Fun Weekend Campout & Hiking in Santa Rosa Wilderness!

Join us for a fun weekend camping, hiking and socializing with your dog in the beautiful Santa Rosa Wilderness!

---> If this is your first camping trip and you have questions on what to bring, eat, etc. please message me. This is my favorite thing ever and I am happy to help others enjoy it too.

The optional Sat hike leaves at 10:00 am from the campground to a short walk to the high desert Cactus Spring Trail 2 miles to Horsethief Creek and return for a total of 4 miles with lots of ups and downs in the canyon.

Bring plenty of water, shaded hat, sunscreen, snacks and shades. This trail gets hot during the day. If the projected temp is over 80, we will only do the first mile or so of this hike, starting at 9am.

The campground is set in a rugged landscape with beautiful views of the mountains.

We'll be car-camping (tent and sleeping bag come out of your car but your car with the rest of your gear is at site or nearby) both Friday and Saturday night among the cacti at 4,000 feet elev. near the Santa Rosa Wilderness.

Please bring 2 bundles of firewood to share for the group fire parties at night (no wood for sale or collecting onsite) and everything you need to camp overnight especially your fun and friendly, social self and sense of adventure!

If you need to share a stove I am happy to help, but otherwise please be prepared, including your tent, sleeping bag, pad or mattress and extra blankets, plenty of water, food and headlamp with extra batteries (and extra headlamps, warm hats and gloves if you're like me), bug spray, sunscreen (it is expected to be warm, mid 70's to 80's during the day and low 50's / high 40's at night), shade hat, warm clothes, rain gear if weather predicts (always a good idea to have with you anyway) and dress in layers with lunch and snacks for the day hike.

Good news! There are vault (non-flushing) toilets, potable water and trash cans at the campground.

The hike and campout are well behaved, leashed dog friendly! Mountain lions, coyotes and snakes are in the area, Do not leave food out, keep dog close to you.

This location is a 2 hour ish (depending on traffic) from San Juan Capistrano and 2.25 ish from Los Angeles; it's 20 miles south of Palm Dessert.

You're welcome to hike and not camp, camp and not hike, or camp just Friday or Saturday night or bring your dog or not if you prefer.

SUNDAY:

We will check out of the campground by 11 am and meet up on the way home for brunch about 30 minutes away. (optional)

IMPORTANT:

This event is CROSS-POSTED in other Meetup and Facebook groups. The guest list is limited.

To confirm your spot, see important real time announcements and comment with the host and other attendees, you must also please RSVP on Fun Stuff & Friends OC!

--->>> RSVP Here: https://www.meetup.com/fun-stuff-friends-oc/events/277371129/

Join us to RSVP and check out our other fun events on the calendar too!

RSVP at the link above in Fun Stuff & Friends OC! Group, then message me for the gps location to the campground. - the GPS for this event is NOT the exact location.

FYI - texts and WiFi do not work in the campground - be sure you have the directions printed or saved.

The campground is available on a First Come First Served basis at $8/night.

One car per site with no overflow parking onsite. There are 36 sites. I went with a group in late February over the weekend and there were plenty of sites available. If we need to double-up in the sites we can leave extra cars at the Trailhead Parking Lot nearby.

Checkin anytime on Friday after 2pm. I will post in the comments my estimated ETA the day of but plan to arrive by 4 to 5pm.

If you are a new or experienced camper, this will be a fun weekend, I hope you can join us!!

See you soon!

---> NOTE - Please also RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/fun-stuff-friends-oc/events/277371129/ for exact address and important real time event announcements.

The GPS for this event is not the exact location.