Here's some selected information on U.S.F.S. campgrounds

By Don Quilici

Whew! We sure made the switch from winter to summer in a big hurry. Well, now that the miserable hot weather has arrived with temperatures approaching the 90's, many folks (including yours truly) are turning their thoughts to camping.

In fact, this coming weekend, we are going to be camping at Convict Lake near Mammoth Lakes, Calif., complete with good company, good food, good drinks, good scenery, good accommodations and hopefully, good trout fishing.

I'll be sure to let you know how we did, when we get back.

However, for those of you staying home, who might be interested in camping in the near future in the Great Outdoors, here is some hand--picked "Don Q" information on campgrounds in this general area (this information is courtesy of the United States Forest Service):

- Carson Ranger District:

Centerville Flat (at an elevation of 5,900' on Calif. S.R. 4, about eight miles from Markleeville at the junction of Silver Creek and the East Carson River):

Now open and will close on Sept. 20. No fee. Has a vault toilet. Large flat area for trailer camping. Silver Creek is within one-quarter mile.

Crystal Springs (at an elevation of 6,000 feet in Woodfords Canyon on the West Carson River along Calif. S.R. 88):

Now open and will close on Oct. 13. $11 daily fee. Less than one mile from Woodfords. Total number of camping units is 22 and all can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet in length. Vault toilets and water.

Hope Valley (at an elevation of 7,300 feet next to the West Fork of the Carson River. It is located just off Calif. S.R. 88 on the Blue Lakes Road):

Will open on June 11 and close on Sept. 15. $11 daily fee. Nearest services are four miles. 20 units of which 17 can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet. Vault toilets and water. Group Use Area for up to 16 people: $20 daily fee.

Kit Carson (at an elevation of 6,900 feet in Woodfords Canyon on the West Carson River along Calif. S.R. 88):

Will open on May 23 and close on Sept. 8. $11 daily fee. Less than one-quarter mile from services. 12 units of which three can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet. Two vault toilets and water.

Markleeville (at an elevation of 5,500 feet on Markleeville Creek. Located one-half mile from the Town of Markleeville, just off Calif. 4 and 89):

Now open and will close on Sept. 15. $11 daily fee. 10 units of which six can accommodate vehicles up to 16 feet. Vault toilet and water.

Mt. Rose (at an elevation of 8,900 feet on the Mt. Rose Highway (Nev. S.R. 431). Nine miles from Incline Village and 30 miles from Reno):

Will open on June 27 and close on Sept. 8. $12 daily fee. 24 units of which nine can accommodate vehicles up to 16 feet. Flush toilets and water.

Silver Creek (at an elevation of 6,800 feet on Calif. S.R. 4 about 16 miles from Markleeville):

Will open on May 23 and close on Sept. 8. $12 daily fee. 22 units. Two vault toilets and water. Black bears are in this area at times, so be sure to take precautions with food.

Snowshoe Springs (at an elevation of 6,600 feet on the West Carson River on Calif. S.R. 88):

Will open on May 23 and close on Sept. 8.

$9 daily fee. Steep terrain on both sides. 13 units of which nine can accommodate vehicles up to 16 feet. Vault toilet and water.

Special Note: Hope Valley, Mt. Rose and Silver Creek Campgrounds have reservation campsites. Reservations can be made up to 240 days in advance by contacting the U.S.F.S. Campground Reservation Center at (877) 444-6777.

For campground information in the Carson Ranger District, call 882-2766 during business hours.

- Bridgeport Ranger District:

Bootleg (at an elevation of 6,600 feet on Calif. U.S. 395 just a few miles south of the Town of Walker):

Will open on May 7 and close on Oct. 15. $13 daily fee. 63 units. Flush toilets and water.

Chris Flat (at an elevation of 6,600 feet on U.S. 395 north of the junction of S.R. 108 (The Sonora Pass Highway):

Now open and will close on Oct. 31. $13 daily fee. 15 units. Vault toilet and water.

Desert Creek (at an elevation of 6,300 on Desert Creek between Wellington and Bridgeport, Calif.): Now open and will close on Oct. 31. No fee. 13 units. Vault toilet and no water. Black bears are in this area at times, so be sure to take precautions with your food.

Green Creek (at an elevation of 7,500 feet on Green Creek, just south of Bridgeport, Calif. via a dirt road):

Will open on May 15 and close on Oct. 8. $11 daily fee. 11 units. Vault toilet and water. Lots of mosquitoes. Black bears are in this area at times, so be sure to take precautions with your food.

Leavitt Meadows (at an elevation of 7,000 feet on Calif. S.R. 108 (The Sonora Pass Highway): Now open and will close on Oct. 6. $11 daily fee. 16 units. Vault toilet and water.

Lower Twin (at an elevation of 7,000 feet at Lower Twin Lake, just west of Bridgeport, Calif): Will open on May 8 and close on Oct. 13): $13 daily fee. 15 units. Flush toilets and water.

Obsidian (at an elevation of 7,800 about 5 miles from U.S. 395, just south of the junction of S.R. 108 (The Sonora Pass Highway) via a dirt road):

Will open on June 11 and close on Oct. 7. $6 daily fee. 14 units. Vault toilet and no water. Black bears are in this area at times. Take precautions with food.

Trumbull Lake (the highest campground in this area at an elevation of 9,500 feet. It is at the end of the paved road to the Virginia Lakes area just west of U.S. 395 at Conway Summit, south of Bridgeport, Calif):

Will open on June 9 and close on Oct. 20): $11 daily fee. 45 units. Vault toilets and water.

Special Note: Lower Twin and Trumbull Lake Campgrounds have reservation campsites. Reservations can be made up to 240 days in advance by contacting the U.S.F.S. Reservation Center at (877) 444-6777.

For campground information in the Bridgeport Ranger District, call (760) 932-7070 during business hours.

- Here's where to call for information for other campgrounds in this area:

Alpine County Information Center in Markleeville at (530) 694-2475.

Bureau of Land Management - Nevada State Office at 861-6400.

Bureau of Land Management - Carson City Field Office at 885-6000.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - Administrative Business Office at 331-6444.

Nevada State Parks: Region 2 Headquarters (Carson-Tahoe area) at 687-4379.

Nevada State Parks: State Headquarters (for the entire State of Nevada) at 687-4384.

Nevada State Parks: Dayton State Park at 687-5678.

Nevada State Parks: Washoe Lake State Park at 687-4319.

Washoe County Parks at 785-4319.

Davis Creek County Park in Washoe Valley at 849-0684.

- Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you why I last camped at the Mt. Rose Campground.

If he grins and says, "It was when Elaine and I were the support team for the Nevada Appeal 10-in-10 Challenge, several years ago," he could have been of the four athletes in that challenge.