Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

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Wild Willy’s AKA Crowley Hot Springs



This is the most popular of the hot springs as it has a man made tub and a natural creek that you can wade in. Because of that, I would not recommend this area during busy weekends as it will be crowded. During the week though it can be an excellent spot to relax and the views are incredibly beautiful both on the hike there and while in the hot springs itself. Read more here.

• Accessed via a 1-mile dirt road
• Fits 15-20 people in the two pools

Hilltop Hot Spring



This is one of the easiest hot springs to access via car as it is a mere .2 miles from the main road and you can see it from the road. The hike to this hot spring is beautiful as well, with an excellent elevated platform to walk on. The hot spring is one of the best for views itself as well since it has 360-degree views of the area around it. It can be popular and there is less room, so I recommend enjoying it for a little while then leaving when the next person gets there so they can have their turn.

• Accessed via a .2 mile dirt road
• Fits four people

Hot Tub Hot Spring



The next three are located off Whitemore Tubs Road, which is a dirt road, and each of these can vary in access to 2WD cars during different times of the year. The general note is if the road looks worse then you feel comfortable with then do not drive on it. Hot Tub is right on the road, and it is a small tub that you can park right next to. It provides views of the Eastern Sierra range as well.

• Fits two people max but one is best

Crab Cooker Hot Spring



This is my personal favorite hot spring as it has one of the best views of any of the springs in this area. It is accessed via a dirt road that I would not recommend without high clearance, 4WD though. When you get to the dirt parking lot, you will walk down the short path and see the hot springs in the little canyon below. It is known as Crab Cooker because of the heat of the water, which can be incredibly hot so be warned.

• Fits 4-6 people

Shepard Hot Spring



This is the last of the hot springs on this list. It is a man-made hot spring with a small soaking tub that can often be packed as it is small. It has an excellent view to the east and a parking lot that lets you stop right next to the hot springs itself. It is not one of my favorites but a lot of people like it.

• Fits four people

So there you have it, my guide to the popular hot springs in this area. Be sure to let me know what your favorite is if you visit them and if you have any other recommendations in the area.

 

Thank you! Yea, Easter Weekend plus spring break. it will sure be crowded this weekend up there.

 

Go early, everyone is lazy when it is cold out. Probably around 30 in the morning. It has been wet too, so go for the 4wd one, I think you can camp out there too.

 

Yes, I was thinking possibly doing Alabama Hills for the first night and possibly camping at one of the Forest Service roads near the hot springs to get there early morning. possibly sunrise before it gets too crowded and then head out once people show up.

 

I have two of these Catoma tents. Looking for a a light weight tarp that sets up easy and will cover two of these bug shelters if it starts raining hard.

Any suggestions? I was looking at the MSR Thru-Hiker 100 Wing, but wanted some suggestions first. Thank you!

 

Will anyone be in Yosemite this WE?

 

Kerblam! My REI dividend is $750. Time for some new threads.

 

If I were to use a REI co-op Mastercard for gas all year what kind of dividend could I expect? $2000-$3000 in gas. Maybe $500 of REI gear purchases. Their website say 10% on REI gear but no percentage on out of store purchases.

 

You called it. I've got the card, so I'm getting a little bit more back than the average bear. We use this card predominantly for gas and groceries, so it adds up quick. Full disclosure, we did buy a Tepui tent this year, a Goal Zero battery and panel, and some other goodies for the truck. It was a big year, definitely not normal for us at REI.

For you? Not sure based on your numbers. I do get 1% on gas and supposedly 2% on groceries, but we usually go to Trader Joe's and that isn't listed as a grocery store for some reason. I've been meaning to call them out on that one though...

 

They got rid of the 2% on groceries partway through last year, which was a bummer to find out about. Might be local for me or since I had only had the card for less than a year or something, though.

 

LOL think I had about $3bucks. I rarely buy from REI anymore. Either they don't have what I want or I can get it cheaper elsewhere online. Plus I'm not fond of all the groups they support since some of those groups take pride in closing public lands and trails/roads/access.

 

Looking for a good sleeping pad for my first hammock. dutchware netless. Dont want to break the bank. Also something geared toward cool weather camping. 30+

 

No new updates? Used my REI dividends and 20% off coupon towards a Metolius Recon Crash Pad. The girl at the counter rang it up wrong as a cheaper pad so I could have had it for free after my dividends. But I love REI a lot so told her that she entered it wrong and that it should be more expensive. Pics are of my new crash pad at The Happies in Bishop.

 

Good for you! Shows a lot of character.

 

Good karma right there

 

Maybe consider an underquilt instead of a pad? Pads tend to shift in a hammock and I could never get one to line up right without cutting and modifying. Underquilt will keep you much warmer and have better coverage.

 

^^^This.

 

That^^^^^
Hammock Gear sells an ECON version of down underquilt. Great quality Duck down. Not cheap by any means. The trade off is a little added weight if compared to premium goose down.
I have a HG Incubator Econ 20° and it fits my WBBB, WBBB XLC, or WB RR. I only use the bridge hammock now. The WBBB & WBBB XLC are collecting dust. I have a hand made bridge that has UQ down insulation built on. (Not made by me).

But, pads can reduce some of the issues associated with gathered end hammocks that some people find annoying. Calf Ridge is one.
Most people have pads when starting to hammock.
It may work for you. I cannot get a pad to be comfortable in a GE hammock, and mine are all double layer.

Hammock Forums is a great place to get information. (About hammocks, not so much about Tacomas).