Tips for Winter Camping

Winter Camping is great fun and a very exciting adventure. You must prepare yourself and your family for this experience. The tips below do not cover equipment. Any special equipment can be obtained at the outfitters listed on this web page. ( R.E.I. ; Mountain Gear & Sierra Trading Post)

A. Drink plenty of water to fight or avoid hypothermia because water effectively replaces all the moisture that was expelled from the body due to constant heavy breathing. Just drink water even when you feel you are not thirsty. The recommendation is one gallon of water a day.

B. At signs of an approaching storm, immediately put your rain gear on. Should you get wet, change right away to warm and dry clothing, because moist clothes will quickly suck heat from your body.

C. Remember to pace yourself.

4. Do more tasks than you would normally, because movement will generate body heat.

D. Following tips 1-4 and wearing clothing layers’, especially clothing that is polyurethane foam insulated will help you prevent frostbite.

E. Always listen and take notice of your body’s reactions. When you start to shiver, immediately do something in order to make yourself warm before uncontrollable shaking and numbness sets in. Take note that hypothermia occurs mostly in windy and wet weather with temperature ranging from “30-50 degrees F”.

F. Eat a lot of complex carbohydrates and do avoid food rich in sugar and starches.

Hunting for Waterfalls in Tahoe National Forest

( GPS Lat/Lon )

Tahoe National Forest is truly one of the most gorgeous places on earth. There are endless outdoor recreation opportunities in every season, ranging from snow skiing and snow boarding, to river rafting and camping. And there’s nothing like taking a hike up to a cascading waterfall in the warm months. There are quite a few waterfalls to choose from if you look hard enough.

If you’ve got the kids with you or you’re just looking for an easy day hike, check out a nice little one called Love’s Falls (Lat/Long: 39.58109N, 120.60712W). It’s located near Sierra City where you can also find the Pacific Crest Trail (a great hike in itself). Turn south onto Wild Plum Road off Highway 49 and you’ll see the trailhead about a mile down.

As long as you’re in Sierra County, you’ve got to check out Webber Falls (Lat/Long: 39.48405N, 120.39080W). This one is a beautiful falls, dropping around 50 feet at the end (the big drop is preceded by two smaller falls upstream). It’s a favorite spot in the spring for hiking and viewing the powerful water, and for swimming in the summer when the Little Truckee River is a bit tamer. You’ll really experience the beauty of the Sierras when you see this one.

In Placer County you can find several great falls along the American River. One must-see is Heath Falls (Lat/Long: 39.25083N, 120.40186W), which is especially stunning in the spring. Be careful though, this hike is not recommended for small children as it is quite strenuous. If you’re up to it (and you have a high-clearance vehicle), it is absolutely worth the difficult hike down the gorge to see this amazing sight. You can get there by taking the Soda Springs exit off I-80 to Soda Springs Road, then right onto Pahatsi Road. Continue past the Palisade Creek trailhead (stay right at the fork) all the way to the Royal Gorge warming hut where you need to stay left. Go another half mile to the trailhead.

Another strenuous hike is worthwhile to see the simply magnificent 1300-foot-high Wildcat Canyon Falls (Lat/Long: 39.19947N, 120.45607W) in Placer County. The trail that will take you to the best viewing point is an old mining trail leading down to the Walker Mine in Wildcat Canyon. It may take a bit of searching to find where the trail starts from Foresthill Road. I would recommend getting a good hiking book with detailed directions on how to get to this one; it is well worth it as long as you bring lots of water and good hiking gear.

If you happen to reside in Sacramento and want to get away with an easy hike to a pretty waterfall, I’d suggest Devil’s Falls (39.03906N, 120.89346W). It has been called the easiest waterfall to get to in the Sacramento area. It’s only about an hour’s drive out of the city and does not require that you step out of your car. From the roadside, you will see the bottom 40 ft. or so of Devil’s Falls. The total height of the falls is about 100 ft and you can see it if you head up the path from the road.

Again, there is no shortage of gorgeous waterfalls in the high Sierras. Best of all, there is a variety of difficult to easy hikes for every type of waterfall hunter. Take a nice Sunday drive with the family to get out of the city, or make a weekend of hardcore hiking with your buddies. Either way, the high Sierras have much to offer in the way of waterfalls.

©Ted McCaleb

Lost in the Sierra’s
Survival Store

We have had severe weather for the last week and another big storm is due in tonight. The snow levels will be around 6000 ft then drop to about 3500 ft. Most people in California don’t live in the snow. When they see snow on television the only thing they can think about is fun…… the fun of sliding down a slope in a toboggan and then gathering around a big fire to drink hot chocolate. People rush into the mountains with little or no thought and very little preparation. We see a news report of people or families lost in these extreme conditions on a weekly basis. This is a recent article in a newspaper of a family lost in the Sierras. You would think that with all this publicity that people would take care and take precautions to stay out of trouble. Well think again. Listed below are some suggestions to help you have a safe and enjoyable trip to the snow.

1. Leave accurate information with someone as to What, When Where and time you will return.
2. Do not depend on your cell telephone many places in the mountains the cell telephone will not work
3. Make sure you have tire cables or chains for your vehicle (Are they the correct size and do you know how to install them.
4. Emergency Kit in your vehicle

You could make up or buy one that fits your needs–some suggested items for your emergency kit are:

• MREs or packaged ready to eat food
• A Leatherman or similar combo tool
• Space blankets
• Water
• Emergency food bars
• Flashlight w/emergency flasher light w/extra batteries
• Shovel
• Fire starter kit w/water proof matches, a can of quick start
• Towing straps
• Small first aid kit
• AM Radio

A better suggestion would be go to the Survival Store.

They have a large selection of survival kits for different situations at a very attractive price. Be prepared and enjoy your trip.

We are having a  snow storm. Chains are required at 2,000 ft and above,  please check road conditions before you head to the mountains, if you do head out make sure you leave information with someone about where you are going,  the route or area you are going to and how long you expect to be gone.  Also check out my new link to great survival gear, its best to be prepared.

About 15 miles above Oakhurst California are some of the finest camping spots in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. These are the camping sites used by the locals, off the beaten path and are located in beautiful areas with ponderosa pines, incense cedars, giant sequoias and beautiful wild flowers. All are on creeks, with from about 7 to 18 camping sites per campground. All feature toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, note: none of these campgrounds have piped water for drinking. Bring your own or use a filtering system. All these campgrounds are on or very close to fresh mountain streams with swimming holes and good fishing. All but one are drive in-no reservation. Reservations are required for Soquel Camp Ground. (1/2 off if you have golden age passport)

1. Soquel Meadows: Elevation 5400 ft. Next to Willow Creek, all sites are along the creek. The area has a total of 11 camping spaces, hiking, fishing and exploring are some of the pastimes. If you can not get into Soquel then there is a free camping area just north of this camp ground along the banks of willow creek.

2. Fresno Dome: Elevation 6400 ft. No reservations (fee required) 15 sites next to Big Creek, good fishing and exploring or hike to the top of Fresno Dome Elevation: 7540 ft. There are expansive views of the Sierra’s, the San Joaquin Valley and on clear days to the Coast Range Mountains.

3. Big Sandy Elevation: Elevation 5800 ft., no reservations (fee required) 18 sites more of a challenge to get into and a little more remote. This camp located along the banks of Big Creek with good fishing for Rainbow, Brown and Golden trout.

4. Grays Mountain: Elevation 5400, no reservations (fee required) on the banks of Willow Creek, Swimming holes, hiking and fishing.

5. Nelder Grove: no reservations Elevation 5300, only 7 sites, on Nelder creek, giant sequoia trees that you can get up and personal, display of logging methods used to down these giant trees. Home of the giant sequoia tree, Bull Buck the third largest tree in the world. This is a free camping area. There are many free camping areas in this area up and down Nelder Creek. ©Ted McCaleb

The Sierras are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in North America, and there is no shortage of places to enjoy the outdoors to take in all their natural beauty. Popular hiking and camping locations offer plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family. These bustling places are easy to find, but can lack the serenity we crave from the Sierras simply because of the congestion of vacationers they attract.

Sometimes we’re looking for that hidden gem, that back country fishing hole where we can unload our tackle box, sit back and listen to the subtle ripples of a mountain lake, the friendly chirping of birds, the deep billows of native frogs. Places like these are kept secret, hidden from outsiders, for a reason… the locals don’t want the rest of us crowding their fishing holes.

Often only the locals know of destinations like these, and normally you’d have to talk with one personally to get directions. And yet even then, they may not reveal their secret fishing spots. I want to share a few of these spectacular fishing spots with you today.

One lake you must visit is Jackson Meadows. Tucked back in the hills just north of Truckee, Jackson Meadows is packed with kokanee, rainbow and brown trout. Many anglers find it difficult to distinguish the red-meated beauties found here from wild fish – just one more reason to love this glorious country. Jackson Meadows is not the most remote area; it’s a fair sized lake with sufficient campgrounds that may be moderately populated in the summer months. Yet it’s still considered a favorite by the locals.

Even more hidden is Catfish Lake, which sits just south of Jackson Meadows. You can even cast a line and snatch up a grayling, which are usually found in the cold Arctic waters of Alaska and Canada. There are very, very few of these legendary fish in the high elevation waters of the Sierra Nevadas. What’s amazing is they were never planted there. In fact, fishery biologists believe the grayling came from another lake higher in the mountains. You’re lucky to snag one of these beauties.

Be sure to bring your 4WD when visiting these spots and don’t bother running through the car wash before you go either. The access roads are not for city slickers, according to the locals!

For more information on these and other recreational lakes in the Truckee area, contact Tahoe National Forest, Sierraville Ranger District, (530) 994-3401 or fax (530) 994-3143. For fishing information, contact Mountain Hardware in Truckee (530) 587-4844.

©Ted McCaleb

California’s first ski resort, Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area, opened today for downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. The snow that arrived over the past 48 hours has given Yosemite skiers a new two to three-foot base for family enjoyment in the crown jewel of the national park system.

“The snow dances we’ve been doing the past week have finally paid off,” said Colin Baldock, Manager of Guest Recreation for DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Badger Pass‘ official concessionaire. “Wax up your skis and snowboards and lay the first tracks in the fresh powder. All of the slopes are groomed, the chair lifts and a handle tow are operational, allowing easy access to more than 85 acres of ski-able terrain.”

Whether guests visit Yosemite for one day or multiple days, new this year to the Badger Pass Ski Area are the following discounted winter packages:

Badger FUN Pass

One-day winter adventures in Yosemite may be enjoyed with the new Badger FUN Pass which is valid Monday through Friday beginning January 7, 2008. For one low price of $59 for adults and $39 for children ages 12 and under, guests receive a lift ticket, equipment rental for the activities of their choice, a ski or boarding lesson and one tubing session (a $93 value). Skiers can order online at www.BadgerPass.com and save and additional $10 on each pass.

Stay ‘N Play Package

Guests looking for a multi-day winter retreat may enjoy all of Yosemite’s great winter activities with the Stay ‘N Play Package. Stay at any of the Park’s lodging venues this winter and add a Winter All-Access Pass for just $29 for adults and $19 for kids. The Winter All-Access Pass is valid during midweek stays and includes a daily lift ticket, a one-day equipment rental, one group lesson, one tubing session, one ice-skating session and one valley floor tour (a $123 value). Guests staying four or more consecutive nights any day of the week (including weekends) will receive up to four Winter All-Access Passes for free.

Annual Park Pass Upgrades

For guests planning on visiting more than once this year, we are offering a free upgrade from the weekly park pass to an annual Yosemite park pass (a $20 value). There are two ways to qualify for this upgrade. Guests making new reservations for stays between now and February 29 for two nights or more can ask for this free upgrade. Additionally, guests visiting Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area can get this free upgrade when they spend $60 or more on activities and rentals.

The Early Bird Season Passes will be available for purchase at Badger Pass through the conclusion of skiing on December 21. Adults are $199, youths (13 to 17) and seniors (65+) are $169, and children (7-12) are $100. Children 6 and under ski free with a paying adult. Prices on December 22 will be $376 for adults, $376 for youths and $118 for children.

All-day lift tickets are $38 for adults, $32 for youths, and $15 per child. Half-day lift tickets are $28 for adults, $22 for youths, and $11 per child. Youngsters 6 years of age and under ski free with a paying adult, and seniors age 65 and older ski free midweek (Monday through Friday, non-holiday).

Food service begins at Badger Pass at 8:00am daily, with ticket sales for downhill skiing beginning at 8:30 for use until 4:00pm each day. Rentals and the world famous Badger Pass Ski School open at 8:30am, with the Sport Shop opening its doors at 9:00am.

The Cross-Country Ski Center is also open at 8:30am for those interested in taking advantage of 90 miles of marked cross-country ski trails in Yosemite’s pristine backcountry. Snowshoe rentals, cross-country ski lessons and the soon-to-open snow tubing area are also offered at the Cross-Country Ski Center. Two-hour snow tubing sessions will take place three times a day once its hill is groomed and will offer a fun and inexpensive alternative for non-skiers.

Founded in 1935, Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area enjoys the distinction of being California’s first ski resort. Badger Pass is the gateway to some of the most beautiful vistas in the High Sierra, offering five convenient lifts and spacious groomed runs for downhill skiers and snowboarders, in addition to snowshoeing, snow tubing and cross-country ski trails.

The Yosemite Ski School was established in 1928 and has trained generations of first-time skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers. Private and group lessons are available daily, with specialized instruction for kids (four to six years old) participating in the Badger Pups program. Babysitting is also available for potty-trained children ages three to nine.

For online lodging reservations and information about Yosemite Ski & Stay packages and the new Winter All Access Pass, visit www.YosemitePark.com or call 559-253-5676. For 24-hour ski conditions, call 209-372-1000. For road and weather information, call 209-372-0200.

Favorite Lakes in the Sierras

When you’re camping it’s always nice to be near a lake. Not only does the water add to the beauty of the experience, but it also gives you recreational options. At most lakes in the region you can camp, hike, swim, ski, fish, boat, and more. Many of the lake campgrounds offer full RV hookups as well as dry camps, and even lodging for those of you who like a less primitive experience. A few favorites in the Sierras include Gold Lake, Bowman Lake, and Donner Lake.

Gold Lake is one of the most scenic lakes regions in California and is part of the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. It offers fishing, camping, and hiking. Snowmobiling is the main access in the winter months along with cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

Bowman Lake offers great camping, hiking, and fishing as well. Near here you can hike along Grouse Ridge Trail, one of the best hikes in the Sierra Nevada foothills. There’s also a great waterfall called Bowman Lake Falls which is about 80 feet high and cascades beautifully down large granite rock. Getting to Bowman is quite a long drive, so camping there is usually the way to go. Make your trip at least a couple days so you can experience all that Bowman Lake has to offer.

Donner Lake is one of the most magnificent lakes in the Sierra Nevada foothills and offers lots in the way of recreation. In July, there is a wonderful Independence Day fireworks display above the water. At Donner Memorial State Park there is camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking. In the winter there is cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Be sure to check out the Emigrant Trail Museum and the Pioneer Monument. The memorial sites were built to commemorate the determined members of the Donner Party and others who emigrated to California from the east in the mid-19^th Century.

All three lakes are prime destinations for family recreation in both the summer and winter. Find out more about these high sierra lakes at http://www.parks.ca.gov .

©Ted McCaleb