where to camp in 07

[fulsizjeep]

This thread is open to all discussion regarding where to camp in 2007.

KOA - site 47D is definitely the spot for groovy fireside discussions and various consumption. Another thought is to reserve the front area again like we did in 04. That happened because we started our setup too late and the Aspens were taken already. But it turned out to be a good place to hang out. It is also known as the G Spot. This area covers cabin PA, PB & tent sites A thru G. It is outa the way. Plus you can see your fellow FSJers going and coming from the park. The KOA map is old and linked to thier site. There are more sites there now than ever before. That is another reason some of us who have been going there for several years are considering a second camp area. Plus good ole Joe, bless his wicked heart.

http://www.rver.com/images/parks/sitemap/1-20030901135941.JPG

Backcountry - Ironton area sounds good for a Backcountry spot, as Phil (Flatbuttdragon) mentioned. Eureka definitely is more crowded in the summer than a few years ago, but is also pretty easy to get to and central to many mining trails and Animas Forks. Another thought is somewhere along South Mineral Creek. That area has seen a growth in people using it as well. A thought there is easy access to Clear Lake for a night run any given night. South Mineral is located just north of Silverton off Hwy 550 to the West. FR 585 on the map below...

http://frontier.net/~mystkblu/06ouray/sanjuan.gif

So, let the discussions proceed... We are open to all ideas. :fsj:

[viscacha]

Yep the koa sucks but imo camping anywhere in Colorado at 6k el sucks. I try and camp around 9k at the least. I can’t say anything good about the koa except it’s a place to stay. The picnic tables are a piece of ****. There’s very little shade. Then there’s joe. I figure I pay $16 daily for the shower considering the campsite is only worth about ten bucks. I would stay in a hotel if I didn’t have a full load of gear from previously camping before getting to Ouray.

There are other places to wheel too. I’ve been looking at the Northrop area. That’s where the new, hip, fxj’s go and it sounds like a great place to wheel under the 14er’s, lol.http://www.dakotacom.net/~jeepster/tipshades.gif

[BRUTUS]

I just saw so many really cool campsites in my limited travels...

I really liked the sites going up Imogene and/or yankee boy. Nice sites that are reasonably close to town for gas and supplies. Also... there are the bathrooms (right below where I vaporlocked). The other nice thing is that when heading to other runs you don't have to go THROUGH town to get to them. I am not sure they are big enough sites for a GROUP such as ourselves. For that I would have to ask those with more experience/travels there... where is there a site large enough for most of the group?

Would anyone be opposed to camping at one site for 2 nights and then moving to another site for another 2 nights? Just a thought...

I also know that the $100 I spent on campsite alone could buy lots of agave juice! :D

EDIT: what about the spot that we all lined up and took pictures above corkscrew.... that would BE AWESOME! Huge site too! I figure we could just plan on one FSJ going into town each night for supplies... need something... hop in!

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6599/ouray06088smallqm3.jpg

[bigun]

Other than the first night did Joe ever come by after we moved to 47D?
I wasn't to happy with my spot last year but, I liked 47F this year. I can go either way enjoy the chance to take a hot shower at the end of the day but, with the trailer I am sure Craig and I can cover that problem also.

[fulsizjeep]

I get to see lightning maps of this area occasionally and camping higher than the treeline would be a bit risky, although beautiful and probably thrilling during a gully washer like the one we saw coming off Imogene Pass. :eek:

Camping at 9K like Steve says, it is cooler and shade is nice to have. We enjoyed the 30 Mile campground outside Creede as well as So. Mineral Creek where we were last year. That is the last site above the last organized campground at around 9500 feet. The Amphitheater above Ouray is around 8500 feet and we have stayed there twice. It is also a decent spot for organized camp area.

So, I don't know the Northrop area you mentioned. Please elaborate some Steve.

[Ralph Rogers]

Little slow here at work right now, soooo;
The shade and picnic tables are aren't an issue because I go to be at places other than where I am camping. Yes, shade is nice when I am there, but I try not to be there. The picnic tables don't matter that much as I only use them to eat at and cook on, which doesn't take that long, then I am in a chair, the Wag seat or in someone elses chair around the fire, but they are nice to have around.
I do, however, like the convinience of the showers and toilets and ice machine and water and the closeness to town. I can see camping someplace for 3 days with no facilities if that's what I was there to do, but a week is a little long for the family.
I view going up to Ouray as a vacation, to see wondrous places, good drives and good folks. Camping with no facilities is what I do here all the time. And face it, there isn't that much "4-wheeling" to be done anyways.
I was a little peeved ( OK, peesed off) about being bugged about quite time being at 10:00P.M, then have a bunch of morons making noise at 6:00A.M. and the lawn crew at 9:00A.M. Not sure the noise would go away no matter where we camped though:) . Except, of course, we are not morons. So I'm partial to the KOA.

I thought Mineral Springs was a little too rocky for tents at most sites. Eureka is way too rocky for tents and is dusty from all the a-hole quad riders. Ironton would have similar problems with people driving by too.

The G spot looks good. Better if we can get Phil, and whomever else brings a trailer, to use spots 2 and 3 by the entrance, if they don't mind the traffic. Or we all don't mind the traffic for that matter.
I also think that moving the party to 47D was the best thing to do. And that back area kinda gives a place for ourselves, if all the spots are taken.
I also like the Ouray area and vote for keeping it there.
I think we should stay where we are/were.
Ralph

[fulsizjeep]

Hey KOA is really not a bad spot. Krista and I have camped there for FSJ gatherings 6 years running. There are shortcomings anywhere if you wanna pick at it. No, not yer nose. :rolleyes:

Here is an example of good fun we have at KOA (from 04 at the G Spot):
http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/burnmatt.jpg

http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/burnmatt2.jpg

[BRUTUS]

Maybe being far from the GREAT WALL of Ouray - that echoes so much as a pindrop - is a good idea. I still want to camp. Around northern Colorado... there are places to camp but you have to deal with everyone else around like a can of sardeans (?) like Ouray KOA. There aren't really many places to get away from the organized campgrounds like I saw on Poughkeepise and Imogene.

The more I think about it, it isn't really feasable logistically for EVERYONE to camp away from KOA. I am just saying that I AM 100% going to camp away from KOA next year. The option is out there for everyone.

[Jeepstress]

I wouldn't object to trying the G spot next year. Or even locking up the aspens again. The party spot was perfect this year. Very little noise escaped. Joe was a prick, but he'll prolly be dead next year. The G spot was nice because it was cozy and you could get a lot of tents in there. The only draw back was the distance to the bathrooms was further than the aspen spots.

[badaboom]

The G spot sounds real good :D

Although I feel if you can get a group discount and see about blocking
out a section maybe PA, PS, C, D, E, F ad G. CRAZY ??

[Heimeken]

Unfortuneately the KOA is the most adequate place to camp for what we do. More members can stay, cruize by or just come for the party.

I would someday like to camp at the bottom of poughkeepsie, right above the split on Engineer.

[bigun]

A couple of questions about this alternate sight.
!. What about parking? Because of the fuel situation ( for some reason the locals don't want to make any money) I have to bring the trailer also we may just trailer up next year. Tow truck has A/C and cruise control LOL.
2. Some one mentioned noise, every time we went by that area it seemed to be over run by crumb crunchers.
3. Shade the back area almost all the spots have some shade making it real nice.
4. Deer does the front area have it's own deer to watch?

[viscacha]

Well first off I’m LMAO. If there were no issues we wouldn’t be talking about it. Nathrop is where the co fest is at in Aug. I was hoping to go up there this weekend but can’t make it due to work. The campground is supposed to be just like the koa except the kop is a dump. I’ve never been to this place.
I’m interested in the amp thea at 8500. Got any pics?

http://www.chalkcreek-campground.com/findus.htm (http://www.chalkcreek-campground.com/findus.htm)


http://www.naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=136 (http://www.naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=136)

[Don S]

..

... Doris and I have camped and trailed all over the rocky half of Colorado. Any where there are several good trails close together camping near by becomes more crowded.
... All in all what we been doing at Ouray is the best in the world. It’s the coolest place to be in the hot summer, many trails and many things to do if your tired of the trails.

... There is a place at the southern trail head of Taylor Pass (south of Aspen and north Gunnison and Taylor Reservoir) with a very primitive camping area. It’s handy to Taylor Pass, Pearl Pass and Reno Divide. Not far from it is are the Passes of Cotton Wood, Williams, Tin Cup, Hancock, Black sage, Waunita, Old Monarch and Tomiche. Hotels. motels and supplies are not very handy but there is good fishing in the area.

... There are also primitive camping areas on Old Monarch Pass that are not crowded.

Have a good one and ;) “Jeep Jeep!” CUL.. Don S..

[fulsizjeep]

I know there have been campfire and offline discussions about changing actual location of the Invasion to another spot in the SW CO mountains in the past. I am going on the assumption in this particular discussion that the Invasion will stay in the Ouray area. If we truely want to explore other location options, I want to remind y'all that diehard members of CFSJA spent 3 summers exploring and scouting the Ouray area to come up with the current setting. It is true the KOA is the best of all options in Ouray. Ole Joe ain't so bad. Dave and his wife have accomodated us pretty well the last 6 summers.

The American trend is to put everyone who "camps" in RVs or at the least campers with hookups because that is where the money is for services. It is not just about convenience and luxury of a home away from home on wheels. And more people are seeking the outdoor adventures, even if they gotta bring the daygone TV with them. Then that brings on a whole new topic that ain't even worth wasting time on.

As for Ouray Amphitheater location and pictures... The pix we have are from our pre-digital days on 35mm. The camp ground was renovated and changed around in 2001 & 2002. So, any pictures we have would be out of reference. I would say more investigation is in order. I wonder if Ouray Ralph is reading any of this. Being a local, he could scout it out and offer some info. Phil or us are only 2 hours from there and could as well and is worth exploring further. When we did Invasion recon in 2000, we camped there and if I remember correctly, there were 2 or 3 other FSJ camps there that summer. We liked it. I am not sure how easy it would be to arrange a section of the campground for our activity. Reservations are done online through the services that manage most of the USFS campgrounds. It would take some correspondance with the local USFS office to see what could be done beyond the online reservations.

So, the floor is open. Any feedback from previous attendees is solicited and welcome.

[fulsizjeep]

A couple of questions about this alternate sight.
1. What about parking? Because of the fuel situation ( for some reason the locals don't want to make any money) I have to bring the trailer also we may just trailer up next year. Tow truck has A/C and cruise control LOL.
2. Some one mentioned noise, every time we went by that area it seemed to be over run by crumb crunchers.
3. Shade the back area almost all the spots have some shade making it real nice.
4. Deer does the front area have it's own deer to watch?

1 - That all depends on where it actually is. I thought about you Charlie, when I looked at the Chaulk Creek Campground map Steve linked us to. THEY HAVE PROPANE! :thumbsup: It is true the sites close to the trails we ride on are becoming more and more popular and saturated.
Eureka/Sunnyside area: The more I think and read, it is not desirable for "backcountry" alternate site.
2 - See last part of 1 ;)
3 - I think you are referring to KOA and you are right. The G spot in front offers shade too though.
4 - Yes, the wildlife area between the G spot and the Aspens is where most of the deer come in from. Same critters wander both areas.

[uglyjeepling]

but he'll prolly be dead next year.
Thats what I was thinking also...or hoping...is that wrong??!!

The G spot was nice because it was cozy and you could get a lot of tents in there.
LMAO! I may be interpreting this wrong. :D


Me being a newly ex rookie I dont know the other areas but... I believe that the Aspens area of the KOA is gonna be our best bet. I mean, there is something to say about not having to hear the traffic(being from Front range i want to get away from that at all costs). The site 47D was an excellent place to gather for secluded debauchery. :D The ground is nice and soft for people to pass out on, as we found out. :cool: I wouldnt mind having the site again and hosting I am usually one of the last to go to bed anyway. As far as going somewhere else totally, some convenience goes a long way when camping for more than a couple days IMO.

I guess I would love to hit up on the G spot I just dont want a the people driving by to get jealous. :p

BTW, I hope that they dont try to stuff more tent site in the Aspens, it would then start to be way too crowded.

[fsj1978]

Just a quick question with all the talk about passing out, partying, tequila, etc... Sharon and I attended in 2002 and nobody was drinking out on the trail, I hope this is still the case, as we're pretty much planning on attending in '07.

[bigun]

Just a quick question with all the talk about passing out, partying, tequila, etc... Sharon and I attended in 2002 and nobody was drinking out on the trail, I hope this is still the case, as we're pretty much planning on attending in '07.
Nope all drinking is done at camp after the trail rides are over.

[fsj1978]

Good deal. I'll have to keep an eye on this thread so we can show up next year with Herculies now that he's mobile again, and our little pop-up trailer.

Looking forward to it as we had an enjoyable time in '02 even with all the vapor lock type problems we were having which ***SHOULD*** be taken care of now.

[fulsizjeep]

Affirmative on NO drinking on the trail. Well, in 02 my sister was pulling on her Jim Beam as we went over Calif Gulch, but she said it calmed her nerves cuz she is deathly afraid of hieghts. She was riding shotgun with me in Wally and left claw marks in the arm rest on my Tuffy box and inner door panel. <yikes> I would not want to drink above 12000 feet anyway. Would probably fall flat on my face in the skree rock after one beer. DOH! I am a cheap drunk anyways...

[SVO42]

I don't know about cheap, Flint--I don't know how much you had to get to your state that night. Trying to keep up with Phil? :D

I don't know much about camping around the area, but Joe was pissing me off. I'll agree that camping for more than a couple of days without a shower sucks, and real toilets were nice, but I hate to go camping and be surrounded by RVs. I worked at a RV dealership for 2 summers in high school and don't want to think about it when I'm trying to relax. It's a hard decision. I like to get away from it all, but I know sometimes concessions have to be made, esp. when families are along. If it is KOA again, I would definitely want to split a site to cut down costs.

Hijack: Any ideas of timing for next year? We said we wouldn't be able to make it, but we might be able to if it's the week of July 8th-14th. Our friend is getting married in Glacier Nat'l Park in Montana on July 7th, and we have been thinking we would come down to CO afterwards! BethAnn and I had a great time, Joe or no Joe.

P.S. I'll try to get those pics tomorrow, Flint.

[HOOT]

KOA is nice for leaving all your gear behind while gone for the day. I would hate to see what would happen to an unattended camp site on the trail.

Joe is a pain. KOA works for me though. What about one of the other camp grounds in the area? Maybe down at the Lake north of the KOA where we stayed.

As far as the time of event somewhere near the end of July works for me again. Good time to get away from work for me and getting up for the Hillclimb in MT again.

I'm all for staying in that region of CO for more wheeling.

[Serious Johnson]

... I would not want to drink above 12000 feet anyway. Would probably fall flat on my face in the skree rock after one beer. DOH! I am a cheap drunk anyways...

Yep; best to swap-out yer jets above 10,000. It's a simple procedure involving a pocket knife & super glue. If you must have it done professionally, just go into any local bar and ask for the "Leadville Tuneup".

Regarding event timing: I never could figure out why so many folks want to visit the high country during our monsoon season. Late August/early September is a lot drier, with fewer lightning encounters, and the snow's generally not that deep yet. Besides, most of my relatives from back east will have gone home by then and I might even get a chance to play.

S.J.

[fsj1978]

So what has Joe done that's got everybody so put off?

[flatbackdragon]

[quote=SVO42]I don't know about cheap, Flint--I don't know how much you had to get to your state that night. Trying to keep up with Phil? :D

In order to maintain my CDL, I pretty much gave up drinking years ago, I like it at times but usually a beer or 3 a month is excessive for me amymore. I must say tho, my lower back injury did not hurt very much that night!:p and thanks for the blanket.

I'm not a big fan of moving every two days or so but it could be done, nice to have things set up and waiting for ya at end of day, 'specially with some of the times we make it back, moving kills some of the time you have and a lot of you travel quite a ways to get here, I'd like to see you enjoy the short time you have here. Trying to cram so much into a week is hard and even my employer lets us off for one week at a time, no-no to two weeks in a row, my gosh, will the co. go under if I'm not there for two whole straight weeks?!

1. KOA has its drawbacks, tis true. ='s and -'s to every spot we will use/choose.
2. Eureka, no way, too many using it almost all summer and there are several private lands close by that the owners come by and compain, worse than Joe. Does have bathrooms tho. When we camped below an old mine in the area (now there's a house on top of it!) the guy across the road complained about noise, said he'd call the sheriff, I told him I was from the area and had their number on speed dial and handed him the phone, he shut up and went home, we kinda kept the noise down.
3. Mineral creek campground-mostly full from Memorial day to Labor day but spots can be had, noise at night may be a problem.
4. Ironton park area- is becoming somewhat popular, not many as of now but more and more are looking to get away from KOA type places with their rv's/campers. Only drawback, no restrooms/showers. Our camper has both but are limited to water supply and dumping facilities, water can be had, most gray water can be dumped but sewage needs portable tank for disposal. Spose portapots could be used but thats an expense that would have to be worked out for those that use area. Usually do not have to worry about leaving camp while wheeling, so far people have respected property in our camping outings. For most part is unused most of the year, watch where you put your tents, rain runoff goes thru this area pretty good at times. Areas to put tents have shade and can spread out for privacy if needed.
5. Engineer/Poughkeepsie split- nice area, not big enuf for all of us I don't believe and traffic all day long. Nice area tho, we've used it. Good enuf for a small group tho, take your chances on it being open(like most places).
Another spot up Poughkeepsie, cuts off to right before the rock that Scott/Heimeken tried to climb, pretty big area, somewhat shaded for most part and mountain does the rest in afternoons. No restrooms/showers but could be set up for them easily enuf, large campers like mine won't make it but a small pop-up could make the trip both up and down ok I think.
6. Cayton campground- South side, bottom of Lizardhead Pass-Rico is several miles to the south-sometimes people camp there all summer long-dang fools don't have anything better to do?-nice shaded areas, outhouses, nice cool baths in the river, take your chances on it being open enuf for one let alone twenty.
7. Lizardhead pass- plenty parking spots to east of restroom/lookout spot.
camping going on all over this area from what I've seen driving by, would have to drive over and chk out real good for spots that we could use. Looks promising tho.
8. Ridgway Reservoir-north of Ouray/Ridgway-State campground, must have reservations, fills up quickly most years. Noise control by State Parks Rangers, like Joe only with badges.
9. Gunnison areas are good and cool, lots of camping to be had, not as crowded as Ouray/Silverton area. Some trails can be harder. most are not. Hoot would not have a problem here, no REAL dropoffs to pucker about. Nice climb from Crested Butte to Aspen area, SJ's place not too far, we need to get some of those mines open and running anyways with the price of gold as it is.

more later.

[Gambler68]

but Joe was pissing me off.

i couldnt believe he was reading you guys the riot act as you were trying to set up when you arrived (in the dark), that's why I was talking over him introducing myself :)

personally, i think we shoulda have been 10x LOUDER..

[HOOT]

[quote=SVO42]
Some trails can be harder. most are not. Hoot would not have a problem here, no REAL dropoffs to pucker about. Nice climb from Crested Butte to Aspen area, SJ's place not too far, we need to get some of those mines open and running anyways with the price of gold as it is.

more later.

I seen that Phil :D

Give Clyde a pat for me..

[SVO42]

You're putting words in my e-mouth, Hoot!

Ryan, Joe was fine the first night when we showed up, but Friday night was when he got us mad. BethAnn offhandedly mentioned the screaming child from the two previous nights, and Joe said he wasn't working then. The she said something to the effect of, "Well, it shouldn't really matter, everyone else is in their RV anyway." Joe didn't hear it all I guess, and said, "What?" BethAnn said "Nevermind." Then Joe got pissed off and stormed away to start reading everyone else the riot act. It was kinda funny. I guess he thought she said something about him.:rolleyes:

[fulsizjeep]

Joe was a pain because even tho he met us when he came around on Tuesday, he treated us like he never saw us before giving the details of what and what not, etc. Then he said he was off for 2 days. Maybe he had a white out while he was off. I dunno. I am sure he just thinks he is doing his job, but telling us the same ole same ole every night like we just rolled in is a PITA.

[ColeTrickle]

Hey KOA is really not a bad spot. Krista and I have camped there for FSJ gatherings 6 years running. There are shortcomings anywhere if you wanna pick at it. No, not yer nose. :rolleyes:

Here is an example of good fun we have at KOA (from 04 at the G Spot):
http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/burnmatt.jpg

http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/burnmatt2.jpg

Come on!!! We need more of this! I remember this conversation and many others!:drivin:

I'm still reading through everyones opinions, have an idea but I like the open and early discussion of it...:thumbsup:

[ColeTrickle]

Oh yeah.....LMMFAO!!!

[Jeepstress]

We locked up the aspens pretty good this year and having the party spot in the back really reduced the noise carrying out to the meadow. I wouldn't hesitate to try the aspens again. However, we may want to consider moving up to the front around the G spot. There are no RVs to bother up there (yet :rolleyes: ) and quite a bit of tent spots and a few kabins. I don't recall the road noise being bad, and it was fun to watch/listen to the rigs coming and going. I would suggest we try the G spot before we bail on the KOA altogether.

What is the camping situation like at Timberridge??? Anyone??

[RiverRat]

I can tolerate KOA if that's where the party will be... a bit expensive, and too many R.V.s, but showers and toilets are nice for anything longer than 3 days. I think sharing a site is the way to go for some of us (hint hint). That said, I am not opposed to primitive camping either, if that's what the group as a whole decides. It's therapeutic to go out and be dirty for awhile :D . I have to vote for the week of July 8-14 though, that's most likely the only time we will be able to make it :( . The party cove was nice and out of the way, I'm sure we bothered nobody, despite what Joe says. Also, this probably goes in the other thread but I really like Ouray for now, especially since I've only been wheeling there once so far! I had a blast, hope we can make it out again in '07. If not, then I guess Flint and Krista will have some visitors in mid-July :eek: .

[HOOT]

Hiya BethAnn, Alot of nice pics you took.:)

I think Flint and Krista need to get that FSJ(and occasional Exploder) campground going in their yard. Maybe they need a bathroom building stayover first. :rolleyes:
Then it would be party time:dancingbanana: :fsj:

That is except for Phil who prefers to :zzz:

[ColeTrickle]

If I remember right we had problems with KOA's sound ordinance in both spots :mad:

[Jeepstress]

If I remember right we had problems with KOA's sound ordinance in both spots :mad:

Uuuhhhmmmmm..... I seem to recall getting a visit from him one night because he said he could see the tops of our aspens illuminated by your white man fire. :p