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Thursday May 24th.
Found freecampsites.net a few weeks ago. Been meaning to go check out these free sites. Since I didn't have the money to make the 49er rally in Mariposa County I decided I'd spend two seperate nights at two seperate camp sites that I found on the freecampsites.net site.
1st one was about 50 miles away down a fireroad. This worked well since I got off kinda late and I setup camp in the fading light. No biggie though since the Moon was full and freakin HUGE. It was like working via a giant glowstick.
[On I-8 heading east towards Alpine, Ca.
The first camp site as seen in the light of day. I didn't hear or see another human being until I was back on the pavement headed towards Julian, Ca.
Fire going on somewhere East of Julian
I went back to the barracks after breakfast at Julian, Ca then regrouped with my maps and the freecampsites.net website to plan my next route.
Friday 25 May,
After going over the maps and punching my route into basecamp I took off from the Barracks again headed north East towards Santa Rosa Mountain and the "Yellow post" campsites at the top. Again free. The only thing I paid for this weekend was gas and what little food I ate.
The roads going up were roads I had been on before. Great scenery and enough twists to keep you from zoning out and going into road hypnosis mode.
I would have never thought to go down this road for camping. I'm really glad I found the website that had the information on it. The fireroad/Forest Service road was mostly well maintained. Until you get towards the top where I guess the road grader can't get to then you get into stuff that you have to pay attention to on an adventure bike. My skidplate earned it's keep this weekend.
Got too slow on an uphill sandy whoop section in the turn of a switch back and the bike decided there would be a good place to take a nap. Of course it laid over DOWN HILL so it was a bitch to pick back up but proper technique saved the day.
The top was awesome. Just a hair over 8000 feet with great view from both sides. I was going to camp by the giant fireplace but there was busted glass and for some reason HUGE NAILS everywhere. How I didn't get a flat riding up there is beyond me. I decided to setup camp at the actual designated campsite about 10 feet lower than the fireplace.
Found freecampsites.net a few weeks ago. Been meaning to go check out these free sites. Since I didn't have the money to make the 49er rally in Mariposa County I decided I'd spend two seperate nights at two seperate camp sites that I found on the freecampsites.net site.
1st one was about 50 miles away down a fireroad. This worked well since I got off kinda late and I setup camp in the fading light. No biggie though since the Moon was full and freakin HUGE. It was like working via a giant glowstick.
[On I-8 heading east towards Alpine, Ca.
The first camp site as seen in the light of day. I didn't hear or see another human being until I was back on the pavement headed towards Julian, Ca.
Fire going on somewhere East of Julian
I went back to the barracks after breakfast at Julian, Ca then regrouped with my maps and the freecampsites.net website to plan my next route.
Friday 25 May,
After going over the maps and punching my route into basecamp I took off from the Barracks again headed north East towards Santa Rosa Mountain and the "Yellow post" campsites at the top. Again free. The only thing I paid for this weekend was gas and what little food I ate.
The roads going up were roads I had been on before. Great scenery and enough twists to keep you from zoning out and going into road hypnosis mode.
I would have never thought to go down this road for camping. I'm really glad I found the website that had the information on it. The fireroad/Forest Service road was mostly well maintained. Until you get towards the top where I guess the road grader can't get to then you get into stuff that you have to pay attention to on an adventure bike. My skidplate earned it's keep this weekend.
Got too slow on an uphill sandy whoop section in the turn of a switch back and the bike decided there would be a good place to take a nap. Of course it laid over DOWN HILL so it was a bitch to pick back up but proper technique saved the day.
The top was awesome. Just a hair over 8000 feet with great view from both sides. I was going to camp by the giant fireplace but there was busted glass and for some reason HUGE NAILS everywhere. How I didn't get a flat riding up there is beyond me. I decided to setup camp at the actual designated campsite about 10 feet lower than the fireplace.
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