Tag: California

California, located on the west coast of the United States, is renowned for its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and significant economic influence. From the sun-kissed beaches of Southern California to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, the state offers a range of natural beauty. The state is home to iconic cities like Los Angeles, known for Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and San Francisco, famous for its tech innovation and the Golden Gate Bridge. The state’s economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by sectors such as technology, agriculture, entertainment, and tourism. With its rich cultural diversity and pioneering spirit, California continues to be a land of opportunity and innovation.

Stovepipe Wells

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Stovepipe Wells Campgound is located in Stovepipe wells just off the 190 highway in Death Valley National Park. Located about 25 miles away from Furnace Creek, Stovepipe wells contains a restaurant, gas station, gift shop and reasonable nice amenities for the area.

Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park
Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park

The campground itself is more suitable for RV and Trails and has the feeling of a large parking lot, which does not offer much in a remote camping experience. However, it does contain some tent sites along the northern edge of the campsite. For tent campers, the campsites leave much to be desired, in my opinion. I prefer not to be surrounded by a sea of land yachts running generators.

The tent sites are the only locations which allow fires and since you are on the edge of the campground you can get the feeling of isolation provided you are looking North. High winds and sandstorms at night are frequent. On my last visit a powerful wind guest hit while I was returning from the restroom. I was greeted with the sight of a tent flying at a high rate of speed with about 100 feet in altitude above the desert floor. Several minutes later a camper came walking by, and when asked I told him “It went that away” pointing out into the desert.

There are some nice hikes nearby which include the local sand dunes, Mosaic Canyon, Nemo Canyon and Grotto Canyon.

Additionally, the Mesquite Flat Sand dunes located just to the east of the camp ground offers a nice area to explore, if the weather cooperates.

The gas in here is very expensive, and the only place I know you can get 85 octane fuel. It is cheaper than the gas prices at Furnace Creek.

Campground Summary

NameStovepipe Wells Campground
LocationStovepipe Wells, Death Valley, California
Latitude, Longitude36.60611, -117.14556
Elevation-23 feet below sea level
Sites190 Total
28 Tent only
AmenitiesWater, Fire Rings, Tables

Stovepipe Wells Campground Map

Eureka Dunes Dry Camp

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Eureka Dunes Campground is near a small localize sand dunes formation with Death Valley National Monument. Eureka Dunes Dry Camp is located next to the Eureka Sand Dunes in the Eureka Valley.

The valley is is an enclosed basin locationed at about 3000 feet above sea leval. The sand dunes in this remote valley in the north western portion of Death Valley are the tallest dunes in California. Some of the dunes measured are almost 700 feet tall above the valley floor. The dunes themselves are contained in a relatively small 3 square miles.

At first glance, these islands of sand within Eureka Valley appear inhospitable to life. This however is not the case. These dunes receive the most rainfall of any within Death Valley due to their location within the park.

Due to the extreme isolation there are five known types of endemic beetles which make their home in the sand. Three plant species, Eureka Dunegrass ( Swallenia alexandrae ), Eureka Dunes Evening Primrose ( Oenothera avita eurekensis ) and Shining Milkvetch ( Astragalus lentiginosus micans ) and known to only exist in this three mile by one mile island of sand.

With roughly four sites and only a vaulted toilet, Eureka Dunes campground offers solitude for the back country traveler.

Campground Summary

Campground NameEureka Dunes Dry Camp
LocationDeath Valley National Park, California
Latitude, Longitude37.111773, -117.680898
Elevation2890
Number of Sites4
AmenitiesRestrooms, tables

Eureka Dunes Campground Map

References

Thorndike Campground

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Thorndike campground is located at 7,400 feet in the Panamint Mountains in Death Valley National Park. The campground is accessible to high clearance vehicles only and no longer than 25 feet in length.. Depending on road conditions, 4-wheel drive may be necessary the reach the campground. The road becomes much steeper and rough once you pass the Wildrose Campground.

Thorndike Campground in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park

The campground is located within a Pinyon Pine and Juniper Forest. The campground is 1000 feet lower in elevation that Mahogany Flat campground and 4000 feet higher than Wildrose Campground. Due to its high elevation, this campground does close in the winter months.

This is the closest campground to the Death Valley Charcoal kilns. Thorndike has 6 sites, tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Thorndike is free of change campground, however, it does operate on a first come first serve basis.

Fires are allowed at NPS fire pits only. No firewood collecting is permitted; bring your own wood. Fires are prohibited June 15-September 15 and periods of high fire danger.

Campground Summary

NameThorndike Campground
LocationPanamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, California
Latitude, Longitude36.236893, -117.071446
Elevation7400 feet
Site6
AmenitiesTables, Fireplaces, and vault toilets.

Thorndike Campground Map

References

Sugarpine Mountain 2N49

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Sugarpine Mountain trail is moderately difficult and starts at the edge of San Bernardino and finishes in the Silverlake State Park.  The trail is designated for street legal vehicles only.

Sugarpine Mountain 2N49m Bear Bear Lake, California
Bear Bear Lake, California

The trail leaves the little community around Silver Lake, skits Cleghorn Mountain and then slowly meanders up to Sugarpine Mountain. The scenic trail passes through a variety of chaparral, tall pine trees, forest vegetation and spring wild flowers. High-clearance 4WD is recommended but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. The trail looses about 4300 in elevation over its 16 miles. This trail is typically open year round, however, during the winter months conditions could worsen due to the snow loads.

A Forest Service Adventure Passes are required if you plan on stopping along the way. As of September 2016, forest visitors parked in standard amenity recreation fee sites in the four southern California national forests must display a valid recreation pass. This includes sites on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. Such is the once great state of California.

Trail Summary

Trail NameSugarpine Mountain 2N49
LocationBig Bear, San Bernardino, California
Distance16 Miles
Elevation Gain4300 Feet
DifficultyModerate

Sugarpine Mountain Trailmap

Cleghorn Ridge 2N47

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Cleghorn located outside of Big Bear, CA
Cleghorn located outside of Big Bear, CA

Cleghorn Ridge is a 4×4 trail which leads from the I-15 at the Cleghorn exit to Silverlake State Recreation Area.  The trail features lots of switch backs and may be rutted and/or steep in places.  There is essentially two trails side by side the majority of the trail, and  many bypasses along the trail to get around the more difficult places if you 4×4 is not up to the rough stuff.

The overall length of this reasonably easy trail is about 15 miles. The trail offers some good view of Silerwood Lake at its eastern end.

This trail is a popular route from Green Sticker Vehicles and can get crowded depending upon the time of day and time of year.

A Forest Service Adventure Passes are required if you plan on stopping along the way. As of September 2016, forest visitors parked in standard amenity recreation fee sites in the four southern California national forests must display a valid recreation pass. This includes sites on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. Such is the once great state of California.

Trail Summary

NameCleghorn Ridge, 2N47
LocationSilver Lake, San Bernardino Mountains
Length15 Miles
DifficultyEasy
Difficult Alternate Routes

Cleghorn Ridge Trailmap