Bug out camping

[Skoonie]

So my daughter and nephew want to do a camping/backpacking trip, the goal is to grab our prepared emergency bags, drive to a location and spend the weekend living out of our backpacks. I think its an awesome idea and it might get them to clean out some of the gimmicky crap they have decided was important to have during a SHTF situation once they have to hump it around, as well as practice some bushcraft.

The location we had planned on using is reduced to ashes now and I dont think we have the skill level yet to pull that one off. Does anybody have any ideas where we could go for a weekend and be able to camp/hike, hunt small game and not be breaking any laws? It would be nice to have some sort of water source but we could get around that if we had to.

I wouldn't mind doing a bit of driving to get somewhere but it still needs to make sense for a long weekend trip. Solano county would be our starting point.

[Supertac916]

I just got back from a 3 day backpacking trip up in Desolation Wilderness last Sunday. We backpacked to Upper Lake Velma, Dick's, and Fontanellis Lake's. We packed out of Emerald Bay and there are two trailheads, but both are relatively steep inclines. Eagle Falls Trailhead is the more difficult one.

I packed in a handgun, but didn't see anyone carrying rifles. Saturday night when we were camped out a Fontanellis we heard gun shots out in the distance, which is legal as long as you are following the laws. I'm not sure about the hunting laws right now. However, I caught trout out of Velma and Fontanellis to eat.

There were a few day hikers that we could see throughout the weekend, but we were essentially alone during the evenings. The only downside is that fire's are prohibited and have a maximum fine of $5,000. Right now with the King fire burning I could see them throwing the book at you. They allow gas stoves, so I used my Jetboil. The round trip was about 16-18 miles because we decided to backcountry part of it.

Another option is Paradise Lake off of I-80 and Donner, which my wife and I did a few months ago. It's in the Tahoe National Forest and there are multiple ways to hit the Pacific Crest Trail. You can head in from Donner, which is 8 miles or drive under the freeway and take the jeep trail, which cuts off about 2 miles from the initial hike in. You will need a truck or some kind of lifted vehicle to get back there. There's also an entry point to the PCT from White Rock Lake, which cuts the hike down to 4 miles.

Again, there aren't any fires allowed in either place due to the fire danger. I don't think you can shoot or recommend to pack in long guns to Paradise because it's busier. You have a lot of day hikers and even kids that make it out to the lake during the day. There are no fish in the lake, so fishing isn't an option. However, it's a good novice to intermediate hike/camping trip to test out gear and more importantly if you can handle the weight of the pack.

[ElvenSoul]

Allways a good idea

[mindwip]

Just came back from golden trout area in inyo national forest below Whitney off the 395. Beautful and cool there. Also high up 9 to 11k!

[gorn5150]

I would suggest the Trinity Alps. There is a campsite near the lake off of Hwy 3 called bridge camp. It is at the end of the dirt forest road right at the gate to the wilderness area. It has the Stuart fork of the the Trinity river and several lakes you can hike in to. This time of year is awesome there. Mild days and cool nights. Lots of fish and not a lot of people.