Craig Miller
Posts:11803
 | | 18 Mar 2008 10:37 PM |
| Anyone have any suggestions for a great place to go spring camping, maybe some light offroading? I'd like to get out the weekend of the 29th, but don't really have a destination in mind yet. I'm open to pretty much anyplace in the PNW but am thinking that Eastern, WA would have a higher probability of blue sky and sunshine... I'm also open to snow camping if anyone has any suggestions. Although it would probably be rainy, I suppose the coast could be nice this time of year. Are any National Parks open yet? I bet the crowds would be minimal if they are open. Obviously I have no clear direction and could use a good suggestion or two . The good news is that I have the weekend free, and will hopefully get to try out a new ARB fridge by then. :-) Craig Edit: Oh, and once I decide where I'm going, anyone who wants to come along is more than welcome! |
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Nate Skate
Advanced Member
Posts:725
| | 19 Mar 2008 03:58 PM |
| It's a bit of a drive and probably wet, but there's the wilderness beaches north of La Push. There used to be a locals knowledge only logging roads sort of thing that could get you to within a short distance of the Norwegian Memorial, which is a pretty remote beach area. With your nifty GPS software you should be able to find it. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 19 Mar 2008 05:04 PM |
| Thanks Nate. I'll have a look at the maps tonight.
One question though. If it is a "Wilderness Beach" wouldn't it be illegal to drive to? Maybe the road doesn't quite reach the Wilderness or maybe you were using the term Wilderness more descriptively than trying to classify it's legal classification? Maybe I should just look at the map and answer my own question.
Craig
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 19 Mar 2008 06:43 PM |
| I'm open that weekend, but for me the weekend is Saturday night, Sunday and Monday. But I'd be happy to meet up if it works out. This time of year I am usually headed towards the middle and east part of the state just to see more sun but I am open. I am also due to head back up to the Fraser and Thompson river canyons too. |
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Nate Skate
Advanced Member
Posts:725
| | 19 Mar 2008 07:10 PM |
| That route gets you to the edge of the "wilderness beach" on the land side. You can also just park at Rialto Beach and hike a mile up the beach and pitch a tent and have a big ol' beach fire. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 19 Mar 2008 08:12 PM |
| Thanks Nate. I'll have a closer look. If the weather agrees, beach camping sounds nice. If it is questionable I think I'll head to Eastern, WA.
Brian, any ideas on where we could go in Eastern, WA? Colockum Pass is still snowed in, but I was thinking that the LT Murray might work. I am kinda hoping for something more spectacular than that though.
No problem on meeting me/us on Saturday night btw. I'm going to head out Friday right after work (I think), but meeting up would work.
Craig
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 19 Mar 2008 08:26 PM |
| Anybody know anything about access or camping along the northwest side of Banks Lake? I see a road into Barker Canyon off of Hwy 174. This is from looking at http://maps.live.com/ and I know nothing else about it. Just a brainstorm. |
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 19 Mar 2008 08:33 PM |
| I also see Lake Lenore Caves are roughly in that same area too. Again, other than photos on the net, I know nothing...
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Nate Skate
Advanced Member
Posts:725
| | 19 Mar 2008 10:14 PM |
| I'm not real familiar with Banks Lake, besides the Dry Falls interp center. Nearby, there are some really big groupings of glacial erratics NW of Mansfield that are kinda cool, if you're into that sort of thing. I'm thinking about camping in the Central Ferry Wildlife area south of Brewster in a few weeks. I think you should recce it for me. |
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Peter Carey
Veteran Member
Posts:2829
| | 19 Mar 2008 10:18 PM |
| All the National Parks are open but camping might not be in some places. I know the Elwah River campground is open int he winter but no water (unless you walk over to th river). I think that was our last car camping trip without the rooftop tent. Sabrina threw up when we got there and it rained as we put up the tent and tended to her in the dark.
On second thought, don't go there. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 19 Mar 2008 10:42 PM |
| If the campgrounds in NPs are closed, where do they allow vehicle camping? A deserted National Park might be kinda cool. I'll give them a call next week and find out... now to pick a National Park on the East side of the mountains...
I'm not worried about water, restrooms, etc.
Craig |
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Roger Carr
Advanced Member
Posts:828
| | 20 Mar 2008 03:59 PM |
| I've camped at the Banks lake campground right across the way from Steamboat rock. It's a pay site. Not sure if that's the Northwest side or not. |
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 20 Mar 2008 08:31 PM |
| Posted By Brian Rutherford on 03/19/2008 8:26 PM Anybody know anything about access or camping along the northwest side of Banks Lake? I see a road into Barker Canyon off of Hwy 174. This is from looking at http://maps.live.com/ and I know nothing else about it. Just a brainstorm.
Surfing around, I found this that indicates camping is allowed in Barker Canyon along the lake:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/r2banklk.htm Brian |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 20 Mar 2008 09:13 PM |
| Interesting... might even be snow free that far east.
Craig
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 20 Mar 2008 09:18 PM |
| Anyone ever checked out Douglas Creek, between Moses Coulee and Douglas? This is south of Hwy 2 east of the Columbia River and Orondo. Just wandering around in Web Virtual Overlanding v1.0... Brian |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 20 Mar 2008 09:24 PM |
| Haven't been there, but that's the way that cool spots are found. :-)
Start with a map, spend some time with google, then hit the road and see what its all about. :-)
Craig
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 20 Mar 2008 09:27 PM |
| Yep. Topozone, maps.live.com and Google have had lots of hits from me... I love being able to switch from topo maps to aerial photos to really see the terrain. And someday... when maps.live.com has birdseye view for all areas, it'll be REALLY cool. I have killed lots of time looking over urban areas in the birdseye view mode. |
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Brian Rutherford
Advanced Member
Posts:667
| | 20 Mar 2008 09:48 PM |
| More rambling ideas... Last year we took Entiat River Road up the river, and then tried to take Shady Pass Road over the ridge to Lake Chelan. It was snowed in near the top but we had a nice camp spot at a wide spot in the road just where the snow was too deep to continue. With the snowpack this year, I don't know how far up Shady Pass is open, but maybe the local Forest Service would know. |
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Nevak Risew
Veteran Member
Posts:1200
| | 21 Mar 2008 12:06 PM |
| That area in the Entiat is really nice and I keep forgetting to get back over there! We rented a house on the South Shore about 5 years ago and went exploring every day for a couple of weeks. Fantastic time except for when my son's eardrum ruptured on the way down. IIRC its at around 7k ft elevation on top? Definitely a little early to be heading up there I would think.
I'm busy that weekend, not to mention not trail ready, but you guys have me dreaming of dust. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 21 Mar 2008 12:08 PM |
| Brian,
My fridge won't be in until at least the following weekend. I might postpone a week (or go out 2 weekends in a row - GASP). Any problem with postponing? |
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