Baby GGG in Pine Valley, Ventana Wilderness January 19-21

[Kattt]

I am good with Jan 19-21st
Let me know if anyone needs a ride, from airport or ?

We are not going to let rain shut this down. Tassajara road has been  closed after extraorinary storms only. Should something like that happen, we’ll approach Pine Valley from the west. I’ll look into what that entails exactly.

 

[Richard Niemi]

I did a little research today. – As of Dec 18 it is illegal to have a campfire except in designated car campground. – https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lpnf/alerts-notices/?aid=23943
Campfire permits are required to use your gas stove. – http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfires/
Trail from China Camp to Pine Valley is currently open – https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=10952&actid=51
West Entry – Lower Pine Ridge trail is closed from Big Sur Station due to standing dead trees. – https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10951I hope this helps.
Rick

[Richard Niemi]

That last link was broken.
Here is a good one – https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10951

[Richard Niemi]

Let’s try it again. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10951

 

[Steve S]

Sounds great!  I will be coming down from Idaho with my 22 yr old son.  Can’t wait to spend some time on the trail

I did want to find out what trailhead and parking lot would be best coming from the North…

 

[Kattt]

Thanks so much Richard! I am surprised about the ban since up here at least it’s quite green and wet. Hopefully between now and then we’ll get some more rain but even if there is still a fire ban…we’ll be ok. It’s not like it gets all that cold and maybe we can put together a plan for a big tarp and a couple of lanterns for hanging out at dark.

@Steve Tassajara road is off Carmel Valley Road, well past the village. The trailhead and parking  is at China Camp, on Tassajara Road. Wonderful that you are coming!

[Ken Thompson]

From Rick’s second link,

“Due to a lapse in federal funding, this USDA website will not be actively updated. Once funding has been reestablished, online operations will continue”

So look elsewhere for your road and trail info for now

[d k]

Sad to say, I’m working all that weekend, even if the poison oak wasn’t enough to keep me away.  Have a great time, everybody!

[Ken Thompson]

Will miss you Deb.

So now it is BYOB.  Bring your own brownies.

[d k]

I’ll miss you guys too.  Can’t make it a day trip like Coe…

[Ken Thompson]

I’m thinking of taking the train down.  Gets me to San Jose at around ten and if I get off in Salinas that stop is around noon. Thoughts 💭?

Also open to carpooling along the way from Chico.

Coming up quick…

[Steve S]

Hey, I’m driving down from Idaho; spending the night at our house in Pleasanton, and then getting to the trailhead.  If anyone is in the area, you are welcome to stay, and carpool with my son and I. We will have 2 or 3 seats if needed and room for gear. Just let me know! Our dates are flexible and we are looking forward to the trip.

Also, as an aside, we are heading towards Phoenix and some desert hiking after this trip, and are open to anyone who might be interested !!

[Ken Thompson]

Looking forward to going somewhere new.

[Steve S]

Ken, if you decide to take the train, I can pick you up in San Jose or wherever….  let me know… we will also be going back up to Pleasanton afterwards, so we can bring you back up too…

[Ken Thompson]

Thanks Steve. Just need to hammer out the details soon.

[Ken Thompson]

Who’s heading in on Friday?

[Manfred]

Thanks for taking the initiative Kat!. Would have loved to see you all again. Unfortunately Jan 19-21 doesn’t work for me as my kids made special plans for MLK weekend for me.

[Ken Thompson]

I’m just going to drive. So I’ll head down to hike in Friday.

Enjoy your time Manfred, you’ll be missed.

[Jane Baack]

A friend and I went in to Pine Valley several years ago in April in light snow. Wasn’t that deep and it was beautiful. Loved the hand-crafted cabin there. I had hoped to return some time in May when wildflowers are supposed to be lovely but haven’t made it. Can’t make this trip but hope it all goes well. Family trip is that same weekend.

[Steve S]

Ken, I will prob be down there and interested in hiking in on Friday as well…  stay in touch, we could prob car pool…..

[Elizabeth Tracy]

Just saw this post – I might be able to join! – Elizabeth

[Steve S.]

I’ve wanted to come to one of these GGG events since I first heard of them, but work or family conflicts always seem to arise. I’m planning to join this one, though I won’t be able to commit until the week-of.

So a newb question, since I haven’t been to one of these before: Can someone point me to a forum post from past events that better describes a typical agenda? I’m getting the impression that this one will be a 2-3 night campout at a fixed site, with the addition of camaraderie of fellow LW backpacking fans.

The fire restrictions and trail closure information, provided above by Rick, seems to be from 2016, and has not been updated on the website since then. There are some more recent trail reports for the area in the alliance forums [ http://www.ventanawild.org/forums/ventana-wilderness-trails/263 ] and [ http://www.ventanawild.org/forums/ventana-wilderness-trails/222 ].

If the government shutdown is resolved before the event, I recommend a call to the USFS office to confirm the most current rules and restrictions. If I get around to doing that, I’ll post my notes here.

[Ken Thompson]

Here is last year’s report.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/ggg-x-photos-and-words/

and the year before,

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/9th-annual-bay-area-g-g-g/

They’re all in the photo gallery forum in glorious color.

Usually goes something like this,

Hike in, meet some folks. Look at gear and what not. Eat, drink and be merry.

 

[Kattt]

I am heading in Friday,.

Sorry I have been MIA here; had the flu and a cold but all better now.

[Kattt]

I can still pick you up Ken!

[Author]

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