Recommendations on truck camping areas in No./Cent. Sierras

[pezvela]

Although I lived in southern Cal for most of my life, I was almost always going up on the East side (Lone Pine, Bishop, Lee Vining, etc.) because the drive times to get to trailheads and campgrounds is so much less.

This summer I want to visit some of the routes that I have only briefly been on. Specifically, I am interested in any forest service campgrounds/dispersed camping/BLM areas adjacent to the following routes:

-SH 96 through Klamath NF (actually the Coast Range, I believe)
-SH 70 through Plumas NF
-SH 88 through El Dorado NF
-SH 4 through Stanislaus NF
-SH 108 through " " (especially the area where the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River turns so. of 108, below the pass)
-NF areas around Kings Cyn/Sequoia NP

It appears that I will be traveling this area in the month of October, from north to south.

Our preferred activities are Light-moderate day hiking, fishing (especially in streams/rivers) and boating on lakes than ban large gasoline engines (for the solitude).

We do love to dry camp/boondock more than anything but the convenience of campgrounds is nice every week or so. We're not big on camping in National Parks because of their restrictions on dogs on the trails (not allowed).

Can you guys and gals help me out with any suggested areas?

F350 diesel, 4x4, w/Lance 1030.

[profdant139]

There is a well-known boondocking zone (not a secret!) in Big Meadows between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. There was a big fire in the area last year -- I am not sure if all of the forest roads have reopened.

[Buzzcut1]

Hope Valley off 88 on Blue lakes road. Dispersed camping along the West Fork of the Carson River, No power boat on Blue lakes or Red lake

some nice late season Fly fishing

https://youtu.be/zCye2cgsIaA

[pezvela]

the bear II wrote:
I really enjoy two areas in the western Sierras.

Shaver Lake area... lots of hiking trails as well as a few 4X4 trails. It will be cold and possible snow in October or it could be perfect weather in the day time.

Sequoia area... We usually stay at Sequoia RV Ranch in Kaweah (Three Rivers) but have stayed in the natl park and in Kings Canyon park. Lot's of hiking and fishing.

I once hiked with a group from Red's Meadow (east Sierras) into Yosemite Valley. That was a great 10 day hike.

Thanks for the tips.

I did a similar hike where we started in Tuolumne Meadows and hiked to Red's Meadow. Amazing scenery, topped only by hiking up Whitney from the back side (Cottonwood Pass, Rock Creek Drainage, Crabtree Meadow/Lakes, Whitney Portal).

[pezvela]

Dang, unfortunately I missed them, before they were removed.

[cewillis]

Well now (or then) you've done it, Jefe - given away all those great locations.
(but I won't tell anyone else)

[Naio]

I'll send u a pm 🙂

[jefe_4x4]

Pez,
I've trod many routes in the Central and Northern Sierra with a truck camper. Go to my Trip report page above for details. Also here are some links to SerNev trips that don't appear on my trip report page. http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21972932.cfm

[korbe]

Most all the FS campgrounds within Plumas NF are fine. October can get abit cool. I will use the National Forest websites to locate and describe the CG's, and then zoom in on Google Earth to see how it actually looks.

[the_bear_II]

I really enjoy two areas in the western Sierras.

Shaver Lake area... lots of hiking trails as well as a few 4X4 trails. It will be cold and possible snow in October or it could be perfect weather in the day time.

Sequoia area... We usually stay at Sequoia RV Ranch in Kaweah (Three Rivers) but have stayed in the natl park and in Kings Canyon park. Lot's of hiking and fishing.

I once hiked with a group from Red's Meadow (east Sierras) into Yosemite Valley. That was a great 10 day hike.