Mendocino Nat'l Forest Camping?

[Francesca Knowles]

Hi, All

Late breaking news here at Crisis Central is that our granddaughter Aliyah's ride to and from "Camp Winnarainbow" has fallen through.
But there's always Grandma, because...well, I ask you:
Could you say "no" to this face?

And it's only eight hundred miles from home.
ONE WAY
So it's on: Beginning August 5: two girls on a road trip to Laytonville, California, where the camper will be deposited for ten days.
And Grandma...can either go home/come back or find someplace to bivouac nearby until summoned for the return trip.
I'm definitely not interested in making two round trips, so I'll be staying in the neighborhood- and I hope some of you might provide some feedback on camping in the area.
I'm a Pacific Northwesterner, born and bred, who's never camped in California!
I see from the map that the Mendocino National Forest is nearby- has any one camped, say, up around Mendocino Pass?
What's the terrain like?
Any favorite spots?
I prefer to camp in "dispersed" settings(allowed, according to the F.S. website).
I like the privacy and quiet of such places, not to mention the price!
There's lots of general info on the F.S. sites, but I'm hoping for some I-was-there type recommendations.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received...


Francesca

P.S.

Are the natives friendly?
I hope all that unpleasantness started by Emmett Watson of the Seattle P.I. a few years back has been forgotten...
Or should I plan on disguising my accent and/or license plates?

F.

[cpaharley2008]

Wasn't there a recent episode about a cougar or mountain lion being spotted in the Mendocino forest. Local farmers were complaining about some stray calfs having their legs torn off, just like I'm pulling yours, right now. Gotcha....

[Francesca Knowles]

Hmmm.....
Better bring the Guard Dog, too...

Francesca

[Scott H]

Being Mendocino; I'd fear the "farmers" way more than the mountain lions! Stay on the beaten path for sure. Not exactly what your looking for but there's a great little private campground in Philo right on Hwy. 128, lots of giant redwoods and a nice hike to some swimming holes, cheaper than the local State Parks.

[JaneM.]

Hi Francesca,
We just came down 101 from Bandon and were told about Redwoods River Resort (see: :::Redwoods River Resort - Your place for family and friends in the Northern California Redwoods:::) close to Leggett. We didn't stay there as we ended up driving from Patrick's Point (a stunning place to stay!) to Petaluma, but it came highly recommended and is just north of Laytonville. The California State Parks seem competitive (price wise) these days as everyone has upped their prices (they are usually $35 without hook ups; more for hook ups) and we found nothing private under $40 (maybe we weren't looking at the right ones!).
Have a great trip!
Jane

[Francesca Knowles]

Thanks for the tips, Jane and Scott...

I'm sure looking forward to seeing the giant redwood trees!

Francesca

[Francesca Knowles]

Well, I'm leaving tomorrow and as of ten minutes ago I had only the fuzziest of ideas where I might end up waiting out Aliyah's camp session....
BUT
In an old campground guidebook that's been sitting on the shelf, I came across a reference to the Jackson State Forest, a few miles from Fort Bragg. The 1994 guide says campgrounds are primitive, sparsely visited, and FREE!
All my favorite things
Naturally I went online to check and see if this miraculous bit of info was still accurate- and it is.
But that's not the best part.
When I downloaded a map of the campgrounds, I saw my destination.

Or maybe my PREdestination.

Here's the map, and there's my camp, right smack in the middle.
You might even say it's got my name on it, sort of...


How cool is that?

I'll be seein' ya...

Francesca

[JaneM.]

Fabulous! Have a fantastic trip and don't forget to visit glass beach at the north end of Fort Bragg - for those of us who are beach combers, it's a great place to find glass.
Jane

[Mike Magee]

You mean the one labeled "Poison Oak"? Just kidding, I did see the Trillium there! He he.