Outdoor Adventure USA

Crismateski wrote:
If you dont mind me tagging along, let me know when you go

The dates are set for the 29-31, you are very welcome to join

SteeevO / Salad Man:

What area are you checking out?

When you get back, let us have a snow report so we can plan more scouting trips.

Steevo has possible gps coordinates of a group site located on the northern side of big bear as you start to desend into the desert. We re going to see how it looks for a possible location.

I am not sure what work will do that weekend, but if I am not working I will plan on meeting you up there

Sounds good!

Hey guys I ended up going up early at the drop of a hat and have a ton of stuff planned next weekend so I won't be going out at that time
I've been looking at all the possibilities for sites in southern California and narrowed it down to 3 sites.
Jackson flats, although it is an awesome site, it's already reserved for field day weekend, all 6 sites, so that is out.
(http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/J ... ampingSpot)

I've heard that boulder camp in big bear (south of the lake) is a good spot but the roads to get there are still closed from the winter. So I don't really know whats going on there.
Greg Hoffman and a fireman in fawnskin have both recommended it but I haven't seen it and won't be able to get up there until may due to closures.
(http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/B ... ampingSpot)

Today I did go by a pretty awesome site and I can post more pictures of it in the AM.
Tanglewood group camp, it's easy to get to off of 3n16, and has one of the largest capacities in the forest. at 40 people and 8 vehicles. however forest rules state that we can park more vehicles off to the side of the road out side of camp with a forest adventure pass. (I wouldnt mind putting my truck out there)
No radio obstructions (besides one small hill to the SSE) with an elevation of 7,700 ft.
from 3n16, take 3N79 which dead ends at camp after about 1/4mi from 3n16.
the intersection of 3N79 and 3N16 is between john bull and gold mtn 4x4 trails. (we can get some wheeling in too!)
There is lots of Flat tent space, a vault toilet, a large fire ring, lots of flat tent space, 6 picnic tables.
Lots of open space and tall tress.
It's car accessible. right now there is a few muddy spot on the way in but there is a lot of snow melt up there right now but it should be all gone in the coming weeks.
take a look at this site here:
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/T ... rkId=70180

I can post more pics but I really think this is the best spot available.
Let me know what you guys think.

Just a few more notes on these sites.
Boulder Camp is not marked correctly on the resverve america website.
It's on the south side of the lake off of 2N10, not far from the bluff mesa group camp. (which is also closed right now)

I also talked to CA Land Management at (909)866-8550 and they basically said that we can put a many cars in boulder or tanglewood as we want as long as we are willing to block each other in.

Take a look at the campgrounds on google earth that I've put together.
The '?' icons signify the sites that I have not seen in person. and the colors of the icon vary from. Green , yellow, and red based on the sites specs on paper.
the checkmarks are sites that I've seen and are colored green, yellow, reddepending on what it looked in person.
If you click on the icons on the map, I have some notes in there.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F ... 18&t=h&z=9

A few sites outisde of big bear that are available and that need to be looked at which handle more people and vehicles are the following

Oso group camp I think is also a consideration if we can get up there soon.
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/O ... ampingSpot

Mcgill campground should also be considered.
http://www.reserveamerica.com/campgroun ... rkId=70166

So we bascially have 1 site that is good to go. Tanglewood, in big bear. Boulder in big bear needs to be looked at but can't happen untill march which is too late to be making reservations.

Oso, & Mcgill, look really nice on paper but need to be looked at ASAP.

These are all of our options for Southern CA group camps.

Crismateski wrote:Holcomb Valley boy scout camp. It is about 4-5 miles east of where we were last year. I spoke to them last year but they already had a reservation for the weekend but seemed open to the idea, and are used to large groups. There are a few other boy scout camps on the mountain also.

http://www.sgvcbsa.org/programs/camping ... eservation

I am planning on camping up there this weekend I will swing by and see if I can get a few pictures of the area

http://sgvcbsa.doubleknot.com/registrat ... rgkey=2354

Looks like the Scout camp in Holcomb Valley is available that weekend. $13 per adult for the weekend

I may be able to check out some of the wrightwood sites the weekend after easter

I stayed at the Tanglewood campgrounds several times before the fire put it out of commission for a while (anyone remember Adventure4X4 ?)...it's a nice place as I remember, but I also don't remember a lot of clear space - but maybe that was before the fire cleared stuff out a bit...

Great area of big Bear, though, and close to a lot of off road trails for those who want to take a break from the radios...