Hi all, As Doc has alluded, Nelda and I will be coming, and we're greatly looking foreward to the trip. We'll arrive sometime Friday. I'll bring my old "Victoria" stove that I found in Iowa, and a few other gems. Normally, late September is outside of the "camping season" for most folks, but Buckhorn is a cool shady spot, so if the Santa Anas have started up and it's 105F in LA, you can count on either a big crowd, or on the whole area being closed due to fire danger. Let's hope for cooler weather! As I said, I'm looking forward to this, and to catching up on all the happenings since I've been "gone". ....Arch
Hi Arch, Good to hear from you after a long break. I hope you and your family are well. Best Regards, George.
Hi George, We're all fine. I apologize if anyone worried. Moving back home proved to be a bigger change than moving away. My daughters both returned home from school while I was gone, and I've been caught up in their lives. Laurel is about to open a florist business; Lindy finally finished grad school and starts teaching in LA Unified next week. Nelda is now charge nurse at her clinic, and I still can't get over how lucky I feel to be working just 20 minutes from my home. I hope all is well with you and your family. ....Arch
Hey, Baja, Darn it, so they did!! I may have done that, accidentally, as I was using FireFox, with which I've heretofore been unable to post photos, and dragged the photos from iPhoto to my desktop, so that it would work. I think I tossed out the photo file on my desktop, thinking that, since these photos came from iPhoto, they should still be available to see here. Guess I was wrong!! I also thought that, once here, they would be permanent. Was I wrong in that, too? How about it, Ross, did I mess up? Let me know, and I'll try to repost the photos. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Actually, early October is usually still nice. Don't forget that in LA 100+ degree days are not uncommon in October. Inasmuch as we've already picked Sept. 26, it's a bit of a moot point, but for future reference, early October is often a great time to be in the mountains. Often very fair weather albeit cool at night, and VERY FEW PEOPLE. October is sort of "off the radar" for most people as far as mountains are concerned. The bugs are generally FAR fewer in October than in the summer and especially spring. From the US Forest Service: Oh, dear. Yes, the upper portion of Hwy 39 has been closed since the '70's. It's basically built on a landslide. They eventually just gave up on it. There's been talk of it re-opening, but nothing definite yet. By the way, if anyone ever needs to know about current conditions, road closures, etc, feel free to drop me a note. I may know just off the top of my head. If not, it's easy for me to get the info. And here's a photo of nearby Cooper Canyon Falls. That's me standing at the foot of the falls. If anyone is interested, here are some photos of a backpack I did last year that started at Buckhorn. The bear danger is real, but it's hit or miss. In 40+ years up there, I've never had a bear raid my food. Nevertheless, don't store food or fragrant items (sunscreen, soap, toothpaste) in your tent. Put 'em in your trunk. Los Angeles Times article on Buckhorn. Map of the Buckhorn area. Here's a video shot by a motorcycle rider of Buckhorn Note: I didn't shoot this video, and I watched with the sound off.
Doc, it really depends on the site you pick. Some sites will take family sized car camping tents (4 - 6 people), and some sites will only take a relatively small tent. Almost any backpacking tent for 2, maybe even 3, people should fit in 90% of the sites. Now, here's the scoop: The best sites are on a spur road after you cross the creek (usually dry). You want to turn left after you cross the creek and work your way as far back in as you can into the mouth of a small side canyon. The best sites are at the back end (NE end) of the spur road. The very farthest camp site is quite large and can take just about any sized tent. This site would be the best for a group gathering spot. If we get the 3 or 4 camp sites immediately adjacent, we'll have the whole small side canyon to ourselves, virtually our own private campground. Now, having said that, my description is based on my last stay there, about 3 or 4 years ago. That camp has been there for years, and physical geography (i.e. the small side canyon) constrains a lot of change, but there could be some changes. My last several visits have all been to hike there (it's an excellent spot*), so I don't have more recent observations. If I can, I'll do a recon when I'm up there this Saturday. These Lemon Lillies were perhaps a half mile down the trail from the camp: Near this seep: Truly a lovely area.
Doc and Jim: Is there enough room for a pop up trailer, and a pick-up? Thats what I'd like to take. I do like my comforts...
Hey, Jim, Baja, and All, Thanks, Jim, for the update. My question about the camping spaces was posted before I made my own trip up to Buckhorn this past Monday. So, now I have a pretty good idea about what will fit, and what won't. Some of the sites I saw had plenty of room, actually, though I did not go over to the little side canyon you mentioned. I did see someone camped over there, when I was walking around. But, time was passing, and my light was going to be fading fairly soon. So, I wanted to hit the road to get home. In any case, I'm up for whatever place seems best. Baja, I think that some of the sites have a wide enough parking space that your little pop-up tent, and your pickup can fit, side by side. But, it will probably be a tight fit, I'm'a thinkin'. As to bears, I've never had a problem, either, in all my years of backpacking in So. Cal., but I do believe in taking precautions, as some others have not been so lucky. I'll save the scary bear and mountain lion tales for our late night talks at the event, however!! 8-[ 8-[ I also know that October is a fine camping month up here in these mountains, and even November can be just as nice. But, hey, we're set, now, so let's take a shot and see how it all turns out. Got to run, but I'll check back later, then again in a few days. Got a gig. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
If it is 105 deg F there is only one thing to do! Head to Fresno, continue to Kings Canyon and try Bub Creek. Head toward Center Peak till you can't take any more. You can't go wrong. Enjoy the walk & an incredible view. Up in, Down back. Breath in, Breath out. AR
OK, here is a map that my friend, Matt, provided me with. Like I say, the campsite that I think would be a good one for a gathering is at the end of the spur road that heads NE (more or less) up the side canyon shown on the map. |imgRemoved| (click to enlarge) Note: A valid California "campfire" permit is required for all personal fires including stoves of any kind. I know, dumbest thing you've ever heard; don't get me started. However, it's no big deal. Go to this website: Sequoia National Forest, California -- Campfire Permit, read their little spiel, take the (easy) quiz, and then download your permit. Print and sign the permit, and carry it with you. It's no big deal to get the permit, but they might hassle you if you don't have it. And, God forbid, if something did happen and you didn't have a permit, then you'd be in deep legal doo-doo. For the five minutes it takes to get the permit online, it's not worth risking it. Hope that helps, HJ
You can also get a campfire permit at Clear Creek Information Station (junction Angeles Crest Hwy & Angeles Forest Hwy). With the road closures already mentioned, this will be on your way to Buckhorn via the most obvious routes. You might also check out this site for info on the campground and trailer access. http://forestcamping.com/dow/pacficsw/angcmp.htm See you there! ....Arch
If for some reason you don't want to download it from the internet, you should be able to get a Campfire Permit at any US Forest Service office in California. BLM offices also can issue permits. Regarding the mini Ranger Station at Clear Creek: It's highly convenient; right on your way IF you're coming from the west. If you're coming from the east, the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center is right off the road. As always, check the days of the week and hours of operation if you intend to get your permit there. Many FS offices are closed one to three days each week.
I went up yesterday to Buckhorn Campground. The sites that I mentioned in my earlier post are 36, 37, and 38. Sites 37 and 38 in particular are the ones at the end of the road. All three of these sites, and also sites 34 and 35 are off a bit away from the rest of the camp. The parking spaces for 36, 37, and 38 I believe would accomodate a pop up trailer, provided that the trailer were not overly large. I took a photo of the parking spaces yesterday; I'll post it hopefully later today. (I've got to get breakfast on the table; the natives are getting restless right now. Posting to the internet while your hungry wife is standing nearby may not increase your marital bliss.)
Hey, Guys, Let's try this again, shall we??!! Here are the photos I took of Buckhorn, which some how, mysteriously disappeared! I'll try not to mess them up this time. I copied and pasted the original comments, just for grins: The drive into the campground is a nice one, on a small paved road, which is fairly narrow, but should accomodate a small to medium-sized trailer, or motorhome. Lots of "green" along the way! Here's a typical campsite, which happens to be near the group camp. Nice table, and a fire ring, which has a grill over it. Lots of flat spots for backpacking type tents. Some sites are smaller, or closer to the creek bottom, in which the green resides. But, those are far more populated with mosquitoes, one of which chose to bite me on the forehead..... little bastard!! OUCH! Here, a gentle giant has given in to time and old age, and fallen into the now dry creekbed. Even his once mighty root system has given in to the passage of time, and is totally gone. RIP, Old Timer! Of course, I HAD to enjoy a nice cup of tea, so I brought along my old trusty 1961 Primus 71. Great little stove, and with his help, I soon had a steaming cup of spiced tea brewing! Ahhhh, that's good!! A nice place to enjoy a cuppa, and to contemplate our upcoming CA Stove Gathering in late September! Let's hope that, this time, the photos stay where they are supposed to! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc, Steve: What time are you arriving Wednesday?? I will try to be there too so as no to set up in the wrong area as I will be leaving here very early to beat the heat. Mike...
Morning, Flivver, I can be there anytime, actually. I'm only about an hour from there, by road, and was actually thinking about arriving around 9-10AM. But, if earlier is better, I can certainly do that, or if later is better, I can do that, too. Steve? How about you? Talk to you later, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
