Sorry about the confusion, we didn’t realize the original dates we put out there were on Easter Weekend. Please note the new dates!
This is the official 2015 SoCal Group Hang Thread.
Please post regarding this hang on this thread only to avoid confusion.
It's official... Thanks to Pedro (AKA: Arczeneb) The Third Annual SoCal Hangers group hang has been booked.
Thursday April 16th through Sunday the 19th.
I’ve deleted the other threads to avoid confusion (thanks mods!)
There was some discussion last year about starting a day earlier for the folks that are driving from long distances. So the site is available starting Thursday this year for anybody that wants to come out.
Our hope was that we could get some momentum going for SoCal hangers as I think we've been a bit underrepresented out here and it looks like that dream has come to fruition given that this is the third year we are getting together.
We will be at the group known as "Lupine" (Site 1L) at the Falcon Group Campground (next door to last year's site at the same group campground).
Falcon Group campground is off the Ortega Highway in the mountains just west of Lake Elsinore. The weather should be great, the campground is removed from the city, and is close enough to civilization that an escape route is feasible. There is water (non-potable) and vault toilets present.
The group site is quite large (up to 40 people with parking for 8 automobiles). I have no delusions about getting 40 people out there, but at it will give us plenty of space to spread out, park, and hopefully avoid any OC Brosephs blasting music into the night.
If we run out of parking spaces we can park just outside of the entrance with a wilderness pass available at the small store just before you turn off of The Ortega Highway (74).
There are a lot of trees in the area but if we run short we can use the adjacent Blue Jay Campground for overflow. Trees at the group site are first-come, first-served.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleve...47618&actid=33
**************************************************
So here's what I'll need from you:
1) Confirmation that you will be going in this thread
2) Payment of $20 per person ($10 per kids) will go to Pedro.
Please remember to bring cash with you!
This cost is the same whether you stay one night or three. Think of it as a “Cost of Admission”
3) Be prepared to come up and have a great time
**************************************************
Items to bring:
1) Hammock Rig
2) DRINKING WATER!!! The campground is listed as having potable water but my buddy and I got sick from it last time.
3) At least two bundles of firewood, per person. I'm bringing at least three. I love a fire… Almost as much as Pedro.
4) Potluck Dish of some sort for Friday or Saturday dinner
5) Toilet paper. There are supplied vault toilets but it is better to be safe than rely on the forestry service.
6) Other Camping Gear you think others would benefit by seeing.
7) Obvious stuff like food, water, clothes, bourbon, etc...
We will have two potlucks (you heard me… TWO). One of Friday and one on Saturday night where everybody brings something for the group to share. We had a fine assortment of Chicken Asada, homemade salsa, Chili, Smoked Salmon, Potatoes, Cornbread, Jalapeño Poppers, and about a half dozen other items that really hit the spot. This seemed to be one of the things most enjoyed by everyone so please be sure to plan for it. We can figure out who is cooking on which night based on what people show up with. We’re doing two potlucks because the last two years there was so much food we were getting stuffed before we even had a chance to try everything. This makes it so we can really enjoy everyone’s dishes.
There is plenty of hiking in the area. There are 2 trails out of Falcon and out of Blue Jay San Juan trail along with opportunities for bike riding if that tickles your fancy.
On the first trip, SoCal Mike hiked out to Sitton Peak. The trailhead is down the Ortega Hwy toward San Juan Capistrano, about 5 minutes by car. You will need an Adventure Pass to park in the lot across the street from the candy store. The hike is ~10 miles roundtrip and took him about 4 hours, with a nice break at the peak. It is not very difficult EXCEPT for the final 1/4 mile to the peak. It is very steep at that point. But it offers one of the best views of Orange County and beyond.
Let's plan on bringing out not only our hammock gear, but also any backpacking or outdoors gear we have so everybody can take a look at how others rough it. I'm always impressed by new technology and especially DIY stuff. If anyone wants to ask questions about those and how they're made, that's great. Bring a few extra items, even if they don't need them, so we can all take a look and learn from everybody's different rigs.
Non-hangers (or “Pre-Hangers” as I prefer to call them) are welcome to come out for the weekend and take a look at what they are missing. Just make sure they are prepared to hear a whole lot of hammock geek talk!
Well-behaved kids are welcome. Especially since we will be occupying such a large space. It was great to see the kids that came along last year learning about hammocking and backpacking. Car camping tends to lead to (at least) a fair share of oat sodas being consumed and spreading out will help make sure the kids aren't adversely affected by any questionable behavior. We did a good share of drinking at the last two group hangs (which led to a fair amount of salty language) and I imagine suit will follow this time.
Well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Park regulations require them to remain on a leash.
If anybody has ideas for activities beyond what is listed above? A poker game perhaps? Bean bag tosses? Horseshoes? Raffle? Scavenger hunt for the kids? List your ideas below! We tried to play poker last year but the wind wasn’t cooperating. Hopefully we have better luck this year.
At one point Chetter and I received some feedback regarding the SoCal hangers emblem having a whiskey bottle on it. The concern was that it represents an activity that not all of the Hammockforums.net community condones. Which I think is totally reasonable. If you'll notice, on the emblem I have taken out references to Hammockforums.net and left only the text displaying "SoCal Hangers". This way we can retain the spirit cultivated by the group last year without representing hammockforums.net directly. If you use the emblem for patches, signage, stickers, etc... please use the graphic without the hammockforums.net lettering.
I’ll bring along plenty of the official SoCal Hangers patches with the SoCal Hangers logo for $5 each if anybody is interested. I’ve got one on my backpack and one on my down jacket and they look sweet!
**************************************************
Directions:
From the 15 (East Side):
Take Exit 77 to get on to Highway 74
Head West (Towards the lake)
Right on Collier (light)
Left on Riverside Dr (light)
Pass the lake
Riverside Drive curves to the left and becomes Grand
Turn Right on Ortega Highway 74 up the mountain
Go up the hill to just a mile or two past the crest
Get off the highway by making a right at No. Main Divide road
No. Main Divide road is just before a campground on the right
Take the paved road in the middle (DO NOT GO TO THE SITE RIGHT BY THE HIGHWAY)
You will go about 15 minutes back and likely feel like you have gone too far.
Look for potholes and narrow roads.
Follow Signs to Falcon Group Campsite
Lupine is the second site on the right
From the 5 (West Side):
Take Exit 82 to get on to Highway 74
Head East (Into the Mountains) for about 23 miles
Make a left on to No. Main Divide road just after the fire station (on the right)
No. Main Divide road is just after a campground on the left
Take the paved road in the middle (DO NOT GO TO THE SITE RIGHT BY THE HIGHWAY)
You will go about 15 minutes back and likely feel like you have gone too far.
Look for potholes and narrow roads.
Follow Signs to Falcon Group Campsite
Lupine is the second site on the right
**************************************************
Now that all of that's out of the way... Let's get the ball rolling and the sheets hanging!
If you have questions, post them below!
Yours in hanging,
Addam
(AKA: WillieCash)
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Wojo1034
Bookmarks