PNW GGG 2016

[Ian]

Yup. Getting this conversation started already. Learned the hard way for version 1.0 that many great group campsites fill up a year or more in advance so it's never too early to get the discussion going.

A few things…

I don't have to take the lead on this so if someone else has some fire in their belly to run with this, I'll happily hand over the reins and help out where I can.

I hoped for 30 people to show up but less than half that did for a number of reasons. I think finding a campsite that will accommodate 30 attendees is fine for 2016.

PNW GGG 2015 was a fun car camping event. Nice enough campsite but not nice enough to return to next year for a few reasons, including some road noise.

2015 was a car camping event, but we all agreed that we'd prefer a group campsite that requires some sort of hike in. I'm all for this except I don't know of a campsite in Washington or Oregon that requires a hike in that will accommodate 30 people.

Thoughts?

[Steven Paris]

Thanks for starting this, Ian. I'm thinking about options . . . .

Glad you finally put a photo of you for your avatar.

[Ian]

"I'm thinking about options . . "

Great because I really don't have a starting point of where to find a Henry Coe-ish campground in Washington or Oregon. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

"Glad you finally put a photo of you for your avatar."

I'm glad someone can see it as my Mac won't refresh ala Safari or Firefox when I Apple+R refresh my computer. Are you seeing Donald Sutherland or me dishing out my best come-hither-dead-poultry vibe?

[Jerry Adams]

hmmm… weird… Ian looks very much like a Mountain Goat… Maybe too far away to see good?

[Alexander S]

I would love to attend and meet some fellow ULers in the flesh. I’ve had some thoughts on this.

1. Since we are backpackers it should be a backpack with options to do as an overnight or continue as a spectacular multi day.
2. It should be located in spectacular scenery.
3. I should be a simple, no fees/ permits affair to keep things simple.

I think Lyman lake past Spider gap fits the bill because:

1. It is within a day’s hike for creaky hikers but can be completed as a multi day loop by those who wish.
2. Can be reached by both north and south.
3. Lyman lake has plenty of camping and our combined LNT skills will make little impact.
4. It’s absolutely spectacular and celebrates some of the best in trekking! What better place to meet, share and commune?

I am tentatively doing this beginning of July to get in shape for the JMT this year anyway so I thought I would make a shout out.

[Ken Thompson]

.

[Curt Peterson]

Alexander is on to something with that area. Actually, Spider Meadow would be ideal. Essentially unlimited camping spots. About 5-6 miles in from the car with the option to head up and over the gap to the Lyman Basin. Google pics – it’s stunning. Pushing all the way to Lyman in one day from the car will be tough for many. Plus, the sites are more limited. If the couple of larger ones are occupied it would get tight pretty quickly.

 

[Alexander S]

Thanks for that input Curt.

Spider meadow really is one of the premier places in the Cascades but it is only 2 miles of easy walking from the TH to the middle of the meadow. It’s 5-6 miles over the pass to the lake.

I think you are seeing a full day’s worth of mileage because you are counting the approach road. If you look closely, it actually goes halfway from Phelps creek campground to the meadow, making for a fairly short hike in.

My thinking is that this is a fairly easy but visually spectacular and adventurous overnighter for those who have less time or stamina while allowing those who want to complete the extended loop the chance to continue on to Cloudy pass on Sunday morning.

The last time I was there the meadow was crowded with day hikers and overnighters but the lake had the usual handful of people.

Here’s Lyman lake just after you come over the pass. TH to pass is only about 3-4 miles. I’m thinking that this would also give even late arrivals a shot at making Saturday night camp and communion/ nerding out on trail talk.

http://ahealedplanet.net/Lyman1.jpg

 

I’m kinda going by that poll we did last year in which most people preferred a hike in over car camping.

[Michael Gillenwater]

I’m in again this year. For everyone who did not make it last year, it wonderful community. Instant friends.

Thanks to Ian again for taking the initiative.

I suggest also looking at recreation.gov for reservable group sites.

[George F]

Any idea when this is going to take place? Depending on the time and location I may try to make it out there, it would be great to meet some of you.

[Curt Peterson]

“I think you are seeing a full day’s worth of mileage because you are counting the approach road. If you look closely, it actually goes halfway from Phelps creek campground to the meadow, making for a fairly short hike in.”

Definitely don’t want to make an argument out of this, but I think your mileages are off. I’ve been up there half a dozen times and as recently as August. Guidebooks, maps, and my GPS all show 5-6 miles to the beginning of the meadow. Another mile-two through the meadow and up the back wall and up the “Glacier” to the Gap (about 7-8 total). Then the AMAZING, but frequently sketchy descent down into Lyman. If you’re doing the full loop and coming out Buck Creek then the road mileage would be added unless you have two cars. That’s another 2 miles or so.

The trail in is always in amazing condition. Flat, wide, views. Always a pleasurable entry into that country!

 

[Alexander S]

True but I guess I’m thinking of these six miles as relatively quick because of the open and flat hike to the pass.

I just remember flying through there in no time, with the lake being soon after the pass. Something to consider unless most people really do just want to hike in a short distance. The Spider meadow opens up fairly soon after leaving the TH.

[George F]

The PNW is too far away for me to make for a weekend, but if the gathering was up in  the mountains at a location I could hit as part of a trip I would be there for sure. The Spider Meadow, Lyman Lake area already has me looking at ideas, a car camp on an upper access road could work too.

[Ian]

Holy smokes I didn’t realize that there have been so many comments on this thread from this month.  I thought I had this set up for notifications when there were replies but apparently not.  Many thanks to George for sending me a message.

Last year was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet other BPLers and make friends.  But, it was more of a car camping trip with a really nice day hike up Mt. Eleanor.  I do agree that since we’re a backpacking community, we should probably include some actual backpacking this year.

I’m going to start doing some research today and look for some ideas.  Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

There was a lot of interest last year but it ended up being a pretty small group.  Just so we have a number to work with for planning purposes, a campground that can accommodate 20-30 and requires some hiking sounds about right.

I’m going to call the three national parks and a few ranger stations today to see if they have any suggestions.

[Ian]

On a related note, I’m applying for permits to get all the group sites between Sunrise and Longmire (or Nickel Creek) on the Wonderland Trail this year.  I struck out last year but if I happen to get them this time around, I’ll post it in a separate group trip announcement.  This trip would be limited to 10-12 due to the size of the group campsites.

[Ian]

Spider Meadow looks like a winner to me.

July is pretty full for me.  I have commitments August 9th and 19th.

Any other thoughts on dates and location?

[George F]

How is the snowpack shaping up in the North Cascades this year? That could make a difference between a late June and an August trip.

[Alexander S]

“July is pretty full for me.  I have commitments August 9th and 19th.

Any other thoughts on dates and location?”

 

How about after the middle of Sept? The snow field will be nice and packed by then and people’s schedules settle down

[Steven Paris]

Spider Meadow has been on my list for a long time, but it is a long drive from Portland.

Here’s a place I went last year for a weekend trip:

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/surprise-lake-2

Note: the 1st photo is not what you see from Surprise Lake but rather the upper valleys that come off the eastern side of Gilbert Peak. Really nice sub-alpine valley for exploring, including an unnamed pass that I watched someone go over and want to get a look at. This is about 4 hours from Portland (to TH) and probably 2.5-3 hours from Seattle. Just throwing it out there.

[Katherine .]

Steve – I like that idea!

[Ian]

As someone from Eastern Washington, I’m used to driving 2+ hours to go hiking so I’m good either way.  Both locations sound great but Steve’s seems to open up more opportunities for folks who may have a tight schedule.

[Jerry Adams]

I did Surprise Lake loop a few years ago.  It’s pretty nice.  Trees.  Can be busy.

If you go beyond to Warm Lake it opens up, alpine, 10 miles from trailhead, 2300 feet elevation gain

That whole area is less busy because it’s further from Portland/Seattle

http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/South_Tieton_Hike

 

[Alexander S]

Good call Steve.

Surprise Lake sounds like an excellent choice as well but with a more evenly divided driving time for everyone. I’m up for that.

[Ian]

How does September 16th-18th at Surprise Lake sound to everyone?

[Michael Gillenwater]

Sounds good to me.  I am in.

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