Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 8:42:13 GMT -8
Hi all, I am new here and looking for some suggestions...
I am planning a camping/hiking for ~25 people in the California sierras in late July/early August. This is a yearly trip for the people at my work, and by tradition the youngest member plans the trip. I have not been an avid hiker and I have only been in CA for less than a year (only SoCal), so I am kind of lost in choosing a good location. The ideal trip would be a 4 day/3 night trip (first and last day mainly travel for LA area), with two full day hikes. Our boss expects some fairly serious trails, preferrably with some significant elevation (last year they hiked to the Palisade Glaciers I am told as one of their hikes and I think they have done Mt. Whitney area before).
I would greatly appreciate some suggestions for campsites/trails...I have been told the best options would be campsites at/near the trailhead for two good hikes (10-15+ miles roundtrip). My boss is leaning toward something in the Eastern Sierras because of potential fire restrictions in the Western Sierras (though I would like to keep options open in the Western Sierras since we have the equipment to deal with fire restrictions if they become relevant).
Thank you!!!!
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bp2go
Trail Wise!
California
Posts: 1,329 
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Post by bp2go on May 22, 2016 9:58:28 GMT -8
a camping/hiking for ~25 people Oh charlie, so many things. (psst! It's Sierra! Singular, Spanish word meaning "saw" as in the cutting tool with jagged teeth!) There are so many things to know even in this short list of hopes. There are limits ( read this info) in most areas to keep hiking groups to 10. Backcountry camping might limit to a few per campsite, and dispersed. This will depend on where you end up. Check your maps for group campgrounds near major roads into the Sierra. West ? Look along Hwy 80. 50, and 4. East? Look for RV parks near the bigger towns (several good ones near Bishop) Then you can all camp together, have a campfire, share some time. Then of course you drive up to a trailhead. Hiking in groups of ten, keeping a little distance between groups. Yes, USFS people will possibly be watching and reminding larger groups to split up. So west side or east, you should maybe start by planning your travel and campground location! Then you can find the best choices for hike destinations from that start-point. East side? Start in Bishop, look at the map to see what's in the nearby area. Clue: South Lake is a very popular trailhead, so look for other lakes. Ask at the Bishop ranger station for suggestions. They will want to help ease a crowd influx! These are just some things that come to mind as I read your wish list. I'm sure others will have good ideas to help you more. |
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balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on May 22, 2016 19:12:24 GMT -8
With a group that size, I would suggest a group campsite in a campground that would allow you to day hike to all sorts of nice places....and also give some of your less energetic folks a day off when they want it. Look at Pinecrest Lake, Lake Alpine, Calaveras Big Trees, Hodgdon Meadow in Yosemite....all have group sites. Take the first one you can, and have a great time.
As our host suggests, there should also be spots on the East side...
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
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Post by speacock on May 22, 2016 20:39:39 GMT -8
I think Baltzaccom has hit it with a group campsite at a 'base camp' at one of any number of group camps along this road (CA 168) leading out of Bishop: mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.27839,-118.55351&z=14&t=T Going up the road a bit more, where it branches to the lakes, has several large camping areas. Group camp at Bishop Park on way to Sabrina Lake. It will take some planning time to check in with Forest Service as to group camp restrictions along the several public car camp grounds and even if it is possible to reserve. Might have to send scouts in ahead of time and stake out campsites for the horde to follow. Spotty cell service at times in the canyon. There are private accommodations at Parcher's Camp for those who would rather not rough it. Good excuse for a weekend to check it out soon. Consider putting a third of the group on each of the lake's trails. THEN: South Lake: to Bishop Pass and into Dusy Basin for a day hike or overnight back pack. mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.13353,-118.55857&z=14&t=T Sabrina Lake: Pick any trail that interests you: George Lake and beyond; Hungry Packer, etc. mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.17403,-118.60964&z=14&t=T North Lake: Toward Piute Pass for serious day trip or continue into Humphreys Basin for an overnight mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.23016,-118.64354&z=14&t=T ** You may have to highlight and copy the map info and paste to a browser. |
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ogg
Trail Wise!
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Post by ogg on May 22, 2016 21:24:45 GMT -8
I used to organize group trips once or twice a year, and summer before last, I scoped out Palisade Glacier and Clyde Glacier group camps near Big Pine Lakes, on the east side near Big Pine. Both looked really nice and are somewhat removed from the campgrounds that have only family sized sites. Bishop Park, near Bishop, is pretty nice and provides easy access to a good a number of trailheads: South Lake, North Lake, Sabrina, Tyee Lakes. Don't be a jerk and try to fit your large group into a single family site, or even 2 or 3 adjacent family sites, the noise and commotion of such a large group in a small area will impact your neighbors significantly.
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378
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Post by speacock on May 23, 2016 20:28:06 GMT -8
Good advice from ogg to spread out as far as you are able and be sure to caution those who imbibe a bit too much to hold down the loud retorts, off color jokes, raucous hilarity, loud singing and bear taunts. Leave No Trace (or evidence) works wonders here with neighbors.
If you are a newbie, the idea is to get as close to the flush toilets and potable water as you can without being in the middle of the rush of all of the camp's occupants at the same time.
Make sure everybody has a headlamp or a light so they don't stumble over others camp sites in the middle of the night.
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on May 24, 2016 7:21:59 GMT -8
That's why group sites are often located away from the rest of the campground...
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