Forest Camping
Opens for Memorial Day Weekend
Sonora, CA (May 23, 2007) ... The Forest Service today announced that
most Stanislaus National Forest (NF) campgrounds and picnic areas will be open
to accommodate visitors and campers for Memorial Day weekend. Due to lower than
normal snow pack at higher elevations, Forest visitors will find 52 developed
campgrounds offering 1,391 campsites open and available early this summer.
Open campgrounds, picnic areas, and dispersed, undeveloped camping areas will
provide an extensive array of recreation opportunities spanning the entire
Forest this season. Forest visitors are encouraged to contact local
Ranger
Stations for current information on changing conditions, and the best places to
camp.
California State Highway trans-Sierra routes over Ebbetts Pass Hwy 4, Sonora
Pass Hwy 108, and Tioga Pass Hwy 120 are all open. The Old Priest Grade and
corresponding section of HWY 120 are clear and open for vehicle travel.
Information on State Highways can be obtained by calling the toll-free CALTRANS
road information phone line at (800) 427-7623.
Information
Outdoor recreationists are encouraged, before heading out, to contact
Stanislaus NF ranger stations for the most current information on camping,
roads, and trail conditions. Forest information, recreation maps, campfire
permits, wilderness permits, and personal use fuel wood permits can be obtained
at all Forest offices. Forest Service Offices will also distribute copies of the
latest Stanislaus Traveler, the newsletter that offers the full scoop on
Stanislaus National Forest vacations. Additional recreation opportunity
information may also be obtained by visiting the
Stanislaus National Forest
website.
Camping and hiking
Forest conditions vary by elevation and current weather patterns. Campers,
hikers, and backpackers should expect to find the snow level beginning at
approximately 6,000 feet, with some snow pack and isolated drifts in shady areas
and on north-facing slopes, with partial snow coverage on slopes above 8,000
feet. Most Forest developed campgrounds at lower, middle, and higher elevations
are open.
Some recreation sites are closed for reconstruction and renovation, or remain
inaccessible due to road conditions. Donnells Vista on the Summit Ranger
District will be open for the 2007 season. Although Lumsden and South Fork
Campgrounds are both open and accessible, the Lumsden Bridge Campground on the
Groveland Ranger District remains inaccessible by vehicle travel from both sides
of Lumsden Bridge due to road conditions.
Developed campground availability depends primarily on the day and time that
visitors arrive. Most campgrounds are operated on a first-come, first-serve
basis, and are filled to capacity by Friday afternoon. Campground fees range
from $6.00 to $19.00 per night, with the largest group sites ranging up to $65
per night. The maximum stay in most campgrounds is 14 days, with a 21-day
maximum stay per Ranger District.
A small number of campgrounds offer campsites by reservation through the
National Recreation Reservation Service, telephone (877) 444-6777, or on the
Web. Reservation campgrounds include Pinecrest Campground
and Pioneer Group Camp on the Summit Ranger District, Big Meadow Campground and Lodgepole Group Camp on the Calaveras District, and a number of campsites in the
Dimond O Campground on the Groveland Ranger District.
Undeveloped, or "primitive", camping is permitted at dispersed camping sites
throughout the Forest. Visitors arriving on Saturdays are encouraged to check
with Ranger District offices for suggestions on the best "pick your own"
undeveloped camp sites. Fees are not charged at dispersed sites, and visitors
are required to obtain a free campfire permit for a campfire, gas stove, or
bar-b-cue.
Visitors are also required to camp at least 100 feet from rivers and streams,
and pack out all litter to keep the Forest clean. This year the public is
encouraged to adopt a “Pack it in, Pack it out, Pack it home!” plan to help
reduce impacts to developed camping areas, and to maintain dispersed camping
areas and other dispersed sites where no trash pick-up services are provided.
Trail conditions are icy in places
Some snow and ice still covers portions of hiking trails in the Emigrant,
Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses. In areas where trails are partially
open, the conditions are wet and muddy, with stream crossings somewhat swollen
by snowmelt, with icy conditions in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Hikers are requested to delay use on muddy trails until trail surface conditions
become dryer and stabilize. This helps to prevent resource damage.
Even during early summer, some higher-elevation hiking trails will have snow
in patches and drifts, with icy conditions in mornings and evenings. Due to the
lower than normal snow pack this year, high elevation trailheads will be
accessible earlier in the summer as the remaining snow melts. Hikers should be
equipped and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions due to afternoon
spring and summer thunderstorms. Once trails are open, stock users are asked to
follow “weed-free” practices before arriving on Forest, and when traveling in
Wilderness.
Early summer water runoff conditions exist
Although rivers and streams throughout the Forest will be running at lower
levels this summer due to this year’s lower than normal snow pack, visitors are
asked to always exercise extra caution near watercourses during the late spring
and early summer months. When recreating near rivers and streams, remember the
following:
- Always keep careful watch over children near swift water—at all times!
- Always watch footing near slippery, snow-covered stream banks and river
shorelines.
- Always avoid hopping on slick rocks or slippery logs across strong
currents.
- Always wear a life jacket when fishing in swift water, especially rivers.
- Always avoid using any raft or kayak on swift water, especially if
inexperienced.
- Never attempt crossing high water over downed logs—they are extremely
slippery.
Never attempt to cross fast-moving water—the currents are stronger than you
think!
Forest roads are fragile due to wetness
Forest roads at elevations above 6,000 feet are generally open to travel, but
wet conditions are present, and storm damage exists in some areas. Visitors are
asked to adjust their driving to current Forest road conditions, use defensive
driving techniques, and stay alert for storm damage including boulders,
rockslides, slumps, and washouts.
Driving on soft, muddy, saturated un-surfaced Forest roads can easily cause
deep wheel ruts resulting in road damage and potential soil erosion. To provide
for safety, protect vital access routes, and care for the land, visitors are
asked to stay alert, exercise care, and adjust their travel on Forest roads to
accommodate road conditions. Traveling on drier roads helps to reduce
maintenance costs and protects forest resources.
Motor vehicle travel is permitted up to 100 feet off the road and established
travel ways for direct access to woodcutting, provided that no resource damage
occurs and that such access is not otherwise prohibited. Damaging roads and
causing damage off roads is a violation of federal regulations carrying up to a
$5,000 fine and/or 6 months in jail.
Maps showing Forest roads, brochures displaying trails open to off-highway
vehicle use, and pamphlets explaining outdoor recreation opportunities are
available at Forest Service Ranger Stations. Proper and responsible use of
vehicles is encouraged so that Forest roads remain in good shape for the next
visitors. If travelers find they are causing wheel ruts on muddy, un-surfaced
roads, it’s time to back-track and look for drier areas.
Campfire permits are required outside developed campgrounds
Lower than normal rainfall and snow pack has resulted very dry conditions at
lower to middle elevations. Conditions will soon turn tinder dry in the summer
heat. Fire danger is expected to increase early this year, especially at lower
and middle elevations, as the summer wears on and days become longer, hotter,
and drier. Forest fire officials are this year urging visitors to exercise extra
care to prevent their campfires and bar-b-cues from causing accidental wildland
fires:
- Always obtain a Campfire Permit, where required, and carefully follow the
permit terms.
- Always clear away all flammable vegetation to bare mineral soil 5 feet
around campfires.
- Always extinguish all campfires and briquette bar-b-cues—drown them with
plenty of water.
- Never build a campfire under overhanging tree limbs or near brush.
- Never build or maintain a campfire on a hot, dry, windy afternoon.
- Never leave a burning or smoldering campfire unattended—not even for one
minute!
Always be sure your campfire and briquettes are out, dead out, before leaving
camp.
Campfire permits can be obtained for free at any USDA Forest Service or
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection office. For more
information on outdoor recreation opportunities, call (209) 532-3671, or visit
the Stanislaus National Forest
website.
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