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Death
Valley National Park
January 8-13, 2008
Join our Palm Springs Chapter in Death Valley National Park
at Furnace Creek Campground. Campers can go for the entire trip or a
shorter period.
There will 4x4 touring adventures including the Racetrack. Those with
other vehicles will have many opportunities to explore the park too
on the paved roads.
For more details click
here
Quartzsite,
Arizona
January 18-20, 2008
Originally little more than a stage stop and way station on the California-Arizona
line, Quartzsite, a small town of 1900 residents, plays host to several
hundred thousand visitors in January and February each year. The majority
of these part-time residents arrive in recreational vehicles of every
kind and style.
Located 17 miles east of the California-Arizona line on either side
of Interstate 10, Quartzsite at the height of its show season is one
of those places RV’ers and Campers should visit at least once
in their travels. Yes, it's crowded and traffic is horrendous, but to
join the throngs of RVers and Campers out in the desert and experience
the shows is a phenomenon not to be missed.
Many RVers and Campers return year after year. Not only is desert camping
inexpensive, there are other draws as well. History is evident: Patton
trained troops in the area, Hi Jolly's grave commemorates the army's
experiment with camels in the 1850s, and evidence of mining is plentiful.
In addition, there are ghost towns to explore, along with stone cabins,
petroglyphs, and intaglios. Intaglios are gigantic human, animal and
geometric figures on the desert floor.
The Camping and RV area we will use is a free area. It is free BLM
camping land because there are no toilets and Showers. Showers are available
in town for a nominal fee. You can walk or ride bicycles to the main
events. 4 wheeling is a must for adventurers. There is plenty of room
for hiking and interesting sites to hike to or in.
You need to bring the essentials and water. We will participate in a
large pot luck being held by several Gay RV clubs. Entry cost is only
the cost of a dish to share.
Shopping for everything under the sun – new and old. So bring
your coins. Some do take plastic. It is a great place to purchase gifts
for friends or family.
Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can help you find
our camp.
For More Details: e-mail Lou
or call 323 663 3886.
Salton
Sea Adventure
March 14-16, 2008
Come visit the beautiful Salton Sea the best time of the
year. The prevailing North East winds blow across the campground and
over the sea.
We will have treed spaces for tents and RV’s. The campground is
the Mecca Beach campground. Located 30 miles south of Indio on highway111.
This is a easy 3-hour drive from Los Angeles down highway 10 to 111.
Come explore a lost oasis, hike in narrow canyons, visit the slab city
and hike by the Sea. Perhaps visit the volcanic action at the mud pots.
There is plenty of adventure around the Salton Sea.
We have 10 campsites for both tents and RV’s. Each site has trees
on both sides. So there is mottled shade. It is dry camping for RV’s
but there are showers and flush toilets at the campsite. There is a
sanitary dump and water available at the park just north of Mecca.
For Complete Trip Notes and Registration: click
here
Questions: Contact Lou
or 323.663.3886.
.
Trip Recap: The Salton Sea outing was a wonderful
event! The weather was perfect for our adventures to the two Oases found
in the desert. The Oasis with the pools
was the favorite. These were old Fish farm ponds that have long been
abandoned.
You would have been in your glory if you were a bird watcher. The pelicans
offered the best fly by all day long. There was a designated leader
and a sweep with everyone in between in perfect line. We all gathered
for the pot luck dinner on Saturday sheltered from the wind by Ron's
large 45' motor home.
There were 30 campers for dinner and the food presented was terrific--a
real Gourmet delight. The adventure to the Bat Caves, the ruins from
the devastating past flood at Bombay Beach and then slab city were the
highlights on Sunday. We packed the days
with lots of adventures and hikes. It was perfect. Come join us next
year at THE SALTON SEA. I'll be back.
Outdoor
Experience 2008
Phase I - April 12-13
Phase II - April 25-27
 You're
invited to join us for THE OUTDOORS EXPERIENCE!
Conducting oneself amongst nature is the basic intent of Great Outdoors.
What you know about hiking skills, camping equipment, and the wilderness
environment, can make your outdoor adventure much more fun--and safer
too!
Perhaps you'll never need some of the skills we'll teach you, but it
never hurts to be prepared for things unexpected. Not only will you
learn about keeping warm, choosing a campsite, and making water safe
to drink, but you'll be taught minimum impact camping techniques so
that you leave the natural environment for others to enjoy as well.
A portion of the training covers group management and GREAT OUTDOORS
leadership skills. Each student will be provided with their own training
and reference manual.
The basic program consists of two valuable weekend sessions. PHASE ONE
(April 12 - 13) is mostly an indoor weekend held at a cabin site. PHASE
TWO (April 25- 27) is an outdoor camping weekend. The two sessions must
be taken in order, but not necessarily in a single year. Another option
is to take only the first day of training. Completing the first day
of Phase One will provide participants with DAY HIKE LEADER CERTIFICATION.
After completion of the entire program, you'll receive FULL TRIP LEADER
CERTIFICATION, a certification patch, wall certificate and certification
cards. When supplemented by the Red Cross Basic First Aid Coarse (taken
on your own), you'll be certified to lead others on both weekend and
day trips. It is also strongly recommended that CPR be taken independently
For Complete Trip Notes and Registration: click
here
For Additional Questions: Contact Mario
or 562 431 4760
Joshua
Tree National Park
April 17-20, 2008
 This
year as an ALL Chapter event, we invite you to join us on a camping
and hiking adventure to Joshua Tree National Park.
With its strange but fascinating plant life, balanced boulders, scenic
hiking trails and spectacular night skies, Joshua Tree has become a
Great Outdoors staple.
We will be camping at the Black Rock Campground, high in the foothills
of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Each camp site has a picnic
table and fire ring just right for bonfires. There are also flush toilets
and water. No showers are available so bring your favorite sun shower
and deoderant!
We have reserved two blocks of individual campsites (49-52 & 54- 60).
Each site can host two tents, two cars and up to six people.
For Complete Trip Notes and Registration: click
here
For Additional Questions: Contact Carlos
Red
Rock Canyon Campout
May 16-18, 2008
Join us for a weekend in this beautiful desert canyon, near
the southern tip of the Sierras and 25 miles north of Mojave (last stop
for food and gas). These weather worn cliffs have provided the backdrop
for many movies and are perfect for hiking. The little town of Rand
is a short drive away with its active mining operations and little shops.
This "close in" car campsite set up against dramatic cliffs has
potable water and a bathroom at the adjacent ranger station. Red Rock
Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular
rock formations. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the
Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso Range. Each tributary canyon
is unique, with dramatic shapes and vivid colors.
Historically, the area was once home to the Kawaiisu Indians, who left
petroglyphs in the El Paso mountains and other evidence of their inhabitation.
The spectacular gash situated at the western edge of the El Paso mountain
range was on the Native American trade route for thousands of years.
During the early 1870s, the colorful rock formations in the park served
as landmarks for 20-mule team freight wagons that stopped for water.
 About
1850, it was used by the footsore survivors of the famous Death Valley
trek. The park now protects significant paleontology sites and the remains
of 1890s-era mining operations, and has been the site for a number of
movies.
Camping: Camping in the park is only allowed at Ricardo
Campground (RVs, tents, trailers, vehicles). The campground is tucked
up against the base of dramatic desert cliffs, with 50 primitive campsites,
potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and tables. Bring your own firewood,
or purchase it from a ranger or at the visitor center. There are no
RV hook-ups or showers.
For Complete Trip Notes and Registration: click
here
For Additional Questions: Contact Dan
Pt
Mugu State Park Car Camp
June 13-15, 2008
Point Mugu State Park is located in the Santa Monica Mountains
and has five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches,
and sand dunes. The beach features swimming, body surfing, and surf
fishing.
Only about an hour from greater Los Angeles, the park also has rugged
hills and uplands, two major river canyons, and wide grassy valleys
with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnut trees. There are more than
70 miles of hiking trails.
Campground Information
We will be at La Jolla Group Tent site near the beach area. The site
has flush toilets, one indoor shower, outdoor sinks, and a ramada for
shade. We are allowed only 16 vehicles so carpooling is highly recommended.
You must register at the Thornhill Broom campground and then they will
direct you to park at the group site on the other side of Pacific Coast
Highway.
RV’s must make their own reservation at the Thornhill Broom campground.
RV’s are not allowed at the group site so you will be on the beach
side and can join us for all the activities.
There is a convenience store 8 miles from the park. The park is 13
miles south of Oxnard on Pacific Coast Highway
Activities
Friday
Arrive any time after 2 PM and set up your tent. Dinner is on your own
with campfire at sundown.
Saturday
There will be an organized hike on Saturday morning. You will need hiking
boots, a day- pack, water, the ten essentials, and a sack lunch.
Traditional Tea at 4 PM.
The Great Outdoors potluck dinner will be at 7 PM. Dinner will be followed
by a beach walk and/or campfire activity.
Sunday
Breakfast on your own and relax by the beach until check out time at
12 noon.
Other sites you may want to explore on your own include Leo Carrillo
State Beach further south on Highway 1. Those driving up the coast on
Friday night wanting to get dinner on the way might stop at Neptune’s
Net Seafood, 42505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, for a rustic roadside
eatery that serves all kinds of seafood with porch side picnic tables
that overlook the ocean. Just don’t be surprised by all the motorcyclists
who gather there.
For Complete Trip Notes and Registration: click
here
For Additional Questions: Contact Bob
or 323 660 6240
Rafting
on the American River
June 28-29, 2008
NOTE: Trip is sold out!
The Middle Fork of the American River is a collection
of the pristine waters flowing from the Granite Chief and Desolation
Wilderness areas. Long considered a Sierra classic, the Middle Fork
flows through miles of densely forested wilderness canyonlands of the
Tahoe National Forest.
During the Gold Rush the Middle Fork was one of the most popular areas
in all of California. Miners flocked here by the tens of thousands from
all over the world, seeking their fortunes in gold. In 1889 the miners
actually constructed a tunnel through the hillside and diverted the
entire river. The resulting dry river bed was reported to be one of
the “richest diggins” ever. The resulting tunnel provides
us with one of the most unique adventures in rafting.
This run gets its popularity from its consistent water releases and
the ever-present challenge of the famous Tunnel Chute. Despite these
man-made entities this run is definitely a wilderness experience. Isolated
from civilization, the river carves its way through steep canyon ridges
with notorious eyeopening and adrenaline-pumping rapids like Last Chance,
Sidewinder, Cathedral, Kanaka Falls, Chunder, and Ruck-A-Chucky Falls.
Several creeks offer the chance of a side hike, swimming holes, your
own piece of paradise, and the chance to see an abundance of wildlife
such as eagles, bear, bobcat, otter, and giant native trout.
Everything is included in the price of this trip.
For Trip Notes: click
here
Additional Questions? e-mail David
or call 805.340.2449
San
Gorgonio-Dry Lake Backpack
July 11-13, 2008
Day one of this challenging, scenic, backpacking weekend starts with
a 7-mile trek through beautiful pine forests with a 2,200 foot elevation
gain, to our campsite at Dry Lake. Here, Mt. San Gorgonio’s imposing
presence helps prepare us for Saturday, which for the hardy includes
an optional trek to its 11,500 foot summit. The 4.5 mile ascent is a
seemingly endless series of switchbacks. But the view and feeling of
accomplishment (or is that lightheadedness?) make it all worthwhile
Our Campsite
We will spend two nights at Dry Lake campsite. This is a primitive campsite,
set among pines, with a view of Dry Lake (a small, seasonal lake, which
may, indeed, be dry by mid- July) and Mt. San Gorgonio. There are no
toilets or piped water at this site. There is a seasonal spring to filter
water.Bears may visit our campsite, so food and scented toiletries,
must stored in a bear canister. The campsite sits at 9,100 feet above
sea level. We can expect warm, sunny days, cold nights, and a possibility
of afternoon thunder showers, so be prepared.
Trip Notes and Registration: For more details on this
great adventure click
here
For Additional Questions: e-mail Timothy
or call 323 913 3386
San
Simeon State Park
Mid-Summer Jamboree
SOLD OUT!
July 17-20, 2008
Our All Chapter Summer Jamboree will be held in San Simeon State Park
this year. As an added bonus, we plan to tour Hearst Castle as part
of the trip.
The park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System.
The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed
views of the ocean and rocky shore. The park includes the Santa Rosa
Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Pa-nu
Cultural Preserve which were established in 1990.
A 3.3 mile trail runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve
and the Washburn Campground. The trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop
benches and interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat.
A portion of the trail along the seasonal wetland is wheelchair accessible.
Santa Rosa Creek Preserve is an area which includes valuable riparian
forests and coastal wetlands, that provide habitat for endangered Tidewater
Goby. San Simeon Natural Preserve consists of vast wetlands, riparian
areas, and several undisturbed native plant communities including unique
mima mound topography. The Preserve is also the wintering site for monarch
butterfly populations.
The 13.7 acre Pa-nu Cultural Preserve contains the most significant
archeological site within San Simeon State Park. The site has been dated
to 5850 years before the present, and it contains significant evidence
documenting prehistoric technology, subsistence practices and social
organization.
Complete trip notes and registration for San Simeon:
click
here
For Additional Questions: e-mail Mike
or call 562 533 1577
Mammoth
Campout at Pine Glen
August 7-11, 2008
It's a great time to be in Mammoth! Join us on our third
annual trip to Pine Glen Campsite #7.
There are close hikes in the Lake Mary region, even boats to rent. Sierra
hikes are available by tram from the ski area such as to Agnew Meadow
and the Devil's Postpile. You can take an aerial ski lift ride to the
top of the mountain and mountain bike. Or just hang out at the campsite.
Other possible activities include exploring the tufas at Mono Lake and
touring Bodie Ghostown.
And the more ambitious hikers may want to do the 22-mile round trip
hike to Thousand Island Lake. Perfect for backpackers. You can start
and finish your trip at our campsite.
For Complete trip notes and registration for
Mammoth: click
here
For Additional Questions: e-mail Dan
 Grand
Canyon National Park
September 17-21, 2008
Join Great Outdoors Inc. as we take an adventure to the Grand Canyon!
We will be camping at the South Rim in Mather Campground. A spectacular
place, Grand Canyon is described by all the superlatives, great, magnificent,
awe inspiring and unforgettable!
Our campground is located in Grand Canyon Village. We have reserved
two group sites 004 and 005 in Sage Loop. Coin operated showers, laundry
and a grocery store is located near by in the village. There are plenty
of places to eat as well!
Trip
notes for the Grand Canyon:
Registration
form for the Grand Canyon:
For Additional Questions: e-mail Brian
or call 805 407 9001
 All-Chapter
Camp Out
at Silverwood Lake
October 17-19, 2008
Great Outdoors will be holding its end of season all chapter camp out
at nearby Lake Silverwood, located 11 miles east of the 15 freeway in
the Cajon Pass.
This fun filled weekend includes hiking on part of the scenic Pacific
Crest Trail, and biking around the lake. There is also a variety of
water sports at the nearby marina such as swimming at the beach, fishing,
and skidoo and boat rentals.
Our group site accommodates tents and RVs and has picnic tables, BBQs,
fire rings, flush toilets, and showers. There is also a small store
at the marina. The price is super low ($20 for members/$30 for non-members),
so this is the perfect excuse to enjoy one last all-chapter GO weekend
outing for 2008!
A potluck will be held on Saturday night so you can feature your favorite
dish and enjoy great company. The LA Chapter will provide the table
cloths, decor (of course!), beverages, plates, and utensils. After that
we’ll enjoy a campfire and a movie under the stars. The LA Chapter
will also host a traditional Great Outdoors "tea" on Saturday
afternoon.
Campers can either enjoy a full day of activities on Saturday or sit
in on the annual meeting of Great Outdoors officers and delegates as
they elect corporate officers and plan the all-chapter master calendar
for 2009. This is a great way to see your volunteer officers at work.
For more information about Lake Silverwood, visit their web site at
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=650
or call them at 760-389-2281.
Volunteers Needed: As the LA Chapter is hosting this
event, we need volunteers, experienced or not. Some of the things we
need help with include buying supplies, decorating, coordinating car
pools, leading hikes and other events, and of course, we’ll need
a crew to welcome people when they first show up. If you’d like
to help with this event, please contact Marty
at 818-550-0867 or Larry
at 310-837-0774.
Trip
Notes for Silverwood Lake
Registration
for Silverwood Lake
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