Bay Area BPL Winter Camping Thread

I still might be in folks. I have a wine tasting/pouring that I got saddled into. If one of my friends can clear his schedule (he is also in the same business that I am in) then I would be able to go. Though, with the way the storms are staking up in the Pacific, and snow likely on Friday, I would prefer to do something somewhere else due to safety concerns with avalanches. Lake Alpine is a fun place to go to, and it is pretty easy to get there too. I would be bringing my cross country skis

Wine tasting versus freezing one's butt off in the snow.
Hmmm

Wine tasting versus freezing one's butt off in the snow.
Hmmm

Yup. Wine tasting might win out.

–B.G.–

Dunno Bob, I sell wine for a living and it gets old after awhile. Love doing both though. Snow wins out all the time!

Gee, Ken,

Knowing you, I thought it might be wine tasting IN the snow…

Bob you have it right!!!!!!!!!!!

I am thinking of the Pinecrest area……is anybody else up for that?

Easy to get to, lots of trail choices, can hike or ski as far as we want, camp where we want, no snowmobiles, etc….

The trails are marked so it's hard to get lost when it's snowing.

Once you get in a bit, there aren't many people around.

Dave, I wish I could go up with you next weekend but I'm already taking a group of scouts to Carson Pass. Meiss Meadow Sno-Park is just pass Kirkwood. There are lots of sno-parks to park at and trails leading to good snow camping spots. My son and I were up skiing at Dodge two weekends ago, while there we checked out some spots to snow camp. It looks like you could hike out Gooseberry TH or Crabtree TH. There is a sno-park up 108, but I hear the is a lot of snowmobiles traffic. The snow depth was good at Pincrest(6,400), the snow depth at Carson Pass (8,200) is great. Carson Pass is farther 3.5hr. compared to 2.5hr. to Dodge. Also I'm thinking about hiking Diablo Trail in April.
~Sean

David where is Pinecrest in relation to the origanal location? is it closer to Bakersfield? I might still be able to get away. Is there still snow at these trail heads? I need SNOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!Jack

Hey Jack-

Google maps shows it as 5:10 to PInecrest from Bakersfield. It's 250 miles, the route shows going up 99 past Don Pedro, I'm not really sure if that is faster than staying on the major roads.

There is plenty of snow.

Let's do it!

What hwy or road do you take off 99? is it by Don Pedro Reservoir?

Google shows you taking hwy 59 North at Merced, past Don Pedro and hook up with 108/120 a bit SW of Jamestown, then up into the mountains from there.

I haven't driven on 59 before, but lots of similar roads. It's all in the foothills, I bet it would actually be faster to stay on 99 to Modesto and pick up 108 there.

If you check a map program, use "Long Barn" as your destination, not "Pinecrest". There are other Pinecrests out there that make it harder.

Gotcha. I did some more searching and I think I found it. It looks closer but its almost the same amount of time as the OP. I'm Still going to try and make it, I didn't get a definite answer from my boss yet if I can leave early on Fri. Thanks Jack

My new TT the Moment should be here by next week. I sure would like to break it in next weekend. Will we still need snow shoes? Jack

Yes on the snowshoes….or skis….

David either your bored like me or you don't have to work tomorrow HA! HA!

True on both counts, Jack!

Any one have some MSR EVO ASCENT snow shoes they want to sell. Thought I would post here before I try to post on gear swap. Thanks Jack

Is anyone/everyone on board for Pinecrest as the destination?

Sounds good to me David I'm going to try my best to get there late Sat. night. Jack

Sure, I am in.

I am officially out…darn! Sorry folks I cannot get out of work.

Anybody going up friday morning?

Morgan-

Are you on board for Pinecrest?

I'm going Saturday morning.

Hey David give me a point to meet you at and a time, I will probably leave here at 6:00 p.m. Fri. go to fresno pick up snowshoes then head up and spend the night some were, either at the trail head or a motel close by unless you know some were I can camp that's near by. Thanks Jack

Pinecrest sounds good to me. Their should be fresh snow and the forecast looks clear for Saturday.

Jack, I live at the north end of Modesto, less than one mile off of 99 and on the way up to Pinecrest. You are welcome to stay at my place on Friday night.

David, Jack or anyone else, do either or both of you want to car pool? You can park your car(s) at my place and head up. I dont mind driving but my car does not have 4WD and travel will be slow with chains. Alternatively, if someone with 4wd is willing to drive I will happily throw in for gas. (David, my place would only be about a 5 mile detour heading south on 99 for you).

I'm looking forward to the weekend!