ATTENTION!!! California Hiking Thread!

“The more I read the more I think one of our priorities should be to make sure we're somewhere w o light pollution so we can see the Leonid showers at their best. They are expected to be GREAT, truly a once-in-a lifetime deal...”

“At the risk of being overly optimistic, I think things, including weather and conditions, are going to come together for a great trip!

OK, we've got our weekend, a campsite meeting place, a primary route and backup routes, a genuine vulcan mind meld on just about everything but one - what's for dinner Friday night? Pizza joint, KFC, fend for yourself, casino buffet, other suggestions?”

“There's a pretty decent pizza joint not too far from the CG further north on 89. I forget the name, but am sure I can find it again. I know for sure Wanderer Jr. will recognize it, he's been talking about it for almost a year. That would be my vote, but am open to anything short of roadkill...”

“How long will the Friday thing go on? If I leave at noon, (and I don't get lost) I might make it between 8-9pm. It depends on road conditions too.

We went to Fossil Falls one year to watch the Leonids. Sat in the dark with our beers and had to fight of the kangaroo rats that were trying to drink our beers. One even ran UP and DOWN SnowDude's Leg!

Hey! that's my beer!

This guy was quick”

“My guess is we'll be back at campsite by 9:00, but maybe not. I try to control my partying the night before a challenging hike or I'll pay the price. I'm looking at Saturday as being a pretty challenging trek: snow-covered trail + high altitude + 3,000' gain right off the bat, + heavier than normal pack. WHEW!

I keep getting more & more jazzed about this trip for some reason...

Wanderer Jr & I just finished packing. We're bringing the new 4 season tent for a shake-down instead of the Bivy's, also bringing snowshoes which I think we'll need. Both of these add weight, he's at 34 lbs, I'm up to 42. I'm prolly doing overkill on clothing, extra food & other precautions, but I'm a paranoid, AR planner type...bringing all the snow gear, gaiters, gloves, etc.

Oh yeah...who has an alarm clock? I want to wake up for the Meteor Showers!”

“Did I say I was jazzed about this trip?”

“I'm thinkin' that I should get off work at 2:00 Friday, Ifn I'm lucky. I should be able to arrive at the campsite with the sun still up. I will try to find a place with several campsites located side by side.

Wanderer, I am with you, totally jazzed to be getin' out of town.”

“I was just looking at my map and noticed a spot called Homewood just north of Sugar Pines. I recall seeing some kind of pizza joint there.”

“Homewood is probably where the pizza place is. I haven't been there in a long time but with a ski hill across the street it would make sense. Sounds like we're all moving our departure times up (very cool!) and will at a minimum have some time to get together around the campfire, if not scarf some pizza.”

“Things are looking sweeet! I know these weather reports aren't worth much until the day before but it's looking petty clear with lows in the 20s and highs around 50 and not much wind. The ski cams show the snow melting fast and with warm temps I wouldn't expect to see much on south and west facing slopes...looks a leeetle muddy though ;-))”

“I'm all for mud instead of snow. Much easier hiking. I have the permits!

I'm pretty sure that the pizza joint I'm thinking of is in Homewood. I know it by site only.”

“Looks my pack will be tipping over 40 lbs. with snowshoes and water. I'm probably overkilling the weather gear too, but it beats an epic. I don't have an alarm clock or even a trail watch...keep holding out for one of those Suuntos ;-))”

“Heheheh! Worked it so I can leave at 10:30 Friday. I might make it for pizza!”

“Oh heyall fire y'all, sorry for the lack of introductions, but one'a you guys or gals needs to give me a call ASAP! Rockbuck I've e'd you my tele#, so please call me. Slim chance of my attendance here, so I needs to land me a permit and directions, trail and road outa Sactown. Wanderer in case my profile here ain't been updated yet, my new e-addy is cayak@prodigy.net, please e me your tele# or allow me to e ya mine .... we needs to talk. As I've inquired to rockbuck already, I have no snowshoes, so I needs to borrow some, or does REI rent'em? OK now don't get all gooshy on me y'all, I can only go if my wife don't have to work Saterday, and we won't know that tom or Fri, so keeps ya's fingers crossed plz!

But just in case fate tickles my fancy, I picked up a map today and know all the trail routes (unless they're revised I guess). I'll just need some road dir's is all. Now I've had one or 2 miles of the East pass under my feet, but this is the first time I'll have frollicked in the Sierra's, so I just might have some gear ??'s by the time I talk to someone (hopefully Thurs).

I may not know 'til Fri if I can attend, so where's the best place for me to have a permit reserved out of for someone to pick up for me...., or can I pick one up for myself very early Sat morning???

Thanx everyone, here's to wishin!!”

“Nekkid!!!! Welcome home boy!! You just got me to post on this crazy site and then ran off and left me to it! Glad to see you.

Can you teach these folks how to talk while you're out there?? LOL”

“Damn, I wish I could go with y'all.. I'm actually headed up that way, but my dad's in town (from Phoenix) and we're driving back the same time you guys are up for pizza! I think. If not, we'll depart here Saturday morning, but still, I'm real tempted to hand him the keys, say "I'll meet you there", and get the gear ready!

Damn.

Have a great hike, people!”

“Naked ape, This is what I got so far. I'm just tagging along here.

DIRECTIONS
I-5 north to Sacramento, Hwy 50 east out of Sacramento until you get to the south Lake Tahoe area, take Hwy 89 north until you get to the Sugar Pines Campground

SUGAR PINES CG is right off Hwy 89 (in Tahoma) with the entrance marked by the typical beige/brown sign. It might be hard to see in the dark
so if you get to Homewood you've gone about a mile too far.

Wanderer: white Toyota Landcruiser with a weird-looking roof-rack.

tahoe: green Ford Ranger with overhead lights.

Snow Nymph: black Toyota 4Runner w/snowboard racks

What else do you need?”

“Nekid Lives!”

“nekked ape, getting here is the easy part.
From Sac. just take 80 east up thru the mountains to Cal Hwy 89 South. The sign indicates "South Lake Tahoe". Head south (that would mean taking a right onto hwy 89) on thru tahoe city (take a right at the intersection in town) from there it is about 10 miles to Sugar Pine Point state park. It is on the right side of the road.

The vehicle descriptions are all in this thread.”

“It kills me to be reading this trip planning going on in by backyard and me not going. But it does sound cold and wet.

Have a great trip and I hope to join a Tahoe/Desolation trip this spring.

Obi - Foothill Cafe in December????”

“http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/11/13/meteor.storm/index.html

pepperDog or anyone else: You could dayhike with us and do part of the trip, and go back to a warm bed at night?? Or just come for the pizza?”

“Thanx for all the fab info CA ppl, just got the green light, my dearest can watch the little apes instead of having to work. Yeahh!! Snowgal, I cain't make it Fri, but will swing thru very early Sat morning, where I can pick up my permit before 8 a.m. summers around Placerville.

I'll be in a Tarheel blue Subaru Legacy, a regular ole boxedcar lookin thang with a TN tag. Me and rockbuck are keeping tabs via tele, so I'll hear from him Fri, and again on Sat morning. If I cain't hit the road super early Sat morning, I'll sholy catch yuns shortly down the trail. Rockbuck'll keep me posted on any changes of plans.

Thanx baby and others for the welcome, gots me a brand new 'puter, ta heyall with'at old'un!!! Yun's know all them ECT'ers will wanna full report on you Westerners ..... hehehe.

After this Deso trip, I'll have this 'puter fully up and runnin, er, I mean that my better half will have it fully runnin. Then I've a whole lotta catchin up to do, I'll start a welcome nekid back thread then.

Dayum I shore missed y'all! Oh yeah, speakin of lil apes, they's another one a'brewin right this second, but I'll gab more about that after the Deso trip. Til then y'all'll just hafta ponder....”

“Welcome West young man! This is where the REAL hikin' takes place YAAAAHOOO. Rockbuck called me & said you'd hooked up, so you should be OK. He was supposed to tell you I have a permit for you...you won't have to stop. Also, from Sac I believe Rte 50 is closer than taking I80 to where we're going... I'll send you an e w my contact info.”

“Things sound like they're coming together, don't ya just love it!?!?! Weather is looking great for the meteor showers and temps 20s to 50s, and wind from 10-20 possibly. Still kind of a tough call on the snowshoes, I can guess anywhere from 1 to 2 feet of snow in certain areas, or possibly just some patches here and there, hmmmm...”

“If it's only a couple feet of snow, I'm leaving my snowshoes in the car, just make sure you have gaiters. Any squabbling, it's from last years group, but remind them we were then postholing thru waist-deep snow, not just a measly 1 or 2 feet...this trek should be a cakewalk (WE HOPE ! !)”

“Did I say I was jazzed???”

“Obi, just read your pst. We'll miss you man, catch you next time. The intent of THIS trip is for everyone to gear up for the February Frozen Fanny trip, so you can join us then for GOOOOOOD TIMES!”

“Tonight is the new moon, so our Leonid viewing should be great!

My pack is 33 lbs (add 4 lb for snowshoes if I have to carry them). Kewl!!!”

“Have gaitors, will travel. Thanx on the permit deal wanderer, got your e, might give ya a hollar tomorrow. RB called and tolt me about that permit, but I had just ordered mine. I figger'd that I'd keep mine, just in case there was a last second guest who could use your spare.

I guess tomorrow I'll start packin up my stuff, hehe, uhh after playgroup I reckon'.”

“Oh yeah, this might be some silly, but I've noticed that I've the only car, any reason for that?? For any possible snow or ice on the back roads, should I get aholt of a pair of chains or something?? I do have a Forester, but I'm leavin that at home for the misses and kids.

Obi Wan, I don't wish to ukfay anyone's fambly plans, but wanderer has a permit with your name written aalllllll over it!!”

“Obi,
Come out and play!”

“This day is to long
I want to go out and play
Two o'clock grows near”

“There's no new snow in the forecast, but be REAL CAREFUL coming up Saturday morning - what is melting during the day is probably freezing at night making for real slick roads.

Yep, still an opening on wanderer's permit, and there's no quota this time of year so it's not too late to get your own and get in on the TT California Chapter's Astronomical Survey.

Everybody ready to rumble????”

“I'm outta here right now (for work) and will leave as soon as my temp shows up!”

“Nekkid, what Rockbuck said, but you should know a little more about CA. If you're headed over the mtns, either I-80 or Rte 50, and they declare that chains are required, you'll either sit waiting for the snow to melt, or, you'll have to buy chains in the spot and,as you might guess, you'll be ripped off big-time. It will save you a lot of $$ to buy them at your local K-mart or whatever instead of in the mountains.

Also, I'm not that familiar w the Forester, but if it's 4WD, you'll also be OK w the law without chains.”

“I love 4WD, my chains are still in the box, the checkpoints just wave me on.”

“10 minutes & I'm outta here! (bouncing in my seat)

See you guys tonight!!!!!!!!”

“All you folks have a ball and stay safe....wish I was going with ya.
Were doing a overnight training for SAR near Lassen...we assign teams of three, then take one pack away from each team before they leave to find their location on a map.......it's going to be a long night.

Looks like the sky should clear for the meteor shower!!!!!!!!!

Again...have fun, stay safe”

“The countdown: 3hrs 10 min.”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“Did I get It ?”

“2' of snow - I wish, I'm ready to start ski'n, I've got my season pass now where the heck's the snow. Most places received about 6" on Monday and nothing since. There is a chance of a dusting tonight. I'll be heading up 80 tomorrow and will pitch a tent on top of Grouse Ridge to take in the Leonids.”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“Two hours and 10 minutes.

I wanna go now!!”

“Sweep.. sweep.... sweep those boring FAVORITE threads out of the way..”

“55 minutes- The count goes on.”

“You see, I did get it. I'm sooo smart”