Feb 8-10 - Feelers put out for Northern CA hang, open to suggestions

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01-19-2013, 15:36
THE DANGLER

CA>Berryessa/TBD>Feb 8-10 - Feelers put out for Northern CA hang, open to suggestions

Hey all, I'm just putting out some feelers to see how many would be interested in getting together a Northern California hang for this spring or summer.
I'm thinking of somewhere near the I-80 corridor so as to make it easy to access for as many as possible. However, I know the Sacramento valley isn't very conducive to camping/hanging ventures.
My favorite places to hang are near Lake Berryessa, Point Reyes, and of course the Sierras.
If we look at setting it up for sooner, rather than later I would say Berryessa or Point Reyes would give us the best turnout as well as better(more bearable) weather conditions. If we head towards Point Reyes I would need to reserve specific sites that are hospitable to hammocks. If we head towards Lake Berryessa I think our options would be pretty open as it would be dispersed camping but there is limited parking space at the trailhead and may require some carpooling.

If you all wanted to set something up for later in the spring the sierras may also be a viable option.

So, let's hear it!
Who's in?
What dates work for you?
Where do you hail from, and how far are you willing to drive for a group hang?
What temps/weather conditions are you prepared to encounter?

Also, something to keep in the back of your minds, I am going to look into getting a group site at D.L. Bliss state park at some point this summer in the hopes getting together a group hang at Lake Tahoe. I know those sites can get taken up pretty fast as soon as reservations become available. But I'll keep you all posted when I can get more definitive info on that.
01-19-2013, 16:03
Sidewinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DANGLER

Hey all, I'm just putting out some feelers to see how many would be interested in getting together a Northern California hang for this spring or summer.
I'm thinking of somewhere near the I-80 corridor so as to make it easy to access for as many as possible. However, I know the Sacramento valley isn't very conducive to camping/hanging ventures.
My favorite places to hang are near Lake Berryessa, Point Reyes, and of course the Sierras.
If we look at setting it up for sooner, rather than later I would say Berryessa or Point Reyes would give us the best turnout as well as better(more bearable) weather conditions. If we head towards Point Reyes I would need to reserve specific sites that are hospitable to hammocks. If we head towards Lake Berryessa I think our options would be pretty open as it would be dispersed camping but there is limited parking space at the trailhead and may require some carpooling.

If you all wanted to set something up for later in the spring the sierras may also be a viable option.

So, let's hear it!
Who's in?
What dates work for you?
Where do you hail from, and how far are you willing to drive for a group hang?
What temps/weather conditions are you prepared to encounter?

Also, something to keep in the back of your minds, I am going to look into getting a group site at D.L. Bliss state park at some point this summer in the hopes getting together a group hang at Lake Tahoe. I know those sites can get taken up pretty fast as soon as reservations become available. But I'll keep you all posted when I can get more definitive info on that.

I game. Nor cal, I'm good with anywhere. Hard to say what dates will work. Pick some and I can work around it. I like to bring my dog so national forests are better for me.

S.
01-20-2013, 16:20
THE DANGLER

1 Attachment(s)

Here's a pic of the signage that lists restrictions for the barryessa knoxville recreation area
Attachment 45094
Dogs ok (i've seen people hiking with them). Fires are not, propane heaters should be ok though(it will still be chilly in the evening). Lanterns for light in the evening would be a +.
01-20-2013, 21:02
garyg763

I'm interested. Keep me updated. Thanks.....oh yeah are you bringing the brandy....
01-21-2013, 04:30
steveflinn

I'm interested.
01-21-2013, 22:37
THE DANGLER

google map

Check out this google map guys.
http://goo.gl/maps/qt2oF
The end spot is where I'd like to start hiking from. You can change the start point to get an estimate of how far of a drive it will be for you. I get off work at about 1 on Friday and I'll be heading over.
I'm going to go for friday and saturday nights. Anybody else down for 2 nights?
I'm looking to do some hiking on saturday, and possibly set up at another spot further down the trail, it'll depend on what the temperature is going to get to at night.
01-23-2013, 01:06
Sidewinder

I'm about a 2 hour drive. This might be a little tight for me to plan. I can possible come out on Saturday for an overnighter. I would come Friday night but since I don't know the trail, I might not find it in the dark. I have to be back in town Sunday afternoon around 2pm, so I'll have to leave in the morning. How far down the trail will you be by Saturday night? What is the terrain like? water sources?

S
01-23-2013, 08:59
THE DANGLER

I'll stay right close

Hey sidewinder,
if you're gonna come out on saturday I'll stay right close to the trailhead. You can get your stuff set up and we can head out for a day hike.
I would recommend not driving out in the dark, the road can be sketchy in the dark, especially the first time you drive on it.
Terrain is rolling hills, I haven't encountered anything too steep out there yet.
No potable water source, I usually leave a gallon or so in my truck. Otherwise you have to purify from a nearby stream.

Hope to see you out there!
01-23-2013, 17:38
steveflinn

+1 on that area being sketchy to drive in the dark. Also, zero cellphone reception.
01-23-2013, 20:10
garyg763

I may have to do some work but might be able to get away and check out the area while you're there.
01-24-2013, 01:15
Sidewinder

Alright. I'll keep you posted as we get closer to that weekend.

I'm getting ready for my snow trip this weekend. Can't talk any of you guys into coming? It's going to snow and get down into the teens! My 9 year old daughter and dog will be coming with me.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...2/img_0846.jpg

S
01-24-2013, 13:54
Girotogo

I like snow camping. Too bad I'm busy. Where are you planning to go? Always looking for a new place to go.
01-24-2013, 16:40
Sidewinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girotogo

I like snow camping. Too bad I'm busy. Where are you planning to go? Always looking for a new place to go.

I will be here this weekend:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=66537
01-30-2013, 23:07
GnomeBuddy

I'm interested in a hang, but not in the snow.
Sidewinder, how did the snow camping go?
01-30-2013, 23:48
THE DANGLER

8 days out

So we're 8 days out from a hang in Napa. I'm excited to get back out and do some hiking and hanging.

So how are you all coming along as far as transportation for next weekend?

The weather seems to be turning around at least for the time being. Looking like highs in the upper 50's and lows in the upper 30's. Sunny and clear, excellent hiking weather.
01-31-2013, 00:46
Sidewinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnomeBuddy

I'm interested in a hang, but not in the snow.
Sidewinder, how did the snow camping go?

Thanks for asking. Here is the trip report

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=67177
01-31-2013, 00:48
Sidewinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DANGLER

So we're 8 days out from a hang in Napa. I'm excited to get back out and do some hiking and hanging.

So how are you all coming along as far as transportation for next weekend?

The weather seems to be turning around at least for the time being. Looking like highs in the upper 50's and lows in the upper 30's. Sunny and clear, excellent hiking weather.

Still looking to make this. Got a new HG 30* UQ I want to test out. These temps sound perfect.

S
02-01-2013, 14:51
steveflinn

Not gonna make it. Work. Grrrr.
02-02-2013, 09:04
Omerta925

Interested! Im just getting into hammocking. I have a diy tarp that i love using!! It would be great to get together with other fellow hammockers. Im in the Livermore area.
02-02-2013, 11:16
THE DANGLER

cool

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omerta925

Interested! Im just getting into hammocking. I have a diy tarp that i love using!! It would be great to get together with other fellow hammockers. Im in the Livermore area.

Most excellent! I'll post up a google map up of where we plan on hitting the trail.

And then there were 3...
02-02-2013, 11:30
THE DANGLER

[IMG]<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Livermore,+CA&am p;daddr=Berryessa+Knoxville+Rd%2FKnoxville+Rd& hl=en&geocode=FdL6PgIdt_e9-ClxIFo4huWPgDFx2GvLMSLTmA%3BFXspTwIdRj22-A&aq=0&oq=liverm&sll=38.742068,-122.262168&sspn=0.00954,0.01929&t=h&mr a=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=38.741775,-122.274034&spn=0.004017,0.006866&z=17& output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Livermore,+CA& amp;daddr=Berryessa+Knoxville+Rd%2FKnoxville+Rd&am p;hl=en&geocode=FdL6PgIdt_e9-ClxIFo4huWPgDFx2GvLMSLTmA%3BFXspTwIdRj22-A&aq=0&oq=liverm&sll=38.742068,-122.262168&sspn=0.00954,0.01929&t=h&mr a=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=38.741775,-122.274034&spn=0.004017,0.006866&z=17" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>[/IMG]

I hope that map worked...
02-02-2013, 11:31
THE DANGLER

aaaaand it didn't
so here's the url
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Li...=h&mra=ls&z=16
02-04-2013, 15:08
Omerta925

Awesome!! That's not too far away!! What days? I work every Friday and Saturday, that usually messes things up for me.
02-04-2013, 17:04
THE DANGLER

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omerta925

Awesome!! That's not too far away!! What days? I work every Friday and Saturday, that usually messes things up for me.

Heading out on Friday afternoon after I get off at 1. Staying Friday and Saturday nights. Heading back home on Sunday afternoon. What time might you be able to get out there on Saturday?
02-05-2013, 10:24
GnomeBuddy

Got the map. I'm going to try to make on Sat. morning and meet all of you. Just way too much work! It's getting in the way of my fun!
Dangler, where do you park, on the West side or the side with the barn? Can you give me some details on how to find the trail and how far you will be going in or where?
02-05-2013, 11:58
THE DANGLER

Park one the side w/barn. The trail starts at the gate opening right there. I should be set up a little past the barn.
Glad to hear you're gonna make it! Temps should be a bit warmer than last time I went. At any rate, I'm bringing some extra gear, should anybody need it.
02-08-2013, 09:58
Sidewinder

Still planning to make this. Will try to leave in the morning. Me and the dog will most likely arrive before noon on Saturday. Let me know if there is anything you guys want/need me to bring. See you there!

S
02-08-2013, 10:03
THE DANGLER

Hey guys! Today is the day I'm heading out. I should be leaving woodland around 2 pm to arrive at the trailhead at roughly 4:30-5. Once I get past Winters I'll have no cell reception and thus no way to communicate. I have been able to send and receive text messages but I'm not sure what kind of delay there is on them.
So I'll try to give the most approximate directions now. Refer to the google maps link in the post above to get yourself onto barryessa/knoxville rd. You will drive north on that road for quite a ways. If you're coming on Saturday morning be careful and take it easy around the turns because early in the morning the road can have frost and ice where it is shady(before the morning/afternoon sun can warm it up).
My truck is a black '89 nissan pickup with grey decals on the sides and no tailgate and it will be parked on the east side(right hand side) of the road, just before a creak crossing. You will also see tin roofed shelter about 100yds off the right side of the road. My site will be a little ways past that.
The trail starts to the left of a gate that is there.
The road is a bit rough, but is accessible with a car. I'm an early riser so if you beep your horn a couple times when you park I should be able to hear you and I'll come down to meet you.
If you've got any questions get them in before noon and I'll have time to respond to any concerns.
Thanks and I hope to see you out there!
02-08-2013, 11:47
Girotogo

Have a great time guys!
02-11-2013, 09:27
THE DANGLER

First norcal hang was a success. Thanks to gnomebuddy and sidewinder for making the trip! It was good to get to know some fellow hangers and shoot the breeze.
I'm hoping to put another hang together in the coming weeks and months so keep your eyes open for that. I'll try to give as much notice and plan as far ahead in advance as possible.
In the coming weeks I was thinking of doing a couple solo hikes in the barryessa area to scope out some optimal group hang sites.
I'll get a little more detailed trip report when I get a chance to sit in front of the computer today after work
02-11-2013, 10:55
GregB

Hey guys:

I can't believe I missed this thread. I'm up the I-80 just past Auburn about half way between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Let's keep in touch for a possible Sierra hang when the weather warms up just a bit. It's been a real low snow year so far we should be able to get into the mountains earlier than usual. I've had years where the trails were 5 feet deep with snow in June and roads on northern facing slopes were snowed in until August. But this year looks like a dry one.

Glad you guys had a good time. Maybe we can get together in a few months and all head up to the hills.
02-11-2013, 23:58
GnomeBuddy

1 Attachment(s)

Thanks to Dangler for putting together a great Hang! The hills were very beautiful without the leaves and all that spanish moss hanging on them. Sidewinder and I joined Dangler on Saturday for an overnighter. The weather was perfect, clear and not windy. The temps that night got down to a low of 32 degrees. After dark and dinner we sat around the faux campfire that Dangler made up of his orange folding bowl lit up by his headlamp! It was a surprisingly effective camp"fire".