Aspen Meadow Trip February 13-14, 2010

[David Lutz]

A group of BPL members got together last weekend for a snowshoe overnighter to Aspen Meadow near Pinecrest. The roster included me, David, Jeremy, Morgan, Jack, Kat, Josh and Ocean. We met at Dave's place in MoTown on Saturday morning and headed up to the trailhead near Dodge Ridge Ski Area.

We ate lunch at the trailhead and finally got started about noon. Our destination was 2.5 miles out along a mostly uphill snow-covered Forest Service road. While there were a few people around at the trailhead, we didn't get too far before we found ourselves all alone.

We ended up walking to a clearing just past Aspen Meadow and set up camp. This was the first time snow camping for a number of us, myself included. There is quite a bit of extra work involved (prepping a shelter spot, constantly melting snow, etc.); so we got busy!

First things first, we all set up our accommodations. As usual, there were quite a variety of shelters. Morgan had a palatial 10×10 Oware pyramid tarp, Josh brought a hammock, there were several varieties of tarptents and I had a make-shift fly-and-footprint-only REI rig.

After we set up our shelters, Jeremy suggested we build a group kitchen, so we did that too. Very cool (pardon the pun). After that, it was melting snow, eating and drinking from there on out.

In the morning, we ate breakfast and hung out for a while. Half our group decided to stay over Sunday night, so the rest of us packed up and headed out.

Snow camping was a great experience. The scenery is beautiful and there are no bugs, no people, no heat, no dust. Sure, it's a little cold, but that's manageable. I look forward to many more snow trips in the future.

I don't have any photos, anyone care to add any?

[Jeremy Pendrey]

Here's a few pics from our weekend:

Father and son: Josh and Ocean looking like family before their snowball fight.

Kat gettin her groove on in snowshoes.

The hike in.

Our original destination: Aspen Meadow. We camped in a clearing a little past here.

Morgan and Ocean in the luxurious camp kitchen.

My first attempt with Cameron's DuoMid.

I had a great time everyone. Definitely want to get out again in the snow soon.

Jeremy.

[Devin Montgomery]

What camaraderie! This looks like a good time! :)

[Kyle Crawford]

Great report. I especially like the pitch on the duomid. Looks like you had a great time.

[David W.]

Jeremy enjoying the leisurely hike

Ocean offering Kat a snowball before battling dad in a snow fight.

We arrived in camp in mid afternoon and began to set up our shelters.

Morgan setting up his winter palace with room for three Czars comfortably. St. Petersburg has nothing on this place, which is fit for BPL royalty.

Jack successfully pitching his new tarptent

David L. putting the finishing touches on his tent.

Jeremy finishing putting up his MLD shelter which he borrowed from Cameron. Ocean enjoyed the only real 4 season tent.

Josh's hammock and tent. It must be nice to be off the snow at night!

Jack, Kat and Josh enjoying the snow table complete with seats.

Josh on his snow bench car seat and countless down jackets on. He must have been warm.

Morgan and Ocean in his snow recliner, Complete with arm rests and beer holder.

[Joshua Billings]

We had a great time. Great group of people.
Katharina in the snow.
Fire in the snow
Katharina and Morgan dug down to bare ground and made a fire the second night.
Morgan mountain man.

[Backpack Jack]

OK I finally got some time to post, I just wanted to thank everyone for a great time, and car pooling, snow camping what a blast !!! Here is Morgan and Jeremy at David W. apartment getting ready to take off. I don't think we could have gotten any more stuff in the back of Kat's car, poor thing. I think everyone has this pic, what a great father and son trip. I really enjoyed you guys. My daughter was looking at the pics and was wondering who every body was and when I told her about Josh and Ocean. She said what a cool name, I agree, then she asked why I didn't name her that, I guess I just didn't have the cool foresight at the time any how you guys rock!! Hiking in Sunny skies Deciding on a spot The Moment has arrived Morgans palace Jeremys mini palace Oceans fortress Trader Joes thats enough food for an army, or just Josh and Ocean. The Kat den do not enter. David L mini mini set up still a lot of room. The mysterious blue wall. Nope just Josh's hammock very cool. Ocean in his snow recliner and food sack. Everyone at the kitchen/dinning table and Kat making fine adjustments with a shovel. Josh in his HUGE snow seat surrounded by his gormet food and cooking skills. Morgan with the mountain man/scary red eye look this was a lot better in person thanks for the laughs. Headed back to the trail head. Well there it is. I really had a good time with everyone, wish I could make the next one, but I already made plans to go fishing in Bishop in the trout derby. Everyone be safe and untill the next hike see you there. Jack

[Tony Wong]

Jack,

Thanks for putting up the photos of the trip.

Looks like you had some amazingly good weather for your trip.

Nice kitchen setup there with plenty of room for people to kick back at.

Hopefully, I can make one of the snow trips in the future or next year.

-Tony

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