Hey there northern CA hangers!
I'm looking to put together another hang for those of us in the greater norcal area. I'm trying to plan this a couple months out so as to get the best turnout possible.
Last weekend I had a couple guys show up for the Berryessa/Napa hang and it seemed as though a good time was had all around. It seemed to be the first group outing for the norcal region and I'm hoping there will be many more in the future.
I was getting kind of jealous seeing all the group hang trip reports coming in from the east coast and even the frigid piney woods of the upper midwest as well as some in the pac northwest. Also, it looks as if some socal hangers are building up a group hang for Bluejay campground a ways south of here. I would love to make it to that hang or even one up in the pacific northwest but alas, I only have a couple weeks vacation time at work and my family all lives in Minnesota so I typically reserve most of my vacation time for an annual trip back home. And for me, if I'm gonna drive 6 hours for a camping trip, it only makes sense to go for 4-5 days.
As far as where exactly this hang will take place? I am receptive to any and all suggestions.
But here's my shortlist:
Big Sur
Specifically Juilia Pfeiffer State Park
There are definitely other places within Big Sur but this is the spot with which I have personal experience. If you know of other places that would be conducive to a group hang please chime in.
Lake Berryessa
All sites will be hike-in and primitive with no amenities. Located on BLM land where we would pretty much have free range to hike and camp where we please. There are several trailheads to depart from and thus several different site options. There are campgrounds/resorts at the lakeside but I'm unfamiliar with the fees and rules associated with them.
Tahoe National Forest
I'm not as familiar with this specific area other than driving through it to get to Truckee. I've been told camping and hanging opportunities are fantastic. National forests are a great resource that allow many different camping and hiking options with less regulations ie. dogs allowed, dispersed camping allowed, low(if any) fees.
Pacific Crest trail
One of the longest and most storied trails in the US. I've only hiked/hung near Castle peak but I know there are countless access points throughout the Sierras. I believe dogs and campfires are ok for most, if not all, of this trail. Plus, you can say you're section hiking :D
Tahoe Basin
D.L. Bliss state park is beautiful and right on the west shore of the lake. There are many sites that would accommodate several hammocks.
Also, the Tahoe rim trail is exceptionally beautiful and parallels the pacific crest trail along the western rim of the lake tahoe basin.
Hell Hole/French Meadows reservoirs
West of Lake Tahoe. Wonderful sites with great views and some sites with multiple hammock options
Yosemite
How can I leave Yosemite out of the equation? One of the few places I've been that left me awestruck. There are tons of hiking and backcountry opportunities here so I won't try to narrow it down at this point.
I've still got a lot to think over as far as where this hang will take place but I'm hoping to get some input from others in order to narrow it down. Also, if anybody knows about specific seasonal attributes I should be considering about any of these places let me know please ie. temperature/gear necessities.
This list is by no means thorough and if you know of someplace that would be great for a group hang please chime in and I'll do my best to look into it.
I'll be updating this thread as I gather more information.
Also, if it's not out of order I'll PM some forum members that I see have a norcal location to notify them of this thread. Mods, if this would be frowned upon please let me know, I didn't think I saw anything on posting rules to prohibit such a PM.
Thanks for reading,
if you got this far, maybe you're willing to go a little futher...
02-17-2013, 12:07
garyg763
I'm interested! I think it is better to stay low (until June) in regards to the Sierras. Depending on the year the snow could hang around for quite awhile. I would suggest for everyone to take a close look at Meiss Country north of Carson Pass....it will take your breath away, in more than one way..... Come on Norcal hangers we can't be outdone by the guys down south! ha
You might want to keep in mind that though we all have hammocks in common, we use them in different outdoor pursuits. I'm a bike tourer, some are backpackers, others are car campers: some are UL and others are 'gear-heads' <- (me). A hike-in hang might halve the number of participants. A vehicle accessible hang site around amenities with options to day-hike or over-night further in might increase interest.
I'd like to see a swap-meet/expo kind of meet-and-greet hang early in the season. Bring everything you have, show off new stuff, get to touch and feel the stuff we're reading about, find out who lives near whom, etc. Use that time to pencil out later hangs by the people with mutual interests or that live in the same area, etc.
Unfortunately, if we want to hang with a view, we're either on the coast or in the Sierras. The 'meet in the middle' is most likely around Davis or Sacto.
You might want to keep in mind that though we all have hammocks in common, we use them in different outdoor pursuits. I'm a bike tourer, some are backpackers, others are car campers: some are UL and others are 'gear-heads' <- (me). A hike-in hang might halve the number of participants. A vehicle accessible hang site around amenities with options to day-hike or over-night further in might increase interest.
I'd like to see a swap-meet/expo kind of meet-and-greet hang early in the season. Bring everything you have, show off new stuff, get to touch and feel the stuff we're reading about, find out who lives near whom, etc. Use that time to pencil out later hangs by the people with mutual interests or that live in the same area, etc.
Unfortunately, if we want to hang with a view, we're either on the coast or in the Sierras. The 'meet in the middle' is most likely around Davis or Sacto.
[Anyone know how to do an interactive map where we can show our proximate location?]
Two cents, please.
Thanks Cardo,
this is the exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for!
I totally missed that trip report about the norcal hang, it can be easy to miss posts and threads when trying to sift through all this forum has to offer. I do agree that somewhere central will get the best turnout. That's why I left the specific place to be determined. Also, as gary suggested, the sierras might not draw too many participants until the snow leaves the trail.
That's the main reasons why I left a specific location up in the air, so to speak. Obviously nobody is going to want to have to drive too far from their home location. And beyond that some may not want or have the ability to do hike in camping and I don't want to leave them out. My experience is mostly with backcountry/hike in camping so that's all I can really speak to. But that is not to say I have anything against car camping(which I love as well). I do agree though that a car camping site with some amenities will probably draw the most participation.
Also, when getting a large group together comfort is key(that's why we're all in hammocks in the first place right?) and it would be nice to be able to bring and use some luxury items. But not only that, having restroom facilities and drinking water nearby is a definite plus when in a group setting.
Another advantage to the car camping site would be for someone like me who is still developing and tweaking my setup. I'd like to be able to bring some extra stuff and try different setups and different combinations of kits to try to really dial it in and find out what I need and what I don't in order to better prepare for my backcountry treks.
I hope that it's a good sign that I got 2 responses before noon today and I hope to get many more. I'll do my best to take everyones input into consideration when choosing a location(I'll see if I can figure out how to set up a poll)
And I think I'll add Boggs Mtn. to the mix, looks like a great place to set up!
02-17-2013, 16:45
OneThing
Boggs
The Boggs site is great for a number of reasons. Is has a little of something for everyone. Drive in, and you're ready to hang. Grab your pack, and you're ready to pick from a number of great hiking trails. You can also bring a mountain bike, your dog and have a great time. There's a store, about 5 miles away, and best of all the site was pretty much all ours.
I had surgery just before the last one, so I was only able to go on during the day. If we have one up here this time, I'll be more involved.
Here's a link to the HF google map tutorial. Just added myself, it was pretty easy and you don't have to put the marker right at your doorstep. Didn't see too many markers on the west coast...
02-17-2013, 20:40
E.A.Y.
Boggs Mt was a splendid place for a hang. Many fine perfectly distributed pines and no underbrush to speak of.
Here's a link to the HF google map tutorial. Just added myself, it was pretty easy and you don't have to put the marker right at your doorstep. Didn't see too many markers on the west coast...
There are something like 14 pages, so I'm on page 9 I think. You have to go thru each page to see all of those who've added themselves to the map. Of course, there are usually many more hangers who are in the area, but don't spend much time on the forum.
02-18-2013, 13:40
body942
Just got back from an overnighter in the southern Big Sur area yesterday. If you were to do one at Pfeiffer, dates permitting, I'd likely be in.
.02 spent. :)
02-18-2013, 23:22
meld
I like Boggs Mtn. Good place to hang with nice hikes. Had a great time there last year with the some other HF members. Nice group of people. Hope to do it again this year.
02-20-2013, 12:22
E.A.Y.
If you go with Boggs Mt., call ahead and reserve Ridge Campsite. That is the group site we used last time.
I don't remember what the fee is for the campsite but it was not much. I used a ccard to pay over the phone then folks chipped in as they arrived on site.
02-20-2013, 12:27
E.A.Y.
I've a bike ride scheduled that weekend, so if it is raining and awful I can come hang!
Do I hope for rain?
Hm.
Not sure.
02-20-2013, 15:27
jmsdgrf
Henry Coe?
I've had some great experience with hanging at Henry Coe. The group sites are a short hike in, you could bring in two trucks/cars for supplies: ie, firewood, water, other "consumables." Group sites can help keep prices low and great access to hiking trails, geo caching, and fishing holes.
My $0.02 and I'll find more information if you like, worth taking a look at IMHO
02-20-2013, 16:31
E.A.Y.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmsdgrf
I've had some great experience with hanging at Henry Coe. The group sites are a short hike in ...
Graffix and I were kind of planning to go back out to Coe after this trip and check out other spots (but we never did). This was the first ever (as far as I know) Nor Cal hang.
I sure hope the trees are more abundant and better suited for hanging then the ones we found at the end of Hunting Hollow.
So - you've hung sucessfully out there? That's great! Do tell where.
02-20-2013, 17:26
jmsdgrf
Henry Coe Hanging
The folks over at BackpackingLight.com put together a gathering at Henry Coe which I was fortunate enough to attend for a day. This was when I saw the group camps and the possibility of hosting a large gathering of hangers. The gathering was at the Manzanita group sites #4 and #5 I believe. Those two sites were chosen because they were adjacent to each other. You get the to group sites following Manzanita Point road. They are about 3 miles in. With group camp sites at Coe you can drive a vehicle in, which could haul gear, food, water, fire food, etc. The intention of the BPL.com gathering was not Hammock specific, though I would venture a guess that there were between 5 - 10 hammocks strung up with options to support upwards of 20 rigs. I have personally hung at various places throughout Coe, though some areas great while others would be impossible. Let me consult with my wife to see if we could get down there and put together some video and pictures detailing the sites this weekend.
A little google searching should also yield some quality results.
02-20-2013, 19:10
THE DANGLER
Re: CA>Northern CA(specifics TBD)>4/12-14
Most excellent. That's some great info. I'm definitely looking into that, sounds like a great spot
02-21-2013, 23:14
body942
That Henry Coe looks good too, if y'all land there let me know. As long as it was kid-friendly there's good odds me n my 9yo would be in.
02-24-2013, 19:16
jmsdgrf
Henry Coe SP Group Site #4
I'm unsure of the lagistical aspect of reserving, using a vehicle to import water & firewood, and cost. However, I'll bet a quick call to the Headquarter and a chat with one of the Rangers would give you the answers to these questions.
Also, I did check out all the other group campsites, #'s 1-10 in all and the others had serious drawbacks; no trees, no places for parking, super old stinky out houses, etc. I did get video of all of them, but it is my expert opinion that site #4 is far superior to all others in every regard.
-James
02-24-2013, 20:44
THE DANGLER
I'll have to give a call to the ranger station tomorrow to inquire about availability of sites.
Thanks for the vid, looks like a nice spot
02-25-2013, 03:36
OneThing
Cost & Dogs?
I was wondering what the cost per person will be? Can you bring your dog? And are you allowed to drive your vehicle to the location and leave it there?
Thanks
02-25-2013, 10:11
E.A.Y.
Thanks for that video review of site #4. Looks good!
02-25-2013, 15:02
georgemaung
+1 on Henry Coe, Big Sur, Yosemite.
I was at the BPL Henry Coe event and the site were very hammock friendly.
The hike was on a dirt road and it was all down-hill on the way there.
I think Spring time is the best time, no crowd, no dust, everything is green, etc..
Do we have a date set yet? How about March 16 weekend to coincide with the Southern hang.
02-25-2013, 15:07
georgemaung
For the BPL gathering, the participants PayPal the group organizer $15/person before the event to cover cost of campsite reservation. One person had water haul in, the other brought in firewood.
We also had geocaching activity for the kids on Saturday.
This year was their 5th annual event and it was well organized.
02-25-2013, 17:21
THE DANGLER
Campsite 4 is reserved for March 16th. My initial plans were to have it on april 12 and 13th. The site is available for those dates. I'm still open to change the date though.
Cost is $75/night
A couple of restrictions that I saw were:
No dogs at group sites
No potable water available at the group campground
Fires are ok when permitted but no wood gathering(needs to be packed in)
1 supply vehicle allowed to drive in to haul supplies and park at the site(only 1 trip is permitted per stay)
02-25-2013, 20:29
E.A.Y.
Sorry. Can't make it on March 16th. Have a great hang!
02-25-2013, 21:20
THE DANGLER
sorry, I should have worded that differently. I should have said that the campsite is unavailable on the 16th
02-25-2013, 21:39
THE DANGLER
anyone interested in this hang check out the poll
I figured out how to post a poll( it was pretty easy actually). So Here's my short list of spots that aren't too far removed from the Sacramento valley or the bay area.
Some details about these locations have been discussed further up in this thread.
You can vote for multiple choices, so maybe put your second choice as well.
02-26-2013, 00:11
OneEye
I'd love to join in at any of the sites mentioned, and voted for some of the best sounding sites for bringing my kids and I. Weekends of 16 Mar and 14 Apr are both booked for me, though, so I probably won't wind up making it. Subscribing to the thread to see what actually develops, and we'll come if we can.
02-26-2013, 00:36
OneThing
No Dogs!
I can understand why a lot of places don't allow dogs. However, my girl is with me 24/7.
E.A.Y. do you remember what the cost of the site was at Ridge at Boggs?
02-26-2013, 00:39
E.A.Y.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneThing
I can understand why a lot of places don't allow dogs. However, my girl is with me 24/7.
E.A.Y. do you remember what the cost of the site was at Ridge at Boggs?
I looked up an old thread.
Ridge campsite was $25 / night last time we were there.
02-26-2013, 00:40
E.A.Y.
Quote:
Originally Posted by THE DANGLER
sorry, I should have worded that differently. I should have said that the campsite is unavailable on the 16th
No, you are fine. I need to read better!
02-26-2013, 11:56
garyg763
Just an FYI,Pt Reyes Sky Camp #8 has only one tree, you want to look at #5 and #12.
02-26-2013, 12:09
THE DANGLER
Re: CA>Northern CA(specifics TBD)>4/12-14
Quote:
Originally Posted by garyg763
Just an FYI,Pt Reyes Sky Camp #8 has only one tree, you want to look at #5 and #12.
You are correct! thanks for pointing that out. I remembered wrongly. I'll see if I can update the poll when I get home. Good catch
02-26-2013, 12:18
THE DANGLER
Sorry about the confusion guys and gals, the option #5 on the poll should be Sky Camp sites number/s 8 and/or 12. I can't seem to change the poll at this point. Both sites have several options for hammock hanging. Hope this didn't screw up the vote...
02-26-2013, 22:43
GnomeBuddy
That Henry Coe looks good for a lot of hangers.
02-27-2013, 00:45
Sidewinder
Quote:
Originally Posted by THE DANGLER
Sorry about the confusion guys and gals, the option #5 on the poll should be Sky Camp sites number/s 8 and/or 12. I can't seem to change the poll at this point. Both sites have several options for hammock hanging. Hope this didn't screw up the vote...
I actually like Sky Camp 5 & 6. Last time I was there you could fit a lot of hammocks in those 2 sites.
I'm game for any place you pick.
S
02-28-2013, 17:35
Tijereyes
If that weren't my wedding anniversary weekend, I'd be down for any of them. I'll be watching for more NorCal hangs; just moved up to the Bay area.
03-05-2013, 01:22
kodepop
I live in Grass Valley right next to Tahoe National Forest, just went up to the Grouse Ridge area and there was quite a bit of snow, but there is no snow in the areas closer to town. I'm a noobie and just want to get out as much as possible, but I also work and go to school. If it is somewhat close to where I live I'll try to make it.
03-06-2013, 20:50
THE DANGLER
update
alright guys and gals. It looks to me like I should have started the planning a little earlier, I'll definitely keep that in mind for the next time around. Sky camp has gotten the most votes, so that's what I'm going with. Sorry to anybody who won't be able to make it out because of site selection :( (I think I could have probably set up the poll better, but I didn't realize my errors until it was too late) Sites 5 and 6 at sky camp are open for friday night, but not saturday. It looks as though all sites are booked up on saturday but we can hope for cancelation I suppose. I was really hoping to make this a multi-night outing but at this point I'm not sure that's going to happen this time around. The limit per site is 6 occupants so I'm looking to find out exactly how many hangers we can expect to come out.
A couple of things to keep in mind for this campground are:
2 mile hike in(moderate uphill grade on the way in) the trail is pretty wide and kept in good condition
Charcoal only grills (I'll bring some meat if someone else wants to lug in some charcoal)
No fires
No pets
As of now I'm going to reserve site 6 and if I get enough confirms in the next couple of days to warrant a second site I will do so.
I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you guys and I'm hoping that in spite of my planning errors we get a few people to come out.
03-07-2013, 10:18
E.A.Y.
I'll skip this hang. Have fun, everybody!
03-07-2013, 14:20
jmsdgrf
update
Still as of now planning on attending. I'm still thankful you've taken the initiative and put this together. Keep us updated, and I'll keep my calendar clear ;)
Thanks,
James
03-07-2013, 15:15
garyg763
Well, once again I have to work on the day of the hang. Geez, I really wanted to meet some of you folks. Anyway, spring is just around the corner and I'm sure a lot more group hangs will be planned. A special thank you to THE DANGLER for putting in the time and effort to organize this group hang. I like that some of you put out invites to places you are going. Maybe one day we'll meet up. Everyone stay in touch and have fun guys and gals.
03-14-2013, 22:31
GnomeBuddy
Hi Dangler, I think I can make this hang. What day was it you reserved for? Was it April 12th Friday?
03-15-2013, 01:21
THE DANGLER
Re: CA>Northern CA(specifics TBD)>4/12-14
Quote:
Originally Posted by GnomeBuddy
Hi Dangler, I think I can make this hang. What day was it you reserved for? Was it April 12th Friday?
Yes Friday, the12th. I didn't remember that sites went so fast.
It'll be good to see you again.
03-28-2013, 14:21
Sidewinder
Sorry but I won't be able to make this hang. Took on a new job at the same company and that is the day I start. I will have to catch you guys on the next one.
S
04-06-2013, 21:20
GnomeBuddy
Dangler, I can't make it to this event either now. I am very sorry for changing my plans on you and I was really looking forward to see you again. Want to thank you for organizing the trip, if you don't have enough people who show up to cover the costs, let me know and I'll chip in. I hear the weather will be great and I hope you post a report on the trip.
04-11-2013, 00:18
THE DANGLER
Re: CA>Northern CA(specifics TBD)>4/12-14
Hey guys, just a couple days out. I'm only seeing 1 probable attendee other than myself. If anybody out there is interested send me a pm and I'll get you a map to the trail head.
04-18-2013, 20:47
GnomeBuddy
Hey Dangler, How did the hang to Pt Reyes go? Did you find good trees and weather?
04-25-2013, 20:31
Envynlust
ended up being the dangler and myself, he was nice enough to bring an extra HH for me to try out. I ordered my xlc bb a few weeks ago, still hasn't shipped yet.
I did take a few pics, and will eventually make a post about the trip, been busy with work+masters program. It was fun, got a little cold around 3am, and wind picked up a little. Overall was good times.
The Dangler found 2 great spots to hang the hammocks.
04-25-2013, 20:56
garyg763
Glad you had a great time. I had to work ughhh! Looking forward to seeing the photos.