Pickle Gulch 2016 - the 10th annual
Mar 27, 2016 17:10:54 GMT -8
red dog, BlueBear, and 3 more like this
Post by Deborah on Mar 27, 2016 17:10:54 GMT -8
Who: Backpacker Forum friends
What: A weekend of car camping, hiking food and camaraderie
Where: Pickle Gulch Campground Colorado Pickle Gulch
When: September 16 - 18
September 2016 will be the 10th annual Pickle Gulch weekend. From the moment Roamaround, suggested a Colorado gathering the two of us worked together to find Pickle Gulch and make it happen, it has taken on a life of its own. We have watched kids grow up, we have climbed 14ers, we have eaten loads of food and yes, consumed copious amounts of booze. Though that last one us usually limited to a small group, well, except for the year Clutch was there. We have not seen him since. We have seen love bloom, we have seen a long lost love rekindled, we have been rained on and had glorious weather. The editor of Backpacker joined us one year and many friends from the forums have flown to CO for the weekend or made sure Pickle Gulch was part of their family vacation.
Over the years, ChuckD became the chief chef with loads of help from MsDolittle, lostone and bateauxdriver and others too numerous to mention. With the loss of Chuck, the kitchen took on a different atmosphere last year, but his influence was still felt with all of the wonderful cast iron dishes that were prepared.
Now we come to the point of this long winded post. What will we do after the 10th Pickle Gulch in Sept 2016? Shall we continue? Will the new people on Backpacker join the group? Should we move it to alternating years? Should we say ten years was a grand run and go out with a bang? Those of us in Colorado enjoy the weekend a great deal; but we have not had as many people, from out of state, join us the last two or three years. Is that a sign that interests are moving on to other things?
We need to think about all of these things and come to a decision in September. So, just in case the group says "Ten and done" you need to get your butt to Pickle Gulch this year!
For those not familiar with Pickle Gulch. It is a group campground facility that is as close to backcountry camping as you will likely get with your car just a 1-200 yards away. We reserve site 5 for three nights and site 4 for two nights. Each site can officially accommodate 30 tents, but there are loads of flat spots around. People gather on Thursday night and Friday. Saturday brings a variety of hikes - generally something fairly easy, one a bit more challenging and if there is interest a group may summit a 14er. Spend the night again Saturday night and break camp on Sunday morning.
What: A weekend of car camping, hiking food and camaraderie
Where: Pickle Gulch Campground Colorado Pickle Gulch
When: September 16 - 18
September 2016 will be the 10th annual Pickle Gulch weekend. From the moment Roamaround, suggested a Colorado gathering the two of us worked together to find Pickle Gulch and make it happen, it has taken on a life of its own. We have watched kids grow up, we have climbed 14ers, we have eaten loads of food and yes, consumed copious amounts of booze. Though that last one us usually limited to a small group, well, except for the year Clutch was there. We have not seen him since. We have seen love bloom, we have seen a long lost love rekindled, we have been rained on and had glorious weather. The editor of Backpacker joined us one year and many friends from the forums have flown to CO for the weekend or made sure Pickle Gulch was part of their family vacation.
Over the years, ChuckD became the chief chef with loads of help from MsDolittle, lostone and bateauxdriver and others too numerous to mention. With the loss of Chuck, the kitchen took on a different atmosphere last year, but his influence was still felt with all of the wonderful cast iron dishes that were prepared.
Now we come to the point of this long winded post. What will we do after the 10th Pickle Gulch in Sept 2016? Shall we continue? Will the new people on Backpacker join the group? Should we move it to alternating years? Should we say ten years was a grand run and go out with a bang? Those of us in Colorado enjoy the weekend a great deal; but we have not had as many people, from out of state, join us the last two or three years. Is that a sign that interests are moving on to other things?
We need to think about all of these things and come to a decision in September. So, just in case the group says "Ten and done" you need to get your butt to Pickle Gulch this year!
For those not familiar with Pickle Gulch. It is a group campground facility that is as close to backcountry camping as you will likely get with your car just a 1-200 yards away. We reserve site 5 for three nights and site 4 for two nights. Each site can officially accommodate 30 tents, but there are loads of flat spots around. People gather on Thursday night and Friday. Saturday brings a variety of hikes - generally something fairly easy, one a bit more challenging and if there is interest a group may summit a 14er. Spend the night again Saturday night and break camp on Sunday morning.