Back in 2009 a group of people who frequent the forums at backpackinglight.com started an annual get together they called the Gathering of the Gear Geeks (GGG). Apparently an ultralight backpacking gear-centric weekend affair, it was of no interest to me as gear is mostly boring. I equate it to a bunch of auto mechanics getting together to share their wrenches and sockets… something that never happens.
Over time, as the so-called ultralight gear became more main stream, it seemed the GGG was becoming more about diverse people getting together for a weekend with one common interest – backpacking. Re-winding to last year, my friend Craig suggested we ought to go up and meet some of these folks in person, which would be an 870 mile round trip for me. Not a trip I would want to do again just to camp out for a couple of nights. But…
…that trip last year was held at Henry Coe State Park in the San Francisco Bay area. What I learned was the park, at 89,000 acres (including over 20,000 acres of designated wilderness), is California’s second largest state park only exceeded in area by Anza Borrego State Park. Henry Coe SP is mostly oak woodland chaparral with a scattering of pine trees in the upper elevations, typical of much of central and southern California. Much of the year water is somewhat scarce so the park isn’t heavily used.
large areas of land + few people = great backpacking
This year a couple people inquired if I would be attending again, which would have been an absolute “No,” unless I could combine it with a backpacking trip. A few emails later Doug, Peter, and PMags (Paul) said they were in for a backpacking trip and topping it off with two nights at the GGG X for dessert. X means #10 (you know, Super Bowl followed by Roman numerals). Unfortunately Craig had previous commitments and couldn’t make it.
The hiking was fabulous, trails steep and tiring at times, the companions first-rate.
Day 1
We arrived Monday night and paid for a developed campsite ($20). The park has a developed 20 unit campground. Temps were in the 30’s and we concocted bean burritos over a fire pit’s grate, drank some wine, and went to bed. Throughout the trip the days were balmy with temperatures in the 60’s and chilly nights in the 30’s that felt even colder as we camped on the shores of small lakes. Oh… and these temps are Fahrenheit, I don’t do the “C” word.
Day 2
13 miles to Kelly Lake. Most of the route was along well maintained trails, but occasionally we had to walk old dirt roads on the ridgeline of the rolling hills; quickly figuring out that these roads were to be avoided whenever possible, as the steep elevation gains were thigh-muscle-busters. At first glance there didn’t seem to be any outstanding spots to camp, but Paul found a wonderful small, grass covered bench overlooking the lake.
Day 3
10 miles to Mississippi Lake. Lots of ups and downs and the highlight was our lunch break at Pacheco Camp, a lush green meadow. Once we got to Mississippi Lake, there weren’t any immediately visible great places to camp for the night, so we dropped our packs and Doug and Paul went in search of campsite. An hour or so later (the lake was bigger than it appeared – over two miles of shoreline) they returned with the scouting report. Only one nice place to accommodate all of us; and by nice it was really, really nice – our best spot of the trip.
Day 4
8 miles to Coit Lake. Another great spot to camp.
Day 5
12 miles to the GGG X group campground. For me this was the most enjoyable section of trails of the trip.
Day 6
On day 6 a huge problem loomed… the lack (or perceived lack) of sufficient beer at the campsite. So Paul and I walked almost 3 miles to the truck, drove into town, filled our packs with beer, drove back to the parking area and schlepped the beer back to camp.
Day 7
Cold, cold morning. Cold front rolling in. We packed up and headed out around 10am, Paul and I driving back together as he would spend the night back home with Joyce and me. We got home at 9pm.
On most trips I forget to take pictures. So here are the few I took.
