4th of July 2008 Camping Trip @ Mammoth Lakes

[nfpgasmask]

OK, so July 4th is looking good. 3-day weekend. Drive down to Mammoth on Thursday after work, setup camp, and spend the weekend out there.

Linda and I are down. Who else?

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

James, can we rely on you to get a campsite together on Thursday and provide directions? If we leave Reno around 5:30-6, we will probably get there around 8-9pm.

Let me know, otherwise it might just be easier to leave Friday morning.

I am thinking of hauling the canoe also.

Bart

[Ascinder]

I probably can't leave until friday morning(graveyard most likely thurs. night) Also, any Mtn. bike trails out there James?

[nfpgasmask]

I probably can't leave until friday morning(graveyard most likely thurs. night) Also, any Mtn. bike trails out there James?

That's cool, you can just meet us there if we decide to leave Thursday afternoon.

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

Campsite, no problem.
Bring the boat, lots of lakes, fishing, hiking and some very good mountain bike trails. The mountain will also be open for mountain biking as well, and I will have some free passes...
Best,

[nfpgasmask]

Sweeeeet. I can't wait.

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Here are some of the campsites I found, James, which ones are good, do you know?

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreat....shtml#mammoth

Bart

PS - Good means, not crowded, pretty views, etc.

[nfpgasmask]

Also, it looks like most of these campsites require reservations.

So lets get the campsite plans hammered out asap so we can make reservations. Its a holiday weekend, so I don't want to get screwed.

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

I am thinking Shady Rest or Lake Mary.
I know Shady has toilets. I can't remember if there are showers. I will check it out today and get back to you.
Best,

[nfpgasmask]

I am thinking Shady Rest or Lake Mary.

On that website I linked above, it says both of those spots are "Closed for the season"

Is that for realizies or just outdated info?

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Well, I just got off a not-so-encouraging phone call with the Mammoth Lakes ranger office. The lady told me that she does not know if the two sites you mentioned James, will be open. She said as of now, they are not.

Also, she said that the 4th of July weekend is their busiest weekend all summer, which is to be expected, but is still not very encouraging. She said it is difficult to get a reservation down there during this time.

Therefore, if we want to make this happen, we should probably act soon.

James, as a Mammoth Lakes area resident, are you sure you don't know of any "secret local spots" that we could camp in? Maybe just somewhere in the Inyo National Forest that is not a designated campsite? Or is that not allowed? I don't know what California's laws are regarding back country camping in National Forests.

Anyway, just a thought.

Bart