Mother Lode VW Show in Angels Camp... Anyone going and any opinions on camping at New Melones?

[Bryan Hill]

Anyone planning on attending the Mother Lode VW Show in Angels camp on July 31?  I've been to it in the past and it's a great show and the weather should be great.  It's a beautiful drive and in a nice park.  For more info www.vwswap.com

 

I'd like to go camping the night before and Saturday night as well but unfortunately, Calaveras Big Trees is all booked up.  The only other option from what it looks like is New Melones Resovoir.  Anyone have any experience camping out there?  I have a feeling it'll be hot, dry and nasty and barren but I could be wrong.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  If it's not worth camping, I may just drive up to the show at OH DARK THIRTY on the 31st and go back home after.

 

Can't wait to hear back from you!

 

Bryan

[westywoman (Melissa)]

I think New Melones is a power boat lake, so there may lots of power boat jocks camping there. I have driven past it but never camped there. There is an RV park in Columbia, Marble Quarry, which has 8 "tent" sites that are fine for an overnight in the bus. Electric & water for about $25. The sites are gravel and partially shaded by old oaks. (There is no privacy). You can walk into historic Columbia. There is wi-fi. AAA discount. Or you can spring for an RV site- whoo-hoo! Give them a call. http://www.marblequarry.com/

[Big Blue's Driver]

Bryan - WestyWoman is right and so are you. I camped New Melones with a modern car a few summers ago. Hot, dry and hot and dry. We fished and swam so it wasn't bad, but it's not relaxed camping.

[Bryan Hill]

Wow...Marble Quarry looks a HECKUVA lot better than new melones. There's actually more than one tree there! haha. The power boat lake is not quite my motife...I just get a sense there may be a bit of mouth breathin and belly scratchin crowd at Melones. Big Trucks with big boats, big RV's and many other big toys just doesn't seem too condusive to a little splitty.....Not to sound above the fray, (believe me, I have my threads showing....) but like you said, I'd like to have a little bit of relaxed camping and not be too salty for the Angels Camp show. Thanks so much for your valued input. I've spent so much time looking for various State, Fed and county campsites to no avail. Big Trees would be AWESOME but they are booked. I was thinking perhaps on Saturday, driving up and hoping for a walk on site, if not, driving around campsite, looking for a "friendly" face who may allow us to rent a spot from them, get us a tag and squat on their site for the nite, share a few swigs and laughs....who knows, sometimes the mystery is what makes it fun. I'll keep you posted! Marble Quarry Friday for sure!

[westywoman (Melissa)]

Bryan- Let us know how Marble Quarry worked out and tell us about the show.

Bryan Hill said:

Wow...Marble Quarry looks a HECKUVA lot better than new melones. There's actually more than one tree there! haha. The power boat lake is not quite my motife...I just get a sense there may be a bit of mouth breathin and belly scratchin crowd at Melones. Big Trucks with big boats, big RV's and many other big toys just doesn't seem too condusive to a little splitty.....Not to sound above the fray, (believe me, I have my threads showing....) but like you said, I'd like to have a little bit of relaxed camping and not be too salty for the Angels Camp show. Thanks so much for your valued input. I've spent so much time looking for various State, Fed and county campsites to no avail. Big Trees would be AWESOME but they are booked. I was thinking perhaps on Saturday, driving up and hoping for a walk on site, if not, driving around campsite, looking for a "friendly" face who may allow us to rent a spot from them, get us a tag and squat on their site for the nite, share a few swigs and laughs....who knows, sometimes the mystery is what makes it fun. I'll keep you posted! Marble Quarry Friday for sure!

[The Canterbury's]

We found a cheap hotel last time we went. Seems like it wasn't much more than camping.

[Ma'ili Point Westy]

There is a campground about two miles above the state park. I will be up in that area in a couple of weeks and get the name of the campground.

[Ma'ili Point Westy]

The name of the campground just above Big Trees State Park is Golden Pines.  It is cooler in Arnold and the Big Trees area.

[westywoman (Melissa)]

Hey, that's great information. I've been looking for a spot in that area. Perhaps when have a chance, you can post it on the California Campsites group? Likewise, I will post the Marble Quarry RV Park with the group.

Ma'ili Point Westy said:

The name of the campground just above Big Trees State Park is Golden Pines.  It is cooler in Arnold and the Big Trees area.

[Jason Gardner]

Could end up snow camping that time of year. It's best to camp lower than Murphys to be safe...Maybe i will see you there.

[Ma'ili Point Westy]

We are clear of snow at the 5000' elevation in July.   Down in Angles Camp the temps are in the 90's during the Angles Camp VW Show.

 

I know there is a vw show in Murphys in March or April and that is still snow season.  A couple of years ago, it snowed in Angels Camp on the day of the Murphy's VW Show.

 

[Bryan Hill]

I forgot to follow up on this.  Sorry everyone.  The Marble Quarry was great.  Quiet, close to the show, had a small store, pool and showers.

 

We spent our 2nd night at Calaveras Big Trees.  Although they were all "booked", there were a ton of "walk on" sites available.   These walk on sites were not where you "walk on" but drive into the park, see what's available and they assign you a spot.  I was really impressed with the camp site.  It was very large, the sites were very spread out, fire pit, bathrooms and showers were available.  It was BEAUTIFUL there.  Camp site had water as well.  There were bear lockers there, and they were the largest I've seen.  Funny story....these particular bear lockers were so large there were doors on both ends.  I didn't see the door on the other end.  I was awoken at about 3am by a HUGE bear, eating my food.  I let him be.  The ranger even came by before lights out and warned us to make sure we lock everything up.  He said the saw the largest Black Bear he had ever seen the night before in the area....well...I think that was the one.  Oh well.  I am definitely going back to this particular campground for the next show.  A couple buddies are joining me in their buses as well too.  The drawback- it's a little farther from the Angels Camp show, but worth every minute and every mile of it.....

[Morgan Shaw]

Yeah Bryan!  Don't forget to ad this to our events on DSNC too!