| Messages 1 - 11 of total 11 in this topic |
ana dablam
climber
mother earth
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 4, 2013 - 10:42am PT
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Never camped in sequoia. We'll be car camping with kids and family in august
looks like dorst and lodgepole take reservations.
Anyone been to either one?
What about the group CG there, is that more private?
thanks
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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I do mostly day trips or sleep in my car, but when I camped at Dorst it was quiet and a little more secluded than lodgepole. Lodgepole is larger, has more amenities, very developed camp sites and is in a cool canyon, but it's also usually busier and has more day visitors since it's a popular trailhead. Lodgepole can get colder at night too if that's a factor, but August won't be bad. Hmmm... Better swimming holes at Dorst, but you'll probably be further from water than at lodgepole.
You can't really go wrong either way though, they're close to each other and both great in their own way. Hope you're planning on bringing your climbing gear 'cause you'll be minutes from chimney rocks, big baldy, little baldy, the watchtower, moro rock, buck rock and a few others!
Oh and I've never been in the group campgrounds so I can't help you there.
Enjoy, it's a great area!
Edit: This is just off the top of my head so I might be wrong!
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nutjob
Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
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They all have their charms... Cedar Grove gets you the deepest into the mountains for cool day hikes, like Bubbs Creek or Mist Falls.
But Lodgepole is right next to Wolverton Meadow and a great dayhike to Pear Lake, or going down to Crystal Cave. You will have fun no matter where you end up!
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Grampa
climber
from SoCal
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+1 on Lodgepole.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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I spent my last night in Dorst in the early 1950's, but about all I remember is having a great time with my family.
I go to Lodgepole relatively frequently on day trips, and there are many wonderful hikes ranging from short and easy, such as Tokopah Falls, to rather strenuous (if you're coming up for the day, as I usually do) like Alta Peak (out of Wolverton). I wouldn't overlook the hike to Mitchell Peak, off the General's Highway. Although the distance is modest, and the elevation gain moderate, the view is outstanding.
I would say the scenery at Lodgepole beats that at Dorst by a lot, but Dorst is quieter.
Incidentally, I, too, greatly enjoy Cedar Grove as an alternative to Yosemite Valley. If nothing else, the climbing is much more adventurous, but it's quite a trip from there to the main attractions of Sequoia.
John
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Lodgepole. Close to trails, amenities and many of the sights with the exception of those down by Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. Nut job had a good suggestion with Cedar Grove, but that's in Kings Canyon. It is rad but protected by a long, very twisty drive that will punish kids' stomachs. When mine get a little older, we're there, but not yet.
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ana dablam
climber
mother earth
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 4, 2013 - 01:13pm PT
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Any good TR rocks for kids?
what guidebook, if any?
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Sewellymon
climber
.....in a single wide......
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Stayed in Cedar Grove July '11. Very quiet, considering..
Lodgepole is more centrally located, but the sites seemed pretty tightly packed/ not alot of privacy (stayed there B4 a backpack trip last October...).
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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One more thing: if it's possible to defer your trip to after Labor Day, do so. The place is a ghost town after the holiday. We had the pleasure of walking thru the big grove all by ourselves.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Just sent you a PM about guidebooks.
As far a top-ropes, crystal wall at chimney rocks has some. Also, it's really fun to belay off the west side of the railing on top of moro rock, but it's a lot of exposure for little kids. There are random bolts on top of boulders in a few areas too if you look hard enough. Other than that, find a rock, look for bolts or build an anchor, and let them have at it!
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ana dablam
climber
mother earth
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 13, 2013 - 07:24pm PT
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How competitive is reserve America for dorst in July?
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| Messages 1 - 11 of total 11 in this topic |
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