Camping in NorCal - Guns, 4WD, & Fishing!

[Jason762]

Hey all -

My buddies and I are talking about doing a camping trip before I leave for Alaska.

We're looking for a nice spot close to the Bay Area (3-4 hours from Oakland) with a river, 4WD access only, and a place to shoot. Hoping for good river fishing (I'd like to try fly fishing), a spot where we can shoot up to 100 yards, and 4WD trails.

We usually go to Cleghorn Bar, but are looking for some new spots. Perhaps by the American River? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jason

[Philthy]

Lake Pillsbury. It's up near Ukiah. There are trails and the range is an airfield so you can shoot from long distance if you choose to. 100 yds is no problem. We always bring our fishing gear but never get around to it because we're too busy shooting and riding dirt bikes. There are a bunch of trails, but they aren't really maintained like other places.

If you can, go during the week and you will most likely be the only ones in the campground (we go to the campground that is the 2nd right past the airstrip - Oak Flat IIRC). Be sure to stop at that stop sign every time if you go. You will probably want a 4wd to get into the place or at least a truck.

Here's the airstrip:
39.451078, -122.954310

[Grizzlyman]

Boggs Demonstration State Forest in Cobb. Lake County. It's heaven on earth. Not much in the way of fishing though.

[gadjeep]

Boggs Demonstration State Forest in Cobb. Lake County. It's heaven on earth. Not much in the way of fishing though.

I have been up there to shoot but never 4x4ing. Are there any trails?

[Jason762]

I'm sorry, I should've said a camping site by a river.

Thanks for the Lake Pillsbury suggestion, I will pass it onto my friend

[Renowilly]

Local lake with all the activities...

Lake Merritt, in Oakland.
Its beautiful this time of yearand often overlooked. Fishing is a little iffy, unless you're into catching plastic shopping bags, and it can smell a little funky on hot afternoons. BUT, since its in Oakland, you can shoot and no one's going to think anything's out of the ordinary.
Good luck, and please post pictures.

[echo1]

When will you be wanting to do this? East to the Sierras is the closest for all of the above, but we've had a "typical" winter with storms and fresh snow just yesterday (5/10). There's a ton of places in the Stanislaus National Forest, you need to narrow down a time frame, in order to pin point a location/elevation recommendation. PAX

[Jason762]

Lake Merritt, in Oakland.
Its beautiful this time of yearand often overlooked. Fishing is a little iffy, unless you're into catching plastic shopping bags, and it can smell a little funky on hot afternoons. BUT, since its in Oakland, you can shoot and no one's going to think anything's out of the ordinary.
Good luck, and please post pictures.

When will you be wanting to do this? East to the Sierras is the closest for all of the above, but we've had a "typical" winter with storms and fresh snow just yesterday (5/10). There's a ton of places in the Stanislaus National Forest, you need to narrow down a time frame, in order to pin point a location/elevation recommendation. PAX

Planning on going the weekend of May 22nd. 4WD driving not needed, but for sure decent fishing and a spot to shoot would be preferred.

[echo1]

The North Fork of the Merced is snow free right now. Hwy 132 east to Coulterville. Continue east on 132 to Greeley Hill, stay on Greeley Hill Rd, 132 turns north to hwy 120, past this junction 2 miles. Park before you cross the Merced, walk in about 300 yards, camp along the river. 1/4 mile downstream is Dianna Falls on Bean Creek. South Eastern edge of Stanislaus Forest bordering on BLM. This is last April '09, but my crew was there 4 weeks ago. Check on the fishing, may be catch and release. It's primitive, no facilities, but you can shoot.

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac159/adpax/default/DSCN0040.jpg

[Extreme454]

When will you be wanting to do this? East to the Sierras is the closest for all of the above, but we've had a "typical" winter with storms and fresh snow just yesterday (5/10). There's a ton of places in the Stanislaus National Forest, you need to narrow down a time frame, in order to pin point a location/elevation recommendation. PAX

echo1. Do you have any suggestions near the hiway 4 corridor? for this weekend?

[grymster]

Hey all -

My buddies and I are talking about doing a camping trip before I leave for Alaska.

We're looking for a nice spot close to the Bay Area (3-4 hours from Oakland) with a river, 4WD access only, and a place to shoot. Hoping for good river fishing (I'd like to try fly fishing), a spot where we can shoot up to 100 yards, and 4WD trails.

We usually go to Cleghorn Bar, but are looking for some new spots. Perhaps by the American River? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jason

I've only met a couple of people who've been to Cleghorn.

In my experience, you'll have a tough time finding a river that isn't blown out and more or less useless for fly fishing on 5/22, especially this year, but that usually hasn't stop me from trying either.

[Breadfan]

hat creek has some of the best fishing in the state

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/recreation/hatcreek/

[grymster]

So Jason needs to tell us what he ended up doing.

[Lead-Thrower]

El Dorado NF. Fish are biting, you can shoot virtually wherever you want, and dirt trails everywhere. I would recommend Union Valley Reservoir, the fishing right now is excellent (I was there just this last weekend).

[grymster]

El Dorado NF. Fish are biting, you can shoot virtually wherever you want, and dirt trails everywhere. I would recommend Union Valley Reservoir, the fishing right now is excellent (I was there just this last weekend).

The OP was looking for a river. I had some recent reports from southern El Dorado that the rivers were running high, fast and muddy.

How did you do?