Table Mtn. Question

[campingmom]

We would like to camp 4th of July week up at Table Mtn. We have a long trailer and I am wondering if anyone has camped there with one and if the sites are suitable for longer trailers. Thanks

[Wrightwood]

It will be helpful if you post the length of the trailer if it's large.

[WWMtnGal]

Our motorhome is 32 ft. long and we have camped there but I have seen motorhomes there even longer than ours.  I believe the longest I have seen was 36 ft., there are long sites along with shorter ones to accomodate everyone.

[campingmom]

Yes, it would make sense if I gave the lenght. It is 28 ft. but from the other response it doesn't look like we will have a problem.

[WWMtnGal]

What you can do is drive up to Table Mountain and take a look at the sites and where you can park your trailer.  They will let you drive through and take a look at the different sites.

You will find a spot and have a great time!

Enjoy!

[Toolman]

Since the fourth falls on a weekend this year and spaces are limited due to your vehicle dimensions, you may want to check reservation scheduling at Table Mtn.

 Here's the website that does the booking: http://www.americanll.com/Angeles.html

It may be wise to drive through and pick a spot suitable before making reservations. They also sell fire wood on site.

[campingmom]

Well, we are finally headed up with reservations for the weekend of 8/1. Two other families camping too. We have a variety of ages of kids and I was wonder if anyone could recommend an easy hike for say 8 and older but with a baby in tow in a backpack carrier. Not too steep or anything like that or even something else we could check out locally besides town which we usually do anyway when we are up there. Very quaint little town.
Thanks
Campingmom

[lagomorphmom]

On the sites to see question, I usually take visitors to Inspiration Point, make sure you stop at the wood map so you can sea where all the mountains are. This is pretty much the beginning of the San Gabriel River. In addition, if there's no marine layer you can see the ocean, ships at see and Santa Catalina Island but the view is spectacular nonetheless. This is just up Hwy 2 from Big Pines ANF Visitor Center.

Further up Hwy2, a great place for all but especially kids, is the Grassy Hollow ANF Visitor Center. There are LOTS of interactive stations for the kids and stuffed creatures including a bear, mountain lion and bobcat (previous car fatalities, fyi).

[ChrisLynnet]

Grassy Hollow is great. I'll add that Pacific Crest Trail runs right through it so you can hike sections of the trail in either direction. It's easy, I frequently hike there with my dog and 12-year-old.

[Domingo]

If you're looking for an easy hike that you can take with the kids, I would suggest the forest service (paved) road about 2/3 of the way up Table Mtn. Rd. As you're going up, there's a dirt turnout on the right side and you'll usually see other cars parked there.  The metal gate is open during the summer so you can even take bicycles on it if you want.  It's fairly level and goes for miles and miles.  It affords you fabulous views of the mountains surrounding Mtn. High west and east.  Have fun!

[ChrisLynnet]

Yes,that's a nice hiking road for young kids. I've always wondered where it comes out? I thought maybe it circles up and is the private road that exits onto the Table Mountain/Mtn. High parking lot but I'm not sure.

[RennMan]

I'm guessing the private road you are referring to is the road to JPLs Table Mountain Observatory (TMO), on the summit of Table Mountain itself.

The observatory is not open to the public, it is a research facility.

If you do hike down the paved Forest Service road, you will see another closed, gated road on the left side, probably a mile or so from the dirt lot.  I believe that is the emergency access road for TMO.  The paved FS road goes for quite the distance beyond that.  I've never hiked or biked to the end of it.

[ForestGal]

I've hiked that road many, many times - the one from the dirt parking lot at McClellan Flat (the turnout that Domingo is talking about).  The public paved road from there goes up 3 miles to the JPL towers or whatever they are at the top.  There the paved road ends.  There are many, many dirt roads/trails that take off from the paved road, just before you get to the top.  I don't know where all of them go.  That paved road is fairly level for the 1st 2 miles, the last mile is steeper.  It's neat cuz there are mile markers painted on the right-hand edge of the roadway on the way up, marked off every 1/4 mile, so you can keep track of how far you've walked.

[campingmom]

Should we have one of those forest passes to park there? Can't remember what they are called.

[Wrightwood]

Yes that would require an Adventure Pass.

[KB]

What if you don't plan to have an "adventure", have Boxer and Feinstien come up with a 'meandering' pass yet?

[RobertW]

What if you don't plan to have an "adventure", have Boxer and Feinstien come up with a 'meandering' pass yet?

It is also referred to as a "Recreational Pass".  You can use that term if you feel it is more appropriate.   

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/index.php

Remember, the Pass is only required in "Fee Areas" which are posted.  Here is a map of the area affected.  There are other areas are affected in the area even though they are not shown as such on this map.  The roads leading into these areas like Ball Flat and Pinyon Ridge are posted as "fee areas" by signage:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/maps/anf-bigpines-bigrock.shtml