norcal guys. what is an easy drive up camp spot that is secluded?

my next door neighbor is a 91 year old lady. we talk all the time, and i bring her fresh veggies (during this lock down)

we got talking and she said she is really missing camping. she used to go with her kids (they are estranged now). she said, she wishes she can go one more time before she punches "THE CLOCK".

my wife and i; we are gonna try to make this happen. i'll need to borrow a good supportive camp sleeping-cot. mine are very saggy and janky (REI). i doubt she can get up from how low they sit. i have a big tent she can stand up in..solo.

when this lockdown is over we are gonna take her. i'll cook real food..no we can cook together, she is an awesome cook. campfire, some type of booze, i'll let her tell her stories. she can talk my ear off!

i might try to get private land access in Mendo country. that would be secluded.

 

This is sweet.

 

Someone that old should probably camp at a camp ground with facilities. Unless she doesn’t mind popping a squat.

 

Oh. Yea. I’ll need an outhouse.

 

$43 Reliance Products FOLD-to-GO Folding Portable Camping Toilet | 300 Pound Capacity | Compact & Lightweight

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024OAQ3...d=1JDYZ01Z6SODO&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im This baby! maybe build her some support bars!

 

"Secluded" and "outhouse" are generally mutually exclusive. If you need facilities, you'll likely be in a developed CG.

 

I have one of those. It's pretty low. Probably too low for a 91-year-old to manage without some assistance.

Something like this would be better.

 

@Twizted @OneGiraffe

 

I'm up in Sacramento. I'd be willing to loan you my cot in support of the cause. I used it maybe two or three times in the summer of 2017 when I bought it. Been packed away since.

TETON Sports Adventurer Camp Cot; Finally, a Cot that Brings the Comfort of Home to the Campsite; Camping Cots for Adults; Easy Set Up; Storage Bag Included

https://smile.amazon.com/TETON-1048A-Adventurer-Patented-Campsite/dp/B009L1MYR6?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

 

Mendocino is very south-west of where we usually go. I see Jason has already chimed in here, but the one and only time we've been camping out in that area was with @2BeersPlease in the snow. Sorry, I just don't know that area well enough to have much input.

 

I think we got lucky that weekend. I don't think it would have been the same without the snow.

 

wow, very cool of you. I’ll keep this in mind.

 

I’m thinking Usal beach. I think she can handle the drive. She is crazy healthy.

 

You could try union valley resovoir, its paved to a parking area and then you have to pack in 1/4-1/2 mile on a bike path. Not super secluded (multiple campsites in a row) but right on the water and it has an outhouse. Campsites are first come first serve. Took this photo there.

 

Love that spot. Have boated and biked in, in the past.

 

NICE!!

 

Just looked and it is closed until April 30th though. There are first come first serve and reservation sites but I could recommend the first come. We used to put up tents a day or half a day early to ensure we would have a spot (in the summer, I don't know how packed it is this time of the year or even after this quarantine)

 

Boating in was definitely my favorite when we went, cram absolutely everything into my parent's skiboat and go straight from the shore to the site. Nothing quite like that lake when the sun is setting and the water suddenly becomes glass and the sky goes orange.

 

I am not sure when they’ll be open but lake Pillsbury in Mendocino National Forest has some really nice campsites. If you get there on a good day you can get the ones right next to the water. They usually don’t get too busy but it is a developed campground. Lots of others on the lake as well some days. I’ve been up there once or twice and didn’t see anyone at all on the entire lake.

if you don’t mind going into the sierras I would recommend Rucker lake near lake Spaulding. Great places to camp but they are hike in(1/4-1/2 mile depending on where you want to set up) also a vault toilet there. Not much fish at the lake though. Usually no one around

 

Union lake (not Union Valley) This is a great secluded beautiful place on a little mountain lake. Easy to get to. Camps are primitive but have picnic tables, and fire rings. There is two small campgrounds and both have a bathroom. They are better than just a outhouse. They are brick building on a concrete pad. This area is drop dead gorgeous, and the lake has trout if you fish.
To get there go up hwy 4 past Arnold and take the Spicer rd. Exit. Drive about 10 miles and Spicer rd will take a sharp right. At that point turn left onto a well maintained dirt/gravel road and go to the end about a mile or two. When you make the turn there will be a sign showing Spicer lake to the right and Union lake to the left. On the way to Union lake you will pass Utica lake, I’m not sure if Utica has a campground, but I know there are no trout in Utica. If you can go during the week there will be few if any people there. On the weekends you get some locals and canoe/kayakers.
You can also keep going on hwy 4 a couple miles past Spicer exit and you’ll come to Alpine lake. Nice camp grounds and beautiful mountain lake. Or you can take Spicer road to Spicer lake which is also nice.
Elevation is around 6500’ and due to snow mid may is probably to soonest these places are open. Although this year with low snow amounts they may be open sooner.