Wisconsin area events- COMING SOON! Lower Wisconsin River kayak camping trip! July 25-27

Stop by Warfab in Montrose and see what sweet taco parts he has cooking and how his KoH Jeep is coming along! Rimrock is a fun trail! And if you’re gonna do Black bear 100% loop it with Imogene so you can get a pic on poser rock!

 

My buddy said screw the plans. He just wants to get away. We may well spend the week in Colorado and not make it to Moab. He likes the idea of winging it. As of today, Black Bear Pass is still closed. Looping in with Imogene is/was the plan.

 

Bleak bear pass is really cool and all but easily overrated after your first time. if you get on the alpine loop it’s way worth it. poughkeepsie gulch is a really rad trail too! Engineers pass and Ophir pass will keep you plenty entertained as well. I’ve done pretty much every trail in that area a few times now and it has plenty to offer for a weeks+ worth of wheeling if you don’t make it to MOAB

 

So... a week into September and I am starting to ramp up my "stress" for the Bayfield run. I am taking Friday the 6th off and leading some of you astray. Can I at this early stage get an idea of how many want to do the "hard" run on Friday. Last year it required winching, and some willingness to buff. I also put a couple of dents in but that isn't a requirement... I will be going up possibly this weekend to make sure it hasn't been closed by our local FS station and get a feel for any changes to the difficulty rating. Let me know.

 

“Body damage” or “story marks” ?

 

Well... I like story marks better than damage. Definitely was a story to be told; thus, taking folks up there. I also missed a road that supposedly exists and leads to a different story I am sure...

 

Pat, I have complete confidence in you.
Last year was a good time.
I'm sure that wherever you lead us to,
we will get out-of.

Eventually

 

I was planning on coming along on Friday. I'm good with winching, and trail kisses on my paint. I'd like to avoid dents, but it sounds like that shouldn't be an issue.

As far as the route, how long of a day are we looking at?

I'd like to have the option to go to the Apple festival either Friday or Saturday, doesn't matter which one.

 

Also, I'd like to discuss the possibility of a different campsite, or destination altogether next year. Anyone who is attending this year, or thinking of attending next year, I'd like to hear your opinions.

One idea was Copper Falls. Otherwise, maybe something in the Clam Lake area. This might make the Apple festival less of an option, though.

Just some food for thought. I'm open to suggestions.

 

It will be a few hours depending on where we explore. It took me all day but I was alone and had to figure it all out by myself. I will know more once I get up there again and look it over-could be worse... could be better depending on what the winter did. I am confident you can do Apple Fest Friday evening.

 

I vote for Copper Falls-puts us closer for both days and has better facilities.

 

Copper Falls sounds nice or Clam Lake area I am open.
The Wife and I will be up sometime Friday night so let me know where to meet up Saturday morning.

 

If you guys are considering Copper Falls you better check now for availability. Even without big events like Apple Fest going on that place fills up on weekends. Campsites are pretty close together and they won't tolerate noise/long drinking nights around the fire too well (no hate, just saying I know the group and I'm part of that problem lol; group site may be more chill though).

For last minute emergency options or for people needing single sites, you could try at Potato Falls which has a small primitive first-come-first-serve campground. Only like 4 sites but not sure I've ever seen them all full. Or north of there at Hwy2/169 intersection is my favorite last minute place at Frontier Bar & Campground. Showers, bar, gas, convenience store, and campground all in one. Even if you just need a shower it's like $3 - sounds boring but when you're in the woods for a week that place is like Shangri La.

One place that is on my list to see this year is Big Rock campground up north of Washburn. I believe those are also FCFS. @pearing you ever been to that one?

 

I was thinking about next year. But, I might have to check out the layout at Copper Falls to see how we can get enough space for everyone while being as isolated as possible from other campers. If it doesn't look like a good option, I'll keep looking.

 

Big rock is very cool, but way to small. There are FS campground near Mellon as well: Beaver Lake and Lake 3. Closer to our driving but similar to Birch Grove CG.

 

Called Copper Falls. They are booked full that weekend adn our style of camping won't work there so never mind. Doesn't sound like Lake 3 is open but Beaver Lake is and there are two near Clam Lake that are open. I can go claim sites like I did last year at any of these

 

I think I tried Lake 3 years ago and it had been closed due to budget cuts, along with one of my favorite campgrounds in the Medford district and several others.

I remember there being a couple of campgrounds near Clam Lake, including Day lake, which is pretty large.

 

New poll, y'all!

Please vote for every option that applies.

It's coming up quick!!!

 

Also, anyone coming next week, DM me for my address!

 

Okay, went out and did some recon for the Bayfield weekend today. I looked at three possible camp sites that are closer to our play area than Birch Grove CG that we used last year.

Beaver Lake CG: This one is okay. Very much in the Penokees-dirt in and dirt out. $15 per site and they are quite small, but there are some right on the lake. Reservable? I looked, but it seems they are all first come so I am not sure.



Day Lake CG: This is a big camp ground with six loops. My favorite was the last loop (#'s 46-52) I say if we go here we get the whole loop. These sites are $18 and reservable



East Twin Lakes CG: This was my favorite by far-FANTASTIC place!!! $15 and it seems from the little bit of looking I did that they are all first come first served? Not sure, but I do know we want lop #'s 6-9 all to ourselves.

Trails:
Friday: I went and looked at my winch hill today. It is still open (yes!) and it doesn't seem like the winter was too hard on it. 35's make everything better and the first winch spot last year I drove right up. Got as far as the second winch spot and backed out as I wasn't in for a siege today. The gate keeper is a big mud hole that nearly got me... so be warned. Tight and scratchy-you will have trail striping. It looks intimidating, just say'in. Bumpy, scratchy FUN, FUN, FUN! This is a summit or plumet kinda deal because there aren't many places to turn around. I had to winch on the way-out last year and it does actually look worse at that second winch spot for going down. Lots of opportunity for a 4Runner to get seriously cocked up... Just kidding; well, not really, as I did last year!!! (here is proof from last years adventure...)



Saturday: Planning a fun color run loop through the Penokees starting from whichever campground we use. Trees are just starting to show some colors so it should be fantastic for our weekend provided we don't get a big windstorm. I have some new trails for you guys and it should be fun. Definitely beginner friendly. Trying to make it work so we can do lunch up on Mnt Whittlesey. I drove the climb today and it is in the same shape as last year. This is the must-see part of the trip, but the more advanced wheeling. I would say that in a stock truck this is an intermediate level climb. It will challenge you and you probably will need 4 wheel drive (unless you are Tim, then it is what it is...) There is that "one" spot that I will call the crux and it is intimidating, tight and has some consequence if poor decision making happens. One the plus side all of the 4Runners made it last year... I will do a better job of communicating where and helping people through.

Do we want to do the last fire tower that could be climbed? It is close to where we will end up on either the front or back of the day. Let me know.

Excited to see you guys up here again!