Wheelers Pass Road Dispersed Camping - Pahrump Nevada
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| Look west Pahrump NV |
There were plenty of spots to park. The gravel road was rough but I found an empty spot and pointed the Van north and set up. There was snow still on the mountain peak to the west, A good place for an overnight.
I headed north after breakfast, next stop Sportsman Beach on Walker lake, about 4 hours NW.
Sportsman Beach BLM Campground - Walker Lake, NV
Walker Lake - Mt. Grant
4092026 GPS: 38.6914, -118.7716 The drive from Pahrump was uneventful and went by quickly. The camping area was a pleasant surprise. Nestled in the shadow of Mt. Grant the views were splendid. I got a space right on the lake right next to one of the geocaches in the park. The cost was only $6 and there was plenty of spaces to pick from. I walked to the pay station and then strolled down by the bank of the lake. The water was low and it looked very mossy. It appears the area has suffered from severe ecological decline, with high salt levels leading to the collapse of its fishery.
There are boat ramps, but I didn’t see any boats in the lake, and no one was fishing. According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife conservation efforts are ongoing to restore the lake's water levels, which have declined significantly over the past century due to agricultural diversions from the Walker River. Around this campground they have posted signs showing what the water level was in past years. So today it is a nice place for a overnight, but there used to be much more going on here.
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| Sportsman BLM Campground |
I really enjoyed my stay, finding the few geocaches and visiting with other campers and their pets. I packed up early in the morning thinking that maybe I should stay another day, but there were dark clouds coming over the mountain so I hit the road heading towards Reno and into California. Not sure where I'm parking next, I have my eye on a couple rest stops but it looks like all the campgrounds are still closed in the Shasta mountain area. There is a parking area right on the CA/OR state line that might serve, weill see.
Oak Slope Campground - Emigrant Lake, Ashland OR
4102026 42.158309, -122.619725 Well shortly out of Reno entering California it began to rain and would rain all day. I drove through the Lassen National Forest from Susanville, past Mt. Shasta, although I did not see Mt. Shasta because it was raining, stopped for gas in Weed before crossing into Oregon. |
| Oak Slope Campground |
So I drove into Ashland and found a nice paved camp spot on the hillside north of Emigrant Lake in Oak Slope Campground. I didn't have any cash so I wrote and check and hunkered down in the van and let it rain.
In the morning the sun was out and the park was very nice. I went for a walk and took my time, again thinking it would be nice to spend another day, but there was more rain coming and I have a reservation at my next stop on the Umpqua River less than a 3 hour drive north.
I was able to dump my grey tank, fill up on water and I even got a nice shower. It was raining again by the time I left. I bet this place is nice when it is not rainy, maybe I will find out someday.
Tyee Campground, Umpqua River - Roseburg OR
Tyee Campground
4112026 43.484506, -123.483565 I had high hopes for this campground. I originally booked 2 days, I changed it to 1 after the refrigerator repair. Surrounded by tall trees right on the banks of the Umpqua river, only one of two rivers in Oregon with headwaters that begin high up in the Cascade Mountains and meanders on down to the Pacific Ocean. I stay at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park on my way back from Thanksgiving last year.
This is a small campground and must be well used by locals during the summer. But in April, there was plenty of room, only a few other campers. Not sure what is going on in space 10 which looks like an abandoned yard sale. I only saw 2 other people and they were the camp host making their rounds.
stairway to Umpqua river
Tired of waiting for the rain to stop, I donned what rain gear I walked down to the river and up and down the stairs to the river. I walked the entire park which only took a half hour.
There was no cell signal and Starlink connection was weak and unreliable, but good enough to listen to baseball. So I pretty much spent my time inside the van staying dry. I cooked up a can of soup and enjoyed the game.
It rained all night and the tall trees dropped water on the van roof. Of course I was not bothered and by the morning the rain stopped for about 15 minutes, but I didn't notice. I slept until well after sunrise, but I didn't notice.
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| stairway to Umpqua river |
Glenwood Dr. Vanway - Olympia, WA
Glennwood Dr. Vanway
4122026 - 4132026 Safely parked at Todd & Kate's, thus ending the first phase of this trip where we will spend a week in an Airbnb. Once settles we enjoyed a salad and delicious sausage rolls.
The next day was all about getting ready for the trip to Victoria. I decided to go ahead and take the Van, mostly because I will have all my stuff with me. Also I will not be taking up space in the car so it can be packed for a week in a Airbnb. I also want to be able to say I took my Van on the Coho Ferry.
In the morning we got ready for a busy day. I was able to get my COVID 19 booster shot at Walgreens and then we went on a nice walk/geocaching at the Grass Lake Nature Trail. After our walk, we gathered up the string instruments and had a quick Jam at a friends in Olympia.
Then it was back to Glenwood to make final preparations for a 0430 departure to get to the ferry on time.
