Date: Tue, 10 Jan 95 13:53:18 PST
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Al Knoll <alf@hpptc38.rose.hp.com>
Subject: Circle the Wagons options
So what is it we want to DO in March. Wildflowers, birds, hiking .. or
This, plus the driving time/distance should pretty well dictate where
we go.
DVNP can be simply amazing during flower season. It's ~7 hours from the
soggy sac. (Sacramento) If we're not afraid of a few dirt roads the
encampment at Saline Valley is dandy. It's a clothing optional warm
springs that has been extensively modified for livability mostly under
the auspices of the SPA (Saline Valley Preservation Assn). Warm showers
can be provided by the ubiquitous Solar Shower/curtain over the rear
door methodology that has worked flawlessly in the past.
Anza-Borrego SP is a bit more of a hoof in miles but better driving.
Pinnacles NM near Hollister is flowery in the spring.
For the fellow who thought of Whitney Portal or somewhere in the Owens
Valley, most of this stuff is BLM (read YOUR land) and if we treat it
kindly we can camp most anywhere we like. I did Whitney several Marches
ago on the 22d. It was a winter ascent with lots of step cutting, you
probably wouldn't like it.
So let's think of what to do and then where to do it. One of the basics
should be that we can handle ~20 assorted loaves/bricks in some sort of
campsite arrangement.
Grover Hot Spgs state park is also an option. It's in Markleeville,
tucked out of the way of most of the teeming throngs but only half an
hour from S. Lake Tahoe for those who do that stuff. Skiing, both XC
and Alpine is available within a short drive. It has the showers etc
and the accompanying price. It's not clothing optional.
For me, late Feb early March is prime powdermowing for Utah's Wasatch
but I could fit in a flowers trip to celebrate the imminent demise of
winter.
There is a BLM campsite at Pleasant Valley Reservoir near Bishop that
offers fine trout fishing, access to Mammoth Mountain, Devils Postpile,
and Erik Schats Bakery. There's a KMart in Bishop for the inveterate
early season Xmas shoppers, easy access to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine
forest if the road is open (iffy in March).
If driving is the issue, then the Eastern Sierras are probably out.
Sam Taylor Park, Sam Mc Donald Park, Big Basin, the usual state beaches
up and down the coast are always available. By March the falls are full
and Yosemite can be astoundingly beautiful before the tour-busses start
disgorging their procine contents into the meadows.
over to you martha (the skiing was nice on friday last)
--
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___ / __ __/ ____/ Al Knoll HP Performance Technology /
/ / / / Center Roseville, CA, USA 95747 /
_____/ / / 916.785.5317 (Telnet 785-5317) /
/ / / email: alf@hpptc44.rose.hp.com /
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