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profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2015

Trip report: boondocking in Sonora Pass in a trailer

We just got back from ten days in the Sonora Pass area of Northern California. Despite the 26% (!!) grade and the hairpin turns, we had no trouble going either up or down, and we were also able to tow the trailer (very slowly) over the rough forest roads to a good campsite overlooking the McKay Creek area and Leavitt Peak.

Here is a link to the blog entry -- lots of pictures:

Sonora Pass Trip Report

The trip report is way too long to reproduce here. (I know some folks prefer not to have to click on a link to get to trip reports, and I apologize for not duplicating it.) As a consolation prize (and an "appetizer"), here is a photo of the view from our campsite:



(Someone once commented that the way we set up our "cocktail hour" chairs looks like a Cialis commercial. I can assure you that no endorsement is expressed or implied -- that is just the way we have always set up our campsite.)

In all honesty, I should add that for those of you with trailers, Sonora Pass is not an ideal boondocking area, unless you have a very short trailer with great ground clearance and a truck that has a tow rating at least double the weight of your trailer. But this area is perfect for truck campers. And we saw almost nobody boondocking, even though this was in late June.

If you go, bring plenty of water -- it is a long drive to the nearest campground. And be prepared to hang your trash in a bag from a tree branch -- there is no trash facility within a half hour, either. And no cell coverage. But that's ok -- it's boondocking!!
  • The road into Leavitt Lake has always been a high clearance 4x4 road. The torn up road is due to people with 2 wheel drive trying to get up there. I've pulled several vehicles out of that dry creek bed about half way up, who had high centered themselves.

    Every fall the area is inundated with hunters. My off road club spends time every year cleaning up their hunting(boondocking)camps.
  • Cal, September would be a great time -- the aspens will be changing and the mosquitoes are dead!
  • profdant139 wrote:
    Korbe, the camera was on a tripod with a 12 second timer. There are many funny shots of me running awkwardly, almost getting back into the shot when the shutter snapped. They make these remote triggers where you just click a button from wherever you are and the camera will take the shot -- no more running! Plus it gives you a lot more range than a 12 second sprint. I really should invest in one of those things . . . .

    And a toast with the red solo cups......perfect. Thanks for sharing.
  • That's a outstanding trip in a really pretty area. I may come back that way in Sept. I remember once being 'run off the road' by a cattle head up that way (in a sports car at the time). Beautiful pictures, especially the night shots. I agree with you 100% that links to TRs are perfectly fine.
  • Korbe, the camera was on a tripod with a 12 second timer. There are many funny shots of me running awkwardly, almost getting back into the shot when the shutter snapped. They make these remote triggers where you just click a button from wherever you are and the camera will take the shot -- no more running! Plus it gives you a lot more range than a 12 second sprint. I really should invest in one of those things . . . .
  • Another fabulous trip report and another "Thanks for sharing" comment from me. That flat tire story ought to scare away the unprepared masses, of which I am one. Good to put in a plug for Ted's; they helped me out once, too.

    Great definition of "through" hiking!

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