Sunset goes camping: our staffers field-test tips, recipes, and gear

Sunset, May, 2003

Gear up

Tents

                           Size       What we loved

Airfloor 33,               Sleeps     Self-inflating mattress floor
The North Face,            three      makes for genuinely
www.thenorthface.com                  comfortable bedtime; tent is
or (800) 447-2333                     sturdy, stable, durable

Blue Mesa 1610, Eureka,    Sleeps     Three partitioned rooms,
www.eurekaten.com          nine or    separate entrances, plenty
or (800) 345-7622          more       of headroom


Osprey, AirZone            Sleeps up  No tent poles to assemble,
Recreation,                to four    lose, or break--air
www.airzonerecreation.com             chambers hold the tent up
or (877) 767-9663

Super Nova,                Sleeps up  Slickly designed and light, it
Sierra Designs,.           to three   converts to an even lighter-weight
www.sierradesigns.com                 weight two-person size--perfect
or (800) 635-0461                     for backpacking

                           We didn't like        Ease to setup

Airfloor 33,               For a three-person    Tent goes up in a
The North Face,            tent, it carries a    snap; floor takes a
www.thenorthface.com       steep price--and      few minutes to inflate
or (800) 447-2333          a lot of weight

Blue Mesa 1610, Eureka,    Floor seems thin,     Setup is so intuitive,
www.eurekaten.com          easy to rip (we laid  you could pitch this
or (800) 345-7622          a tarp underneath)    tent without
                                                 instructions (we did)

Osprey, AirZone            A bit unstable in     Use a bike pump (a bit
Recreation,                high winds            of work), or try an air
www.airzonerecreation.com  (staking helps)       compressor--it'll set
or (877) 767-9663                                itself up in one minute

Super Nova,                We couldn't set it    Presto, no change-o
Sierra Designs,.           up to "convert"
www.sierradesigns.com
or (800) 635-0461

                           Price

Airfloor 33,               $499
The North Face,
www.thenorthface.com
or (800) 447-2333

Blue Mesa 1610, Eureka,    $470
www.eurekaten.com
or (800) 345-7622


Osprey, AirZone            $399
Recreation,
www.airzonerecreation.com
or (877) 767-9663

Super Nova,                $369
Sierra Designs,.
www.sierradesigns.com
or (800) 635-0461

Stoves

                          What we loved

"Matchless"               Its tried-and-true technology;
2-Burner Stove, Century,  lightweight and built to last. It is
www.centurycamping.com    simple to assemble, lights easily,
or (800) 435-4525         and heats up fast

Outpost Stove,            Big, heavy-duty table and stove
Coleman Exponent,         combo. Incredible performer, with
www.coleman.com           two adjustable burners and up to
or (800) 835-3278         200,000 BTUs

RoadTrip Grill, Coleman,  New, sleek-looking two-burner
www.coleman.com or        grill fires up fast with push-
(800) 835-3278            button ignition. Hooks up easily
                          to fuel tank

                          We didn't like

"Matchless"               No nonstick finish--
2-Burner Stove, Century,  our cleanup was a
www.centurycamping.com    bit difficult
or (800) 435-4525

Outpost Stove,            It's heavy and may
Coleman Exponent,         be more than family
www.coleman.com           campers need
or (800) 835-3278

RoadTrip Grill, Coleman,  When you need high
www.coleman.com or        heat, it's not so hot,
(800) 835-3278            And the legs stuck
                          on setup, takedown

                          Fuel                        Price

"Matchless"               16.4-ounce disposable       $75
2-Burner Stove, Century,  propane cylinder or
www.centurycamping.com    refillable 20-pound bulk
or (800) 435-4525         tank (neither is included)

Outpost Stove,            Refillable 20-pound         $180
Coleman Exponent,         bulk propane tank
www.coleman.com           (not included)
or (800) 835-3278

RoadTrip Grill, Coleman,  16.4-ounce disposable       $169
www.coleman.com or        propane cylinder or
(800) 835-3278            refillable 20-pound bulk
                          tank (neither is included)

Fun stuff

                           Description

Vortex Hand Crank          A blender that
Blender, GSI Outdoors,     needs no electrical
www.gsioufdoors.com        outlet
(800) 704-4474

8D Remote Control          Battery-operated,
Lantern, Coleman,          with remotecontrol
www.coleman.com            on/off switch
or (800) 835-3278

Tikka LED head-lamp,       Hands-free light
Petzl,                     source
www.petzl.com
or (801) 926-1500

Clear Creek Double         Large 20[degrees] sleeping
Wide sleeping bag, Kelty,  bag built for two
www.kelty. com
or (800) 423-2320


Big Lux Cot,               Large aluminum-
Slumberjack,               frame cot
www.slumberjack.com
or (800) 233-6283

                           Cool factor

Vortex Hand Crank          Surprisingly effective for making
Blender, GSI Outdoors,     smoothies--or sure, margaritas,
www.gsioufdoors.com        we guess
(800) 704-4474

8D Remote Control          Scatter scary monsters before
Lantern, Coleman,          attempting middle-of-the-night
www.coleman.com            rest-room run
or (800) 835-3278

Tikka LED head-lamp,       Tiny yet powerful headlamp in a
Petzl,                     neck-friendly 2.5-ounce package
www.petzl.com
or (801) 926-1500

Clear Creek Double         Now there's nothing to come
Wide sleeping bag, Kelty,  between you and your favorite
www.kelty. com             camp ing buddy; fleece-lined stuff
or (800) 423-2320          sack (stuff it to make a pillow)
                           is nice

Big Lux Cot,               Has to be the world's cushiest cot;
Slumberjack,               sleeve to hold sleeping pad (pad is
www.slumberjack.com        included) is clever
or (800) 233-6283

                           But wait                   Price

Vortex Hand Crank          What's wrong with "on      $70
Blender, GSI Outdoors,     the rocks"?
www.gsioufdoors.com
(800) 704-4474

8D Remote Control          Do you really want to      $29
Lantern, Coleman,          see any kind of remote
www.coleman.com            when you're camping?
or (800) 835-3278

Tikka LED head-lamp,       Can you get over feeling   $28
Petzl,                     like a coal miner?
www.petzl.com
or (801) 926-1500

Clear Creek Double         You can zip two bags       $130
Wide sleeping bag, Kelty,  together rather than
www.kelty. com             buying a third
or (800) 423-2320


Big Lux Cot,               If you're only spending    $99
Slumberjack,               a night or two out, is it
www.slumberjack.com        worth the money?
or (800) 233-6283

Head out

The best campgrounds in California and beyond

CALIFORNIA

                                 Lay of the land

(a) Camp Edison, Shaver          Rent a boat and join the flotilla
Lake 50 miles northeast          cruising Shaver Lake's shimmering
of Fresno off State 168.         waters, or just kick back and
www.sce.com/campedison           listen to the wind in the
or (559) 841-3134.               pines. For those who want to
                                 camp in luxury, Camp Edison
                                 has electric and cable TV hookups
                                 at every site. The lakefront
                                 spots are the most coveted,
                                 but conifers and granite
                                 boulders make even the standard
                                 sites private and comfortable.

(B) Cold Springs Camp-           A glacier-cut valley, Mineral
ground, Sequoia & Kings          King is surrounded by 12,000-foot
Canyon National Parks            granite and shale peaks and is
100 miles southeast of Fresno.   home to the headwaters of the
(559) 565-3341.                  East Fork of the Kaweah River.
                                 Trails ascend to high alpine
                                 lakes, giant sequoia groves,
                                 and awe-inspiring views of the
                                 jagged Sawtooth Ridge. Pick
                                 a campsite along the riverbanks
                                 or in the shade of quaking
                                 aspens; the walk-ins are best.

(C) Jedediah Smith               A rain forest-like park with
Redwoods State Park              ferns, lichens, and towering old-
9 miles east of Crescent City,   growth redwoods, Its shaded camp
near the Oregon border. (707)    is set beside the emerald
464-6101 or (800) 444-7275       Smith River, the longest free-
for reservations.                flowing river in California. Prepare
                                 to be dwarfed by the 300-foot-
                                 tall redwoods in Stout Grove.

(D) Little Harbor Camp-          If you're looking for a
ground Santa Catalina Island.    spot to indulge your Robinson Crusoe
www.scico.com/camping,           fantasies, this could be it.
(310) 510-2800 for information,  Palm trees grace a sandy beach
or (310) 510-8368 for reserva-   cove. Bright orange garibaldis
tions (required).                swim in turquoise waters. A herd
                                 of bison graze on the coastal
                                 bluffs. Little Harbor Campground
                                 is accessed via bus from
                                 Avalon or Two Harbors (cars are ver-
                                 boten on Catalina). Intrepid
                                 campers can backpack the 6 3/4-mile
                                 distance from Two Harbors.

(E) Porno Canyon Environ-        The 17-mile string of state
mental Camp, Sonoma              beaches here showcases the best
Coast State Beach Near           of California's shoreline:
Jenner on the Sonoma County      tidepools, rock outcroppings, long
coast. www.parks.ca.gov or       stretches of sand, and whales
(707) 875-3483.                  gliding by in the frothing surf,
                                 Savor it all while sheltered
                                 from the coastal wind in Pomo
                                 Canyon. Spacious, secluded
                                 sites are tucked into a dense
                                 redwood grove. Strictly
                                 speaking, this is not quite a car
                                 campground; it's about a two-minute
                                 walk from parking lot to
                                 campsites. Believe us,
                                 it's worth it.

(F) Saddlebag Lake Camp-         At 10,087 feet in the lnyo
ground Lee Vining.               National Forest, Saddlebag Lake is
www.r5-fs.fed.us/inyo or         the highest lake you can drive
(760) 873-2408.                  to in California--which means it
                                 may not open until late June.
                                 It's worth the wait; set in a stark
                                 landscape high above the tree
                                 line, the lake and its neighboring
                                 campground are only 5 miles from
                                 the Tioga Pass entrance to
                                 Yosemite National Park, A
                                 boat taxi shuttles hikers and anglers
                                 across Saddlebag Lake to the
                                 Twenty Lakes Basin in the
                                 Hoover Wilderness.

                                 Activities

(a) Camp Edison, Shaver          Hiking, water-skiing,
Lake 50 miles northeast          boating, fishing,
of Fresno off State 168.         swimming, mountain
www.sce.com/campedison           biking, horseback
or (559) 841-3134.               riding.








(B) Cold Springs Camp-           Hiking, fishing,
ground, Sequoia & Kings          horseback riding,
Canyon National Parks
100 miles southeast of Fresno.
(559) 565-3341.








(C) Jedediah Smith               Hiking, fishing,
Redwoods State Park              mountain biking,
9 miles east of Crescent City,   horseback riding,
near the Oregon border. (707)    canoeing, kayaking.
464-6101 or (800) 444-7275       swimming.
for reservations.



(D) Little Harbor Camp-          Hiking, swimming,
ground Santa Catalina Island.    snorkeling, kaysking.
www.scico.com/camping,
(310) 510-2800 for information,
or (310) 510-8368 for reserva-
tions (required).








(E) Porno Canyon Environ-        Hiking, fishing,
mental Camp, Sonoma              kayaking, beach-
Coast State Beach Near           combing.
Jenner on the Sonoma County
coast. www.parks.ca.gov or
(707) 875-3483.











(F) Saddlebag Lake Camp-         Hiking, fishing, tour-
ground Lee Vining.               ing Yosemite.
www.r5-fs.fed.us/inyo or
(760) 873-2408.












                                 Facilities/Cost

(a) Camp Edison, Shaver          252 tent and RV sites,
Lake 50 miles northeast          flush toilets, showers,
of Fresno off State 168.         laundromat, general store.
www.sce.com/campedison           $22-$42 per night.
or (559) 841-3134.








(B) Cold Springs Camp-           40 tent sites, vault toilets,
ground, Sequoia & Kings          showers available at
Canyon National Parks            nearby resort. $12 per
100 miles southeast of Fresno.   night, $10 entrance fee per
(559) 565-3341.                  vehicle.








(C) Jedediah Smith               106 tent and RV sites,
Redwoods State Park              flush toilets, showers.
9 miles east of Crescent City,   $12-$15 per night.
near the Oregon border. (707)
464-6101 or (800) 444-7275
for reservations.



(D) Little Harbor Camp-          17 tent sites, vault toilets,
ground Santa Catalina Island.    showers. $12 per night,
www.scico.com/camping,           $6 ages 2-11.
(310) 510-2800 for information,
or (310) 510-8368 for reserva-
tions (required).








(E) Porno Canyon Environ-        20 tent sites, vault toilets.
mental Camp, Sonoma              $10 per night.
Coast State Beach Near
Jenner on the Sonoma County
coast. www.parks.ca.gov or
(707) 875-3483.











(F) Saddlebag Lake Camp-         20 tent and RV sites, vault
ground Lee Vining.               toilets. $15 per night.
www.r5-fs.fed.us/inyo or
(760) 873-2408.












OREGON

                                 Lay of the land

(G) Carl G. Washburne            A sleeper among coastal state
Memorial State Park              parks, Washburne set its campground
13 miles north of Florence.      on the east side of U.S. 101, but
www.oregonstateparks.org,        it's still within earshot of the
(541) 547-3416 for information,  surf; follow a short trail under
or (800) 452-5687 for yurt       the highway to get to the 5-mile-
reservations (required).         long beach. Lush native vegetation,
                                 including late May-blooming
                                 rhododendrons, provides a buffer
                                 between campsites. Another trail
                                 leads past China Creek to
                                 lighthouse-topped Heceta Head.

(H) Olallie Scenic Area,         This high lakes basin north of Mt.
Mt. Hood National Forest         Jefferson is remote (the last 7
65 miles southeast of            miles of road are gravel), tranquil
Estacada via State 224.          (no motors on the lakes), and
www.olallielake.com, (541) 504-  breathtakingly scenic, with some
1010 or (503) 557-1010.          200 lakes and ponds. In summer
                                 and fall, follow trails up buttes
                                 and through wildflower meadows,
                                 Rustic Olallie Lake Resort, open
                                 June through October, rents row-
                                 boats, paddleboats, and canoes.

                                 Activities

(G) Carl G. Washburne            Hiking,
Memorial State Park              beachcombing.
13 miles north of Florence.
www.oregonstateparks.org,
(541) 547-3416 for information,
or (800) 452-5687 for yurt
reservations (required).






(H) Olallie Scenic Area,         Hiking, boating,
Mt. Hood National Forest         fishing, mountain
65 miles southeast of            biking, swimming,
Estacada via State 224.          horseback riding.
www.olallielake.com, (541) 504-
1010 or (503) 557-1010.






                                 Facilities/Cost

(G) Carl G. Washburne            65 tent and RV sites, 2
Memorial State Park              yurts, flush toilets,
13 miles north of Florence.      showers, RV hookups.
www.oregonstateparks.org,        Camping $17-$21, yurts
(541) 547-3416 for information,  $29 per night.
or (800) 452-5687 for yurt
reservations (required).






(H) Olallie Scenic Area,         6 campgrounds with a total
Mt. Hood National Forest         of 84 tent and RV sites,
65 miles southeast of            4 yurts, vault toilets, one
Estacada via State 224.          shower. Camping $8, yurts
www.olallielake.com, (541) 504-  $80 and up per night.
1010 or (503) 557-1010.






ARIZONA

                                 Lay of the land

(I) Tuweap Point, Grand          Yes, it's a 60-mile drive on a
Canyon National Park             rough dirt road (four-wheel drive
North Rim of the Grand Canyon,   recommended), but the reward is
70 miles west of Fredonia.       arguably the most spectacular
www.nps.gov/grca                 car-camping area in North America,
or (928) 638-7888.               with a view 3,000 feet straight
                                 down to the Colorado River at
                                 Toroweap Overlook, the roar of
                                 Lava Falls clearly audible. Not
                                 recommended for sleep-walkers;
                                 there are no guardrails.

                                 Activities

(I) Tuweap Point, Grand          Hiking, bicycling,
Canyon National Park             watching rafts flip in
North Rim of the Grand Canyon,   the rapids.
70 miles west of Fredonia.
www.nps.gov/grca
or (928) 638-7888.






                                 Facilities/Cost

(I) Tuweap Point, Grand          11 tent sites, outhouses.
Canyon National Park             Free.
North Rim of the Grand Canyon,
70 miles west of Fredonia.
www.nps.gov/grca
or (928) 638-7888.






NEVADA

                                 Lay of the land

(J) Valley of Fire State Park    Talk about a Vegas showstopper:
55 miles northeast of Las Vegas  watching dawn or dusk paint this
via 1-15 and State 169.          valley's sandstone formations
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm or    vivid red is a spectacle to rival
(702) 397-2088.                  Siegfried and Roy. All that and
                                 Ancestral Puebloan petro-glyphs
                                 too. Visit this month or in fall;
                                 summer's daytime highs of
                                 120[degrees] may make you long for
                                 casino air-conditioning.

                                 Activities

(J) Valley of Fire State Park    Hiking, mountain
55 miles northeast of Las Vegas  biking.
via 1-15 and State 169.
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm or
(702) 397-2088.






                                 Facilities/Cost

(J) Valley of Fire State Park    53 tent and RV sites, water,
55 miles northeast of Las Vegas  flush and pit toilets, show-
via 1-15 and State 169.          era, visitor center. $13 per
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm or    night.
(702) 397-2088.






UTAH

                                 Lay of the land

(K) Tony Grove Lake,             High in the Bear River Range, Tony
Wasatch-Cache National           Grove Lake often is snow-bound
Forest 33 miles northeast        until late June. But once the snows
of Logan via U.S. 89. (435)      retreat, the 25-acre lake and its
755-3620 or (877) 444-6777       surrounding trails are a great
for reservations.                place to escape summertime heat.
                                 Strolling the boardwalk that
                                 surrounds the lake, exploring the
                                 nearby Mt. Naomi Wilderness, or
                                 just relaxing in the alpine setting
                                 all are popular pastimes. Moose
                                 frequent the area, and the
                                 surrounding meadows are dappled
                                 with colorful wildflowers and
                                 wild strawberries.

(L) The Wedge Overlook,          This is car camping at its most
San Rafael Swell Approximately   primitive--but the view is
20 miles east of Castle          incomparably beautiful. From the
Dale via Green River and         rim of a cavernous cleft known as
Wedge cutoffs. www.blm.gov/      Utah's Little Grand Canyon, the
utah/price/sanrafaeldesert.htm   Southwest's landscape of erosion
or (435) 636-3600.               fills your view. Crimson gorges,
                                 towering mesas, and layered
                                 cliffs make the panorama. The San
                                 Rafael River is a sinuous ribbon
                                 of runoff that rages in the spring
                                 only to turn lazy in summer.
                                 Venture away from the overlook and
                                 you'll find a stunning panel
                                 of pictographs in nearby Buckhorn
                                 Wash.

                                 Activities

(K) Tony Grove Lake,             Hiking, canoeing,
Wasatch-Cache National           swimming, fishing,
Forest 33 miles northeast        birding.
of Logan via U.S. 89. (435)
755-3620 or (877) 444-6777
for reservations.










(L) The Wedge Overlook,          Hiking, stargazing,
San Rafael Swell Approximately   pictograph viewing,
20 miles east of Castle
Dale via Green River and
Wedge cutoffs. www.blm.gov/
utah/price/sanrafaeldesert.htm
or (435) 636-3600.










                                 Facilities/Cost

(K) Tony Grove Lake,             37 tent and RV sites,
Wasatch-Cache National           vault toilets, visitor center.
Forest 33 miles northeast        $12 per night.
of Logan via U.S. 89. (435)
755-3620 or (877) 444-6777
for reservations.










(L) The Wedge Overlook,          14 tent and RV sites,
San Rafael Swell Approximately   vault toilets. Free.
20 miles east of Castle
Dale via Green River and
Wedge cutoffs. www.blm.gov/
utah/price/sanrafaeldesert.htm
or (435) 636-3600.










Ann Marie Brown, Peter Fish, Jonathan Hanson, Bonnie Henderson, Kurt