Shavano Trail camp sites?

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yosemite98
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Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by yosemite98 »

Anyone know of good camping sites off of the Shavano trail? We were hoping to make it a ways up the trail and camp out the night before. It looks like there are some flat areas around 10,800ft or so, and the route description had pictures near a stream that looked flat. Anything higher up? Pics?
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huffy13
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Re: Good camping sites off of the Shavano Trail?

Post by huffy13 »

When I hiked Shavano last year I saw several tents set up between about 11,000 ft and close to treeline. There seemed to be several spots where it was flat enough to set up a camp. I don't know that I would want to get too close to treeline though, the winds have a reputation for being pretty strong on Shavano and they sure were the day I was there. They got stronger the closer to treeline I got.
Seems like the times that I need a mountain the most are the times that I can not get to them.
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BKS
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Re: Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by BKS »

There are lots of excellent flat campsites in the trees between 10,600 and 10,800 - right after the creek crossing. The creek runs right through this section - so water is plentiful. The trail through this section is easy to loose as its fairly wide open through large trees in soft black dirt. This is before the turn-off for the Angel route and before the trail gains the shoulder at treeline to the north and east of the angel. The sites are not rocky, but have lots of bark and needles under the trees for a soft bed. They are well protected from wind. I imagine some of the area they could be a little boggy with lots of rain - so set up a tent with water in mind. A couple of pics are available in Bill's route description.
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Derek
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Re: Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by Derek »

BKS wrote:There are lots of excellent flat campsites in the trees between 10,600 and 10,800 - right after the creek crossing. The creek runs right through this section - so water is plentiful. The trail through this section is easy to loose as its fairly wide open through large trees in soft black dirt.
I agree. Right after you cross the creek, there are lots of nice areas to the left of the trail. You really cant miss the area, its about 2 miles in. The terrain is flat and ground is soft. Like BKS said above, its near a part of trail that is not easy to follow. I have camped in this area twice now (same spot) and have watched group after group trying to find the real trail. (They all eventually meet up to the correct trail about 50 yards later.)

Regarding water, I assume that you are planning this sometime soon. However, both times I camped there was in September (I think) and one of the times the creek was dried up. I ended up following the creek bed up about 50-75 Vert feet (couple hundred yards) and found enough to filter.

I'll check and see if I have GPS coordinates of my campspot when I get home.

Have fun.

--Derek
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yosemite98
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Re: Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by yosemite98 »

Derek wrote:
I'll check and see if I have GPS coordinates of my campspot when I get home.

Have fun.

--Derek
Derek, that would be great if you could send coordinates, we're planning on going in 2 weeks. I see the area you're talking about in the route description pics. Did you notice any areas further up that were flat enough for camping? The topo looks somewhat flat to about 11,200ft. If not then I think the area you're talking about will work out fine.
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yosemite98
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Re: Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by yosemite98 »

Just read trip report from Bill Middlebrook. He camped at 11,600ft. The regular trail cuts off at 11,200ft so I was hoping to find a place in that area. Topo makes it look as flat as it is at 10,800 and 11,600 where camping spots exist. Any beta (pictures, general location, coords)?

Otherwise we might go up the Angel and camp at 11,600ft. I have an ice axe, but I don't have crampons. I could probably borrow some from a friend, but I wonder if microspikes would suffice? Anybody have an opinion? I have a feeling there will already be steps going up the snow as we are planning on going on a Sunday so microspikes would probably work just fine.
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Re: Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by BillMiddlebrook »

There are plenty of flat places to set up camp between 10,700' and 11,100' on the standard trail.
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yosemite98
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Re: Shavano Trail camp sites?

Post by yosemite98 »

Thanks Bill, that helps, we'll go up further than we were planning on going.