Over the hill group BP

This is in regards to a group BP trip.

I have exchanged emails with some members about a camping trip, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> and I have camped with a few of the guys. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I have offered to put up my place (in Bend Oregon) as a staging point for a trip into Three Sisters Wilderness. However after looking real hard at the terrain and such, I have decided that this isn't a good spot for a bunch of old guys with bad knees and bad backs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> because you're either on the flank of a volcanoe <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> or you're in a pine forest. Mt Hood is nearby but there is no gradual acclimation there for those who live at sea level. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> My house is at 3800+ ft and most of the wilderness is above me, say maybe 4700 feet lowest and on up, but I'm thinking the best hiking is gonna be between 6 and 7 thousand feet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> There are trails, but getting off them gets you into volcanic rock. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

So maybe Arizona would be a better place - its flatter, dryer, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> and we could fly to Phoenix and Pika can pick us up in a psychadelic schoolbus remnant of the 60s... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I say "WE", but unless I sell a piece of property and take my wife to Hawaii, I ain't going anywhere. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

HOWEVER if anybody is brave enough to venture in the Sisters, let me know as I want to spend a lot of time up there this year.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

How far north of the border are you Jim? I was wanting to do a trip into the extreme northern part of CA, like the Marbles or Trinity Alps this summer, but up where you live would be a bit far for a weekend trip I think. I have some float days I can use, I only have plans for a couple so far. From work, I think it would be a six hour drive to the border, four from home or there abouts. I have vacation plans for the last week in July and the July 4th weekend.

Hi Hikerduane. Its 200 miles up hwy 97 from Weed to Bend. Its 500 miles from San Francisco up 5 and then up 97. I think we are 140 miles north of the border, (Klamath Falls is at the border) but we are also on the east side of the cascades and I'm thinking its another 70 miles west from Klamath to hwy 5 in Oregon, so most likely 220 miles or so from the cal/oregon hwy 5 point.
BUT
on the way is Crater Lake, etc, etc, Newberry monument, mt bachelor and the sisters, Mt Thielson, and awesome views of Mt Shasta and Mt Jeffersom etc, etc. Theres a reason I moved up here. But its a lot of driving time. Ten hours fast time from San Francisco to Bend - worst 12 hours driving time. And I;ve driven to SF from Klamath Lake in 5:30 but I was speeding a bit... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Jim

I've been to Yreka a couple times when bping in the Marbles, great view of Shasta on the way up 5. That far of a drive, sounds like more than a weekend is needed to be spent enjoying the country. Something for a long range plan/notice.

I'll have to get my map out, the company that shuttles railroad workers up to Klamath Falls and back I guess, goes thru Susanville, but doesn't take 395.