Author Topic: Camping recommendations? (Read 4317 times)

Batan · « **on:** May 16, 2010, 10:23:38 PM »

I'm hoping to take the bus for its maiden camping trip on the long weekend. I was wondering if anybody had a recommendation on where to go? I don't want to drive too far as I need to see how it will hold up and such. An hour and a half or something like that is a ok. Any good spots that won't be a gong show? We moved to Vancouver in 07 and haven't had a chance to explore campgrounds yet. Thanks in advance!

nivag · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:29:32 AM »

Squamish, I think it is called Alice Lake. Killer drive and no where near a ferry or border...

Alp · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:51:23 AM »

Anmore/Port Moody area Sasamat Lake or Bunsen Lake only like 30 mins from Vancouver

mizovalgrl · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2010, 12:04:09 PM »

Rolley Lake... located just before Stave Lake and the BC Hydro dam in Maple Ridge. Right off of Dewdney Trunk Rd. The campsite's actually have trees between them very private, with walking trails and water falls around the lake and it is approx 20km from the Golden Ears Bridge.....have a nice weekend.

Jord63 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2010, 12:13:17 PM »

I second the Alice lake vote. My families favorite place to camp and they now have power on a lot of the sites. Lots of paths to walk and a nice beach and lake. Get their early as it fills up fast. I beleive you can make reservations asa well on the provincial camping website.

Batan · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2010, 12:28:27 PM »

Cool guys, thanks fore the recommendations. Ability to reserve definitely helps too.

Jeremy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2010, 03:23:10 PM »

There is also Porteau Cove about half way to Squam. It's on the ocean. Allouette Lake out Maple Ridge is good as well but also very busy. Manning Park is another option. Probably about 2-2 1/2 hours to there but a cool drive past the Hope landslide. The hills might be a little hard on the old volksee though. Here's a link to Provincial parks.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/

BUSDADDY · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:14:05 PM »

Can't beat Golden ears provincial park for a shakedown camp, like the wilderness but close enough to zip home if you forgot something

Better make some reservations for this weekend though.

finkmobile · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2010, 11:47:11 AM »

If you're up to it and when you know how well the bus fairs you should hit up Tofino. But screw the campgrounds, park on the logging roads near Kennedy Lake (there are usually people camping there and there are little areas you can park) its way cooler and more amazing. Bring the mosquito killin; supplies though...they are abundant. I almost thought I was back in Weinerpeg!

blue bus · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2010, 03:52:36 PM »

No matter where you go camping it is always a good idea to bring a 60 ouncer of crown royal with ya.

Batan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2010, 04:14:37 PM »

Quote from: finkmobile on May 18, 2010, 11:47:11 AM

If you're up to it and when you know how well the bus fairs you should hit up Tofino. But screw the campgrounds, park on the logging roads near Kennedy Lake (there are usually people camping there and there are little areas you can park) its way cooler and more amazing. Bring the mosquito killin; supplies though...they are abundant. I almost thought I was back in Weinerpeg!

Oh, I want to go to Tofino real bad, but it's too long of a trip for this occasion. I went there in the off season last January and it was freaking awesome! Stayed at one of those renting cabin condos things.

Batan · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2010, 06:31:41 PM »

I like Golden Ears a lot but I think I'd rather drive out going North. I still have an unresolved stumble off idle so it's slightly painful to drive through stop and go traffic. And being downtown Vancouver, there is a lot of it going East. If I go North, all I have to do is get over the bridge and hit the highway. I checked Alice Lake and it's non-reservable. Porteau Cove is full for reserved spots but both have non-reservable spots available. I'm thinking about working out way north and see what's available on Saturday morning. Good idea?

beetlemandan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2010, 06:49:26 PM »

if you want north there is this great littlte place between chetwynd and dawson creek....

Batan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2010, 07:16:18 PM »

Quote from: beetlemandan on May 18, 2010, 06:49:26 PM

if you want north there is this great littlte place between chetwynd and dawson creek....

Whoa whoa, I didn't mean THAT north, lol. Right now, I'm thinking Alice Lake and leaving Friday evening. There should be a good chance for scoring a non-reservable spot if we leave Friday evening instead of Saturday.

beetlemandan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2010, 07:03:06 AM »

yeah, but can you think of a better shakedown than a 2500km round trip?

Jeremy · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2010, 10:20:12 PM »

Where did the camping trip end up?

Batan · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2010, 09:57:28 AM »

Quote from: brodie on May 27, 2010, 10:20:12 PM

Where did the camping trip end up?

Well, went Friday evening, started at Alice, it was full. The one across the highway from it that seemed really nice was full too. However, the lady at that one told us that Whistler RV and Campground called and they have lots of room so we ended up there. 12km before Whistler.
The weather was crap though and we stayed only one night. It turned out to be a good decision because according to weather network, it was crap the rest of the weekend too. That said, it was still first official camping trip for the Bus and it was awesome! Z-bed is so freaking comfortable. Will be going camping next weekend as well.
Need to take care of oil leak(s) though. As it turns out, the new valve cover/bail and mating surface cleaning did not cure the leak I thought was coming form the valve cover. It seems most likely I'm losing oil from the pushrod tubes. Topped it up once on this short trip, I lost about 3/4 of a quart total. It drips all over the heater box and pools on top of it.
Anyway, here are some pics!

Then on Monday we figured we'd go for a wiener roast to Whytecliff park:

Bought an axe too... lol

finkmobile · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2010, 10:37:28 AM »

Sounds awesome, except for the part where the weather didn't co-operate. My first camping trip in the bus it didn't rain...but man the mosquito's made me reminiscent of the ones in Winnipeg!

Batan · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2010, 08:29:19 PM »

Quote from: finkmobile on May 28, 2010, 10:37:28 AM

Sounds awesome, except for the part where the weather didn't co-operate. My first camping trip in the bus it didn't rain...but man the mosquito's made me reminiscent of the ones in Winnipeg!

Mosquitos... ewh... they like me. I spent about a decade in Saskatoon where they are nearly as bad as the 'peg ones!
Yea, weather sucked, it was 0C apparently at some point that night but we were nice and comfortable.

We are going camping again next weekend. Gotta take care of those push rod tubes before then though.

finkmobile · « **Reply #19 on:** May 29, 2010, 05:14:55 PM »

Geeze, how'd you survive in Sask for a decade? I was there for a year and I had to get the hell outta there. As for the mosquitos they like me a lot, maybe the italian blood? Or possibly the beer marination? Who knows! Where are ya gonna go camping next? Same place? I wanna go somewhere closer the next time I go, as much as I love 5 hour road trips into the states it gets a little pricey.

Batan · « **Reply #20 on:** May 29, 2010, 06:56:13 PM »

Quote from: finkmobile on May 29, 2010, 05:14:55 PM

Geeze, how'd you survive in Sask for a decade? I was there for a year and I had to get the hell outta there. As for the mosquitos they like me a lot, maybe the italian blood? Or possibly the beer marination? Who knows! Where are ya gonna go camping next? Same place? I wanna go somewhere closer the next time I go, as much as I love 5 hour road trips into the states it gets a little pricey.

Not sure where next as it hasn't been decided yet. I'll post up once I know. Are you going camping this coming weekend? My wife is off for 3 days so we are planning on going Fri-Sun. Not too far either. Shouldn't be hard to find a camping spot early Friday I don't think.

Trevor P · « **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2010, 07:29:11 PM »

Quote from: finkmobile on May 29, 2010, 05:14:55 PM

Geeze, how'd you survive in Sask for a decade? I was there for a year and I had to get the hell outta there.

You just gotta be hard as fuck to live here that's all. (I bet you lived in the Vag)

Ermin, glad to see you got the beast out for it's maiden camping trip. BTW, Fiskars axes are the only way to go!

beetlemandan · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2010, 07:46:53 PM »

hope is always good for a laugh. you can always check out the tunnels from the old KVR line

Batan · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2010, 12:59:22 AM »

Quote from: Trevor P on May 29, 2010, 07:29:11 PM

Quote from: finkmobile on May 29, 2010, 05:14:55 PM
Geeze, how'd you survive in Sask for a decade? I was there for a year and I had to get the hell outta there.

You just gotta be hard as fuck to live here that's all. (I bet you lived in the Vag)

Ermin, glad to see you got the beast out for it's maiden camping trip. BTW, Fiskars axes are the only way to go!

LOL, the Vag. Yeah.
There's how I survived, I have some awesome friends over there, Trevor and the likes.

Chris · « **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2010, 10:27:45 AM »

best camping trip ever was in my bus, I got a westy interior and installed most of it in my bus and had the z-bed and the back door screen, went to victoria for the vvwc show and had an awesome time, would do it again anytime! Need a bus now....