want to do any camping. There is camping at Camp Richardson and Fallen Leaf Lake. <BR>Slightly SW of S. Lake Tahoe is the Desolation Wilderness. You'll need a permit to hike in there since it is a Wilderness area, by it is Valhalla to a number of Bay Area hikers. Lots of little lakes, beautiful scenery, ad nauseum. Further west on Highway 50 there is a campground built by the Access Fund for climbers at Lovers Leap, if you look on a map, you won't see it, but it is a few hundred yards east of Strawberry. <BR>Another thing you haven't mentioned, but may want to consider is spending some time on the east side of the Sierras. <BR>If the Tioga Pass Road is open, you might want to enter Yosemite from the east side. It's a shorter drive that way, you get to see Mono Lake on the way in(if you're so inclined, the tufa is gorgeous, esp at sunrise or sunset.), you get to see the Granite domes of the Yosemite High country... <BR>But the thing I was really going to suggest is that you head down to just below Mammoth and camp at a spot called Tom's Place. The camp ground there is really nice, the sites are HUGE, really private. There is a restaurant there, where the little general store is that makes a great homestyle breakfast. <BR>Hope that helps.