BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Sept 24, 2016 11:03:19 GMT -8
Reservations have been made! Where: Pickle Gulch Campground, Arapaho National Forest, Group Site #5
When: Friday September 15 - Sunday September 17, 2017
Who: Fellow Backpacker Basecampers, friends and family. And you, dummy!
What: Hike a 14'er, watch aspens turn, sit back, have a drink, bring the kids, stare at stars, cook/eat ridiculously good food, shamelessly carouse with fellow backpackers.
Why: No comprendo la pregunta.  I look forward to seeing everyone next year.  - Mike |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 24, 2016 11:32:48 GMT -8
Looking forward to another fun gathering.
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Roger
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Post by Roger on Sept 27, 2016 14:09:59 GMT -8
That is two from Florida for Pickle Gulch 2017  |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 12, 2016 20:41:57 GMT -8
Thanks to Deborah and Ms. Doolittle's husband (TopGeek), we have a new header photo--of the Pickle Gulch folks. Here's the key to who they are  Houston, Steve (aka The Interloper), RebeccaD, Deborah, Ms. Doolittle, Lostone (Rob), Jim Fuller, his wife Gayle, Bill Speers, Mtngrl (Kathy), Zeke, Roger, Blue Bear with his daughter and wife Barbara, BateauxDriver behind, Swimswithtrout, Motts, Reminisce, and Jennifer, with spouse Daveb. Feel free to jump in and correct me. This was almost everyone who came--a few people stopped in on Saturday but didn't stick around long enough for the photo. |
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Deborah
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Post by Deborah on Oct 13, 2016 19:16:25 GMT -8
It looks like you got all of the names right. A great group!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 13, 2016 21:09:17 GMT -8
It looks like you got all of the names right. A great group! Actually, I messed up some, but Zeke kindly fixed it before many people saw it |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 8, 2017 8:38:50 GMT -8
Putting this up from Last Year, so people can see a little more description about the Who, What, When. Note that the campsites have been dwindled down to just the one, since we have had fewer participants. Just edited / substituted this years dates for 2016.Who: Backpacker Forum friends What: A weekend of car camping, hiking food and camaraderie Where: Pickle Gulch Campground Colorado Pickle GulchWhen: September 15 - 17 September 2017 will be the 11th 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 is 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.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jun 8, 2017 9:13:13 GMT -8
I'm in. Want to buy tickets before something else comes up. The description zeke posted describes people arriving on Thursday and Friday, but it sounds like arrivals *only* on Friday this year. Is this right? If I were to arrive Thursday night into DEN, is it reasonable to do the drive that night? Would I be able to camp nearby? Btw, BlueBear, the campground link in your first post doesn't work for me (Status 404 error) |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jun 8, 2017 9:43:15 GMT -8
Here's a link that should work Getting to the campground at night would not be too difficult. There are good paved roads most of the way, but if there are no reservations for Thursday night, you wouldn't be able to camp there (group camping only). Primitive camping is allowed in Arapaho National Forest, and if you drive a ways past the campground entrance, or just continue up Missouri Gulch Road a ways you could probably find a decent spot. Here's a link to a PDF map that shows where disbursed camping is allowed (black dots along road). |
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Post by msdoolittle on Jun 8, 2017 9:53:24 GMT -8
Hiya jazzmom ! Golden Gate State Park is pretty close to Pickle Gulch (about 10 miles away). Where are you coming from? And yes, I think we decided to pair things down a little for this year. We cut one of the camp sites out and have only reserved the one site for Friday and Saturday nights. |
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jun 8, 2017 10:04:38 GMT -8
msdoolittle, I'm coming from Michigan, flying from Detroit. Looking at plane fares, I can fly in Thursday night cheaper but it would mean driving after dark to *somewhere*. If I have to pay for a hotel, it'll wash out the savings, though there's something to be said for being able to shop on arrival for fuel, food, etc.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 8, 2017 10:10:34 GMT -8
Fuel? There's no need for Fuel at Pickle Gulch. Unless it is of the imbibing variety. Bring food to be shared with all. Usually there are plenty of leftovers after a meal, although once or twice we cut it pretty close. It's a Potluck type of meal prep thing. 2-3 people do a main dish (1 veg friendly, 1 more carnivore), and others bring sides, or contribute sides from a store. We have been blessed with several wonderful cooks.
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Jun 8, 2017 10:53:36 GMT -8
11 years, wow! I will have to wait for the stories and photos to come out...I'll be rafting the Rogue River that weekend!
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Post by msdoolittle on Jun 8, 2017 10:54:26 GMT -8
Usually there is enough food and drink for the people flying in, unless you'd like to bring something to share.
Unless you are sticking around longer, there really isn't any need for you to grab fuel. For most of us, this is car camping which means if anyone (coming out of town) needs anything extra, we can certainly bring items with us.
Also, we have a nice side yard you are most welcome to pitch a tent in for Thursday night. Still working on past attendees to make an appearance this year who would take our spare bedroom, but if that ends up being available, and as long as you aren't an ax murderer, you are more than welcome. We have high energy cattle dogs, just be forewarned. I live 15 miles from PG.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jun 8, 2017 10:58:57 GMT -8
jazzmom, here's the PG site I foundThis is going to sound double awful lazy lame, but despite the fact that I have googobs of vacation time and no extended trips planned this year, I don't think I'm going to make it. Last year or the year before I flew in on Thursday, drove to a different park (Golden Gate, I think) way late (picked up fuel from Mike, helped a broken down cyclist), then got no sleep listening to the bear trying to get to my food and a bugling elk - unfortunately, I'm a very light sleeper. Plus, since I've lived almost my whole life at sea level, a sudden move to the 7 or 8k elevation of PG bugs me a bit. However, it was good great meeting some peeps I had met in the past and other peeps I hadn't met. The hike to a glacial lake MsD suggested was nice - hiked it with Interloper/Handsome Steve and Moz (Dave). A 14er is too much for me without more prep time, although I spent a week at around 14k in Bolivia a couple of years ago. Next time I'll rent a bigger car so I can pick up more firewood at that place, whatever-it-was.
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