Fall Colors at Rock Creek Lake

“Probably won't do dinner there, I'm feeding 4.

Michael, you've done too many shows...you need a break!”

“you can count me and Bex (calipidder) in for the dinner/reservation count - sounds great to us! We're planning to crash somewhere north of mammoth thursday late, hit some hotsprings for breakfast, and then hit the dreamers and show up at rock creek by noon or early afternoon.”

“you can count me in for dinner on Friday night. I'm going to take Friday off - I think I'll check out the leaves in the South Lake and Sabrina Lake area on Friday during the day - might hike up to Chocolate Peak.
last edited: 9/15/05 11:24:39 PM”

“WW - where's your photography show?”

“Squaw Valley”

“This sounds like so much fun. We'll be in WA state that weekend, but thinking of you guys and eagerly awaiting the photos.”

“I'll miss dinner- work in the way (AGAIN!) but will see y'all late Friday or early Saturday morning.”

“Dang work.”

“I'd like to get there by 3pm on Friday, but travelling with two toddlers...I just want to get there in one piece!

I've been having a harder time getting around these past few days. I hope I can hold together until after the trip.

Just ordered a North Face bag from REI for my youngest daughter so we are all set! I can't wait!”

“WW-
We'll miss ya if ya can't go, but we'll see ya on the next one....that is if you aren't too famous by then!! ;)
Continued success with the photos! -Sooz”

“I'm heading up Monitor Pass and Ebbets Pass this weekend to see how the colors are doing... Might even make it down to Bridgeport, if I think my freshly-repaired Jeep will take the trip! I'm anxious to see how the colors start changing! I came across a remarkable little area north of Leviathan Peak (Monitor Pass) that was rich with color last fall, but couldn't hike out to it because of a slow-healing back injury. I'm anxious to get back out there this fall!”

“Doug,

Please sign me up for the Friday nite dinner reservation!

Thanks!

Tiocampo (AKA Frank)”

“Hi Doug,

Can you please count me in for dinner too? Thank you so much.

Maria”

“I did Boundary Peak on Saturday - fall colors are starting up in that area. I think the colors will probably be great at Rock Creek in a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah, us too for dinner. That's Songbyrd and Hubby (Ducksbill)”

“My friends just got back from car camping at Rock Creek on Saturday....they said the last two days they were there which would be last Thursday and Friday that they saw some color change, they said it was cold in the mornings & had ice along sections of the trail”

“Friday 6:00 pm Dinner at RC Lodge. Okay, I'm going to make reservations tomorrow.Let me know if I missed anyone, we can always make changes.

Doug
Wingding
Calipidder
Bex
Tiocampo
Maria
Songbyrd
Ducksbill”

“Thought I'd add a quick view of fall from my 2002 trip.


http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3740701”

“Doug,

# of people is right for us, but Bex and Calipidder are one and the same. I (David/drunken marmot) am also in for the dinner. Can't wait! Hope there's as much color as in your link. Cheers, David”

“Thanks for sharing your photos. They're beautiful!

maria”

“Well son-of-a-gun, the aspens aren't turning ALREADY are they?”

“Hey tiocampo, I just saw your proposed Pioneer Basin/Second Recess loop trip! WOW! That looks really cool... looks like some serious pass crossings towards the end. I'd be interested in this trip if you're looking for partners. I like hardcore adventures. You probably don't remember me but I met you one evening at the Sacramento REI (I worked there at the time) and mentioned how I very much enjoyed your website. But that was like 3 years ago or so. I was the extremely good looking guy in the green vest? :^D Kidding, that's just what my wife said BEFORE we got married.”

“beautiful pictures Doug”

“Doug takes freaking amazing shots. Friggin' @#$%@#! awesome shots. It pisses me the right off, the little #$%#@@ son-of-a-muthuh kiss-my-@#%@&!. No, I'm not jealous. Whew! Okay, I feel better now. Take care.”

“Those photos of Doug are so beautiful, I have no words...I'll be scared to post my photos now :-o

maria
(please don't look in my webshots anymore) :-))))”

“Wow!!! Doug you have a beautiful portfolio...great eye!”

“don't forget to write down the combination for lock at the gate to the campground just incase it's locked. The combination for the locked gate is 4-4-8-9.

If campers forget combo lock #, call 1-888-448-1474”

“Doug,

Your photos are beautiful! A pleasure to view!

FRF”

“Hi Buck! I do remember meeting you at the Sacto Expo REI. I was flattered that you had seen my web site. I think you influenced me to buy something major that night, which has turned out to be especially useful ... my Sub Kilo bag! Terrific for summer backpacking. This trip, however, I'll bring my vintage 1975 REI Backpacker down bag. Still in great shape, rated to 5 degrees, but I've been comfortable to 10 below.

It will be a pleasure to meet you, along with everyone else.

As for the Pioneer Basin-Gabbot Pass-Cox Col loop trip, I'm thinking that would be best as a late season trip, such as August or September. This year would have been great. Let's link up and try for it next summer. This coming trip, I'm thinking about a dayhike up Little Lakes Valley, to check out Cox Col from the east. The Mt. Starr climb is tempting, but I'm interested in visiting the approach to Cox Col. We'll see.”

“I hear the Sierra got a dusting of snow at the higher elevations.”

“actually, more like a foot of snow above 13,000 feet”

“So now this is going to be a winter trip?

Cool!”

“Bring yer shovels!”

“My kids would absolutely love to wake up to some snow! Just got my daughter's new sleeping bag yesterday.

Now if I can just remember where I put my headlamp...”

“snow line is about 10,500 feet in the Sierra but it can melt off fast this early. Anyway it's still above the campground area.”

“WooHoo Snow! so long as it doesn't mean the leaves fall off before we get there. Frank, I'll join you on the little lakes/Cox Col hike, haven't been in that way before.”

“Dinner Reservations - RC Lodge 9/30

Just Checking cause I suck at this, reservations are held by credit card and there's a full charge for no show's. Also they add a 20 percent tip charge for groups. My question - is that okay with everyone, or would it be better if we individually call the toll free number at the lodge to reserve ( 877-935-4170) That way anyone can reserve or cancel up to 3:00 pm on the 30th. What do you think?

The List:
Doug
Wingding
Calipidder
Tiocampo
Maria
Songbyrd
Ducksbill
David”

“Individually is probably a better idea...I imagine we can figure out seating when we get there. Cheers, David”

“Friday Dinner at RC Lodge

Okay, we're all on our own to survive, I mean make dinner reservations.
Just call the toll free number at 877-935-4170.

They have giant tables, so first one in just grab a table and we'll find each other.
Dinner is served at 6:00 pm, if you get there early you can get a glass of wine or hang out on the deck and look for bears.

-Doug”

“I think you influenced me to buy something major that night, which has turned out to be especially useful ... my Sub Kilo bag!

That wasn't "influence", that was carefully planned "coercion". What looked like an innocent recommendation was really highly skilled customer-intimidation learned from years of REI sales training. Keeeding. I love the Sub Kilo. I have one myself.”

“Or by another name "Salesmanship".




Hey Buck, I own a car lot and an Insurance Agency. Would you like to come work for me?”

“Buck, I have one also and have always been a bit miffed that it's not as warm as my Campmor 20 degree mummy. Also was talking to Wannabp this past weekend and she stated that hers seems to be loosing its loft. Also she stated that a friend of hers returned his beacuse it had lost its loft after 5 years. Any comments on this? Was there a bad batch?”

“OK then...
For Saturday night dinner we are bringing enough pre-cooked pork ribs for all. These will be the best ribs you will ever eat. Our special recipe from the south. Also, veggie cabobs unless someone else is bringing veggies.”

“The Sub Kilo is rated at 20 degrees but I would put it more like 25 degrees. If someone tends to sleep cold I don't recommend that bag. The new Sub Kils have women-specific versions, and the women's bags are much poofier. Mine never did have great loft to begin with. If you want sweet loft you gotta go with the 800-fill Marmots. But I still love my Sub Kilo for July-August backpacking.

If you wash the bag with a down soap and dry it in a circular drier at low heat, you could probably get much of the loft back.

Hey Navi... I previously sold insurance and I'll probably be getting back into within a few months. I hafta start making "real" money again now that I'm married with a kid on the way and a wife who wants to stay home and watch Dr. Phil.”

“Buck - at least the wife isn't watching Jerry Springer”

“LOL w/ wing!!!!”

“I am bringing beef kabobs and steamed rice for saturday's potluck.

maria”

“Baked beans with bacon is what I will bring to the potluck. It is good for making tent music!”

“So, Buck, should I wash and dry my Sub-Kilo?”

“I had a $200 REI gift card, and was gonna buy a Marmot Arroyo. Buck pointed out that none were in stock at the store, but one could be ordered. And, oh, by the way ... this here REI Sub Kilo is pretty light as well, and its on sale for half the price. I used the difference to buy a Tikka head lamp and something else. The Sub Kilo has had some issues ... down migration, etc. But it has been OK now for 3 years on sierra trips, and it'll be back next year. Not perfect, but no regrets.”