How about we just head out to Niagra Rim trail developed campground but be prepared to camp in the middle of nowhere? (I personally prefer a middle-of-nowhere camping, though. ) Even if a site is available, we won't be too comfortable if our neighbors are very loud and acting crazy.

George... Are you planning to join this trip? If so, I'll pick up some firewoods to be cut... Josh, do you have a chainsaw?

Yep i'm planning for the trip but i'm not sure yet if i'll be able to go. I'll probably let you guys know tommorow if i'll make it or not.

Just bring the wood here in my place and we'll cut it. Thursday afternoon/evening will be fine.

I can head in whenever. If the group wants I will head out Thursday afternoon.(not sure where the trail head is yet, but I will mapquest it tomorrow). I don't mind camping in a sight or "primitive" I have a "Honey Pot"(portable toilet) as well. I don't usually bring it, so let me know if I need to.
My only vote would be to set up a camp for the weekend, unless this is the type of trail that doesn't let you do that(ie. start and finish far apart) If not that is ok as well.
Let me know if you guys want me to go in early, and XPLORx4 I would love the company.

XSAL, yes I have a chainsaw (have not used it in awhile, but I will fire it up tomorrow) I will plan on bringing it unless you tell me otherwise. I also have a Ca. fire permit, so now problem there.

Who all is going?

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2.
3.
4.


Casper

I'll get some "stumps" from my "firewood supplier" and cut them up as much as George and I can...if George is still going as of Thursday evening. If that changes, your (Josh's) chainsaw will be needed.

Who all is going?

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2. XSAL (Sat2Sun - 1-night camping...probably)
3.
4.

As much as I like camping & wheeling, I like my very comfortable bed to sleep in on Monday. :p

Who all is going?

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2. XSAL (Sat2Sun - 1-night camping...probably)
3. Bob+Wife+9YrOld (Sat morning-Mon noon)
4.

Who all is going?

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2. XSAL (Sat2Sun - 1-night camping...probably)
3. Bob+Wife+9YrOld (Sat morning-Mon noon)
4. Ken+GF (Sat morning-Mon). [Hoping you guys choose BRT.]
5.

So, how do I get to the trail head? I seem to not be able to find directions.
Thanks

Casper

Click here to see Google directions from Truckee to Dardanelle

Here\'s another map



Written directions

More trail maps

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2. XSAL (Sat2Sun - 1-night camping...probably)
3. Bob+Wife+9YrOld (Sat morning-Mon noon)
4. Ken+GF (Sat morning-Mon). [Hoping you guys choose BRT.]
5. XPLORx4
6.

Josh-

It would really awesome if you could get in there early, and nab the best site(s) (#7 at the end of the campground is best, followed by #6).

Depending on how many trucks we'll have, we may need both sites.

I'd be able to come and keep you company on Friday if someone can give my wife a ride up on Saturday AM.

Sounds good. I will be heading out Thursday(tomorrow) sometime in the early afternoon. I will try to get camp site #7. Should I go ahead and get #6 as well? Might be a good idea. I will be leaving my "Honey Pot" at home. If anyone wants to get a hold of me let me know and I will pm you my cell phone #.

And thanks for the maps, I could not figure out what town the trail was by, and "Niagara Rim" does not work on map quest :rolleyes: .


Casper

P.S. If you can't make it up Friday, know problem. I won't be TOO scared all by myself in the woods j/k

Do that only if it looks like the campground will start to fill up. If you get there and the place is dead, don't bother spending the $$ for the additional site on Thursday night. Also, you probably don't need to pay for the entire weekend at once. I think you can pay as you go.

There is a possibility that after we get there, if our campground "neighbors" are rowdy and inconsiderate, we may go for the "backcountry" option.

I appreciate your willingness to get there early.

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2. XSAL (Sat2Sun - 1-night camping...probably)
3. Bob+Wife+9YrOld (Sat morning-Mon noon)
4. Ken+GF (Sat morning-Mon). [Hoping you guys choose BRT.]
5. XPLORx4
6. SLOMatt+dog+?? (through sunday morning)

I'm 90% sure I'll be heading up. The plan is to arrive on Friday night (possibly on Saturday morning) and to head back down the hill on Sunday. Dean, are there any options for a night run? I want to try out the IPFs. Oh, and do you know if dogs are allowed in the campground?

- Matt

Matt! You're bringing your dog, eh? Well that should be fun! I hope Mini and your pooch get along!

Yeah, the campground allows pets but they "must be restrained on leash." :rolleyes: Uh huh. I guess how strictly we follow that rule depends on how crowded the campground is.

There are lots of possibilities for night runs. We can decide what to do when we get there.

Just checked the Pirates board for last minute up date on who there might be going into Niagra Rim. Looks like there may be a crowd. You're smart getting in early...enjoy!

Just ran across this site with some pretty good pics of Niagra. Looks fun!

I have seen the Pirates forum. They are a whole different crowd that I don't want to be around. Let's just find a place to camp somewhere other than the campground.

FYI, this location is not near the campground, it's on the trail. On this map the quoted location is at the intersection of the green and yellow trails to the left of Lions Butt "Playground". I'm not sure how many Pirate guys in the overbuilt buggies will actually use the developed campground, since their tow-rigs and trailers won't fit there. Plus, the hard-core stuff they'll be playing on is about 20 minutes' drive from the developed campground.

I do agree with you, though, that I don't care much for the behavior or attitudes of the guys who drive those super-built buggies. They're often inconsiderate, disrespectful, and think they own the trails. Hopefully they won't turn out en masse.

So I am still planning to head up tomorrow. I will get a camp site and if we decide not to use it that will be fine. You never know, they might be a nice group of people :rolleyes:
Anyway, I will also bring my "Honey Pot" just in case. I will check back here tomorrow before I leave(around noon) If there are any changes please let me know.


Casper

1. Casper (head in Thursday night to get camp?, out Monday?)
2. XSAL (Sat2Sun - 1-night camping...probably)
3. Bob+Wife+9YrOld (Sat morning-Mon noon)
4. Ken+GF (Sat morning-Mon). [Hoping you guys choose BRT.]
5. XPLORx4
6. SLOMatt+dog+?? (through sunday morning)
7. Jean and sis Di (Sat am to Sunday or Monday)

Hey Bob, shall I bring my BLUE kayak?? Thanks to your encouragement I finally got one.

You're kidding around, right? (There's no kayakable water nearby where we're camping.)

Really, none? Because I'd be willing to drive to a lake. I've brought my kayak on the truck while wheeling before, no problem.

Ken, you want to bring yours too?

Dean and/or Huey,
Is getting to the trail head/campground from the highway easy and well marked?

Dean,
Only way that I can think of for Connie to come to the campground on Saturday AM is to get a ride from George...if he's still planning to join the trip...and if George's driveway has enough space to have one car parked while his xterra gets by. ('cause George will be back to his home Sunday evening, and you guys will be coming home on Monday.) Or, if Matt is leaving Saturday morning from San Jose area. :rolleyes:

Josh,
Please bring your chainsaw...if you have the space for it. I still don't know what size firewood my friend can give me...until this evening. I doubt that firewood would be brought to the campground as ideal size to burn.

Ken,
It looks like the trip is being organized to go to Niagra Rim to me...

Hi Huey, good to hear from you. Niagara Rim is fine with me. There may be some sections I may bypass due to my lack of rock sliders. Looks fun though.

Gary (olebiker), wish you were headed this way too.

Robinhood (Steve), are you going as well?

Ken

It looks like the closest accessible lake is Beardsley Lake , about 1/2-hour drive from Niagara Rim, close to Strawberry . Could be a good alternative to off-roading, though.

Yes, see this link

What time are people plannning to leave? Should we do a caravan from Pleasanton?