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Post by cweston on Dec 28, 2016 11:22:36 GMT -8
To my mind, a great base camp is far enough off the beaten path that you have a decent chance of having it to yourself, has more than one possible day/side trip of hiking/climbing (class 3 max for me), and is super scenic.
Here are some places I've been that qualify. All are a two-day hike from the car:
Middle Lakes, North Cascades NP. It's 17 fairly easy trail miles and 2-3 easy off-trail miles to get there. There's easily 3 or more days worth of climbing/scrambling in the area, and a staggering view of the Challenger glacier from camp. Also, this particular spot seems to be ground zero for (black) bears. Downsides: NPS permit hassles, not very far off the beaten path (the lake, that is--some of the side trip possibilities are), NPS requires blue-bag use in above tree-line cross-country camping zones. I don't fish, so I don't know about the fishing.
Bubble Lake, Gore Range, Colorado. It's downright hard to get to, either by way of an obscure climbers route over a very steep pass, or by a mean bushwhack up Black Creek. Quite possibly the most scenic lake I've been to, though, below the impressive south ridge of Peak C. There are days and days of fantastic cross country wandering from here (there are almost no trails into the high country of the eastern Gore range), and Mt. Powell is a class 2 climb. I have seen fishermen there, so I assume there are fish. Downsides: you've got to want it pretty bad to get there.
Crystal Lake area, Beartooths, Montana/Wyoming. A fairly easy area to get to, compared to the previous two. Not as much dramatic mountain scenery, but water everywhere and multiple days worth of relatively easy side explorations. Fish.
Upper Cottonwood Creek Basin, Sangres, Colorado.
You could get here in one day from the west up the abandoned Cottonwood Creek trail (which may have been maintained/re-established since I was there about 4 years ago), or two days from the east from the Music Pass trailhead over Milwaukee Pass. You're one drainage over from the very popular Colony Lakes/Crestone Needle area, but in proximity to a lot of fantastic terrain that is far less frequently visited as well (but almost all requiring some class 3 travel).
Expect some crowds on the first day from the Music Pass area, but once over Milwaukee Pass, you can expect solitude. The view of Colony Lakes and Crestone Needle from the saddle at the head of Upper Sand Creek, below Milwaukee Pass, is one of the best views in the area accessible by an actual trail.
I could probably add many more, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 28, 2016 12:10:24 GMT -8
Davis Lake, or Martha Lake. Both of them between Mt McGee & Mt Goddard, Kings Canyon NP. Sure, they're at 11K ft, but chances are you'll have them to yourself.
These lakes are West of Wanda Lake, on the Muir Trail. Access would be one of many, but either over Bishop Pass into Dusy basin and then North on the Muir until crossing the Muir Pass, or over LaMarck Col and down to Wanda Lake. Either route is a 2-3 day hike to reach these lakes. You could wander over the terrain for days. Short season though. After the snow melts out, but before it begins to fly again. Late July - early Sept most years.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Dec 28, 2016 12:57:00 GMT -8
Never been a big fan of base camps but...
A recent trip to the Sawtooths, out of Boise, my hiking partner had planned a 15-day trek, with 6 layover days slated in for fishing, including one lengthy stay. Three nights mid trip... we used Ingeborg as our our longest base camp. Without giving out any specifics, there are 10+ great fishing lakes within an easy days hike from this camp and somewhere on one of our day's piscatorial adventures, somehow snagged a 26" Cutt/Bow. YOWZA!
BTW, there were a few days on this trip where the smallest fish caught was 17"...the stuff of dreams!
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Post by Lamebeaver on Dec 28, 2016 13:23:23 GMT -8
In the Sangres, Rito Alto and Cotton Lake also make good base camps. There are also some good spots near the headwaters of the Williams Fork.
There is a basin nestled up at the headwaters of Twilight Creek in the West Needles I'm determined to make it to this summer.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Dec 28, 2016 13:59:20 GMT -8
Westwind campground, Patagonia Park. Not super rustic (I was quite surpised to find showers and toilets), but from there you can hit the Lagunas Altas (High Lakes) trail (day hike), Aviles trail (multiday out to the Argentine border and back), other trails under construction, or just make up your own trail. If you hike a few miles west out of the park you can hit the Baker River (Cruce Entrada Baker), or hike north and just walk right into the Jeinimeni National Reserve. Further out of the park you can head north and go kayaking in the marble caves, go fishing... |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 28, 2016 18:42:37 GMT -8
Never been a big fan of base camps but... I had my fill of staying in one place 4 or more nights back when the boys were too young to hike (we'd get a packer to do a drop-camp and day-hike from there). But I've no objection to spending 2 nights in the same place and doing some good exploring of an out-of-the-way area. |
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Post by cweston on Dec 28, 2016 18:57:10 GMT -8
Never been a big fan of base camps but... I had my fill of staying in one place 4 or more nights back when the boys were too young to hike (we'd get a packer to do a drop-camp and day-hike from there). But I've no objection to spending 2 nights in the same place and doing some good exploring of an out-of-the-way area. I think 3 nights is the longest I've ever spent at one backcountry camp. When I plan a week-long trip, I typically try to allow for one "zero day"--so I'll spend two nights somewhere long the way. |
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Dec 28, 2016 19:49:06 GMT -8
There are many superb timberline areas to base camp in the Sierra Nevada however I doubt average backpackers have the experience in how to prepare to be interested in such places for more than a single day. The reason average non fishermen Sierra backpackers layover during a full week in the backcountry usually has more to do with getting a break from the constant trail hiking that lets them rest a bit and recover. Thus not a few groups I talk to doing such tend to be camp bodies at some scenic lake not wandering off more than a half mile of so all day. They probably had a trip itinerary to stop at Wonderful Lake but didn't do any map work before a trip considering what could be possible. And once they got there will talk about what to do, where to go during breakfast or whatever.
Then there are those small numbers that peak bag and they may layover a day where some interesting peak could be climbed especially if the effort is too strenuous to combine with a trail day. And then there are fishermen that may do considerable day hiking within a basin with several lakes. Before a trip they were all over the topos and any guide books and trip reports dreaming what trout might be at the lake selection and greedy to visit as many good ones as time permits. Base camp at day or two, no trouble for fishermen with trout filled waters all over a topo.
Consider automobile visitors to Yosemite Valley that are mostly weekend refugees from our urban worlds. Mid to late morning after extracting themselves from some outside the park motel, they drive in through Tunnel View and at the far end are amazed at the world class view so drive into the scenic viewpoint and park. They see dozens of others like them there all likewise bug-eyed and smiling. But what to do? So they walk around and snap a few photos of the panorama with their cellphone or compact digital camera then do some selfies and group shots. Chew on a candy bar a couple minutes while staring at the distant cliffs and waterfalls. And about then impatience creeps in. They don't know the names of features for most of what they are looking at beyond El Capitan and Half Dome much less subtleties of natural science beyond its a waterfall, that's a cliff, that's a tree. And its getting boring... rest of you ready to drive on? And then they stop again along the road at the Bridalveil Fall mostly because lots of other are doing so and milling about looking up at something hard to see through all the tree branches. Then onward stop likewise for ten minutes at Leidig Meadow where Yosemite Falls thunders in the distance over immense cliffs.
But then is today's main event that will consume most of their day with what they are experts at. They continue on to Yosemite Village where after spending a half hour driving in circles about the market parking lot trying to nab a parking spot when someone leaves, its a walk into the market and all through the shops and visitor center exhibit and then an hour or two eating at one of the crowded restaurants, and then the restroom... What fun all this people watching! Finally its time to take a ride around the valley loop road on the open air tram tour where they sit with like others watching and listening. Wow this is better than Disneyland!
So one takes such ordinary people out into our backcountry and after they finish breakfast, chores, and pack up are probably only going to be satisfied and occupied by hiking a trail most all day before reaching a destination where they will become camp bodies, making camp, dinner, talking about their day, and retiring. It is a formula the Sierra Club has had down pat for decades with their national outings trips.
What does it take to be able to go to some awesome scenic place out in the backcountry away from all the people stuff and enjoy such places, be fascinated by such places, be thrilled to explore all about seeing and experiencing things? What can a person do there? Are you ready for that challenge?
David
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Post by hikerjer on Dec 28, 2016 20:35:36 GMT -8
There are so many ideal places on the Beartooth Plateau that make ideal base camps that I can't begin to mention them all However just get off trail anywhere on the plateau and almost any place will do.
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whistlepunk
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Post by whistlepunk on Dec 28, 2016 21:00:48 GMT -8
I have several on my favorite list, and I do not disclose them.
One favorite in particular, underneath a grove of large shady pines is actually road accessible in a SUV or high clearance vehicle. Nearby is several fishable lakes, a couple of rocky crags for day hiking, and nice meadows just to relax and enjoy sunsets and sunrises or wildlife. I have camped there for a week and did not see or hear another person the entire time. No fresh tracks on the access road. The PCT passes about 100 yards away, but hikers cannot see the campsite from the trail nor hikers from the campsite.
Another not too unknown base camp can be paddle accessed with a hour long paddle or so. Several trails branch off from there to various worthy destinations, and a mostly unknown large lava tube with petroglyphs inside is about 1/2 mile off trail (not marked on maps per NPS and local tribe request).
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Dec 29, 2016 5:41:56 GMT -8
I think the longest I've stayed in one place was in the Aldo Leopold Wld in New Mexico because there was really nobody else there.
A place I hiked through in the Sierra Nevada this summer calls me in my dreams to come back and stay several days. I'll have to answer that call.
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Post by Grizzly James on Dec 29, 2016 9:24:07 GMT -8
I admire the romance of a good base camp. The puttering man's ideal behind it. To set forth a span of days in which to do only which pleases thee amid the lofty mountain crags, or if you're a flat lander, deep in a forest hollow somewhere. I remember one base camp many years ago, on an island in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Here was a trip that I had premeditated to spend as much quality time as I could in my hammock, strung between two Norway Pines, just listening to the lake lap gently at the shore. The routine involved waking up in my tent each day as the early morning sunbeams kissed my vestibule, then itching my nether regions like men do, and then, because I could, rolling over and going back to sleep. Then after my morning nap, I would make breakfast and repair to the hammock for another nap. Yes, I do not really accomplish that much base camping. But I do love it so. Well, most of the time.
On the island, which was small and rocky and the shape of a well-splattered elephant's dung, there were two other mates encamped with me. Now let it be said here that not every good bloke in the city makes a charming camp mate. Spend enough time on an island with someone and eventually their true colors bubble to the surface. Eventually, as the days faded by, I grew less and less tolerant of my inmates, and for that matter my underwear. I do not know why, but I always hinder my camping experience with packing too light in the drawers department. Why it is I do not bring an extra set of underpants, I do not know. Such was my plight on the island, whence at last I had come to bitter terms with my shorts. One fart too many, you might say. The humble depreciation of miscalculation. And I remember emerging from my tent one evening, holding up my underwear in vain. Hoisting it towards the heavens in the soft, flickering light of the fire, and declaring that I was done with my underwear, and base camping on this island of misfit goofballs. They applauded as I lowered my offering into the fire.
GJ went commando the rest of the trip. And it was good. Amen.
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Post by cweston on Dec 29, 2016 9:34:18 GMT -8
LOL
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Post by trinity on Dec 29, 2016 10:19:56 GMT -8
I really enjoy a good basecamp. A couple that come to mind are Spirit Lake, in the Pecos Wilderness, which is a lovely place to camp (though a bit crowded at times), and has access to some nice dayhikes. Titcomb Basin in the Winds is pretty great as well. I spent a four nights there last year, which gave me 1 full day to hang around camp and fish, 1 full day to explore the upper basin, and 1 full day to hike to Indian Pass. Hell, I could have stayed there another couple of weeks without getting bored.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 29, 2016 10:55:34 GMT -8
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