This adventure involves eight nights in six campgrounds on our way to the Tetons. We left July 8th heading for points east and settled in at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Having to take care of two major errands, getting groceries and also a new phone, we came back to watch the Beckwourth Complex blowup which had initially started around June 30. Upon leaving the fairgrounds, ironically, we passed some crew busses coming in from hubby’s old Calfire station. | |
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It was a hot drive, and we were going to stop at Rye Patch Reservoir but it was way to early so kept driving. We had lunch in Lovelock and pushed further east. I consulted Allstays and Campendium (my 2 go-to apps) for places starting around 6pm and found Carlin Canyon dispersed. We were the first ones there and got the best site, probably because it was 97 degrees out. It’s a great place to stay, free and quiet, but increasingly popular as two other campers joined by nightfall. | |
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Next stop for two nights was one of our favorite Nevada campgrounds, Angel Creek. Again, the temps were super warm, but we managed with shade and cold beverages. In the morning, we drove up to the lake, swam, hiked around it’s campground, snacked, and enjoyed the many views. Not sure taking the 25ft Cloud up to that campground would be a good idea, but something smaller would work. Next time we would take the kayak out, getting there earlier as it got very crowded on the shore, but it was a Sunday. | |
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Leaving before it got too hot, we headed towards Idaho Falls, passing it and ending up in Declo at the Village of Trees RV Resort. We wanted hookups for the AC and ended up getting their last site, calling that morning around 10 am. | |
On to the City of Rocks National Reserve for two nights. We initially stopped at the Visitor’s Center and received great information about what to do and picked up a trail map. We were told about the restaurant at the historic Almo schoolhouse and drove back there to eat lunch before going into the park. Driving into City of Rocks is stunning with all the rock formations, and because our campsite was all the way at the end, we got quite the views and the layout of the park. Our site had great views of a couple of rock formations and a valley view. That evening we walked down to take in Window Arch and watch the climbers on Bath Rock. | |
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Around 9 am we left on a hike that we thought would be around 4 -5 miles. With one bottle of water each, snacks, we started out on the North Fork Circle Creek Trailhead with the trail map in hand. It was a bit obvious that after about two miles into the hike the signage was not the best in matching the trail guide. By taking a wrong turn or two we ended up at Elephant Rock instead of being back at Parking Lot Rock, walking instead 8.9 miles and in dire need of water. Luckily, when we made it to Bath Rock there is a water fountain, and we squelched our thirst. It was a beautiful hike and we arrived back at camp around 3:30. That night we drove back to Window Arch to get cell service and watch the sunset, and to say Happy Birthday to our son Ian who was on his way to meeting us in the Tetons. He informed us he got a flat tire that morning but managed to get somewhere where he then had to buy 4 new tires. | |
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In the morning we hitched up and went back to Visitor’s Center on the way out to ask questions, walk the little nature path, make breakfast and get more water in our freshwater tank. It was on towards the Tetons with one more stop, but not sure where. We drove wanting to get closer to the entrance of the Tetons so we wouldn’t have a major wait. I consulted my apps, settling on a place called Kelly Island. It’s a sweet little campground and although we had a small bit of showers, the sun was out again within the hour. There are about 16 sites and we had the pick of many, but the one to get is the one that is along the Snake River. We missed getting that site by about 3 hours. In the morning it was on to the Tetons!
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