Glorious Proletariat Camp and Melon Bust - Big Bottom 4-2011

[Gypsie]

I'll bring a gazeteer to the Lab Monday so's we can look at roads.

there looks to be a few spots near the river.

This spot may be doable (looks like a road off of 4651)


46 to right on 4670 to right on 4651. About of a third of a mile north looks like a road.

What say ye, Hammie?

[hambone]

Edit: didn't see yer post! "Maybe" is actually an abandoned logging road. I don't think any logging was done however because it's now wilderness. The road is not drivable. There aren't too many decent camps in the area, just a couple really due to impacts. It's one of my favorite areas in the Clackamas and I've scoured it for decent camps. There may be more up past Rho Creek, that's a place I've not explored much. All the camps right on the Clackamas are REALLY beat up and very busy. Every time I've tried I've always wound up irritated and moved on, packing up camp for a better one...
Here's 2 I recommend:
A: Big Bottom.
B: Rho Creek.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 10378&z=13
I may get out Thursday. Ugh 2 weeks! Maybe next weekend I'll run off.

[tristessa]

"Maybe" is actually an abandoned logging road. I don't think any logging was done however because it's now wilderness. The road is not drivable.

"Not Driveable" like the road to High Rock peak, or..?

[hambone]

Implied. Just dust on a shelf.

[Snap]

Sounds fun!! but that weekend will be a big swing and miss for my schedule... & Snap's not running at the moment either.

[hambone]

Do it! Bring a BroncoTM or somethin.
Life's too short.

[LiveonJG]

We'll see, too early to commit. Either way you know I'm there in spirit.

[hambone]

Yep. Always.

[hambone]

Saturday's perfect storm of mad variables pushed me out, towards the Clackamas and seeking some peace. 2 days by myself, stumbling around looking for history as usual. Cold nights!
I went to Mouse Camp, formerly known as Clacky Camp, site of the 2009 Memorial Birthday Campout. No mice, but plenty of trash and old growth forest and clearcuts and continuous cars (where are they all going? Bagby? Nowhere?) and thankfully no sickness this time.
It is nice to return to self from time to time. I am a "B" list Muir. Perhaps the beard is a capacitor for Godly Power.
Didn't bring enough water, only the food I had on hand. Strange to be so ill prepared. But I did find 1/8 mile of an old trail, abandoned since 1930, predating the road.
I'm looking forward to Mayday. It will be nice to be with others out there.

Gargoyle of the woods


Mouse Camp










icon in the willows


Snow on Fish Creek Mountain (but not for long)

[Sluggo]

Looks like you had a great time. Is this where we're going for MayDay?

[hambone]

UPriver about 15 miles.

[hambone]

I'm leaning towards Rho Creek. Old growth forest in both spots, but Rho is right on the creek and sounds purty. Plus there is a very nice trail there that I helped return from oblivion.
If I MAY quote myself:
"A favorite example is Rhododendron Creek, not far from Big Bottom. An early Forest Service trail constructed circa 1920 and later abandoned lied forgotten in the tangled brush and down trees. At first just finding the route was difficult enough, but I was able to flag and clarify the route. Eventually we were able to saw out the many down logs and repair many sections of tread. After many trips and much hard work, the trail is now back on the Forest Service system – completely through the efforts of volunteers. Indeed, most of the trail work in the district is done by volunteers. It is truly amazing how much history lies forgotten in the district, from old Indian trails to collapsed guard stations and fire lookouts. There are more adventures than one human life can fit in."

[tristessa]

Isn't that where you & Mark held the Sausage Festival a couple years ago? The one where I buzzed out in the Scirocco for a few hours?

[hambone]

Yeah that's the place. Whaty'aa think of it? Right off a paved road, but it doesn't get much traffic.
The one behind the Bottom is on a lesser traveled gravel road. It's beautiful but no water at camp. No trails either, but Big B. Wilderness abuts.
Probably more space at Rho. And that firepit kicks ass. Plus there is a 1/2 mile flat trail (abandoned) to the Clackamas for fishin'!!! Love to catch somethin.
If you have the time, a F.S. document about the tons of thinning projects in the area. Sadly most of the areas previously logged between the old growth squares are now considered "plantation" and are actively "harvested". It's not like it was in the 60s-80s, fortunately.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/ab ... 015771.pdf

http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/ab ... 015766.pdf

[tristessa]

So is this gonna be an off-season sausage fest, or are people bringin' their fams & SO's?