Autumn at Frost -- November 7-8-9 2008

[jeff]

~ ~ Autumn at Frost -- 2008 ~ ~

WCRF.com gathering at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park
November 7-8-9 2008 (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) Camping Trip

Camping along the BNSF Cajon Sub in Victorville, Californiain the county campground overlooking the flyover at Frost. The area has been a favorite of this railfan (and many others) with dramatic scenery at the Narrows (about two miles to the east) and at the flyover from the overlook at Gray's Hill. Other nearby landmarks would be the Victorville Amtrak station, the Portland Cement facility and the Mojave River bridge at East Victorville. Further east would be Oro Grande, Helendale, and Hodge on the way to Barstow. The typical Cajon Pass spots are about a 30 minute drive to the west.

The campground features HOT showers, CLEAN restrooms nearby (not a hike as in previous years in the group area), fire rings with grilles, picnic tables, snack bar and bait shop (did I hear Bass Bait ??). We will be getting individual campsites, not using the group areas as done previously. (The group areas do not have hook-ups and do not have restrooms nearby). The loose dirt/sand of the group areas have been known to swallow up RVs. The RV campsites are gravel with paved access, and most have patches of grass for pitching a tent.



Overview:
Originally, this campout was organized through the CalRailFans Yahoo Group, but has not been on their calendar since Ed Greenberg's work load prevented him from organizing and attending at the event. I think the last year was 2004 with Ed... Maybe 2003 ?? One year, the late Chard Walker was the guest of honor, and on another occasion, Gary Gray gave a historical review of Frost and the surrounding ranch area.

Typically, we use the campground as a base camp for railfanning the Mojave Narrows area and beyond. Some attendees have hiked to nearby locales, and some drive to railfan further away. I am hoping to have ATCS running again at Camp Bass, under the sponsor's awning.

Weather has been unique each year, with a sand storm one year, and a good rain storm another. Neither ruined the event, but ended up making them very memorable. Prepare for some cold weather, as it gets quite chilly at night, but gets comfortable during the day. Last year, the weather was not an issue, but overnight it got down right chilly.


Day Visitors:
Day use railfans are welcome to join in the event. In years past, we've had many day visitors participate at Frost. As the weekend approaches, we should have some sort of time line in place for planned activities. On previous events we've had campfires, and plans for slide shows that never materialized. I imagine that we will have a slide show or two atthis year's gathering. The in-bound gates close at 9:00pm (going from memory), but you can exit at any time. The day-use fee is $5.00.

There are several places to park within the Mojave Narrows Regional Park near the campgrounds. There is alarge day-use parking lot on the east end near the tracks, (closest to the crossovers at Frost, as opposed to the flyover). Motels are available nearby, as are typical fast-food restaurants.



RV Campers:
Full hook-up sites available. Each RV site may have one tent as a guest.I will be attaching a PDF map of thecampground later tonight that gives a good lay of the land. The hook-up sites MUST have an RV on them, but a single tent maybe added as a guest at no extra charge. Max of three vehicles per RV site, with trailers counting as a vehicle. Max of six people per site. Campground fees for the hook-up sites are $25.00 per night. I have been able to secure the ultimate railfan campsite, number twenty-one (#21). As of yesterday, the adjoining site #22 has not been reserved if you are interested in making a reservation.




Tent Campers:
Adjacent to the RV sites, the park has a good selection of tent sites available. The fee per night for the non-hook-up sites is $15.00. Last year, they would not take advance reservations for the tent sites. They are on a first-come first-served basis. Our tent campers last year had the pick of the lot,we had three or four tenters, and they had no problems with availabiltiy. The max of six people and three cars also apply. The tent sites are just down the hill from site #21 near the pond. There are two different restroom/shower buildings nearby. While not contemporary, they are clean and provide a nice hot shower.

Park Websites:

http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/parks/mojave.htm

http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/parks/narrows.htm



jeff's plans for The Autumn At Frost -- 2008 Check in time for the campground is 3:00pm. I have put in for a vacation day, so I will be railfanning my way from Costa Mesa to The Narrows the best I can with a travel trailer in tow. I hope to be in the area before 3:00pm and get things set-up before it gets dark. [/font]



[b]Directions:[/b]

And some directions and a map from maps.google.com

I-15 to Bear Valley Road, go east approx 3.5 miles to Ridgecrest.

Ridgecrest is the first traffic signal after you've crossed the BNSF tracks.

Go left (north) on Ridgecrest about 2.0 miles, at which point you willdrop down from the ridge and begin a sweeping right hand turn. The Frost Flyover will be to your left as you coast down the hill. The campground entrance will be on your left once you are heading east. At this point, Ridgecrest Road becomes Yates Road. [b]

~ ~ ~


[/b]I think that covers the basics... Whatcha think ??

Feel free to add comments, suggestions, observations, photos, etc...

[font=tahoma]I hope to see you there !!


~ jeff

(EDIT: Added the PDF map of the campground !!)

[chris_wlkr]

Definate on my list as last year was a great time. We have a 6 page thread up from last years event but alas - all the pictures are gone - yet another victim to our corupted server back in April.

I must say however that last year we had both a camp fire and slide shows.

The slide show was for Bob's birthday and prior to that - previous shows were played for our out of country guest if I recall.

Here is photographical proof.

[chris_wlkr]

And another with Dr. Scott (in disguise as Bronco Scott) enjoying the start of a slide show.

[chris_wlkr]

For those who do not camp in campers ... Here is an example of what the Tent camper can expect to wake up to (though hopefully your view will be in color ).

[chris_wlkr]

One from the hike .. should you desire to play Billy Goat as I did.

[ATSFBobHouse]

Last years event was sure a blast, and I am looking forward to this years event.

[ATSFBobHouse]

And another one from me from last years event.

[UnionPacificAC6000]

Those pics are great!

Do I understand that a you guy's go out as a group, camp and take pictures of trains! That sounds like one heck of a good time!

I would love to do that!

Well thanks for sharing you pics of the event!

Chad

P.S. I like the last pick of the pumpkins comeing through the rock cut!

[chris_wlkr]

UnionPacificAC6000 Wrote:Do I understand that a you guy's go out as a group, camp and take pictures of trains! That sounds like one heck of a good time!

Yes Chad - that pretty much sums it up.

Chris

[jeff]

digging up a few from the archives...

Here is Frost from Gray's Hill. The campground is in the upper right, behind the junipers.

this would be from September 2002.

~ jeff