Bay Area BPL Winter Camping Thread

I'll plan on driving (car is AWD).

Jack – are you coming by yourself?

A friend of mine might join us, just trying to get a head count.

I'm psyched for this trip!

Sounds good to me David W. I'll need directions to your house our just an address, also I do have a truck it only holds 3 and would be happy to take people, not 4 wheel drive but it does have a locking rearend for traction. I'm going to buy chains this week, I use to live where it snowed and all I drove around was a 1970 ford pickup with a 3 on the tree, 2 wheel drive P.O.S. never got stuck once. If you want to PM your address to me or email me at ielliot1@bak.rr.com we can go from there. If I do stay at your place should I bring an air mattress, and what time do we need to get up and leave in the morning?

Weather is shaping up to be awesome!

Fresh snow on Friday, moderate temps and sun on the weekend….

David,

Thanks for offering to drive up in your AWD! My place is about a hour from you. Just let me know your estimated ETA and Jack and I will be ready.

David W.

yeah i'm still in. I've never been to the spot we are going but I'm sure it will be great. I had wanted to stay out for more than one night but the idea of going out solo in a area I've never been before in the winter doesn't sound that fun to me right now. So i'm thinking i'll go up with you guys Sat morning.

Could i either get ride up from east bay David, or stay fri night at modesto David's house? I'm happy with the floor.

If we need more car space i could drive, But i have a 2wd honda.

This is gonna be fun.

I also have an AWD ( and chains) and I have room in my car for 3 more. I will be coming up early Saturday morning from the Santa Cruz mountains.

Josh – Are you coming? Does anyone know?

Morgan – Where do you live?

I'll try to find out for sure if my buddy is coming so we can work out the carpools.

I live in Santa Rosa but could meet you wherever. Also could i share a stove with someone, all i have is an alcohol stove. I'll bring my own pot and cook 2nd.

Bring the fuel I'll bring the stove,and fuel. Jack

Sorry I haven't kept up with the thread (computer meltdown last week, on my wife's laptop now), but I would like to still go. My +1 is out, so just me.

However, I don't have a winter shelter, so I would need to squeeze into someone's tent or shelter. Morgan, still room under your tarp? Anyone else have room in a tent? I'll carry poles or whatever.

Also, I'd like to carpool. I live in the East Bay so could drive to Dave L.'s house or out to Merced to Dave W.'s house.

Otherwise I'm set on gear and ready to go.

Someone let me know about shelter and carpool.
And one last thing, what map for the pinecrest area? (Emigrant Wilderness? or a USGS quad?)

Thanks. Jeremy.

Ps. My computer is still a mess but I'll try to keep up with the thread.

Jeremy I have 2 tents if you want to use one. They are #1 SMD Lunar Solor or #2 Eureka Spitfire. The Spitfire wieghs about 3 lbs the SMD wieghs around 27 oz but you need a hiking pole to set it up, you can use either one if you want just let me know. Jack

I don't think anyone wants to share a tent with THE SNORER !!!! ME. HA! HA!

Jeremy – Glad you can make it!

The Tom Harrison Emigrant Wilderness map shows the "trail" (really a forest service road), but the scale is small.

The USGS quad is "Pinecrest"

You can also download a PDF here:

http://www.pinecrestnordic.org/files/trailMap-small.pdf

(I don't know how to make that a link!)

I have all of these maps and plan to bring the USGS and the PInecrest Nordic Patrol versions.

I'm sure we'll be able to work out carpooling, at least from Pleasanton.

So far, I have Dave W. and Jack with me, still waiting on my buddy to decide if he wants to go. He's worried about being properly equipped, especially in the clothing department.

Great to hear that your in Jeremy. Just for the record, I live in Modesto(3rd highest percentage of foreclosures in California for 2009) and not Merced(1st highest percentage of foreclosures in California for 2009). More importantly for this trip, Modesto is less than 10 minute detour for those coming from the Bay Area and Merced is another 40 miles south.

My place is about 2 miles from CA-108 which goes through Oakdale and up to Pinecrest.

There is plenty of parking where I live for those who are interested. I look forward to seeing you all this Saturday.

I'm real jealous. Haven't been snow camping in 7? years. Shameful. Especially since I have all the equipment. You all have a safe and wonderful time. And we all expect a stellar trip report!

> http://www.pinecrestnordic.org/files/trailMap-small.pdf

> (I don’t know how to make that a link!)

Readable version:
{left angle bracket}a href=”http://www.pinecrestnordic.org/files/trailMap-small.pdf”>download the PDF here{left angle bracket}a>

Real version:
download the PDF here

Bob: Thanks for the map link. I printed it. So, where are we planning on camping? Need to tell the wife.

Dave W.: I realized after I posted that you lived in Modesto, not Merced. Sorry bout that.

Jack: Will the Lunar Solo hold up as a winter tent? If the weather forecast stays good, I'll probably just take one of my three season tent set ups.

Dave L.: I'll plan to meet you early Saturday at your house in Pleasanton to carpool if that works. What time? I'm game as early as you want. I can drive others to Modesto, but I don't have 4WD so would need to get a ride from there.

Jeremy.

Morgan – If it works out that way, can you get to my house in Pleasanton on Saturday morning so we can carpool from here?

yeah I can be there. i would like to get up there as early as possible.

Not sure but it would be fun. How far are you all thinking of hiking?

Jeremy either tent should work for this weekend I've never used either in the snow yet, but SMD said the Lunar Solor should do fine in light snow loads, as for the Spitfire it would probably hold more of a snow load, just not sure how warm it would be, theres a lot of mesh, but hey thats what they make sleeping bags for right! Jack

So far for a head count I have a total of 6 let me know if thats correct? Jack

Josh – Two to three miles, hope you can make it.

Confirmed:
Dave L
Dave W
Jack
Katharina
Jeremy
Morgan

Considering:
Josh
Greg

I can fit four in my car and Katharina probably can also fit four.

Looks like its going to be a good turn out.

Looks like the weather (If I did it right) according to NOAA is going to be Sat. high around 49 degrees during the day and lows at night around mid to high 20s, Sun. about the same slight breeze both days