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RE: Boondocking around Stanley, ID?
There are 3 campgrounds on Stanley Lake. The biggest one (called Outlet, I think) does take reservations. Right next to Outlet is a small one (maybe 10 sites) that is no reservation. Where I stayed is the other end of the lake, called Inlet. It's around 14 sites and no reservations. I preferred Inlet over the others because it was at the end of road and more secluded. I got there Thursday around 2 p.m.
Edit: Biggest campground called Stanley Lake, not Outlet.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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09/05/08 10:07am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Boondocking around Stanley, ID?
I ended up spending 5 nights around Stanley, all in USFS campgrounds. One night at Redlake and four at Stanley Lake. Saw plenty of boondocking going on off the road to Stanley Lake and as I went west on hwy 21. Very pretty area.
Had a very scenic campsite at Stanley Lake that ended up being somewhat white (and cold) when I got up Labor Day morning. Weather up til then was very nice, except down to freezing every night. See pics below.
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/rvaug08%20260.jpg
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/rvsept08%20001.jpg
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Ramblin' Ralph
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09/04/08 09:08pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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Boondocking around Stanley, ID?
I'm currently in SW Montana and making my way back to Northern Cal. I'm going to spend the Labor Day weekend around Stanley, ID. I see there are many Forest Svc campgrounds around there and doubt I'd have trouble getting a site if I get one on Thursday.
However, I might want to try some boondocking too. Any specific areas to recommend?
Thanks,
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Ramblin' Ralph
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08/25/08 11:06am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Unique Silverton, CO boondocking spot
Not sure which road you mean. The 1 mile or so of dirt road is flat. However, the highway to get to Silverton from either direction is definitely not flat. :) Coming from the south there is an 11,000 ft. pass. Lots of big rigs at this spot, so I doubt if you'd have trouble.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/30/08 09:07am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Unique Silverton, CO boondocking spot
Ironically, my next stop was Ridgway SP, but the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground. Very nice, but way above what I need. Wanted to fish the river there.
Note: My mapping program on my PC said the road to the boondocking spot was County 20, but I checked the sign on the way out and it said #7.
Yep, too crowded for me, too. However, I did it for just one night for the "experience". :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/26/08 12:11pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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Unique Silverton, CO boondocking spot
I was going up the hill from Silverton to Ouray today when I looked down and saw a bunch of RVs. I turned around and found a very popular Forest Service boondocking spot on a creek (Mineral Creek, I think).
It's about 2 mi N of Silverton off hwy 550. Elevation is about 9500 ft. Turn on County Road 20, where is says something like "Lower Mineral Creek Campground". Note: The pay campground is farther down this road.
Google map link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=37.82,-107.7143&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
We're not talking seclusion here, but it's free! A couple of pictures: Me in my truck camper (back in the trees) and the "big guys" by the creek.
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/RVJuly08%20519.jpg
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/RVJuly08%20513.jpg
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/24/08 07:03pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Lance 845 and solar
My 2001 845 was prewired, with the connector on the fridge vent on the roof. It looks the same as the connector for my electric jacks. I think the wire from the roof was coiled up under the sink (been a while, not sure).
I installed a 125 watt panel and am very happy with it.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/24/08 06:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Forest service campgrounds
If you are a member of AAA they have Campground books for each state. They include the Forest Svc campgrounds (along with commercial, state and Natl Park ones). The books have general directions to the campground and also some info. I've used them very successfully and almost exclusively in many months of traveling in my TC.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/12/08 10:21am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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Critter damage in engine compartment?
I opened the hood on my 06' 2500HD pickup a couple of days ago and noticed a hole in the firewall cover material. I was trying to figure out how the engine could have caused this. Now I'm thinking it was a critter. I've been camping at high altitude in the "boonies" over the last couple of weeks. I also found a wad of the insulation above the fuel injectors.
Whatcha think?
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/critterdamage.jpg
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/10/08 09:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Sierra boondocking east of Fresno, CA?
I finally got around to the Lake Shaver / Dinkey Creek area for 8 nights of camping. Lots of campgrounds to choose from and I saw many people boondocking and many likely spots. I did boondock 2 nights near Courtright Reservoir, although very close to the road (little traffic, though).
Had a great time, great weather and I'd like to go again and try the Huntington Lake area next.
My RV Travels page has all the spots I stayed in. My favorite was Swanson Meadow, past Dinkey Creek a few miles. Small USFS campground (8 sites) and I was the only one there both nights (a week apart).
I'm now in Kingman, AZ which starts my trek to Montana (via AZ/NM/CO/WY). Lots of great camping ahead, I'm sure.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/02/08 08:12pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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And the deer listened intently
A week ago I was camped in a neat little campground alongside a beautiful meadow (see pic). After dinner I was sitting outside plunking on my mandolin. After a few songs I looked up and there were 3 deer about 75 yards away in the meadow looking at me. Their ears were pointed at me. For at least 10 minutes they hardly moved, always looking at me and never eating the grass. One did start to come my way, but turned back after a few yards. All at once they all "bounced" away at the same time. I say "bounced" because it looked like they were on pogo sticks. :)
It was a very moving experience. A tear came to my eye as they left. I'm assuming that since they stayed so long they enjoyed my music. I think I'll have to come up with an original composition called "Deer in the Meadow". :)
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/RVJune08%20045.jpg
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Ramblin' Ralph
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07/01/08 07:48pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Grey valve replacement woes
RV.Net comes through again! Using lfeather's "thin plastic sheet" technique I was able to get the valve in w/o the seals moving the first try. Had to use new seals as the previously installed new ones were mangled a bit. Thanks for all the tips and especially to lfeather.
Now I can hit the road tomorrow as planned. :)
I rather ramble than plumb Ralph
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Ramblin' Ralph
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06/22/08 12:18pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Grey valve replacement woes
Thanks for the tips. I'm giving it another try tomorrow a.m. when it's cool. 100+ here in Napa, CA this afternoon. Too hot for RV repair. :)
I wonder if it's feasible to "glue" the seals in place into the valve body so they don't come out when pushing the valve between the 2 fixed PVC pieces?
If I can't get it done, I have a Tuesday appt at a RV repair place. Would like to get on the road sooner, however.
Not-a-plumber Ralph
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Ramblin' Ralph
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06/20/08 06:19pm |
Tech Issues
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Grey valve replacement woes
For the 2-1/2 years I've had my used Lance truck camper I've always gotten a couple of cups of grey water when I take off the dump cap. Valve must not have been shutting off completely.
Got tired of always putting a bucket under the dump pipe to catch the stuff when I took the cap off. Decided to replace the grey valve (1-1/2" Valterra/Bladex). Baaaad move!
Now I get leaking from the bottom of the valve with anything in the grey tank! I took the valve out and tried replacing it carefully (so the rubber seals remain in place) a couple of times. Still got the problem. Both sides of the piping around the valve are fixed PVC, so it's not easy to insert the valve. Had to use one hand to pull on one section of PVC to widen the gap and the other to insert the valve. FYI, all 4 bolts are tightened well.
Now it appears I'll have to get in line at a RV repair place. Was hoping to get on the road next Monday, but looks like that's out. :(
Any suggestions?
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Ramblin' Ralph
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06/20/08 01:39pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Sierra boondocking east of Fresno, CA?
Tiger,
Thanks for the tips and photos. I'm only "moderately moderately adventurous", so I won't make it everywhere you went. :)
I see Sequoia Natl Park is forecasted for freezing to below at night this weekend. Maybe I need to stay at a lower elevation than 6500'. :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/19/08 08:51pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Owens river camping
Last May I stayed at Horton Creek CG (BLM) about 10 miles north of Bishop. Owens River would be across hwy 395 from it. Rather primitive CG, but with a beautiful view. Was $5 last year. Here's where it is:
Horton Creek CG
and a picture:
http://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/photos/RVMay07%20135.jpg
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/19/08 05:25pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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Sierra boondocking east of Fresno, CA?
I'm going to Sequoia Natl Park for Memorial Day wknd in my truck camper. Hoping to get there early enough to get a spot in one of the non reservable campgrounds. Maybe like Azalea, near Grant Grove Village.
After Mem Day I'm going to spend a few days exploring outside the park around Shaver Lake. Any tips on disbursed camping in the Natl Forest around there?
Thanks,
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/18/08 11:28am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Suggestions for Oregon Coastal Trip
I went up the Oregon coast last summer. Check out my RVing webpage for 2007 from July 12 to July 16 for campsites used. It sure is beautiful scenery! Note: I never make reservations and always got a campsite (although I do tend to stop early, around 4 p.m.)
2007 Travels
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/16/08 11:05am |
Truck Campers
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RE: GPS Reception
My Garmin Nuvi 350 (w/SiRF high sensitivity rcvr) works fine on the dash w/o an external antenna. I bought an external antenna, but have never used it.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/16/08 10:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Draining fresh water tank on Lance is incredibly slow
My '01 Lance 845 has a "gravity feed" drain on the back that would take forever to drain the 33 gallon fresh water tank. However, it also has 2 clear plastic tubes in the compartment with the waste tank drain valve handles. One for the cold water, one for the hot. When the valves on the tubes are opened, then the pump runs and will empty the tank fairly quickly. Be sure and put the ends of the tubes outside. :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/13/08 12:10pm |
Truck Campers
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