Father's Day

[daniel banquo merrick]

So my daughter wants to take me camping for Father's Day which means I have to decide where to go, do the planning, buy the food, pack the car, set up the tents and probably drive. My son is working but my wife wants to go. The pocket dog will go too.

The girls don't climb although they are good sports when it comes to easy top roping. The dog only weighs 5-1/2 pounds and isn't up to too long of a hike.

So, any suggestions on a place to camp? A swimming hole would be nice if it is warm enough. A place hike would be good. They, like me, don't really like campgrounds. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. A nearby water source is nice if it doesn't bring too many mosquitoes.

20 years ago when I first took kids camping I used to have a fantasy that someday they would do all the prep and all I would have to do is rise up off the couch and get in the car to go camping. I've come to the conclusion that it will never happen but that's OK, as long as my peeps are happy, I'm happy too.

[susan]

Though we adore them exactly as they are, sure wish we could indulge our fathers this way if only they didn't prefer country clubs and their own backyards to the wilderness.

Quick answers are Lost Eagle or Cassidy or Mammoth Pools, and you might be able to get a pretty good breakfast or brunch at the Wagner store if they are open by then. Or make a stop at Jones store if nearer there. Except that this is in a campgound, there is a nice camp in the Sweetwater Campground uphill from MP, though i dont know how the mosquitoes would be for sure. I thought the stream by the camp moved well everytime we have been there. We took a meandering ride once by Strawberry Mine, and there is nice camping by a stream. Tho not sure how far from tr'ing you would be out there. Probably pretty far.On my phone now but could provide more detail if you are interested in any of these. Presuming you are talking of car camping rather than hiking in somewhere.

[DaveyTree]

Courtwright is great. Camp anywhere once you pass over the damn. Awesome hiking all over the place. Plenty of places for TR or bouldering. The lake is right there but a little chilly.

Black Rock Reservoir is an awesome spot. They have camp grounds but no one ever goes there. You get to see Patterson Bluff on your way up and your can TR One Pitch Wonder or boulder in the same area. Hiking around the lake is cool. If you don't want the actual camp ground, there is a sweet spot off the road, before the lake on a knowl just above a stream that is perfecty flat and shaded almost all day by huge pines. (Directions if you want them)

Fresno Dome is hard to beat as well. I like to camp at the Dome parking lot. You have streams on both sides with TR and bouldering and a cool hike to the top of the dome for non-climbers. Once in the lot, drive right and through the cut out huge pine that fell over winter to the camping "areas".

[daniel banquo merrick]

Great, thanks for the ideas.

Susan:
By Cassidy do you mean the Cassidy trailhead on Granite Creek? That might fit the bill.
Lost Eagle is a great place and the creek is hard to beat.
Wagner's has cabins and a cafe which is tempting - makes packing easier. Might be hot down there but I can sit in the shade and send the girls to the store for cold beers.

Daveytree:
I've never been to either reservoir and it would be good to go scope them out. Pretty long drive I think. Black Rock might be hot but Courtright is higher and probably much cooler. Fresno Dome is a good one, my wife has never been there and I think my daughter was about 6 last time I hiked her to the top.

Let me know if anything else comes to mind.

[John]

Cassidy Trail is on Granite Creek. There is an old pack camp near the trailhead that is kinda neat with weird benches and tables but it is not on the water but you could easily hike to the creek from there.

Mammoth Pools sounds miserably hot and I believe is technically closed for deer migration until the 16th. The deer have their big party that weekend.

Strawberry Mine area is really nice and quiet and the Balls are pretty close.

[mike a]

chilkoot lake area is good, if you got a 4x4 easy to camp right at the lake.

[susan]

Cool, I have not yet seen the lake there, just a dry lake bed yet. Must get out there soon.

Wow, liking all the other suggestions too, Daveytree.

One problem with some of the places we've stumbled on is garbage left behind. Usually a little clean up is all that's needed, but there has been a mess or two so big or horrible it's spooky.

[susan]

The worry about the campgrounds or MP is that you will be among RVs and crowds. The campsites have been filling up lately since Memorial Day weekend, and I imagine Sweetwater could fill up fast but I've not seen that happen yet. John can confirm about Cassidy but what you say sounds about right to me. We can pm you more info.

[daniel banquo merrick]

I think I'll go for the Cassidy trailhead and see how it goes. I can take the girls to the creeks. They like to hike and the trail might be interesting. I haven't been there so hope I find a good campsite. The girls don't like campgrounds so I have a pretty good chance of getting it to work out. A PM or email with any specifics about where to camp might help. Stop by for a few beers if anybody is in the area.

[John]

Email sent. It is awesome out there at Cassidy you guys will love it.

[daniel banquo merrick]

This weekend's trip is off since my wife has to work. Perhaps next weekend.

[susan]

Too bad but hope you have a nice weekend anyway and get back out there w/them next. Maybe you can ask for them to fulfill your dream of having them pack everything for next weekend and make a list for them to go by?

[mungeclimber]

http://www.sierranewsonline.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3795%3Alightning-sparks-fires-on-sierra-national-forest&Itemid=578

was going to be smokey anyways.

[daniel banquo merrick]

Looks like I am headed out there this weekend. My daughter is definitely going, my wife is probably going and the puppy will go if my wife goes. They don't climb but I hope to do some exploring. Here's a photo I took from someplace around Squaw or Disappearing Dome. I see three things to check out. The center dome in the creek I know about. I don't know what the dome on the right is called but I recall hearing about people climbing there. There is also a slab visible farther away to the left but it looks pretty low angle on the map. Let me know if I'm stepping on any toes here.

[susan]

Looks good, Dan! Whenever in view, that A-shaped formation sure draws my eyes. Never my toes yet though.