I am planning on departing White River Valley tomorrow. It is getting hard to find a primitive campgrounds that are open and it is beginning to snow. The temp is 33 and the forecast is warmer with showers, so there is no danger of this snow blanket lasting or increasing.
Ranger in snow.
Aspen do not quake in the stillness of a snowy morning.
Yesterday eve the golden sunset was blazing through the golden and quaking aspen and I thought the contrast with the evergreen was dramatic:
The drive from Rock Springs, dullest town in Wyoming, had some quite beautiful mountainous regions, including one stretch with nine switchbacks in the highway. So that one did not become complacent, there was a count down sign at each switchback indicating the remaining number.
This panoramic view was taken at one of the switchbacks:
Panoramic view:
Yesterday Annie the Dog and Ranger took a drive of a few hours including other campgrounds in the White River National Forest and back to the town of Meeker. As it turns out the Northfork CG at which I am presently parked is the only one that I would recommend for a larger rig. The other CGs are nice enough, for primitive, but are more remote on roads that would be a challenge for a large rig. Also, there are few sites that are over 25′ or so.
Northfork is only about two miles beyond the pavement and can accommodate large units while providing solar and satellite access. The facilities are primitive but with abundant water during summer season. The main drawback is that many of the sites are rather unlevel. Another drawback is that it far down a road to nowhere, over 30 miles from Meeker. One has to backtrack to Meeker, or proceed forward 40 miles on a gravel road to get out of the forest. I will opt to take the gravel road Eastward since I have previously traveled the Westward road.
The collection of CGs at Trapper Lake are really multiple loops in adjacent vicinity, called CGs. Three of the five were closed for the season. One of the closed loops was billed as having some sites for larger units, but I could not confirm that.
Trapper Lake would be a very beautiful setting high in the mountains, except that disease has killed most of the trees near the peaks, ruining the visual appeal. It is late season causing the closure of the lodge located at Trapper. The lake is above the latest, mostly melted snowfall.
On the same road the Himes campground is for smaller vehicles with perhaps one suitable for a larger vehicle.
In the other direction one can find the Marvine and East Marvine Campgrounds. Most of the comments above about unit size apply to these CGs. Although all the camping areas will accommodate Horse Camping, Horsethief at Trapper emphasizing it, the Marvines also support horse camping. My experience has been that camping at horse camps can have a a fly problem.
Where is Arrival at Northfork Campground, White River National Forest, CO?
Today’s travel: map item #40 to #41, 245 miles
Barth’s vantage point.
My breakfast view:
After wrenching myself free of the grips of Rock Springs, we had a pleasant drive to Meeker, CO and onward to the Northfork CG in White River NF. There are several CGs in the area typically 25 miles from Meeker, kinda of a long drive to get to them. I strongly recommend a stop in Meeker at the National Forest office for directions, as the signage is not good.
The drive through the valley from Meeker to the campgrounds is beautiful. I saw places I would like to live, but, yeah, I forget, I cannot afford to live where anyone else would want to live.
We are still hanging at Buckboard Crossing. Yesterday we did take a trip to the South end of the lake to see the city of Manila and another campground to see if we wanted to move, and to get ice cream. Manila is a one small grocery, one gas station plus a few houses type of town. The interesting thing is that the gas and groceries were not outrageously priced. As the campground goes, the only advantage there was the presence of a herd of antelope. Since I got a couple of pictures, no need to return. These were the first antelope I have seen on this trip.
“fa la …where the deer and antelope play… la di da”
Now if I can just sneak like a chamellion…
Gotta get across the road before those chickens…
If I pretend you aren’t there then I can continue to graze…
Where is Flaming Gorge National Rec. Area / NFS Buckboard Crossing Campground?
Todays travel: map item #38 to #39 , 140 miles
This is my camp spot:
This is “their” camp spot:
The ‘no elbow room’ shot is a commercial campground across the road. The shot of my camping site is in an empty NFS campground that may be closed, but doesn’t even have a gate to shut to close it. So I may be asked to leave if they are trying to close it. The camp fee here is $15.00/night, $7.50 GAP rate. Electric can be had for an additional $4.00/night. Off course I can pass on that – or not.
I had a slightly difficult time getting here as I had to stop several times. Once for diesel, once for propane, once to dump my tanks, and another time (actually at the destination) to fill with water as I did not like the looks of the fresh water fill setup where I dumped.
There doesn’t appear to be much here but a marina. So I may move soon, after I nap here a day or two.
