Annual campout busted

[WolfVanZandt]

Grph!

I'm the host of an annual primitive campout in March. We started out at Buck's Pocket but they got so hard to work with that I moved to Cheaha.

They let church and Boy Scout groups use the lower primitive campground at a special rate. The way I put it to them, I could guarantee a group every year at a time when the campground is rarely used if  we could have it at the special rate. The old administrator accepted that but he retired and the new one isn't going for it (actually, there's a rumor that they're closing the lower campground. Some of the water lines were busted last year and they'll be too expensive to dig up and fix - and there's probably some other issues.)

Anyway, so now we're looking for another home. I'm checking out Bankhead, which would be great except it sounds like they don't have water turned on until Late March or early April. I guess if we have to, we'll move the date up but that means more crowds and bugs. For a 9 day campout, though, I must have a shower around.

The people that come to the campout often travel long distances to get here and by the time they get here, they don't have a lot of money left for site fees and food and such so I try to keep it as inexpensive as possible. We've been paying $2 per head per night.

I used Payne Lake one year. It's a nice place - very friendly - but not as adventurous as my people like.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Clear Creek, Corinth and Houston (the three bath-house equipped campgrounds in Bankhead) all apparently open March 14th, according to their website. Give the NFS HQ in Double Springs a buzz and ask them about the water situation. You never know, they might turn the water on for you a week or two early, just to get somebody using the campsite. I wouldn't count on it, but it is worth a try. Then again, I don't know why they'd open the joint but leave the water off...sounds mean.

They've got the prices listed on the individual campsite pages linked from: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/a...n/rec_opportunities.shtml

[WolfVanZandt]

I called. They're in the process of changing things. They're supposed to have the new information next week and I'll be calling them back about Friday. They're also supposed to be sending me information.

The 14th, huh? That might not be too bad. We used to have the campout (at Buck's Pocket) the last week in March. I wonder how crowded it gets then......

I always have the fear that I'll have all these people coming in from all over (I've had several from Canada and a couple of years ago one came in from Germany) and the campground be full. They did say they had ways of dealing with overflow, though.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Well, the really good worst case scenario is that you might have to alternate between who camps at the campground and uses the showers and who camps in Sipsey.

[Nalgene Ninja]

There are some nice group sites at Desoto SP.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Unfortunately, DeSoto State Park's campgrounds are closed for renovations until their projected completion in March. I wouldn't plan a trip based on projected completion, especially with government work.

See: http://www.desotostatepark.com/camping.htm

There primitive campground offers no access to showers currently, but I don't know if that is due to the renovations, or due to policy. No reservations taken.

See:  http://www.desotostatepar...m/Primitivecampground.htm

It would be a good destination for next year, however.

[WolfVanZandt]

I'll check. I'm sorta concerned that all the state parks are going to be too expensive now, though. I've seen the primitive area at Desota and that would do well - and I agree Joshua - government work isn't close enough when I'm responsible for people's vacations.

[Rob]

Clear Creek is quite nice, especially if you like some water activities ( borders Lake Smith). It is well maintained, and usually not crowded during the week. Not much for exciting trails but you are in close proximity of many trails, would be a nice "home base". This past summer the rates were $20 per site allowing up to 6 persons per site and 2 vehicles. Over 3 bucks a head may be more than your party is willing to spend. They do have a group camping area, Don't know about group rates.  Hope this helps. Happy Trails!

[WolfVanZandt]

That sounds really good. I'll look into it. Thanks.

[WolfVanZandt]

Well, it looks like it'll be Bankhead but trying to figure things out over the phone is so doggone complicated. It looks like the water comes on March 14 (but they also keep saying that they turn it on when it gets warm). And the last of March is going to clash with turkey hunters. When is turkey season?

I'm getting paranoid. I have people coming from all over the US and there's always the chance that something will happen that throws a monkeywrench into the works. We camped out a Cloudland Canyons one year - 9 day primitive campout. The year before we had a cabin there and we "made sure" that we would have showers before we made plans for the primitive campout. What's the first thing the ranger said when I arrived? "You know you don't have any showers." Not only that but they wouldn't let us use the group showers, we couldn't get into the streams, they allowed no concession to correct for their error.

Pardon me, I'm always like this the first of the year.......

[Joshua Szulecki]

Sounds like next year you should do it in April or May if you want showers.

Have you considered a portable shower as an emergency backup? I know they suck, and are somewhat pricey, but it might buy you a margin of error for these trips. Actually, I think they probably suck a lot, but I've never used one.

Turkey hunting appears to be March 28, 31, and April 1-30.

[WolfVanZandt]

Ooh! That'll work, then! Thanks!

The problem this year is that I fully expected to get Cheaha again. I had a deal worked out that was supposed to be permanent. Of course, yes, I knew better but you can't cross every i and dot every t - there are just way too many letters. So now I'm jumping from pillar to post trying to get things lined up at the last minute. I oughta be used to it by now.

I have considered a portable shower (and have a rudimentary one) but the March Howl always splits between freezing cold and if-you-hike-you'll sweat. I'd hate for the ice to cake around me while I'm trying to take a shower.....

Of course, I could always wait for the torrential downpour that always hits us. (That's a slight exaggeration - we've had exactly one spring Howl without tornadic activity, Luckily, I like weather).

[WolfVanZandt]

Okay. Finally got it straightened out. Water comes on March 14th and turkey hunting is the last weekend in March, so I'll be up there March 13 - 22. If anybody's around Brushy Lake around that time, stop by and say "Hi".

[Firedog]

Check out Coleman Lake & Pine Glen. They are just north of I-20 in Cleburne County between Heflin and Piedmont right in the NF. I know Coleman lake has shower houses. It has 39 camp sites and a nice lake. Pine Glen is nice and has 3 hiking trails including the Pinhoti. It has 30 campsites and accepts group tents but no shower. Also, next to Coleman lake is a equestrian camping area w/22 sites & 35 miles of horse trails. Something for all.  Check out the  link:

http://www.forestcamping..../dow/southern/tallcmp.htm

Carl W

[WolfVanZandt]

O.O

I'll keep that in mind!

I'm going to try Bankhead first. I'm sorta excited about the opportunity. But judging my past luck, it might not work out....and I also need ideas for other sites.

Thanks.

[Firedog]

Do you have a date yet and what is the agenda for the campout. If I was off I might could come and meet some new friends. Carl W

[WolfVanZandt]

Feel free. We'll be there March 13 - March 22. If the site is packed (it's small), we have an overflow contingency (I think Corinth by don't take that as gospel). By what the rangers hahve said, I'm not expecting a problem.