Hey all I'm fairly new to the extended day backpacking stuff, however definitly not new to camping or the woods. I've generally hung my pack from a tree but some of the places I'm going don't have adequate sized trees. I've seen on www.backcountry.com bear boxes but they are damn expensive. Anyone have any diy ways of making a bear box? Thanks in advance!
Jason

Currently do-it-yourself bear cannisters are not legal in the Sierra. You have to show your bear can to get a permit and it will not be accepted. D.I.Y would be fine in areas where there is no regulation requiring the cannister. But then, why would you take it? If you are short on money right now you can rent at the trailhead or use a Garcia (heavy but cheap). Save your pennies and buy a better expensive one down the road. I believe there have been numerous posts in the past concerning this very issue. Look in the archives.

If you factor in the life of the canister it's only a few dollars per year for the Garcia. And you also get a seat and a washing machine for your clothes. Plus the satisfaction that you are protecting not only your food but the bears' safety too.

Hey, if you really want a cheap one, I can meet you in Mineral and sell you my used, but great condition Garcia Machine canister with a few cool stickers for some gas money. Little over an hour drive for me to Mineral from the Quincy area, or shoot me some money and I can ship down to you. PM me if you like.

I note you are in California.

If you ever head for the Sierras you will not be able to bring a DIY box, or hang, in certain areas - you will be restricted to a short list of approved (tested and certified to be bear resistant) canisters.

Hiking in the Tahoe area, the rangers used to loan out Bear Vaults (yes, free) when you get the permit. In Yosemite you can rent a Garcia cheaply, five bucks for a week. In SEKI you can rent the Bearikade. You can also rent the Bearikade and Garcia by mail from the manufacturers.

For very long outings, a Bearikade is the best in terms of ratio of volume to weight of canister. They are also very expensive but once you have it you are set for life for any trip of that duration.

The very best economical deal for the Sierra hiker who only goes 2-3 nights out is the Bare Boxer Contender, for forty bucks, which is also the lightest canister on the market. If you're getting something just to be critter proof that plus a hanging sack for areas where bear cans are not required would be fine - I'd do that on the California coast where the raccoons are the worry, put the food in the can and hang the trash and anything else that didn't fit in the can.