Made a weekend run to the north fork of the Mokelumne River below Salt Springs Reservoir. This is the location of last year's Pork Rally. The usual route into this area is by Ellis Road off HWY 88 above Hamms Station. But Ellis Road washed out this winter and will remained closed for a while. We camped here years ago and came out by following the road west almost to Pioneer. So we headed up Friday night after work. Unfortunately I couldn't remember the exact route and we kept running into dead ends. It was getting dark and, yes DD, Magellan was lost. Denied Plan A, we camped that night by a river rafting launch area below Tiger Creek Reservoir.
Next morning we drove out, got directions, and tried again. This time we made it. The road in is 26 narrow and winding miles. It is a mix of pavement and dirt with lots of potholes but can easily be done with a two wheel drive. If you go there, take Tiger Creek Road off 88 a couple of miles past Pioneer. You get to Tiger Creek Reservoir after a couple of miles. The road splits just before the power house. The right side drops down to the power house. Stay left even though it is unsigned and it looks like a narrow one way road coming out of the area. Be aware there are many sections of this road where someone will have to back up if you meet another vehicle. Allow one and a half hours for the 26 miles. A typical section of roadway:
Once in the area is heavily forested and pretty. There are three small campgrounds back here plus lots of boondocking sites right on the river. We stayed at White Azalea cg and had it to ourselves. Even saw a couple of Bobcats.
Our campsite:
DD had mentioned that this place was kind of trashed, so we spent some time picking up garbage. It wasn't too bad but then it is early in the season. Our harvest:
Next morning we drove out, got directions, and tried again. This time we made it. The road in is 26 narrow and winding miles. It is a mix of pavement and dirt with lots of potholes but can easily be done with a two wheel drive. If you go there, take Tiger Creek Road off 88 a couple of miles past Pioneer. You get to Tiger Creek Reservoir after a couple of miles. The road splits just before the power house. The right side drops down to the power house. Stay left even though it is unsigned and it looks like a narrow one way road coming out of the area. Be aware there are many sections of this road where someone will have to back up if you meet another vehicle. Allow one and a half hours for the 26 miles. A typical section of roadway:
![gallery_176_163_106668.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2F1303928064%2Fgallery_176_163_106668.jpg&hash=545a9ec72a32508bca16ad8fd3e86660)
Once in the area is heavily forested and pretty. There are three small campgrounds back here plus lots of boondocking sites right on the river. We stayed at White Azalea cg and had it to ourselves. Even saw a couple of Bobcats.
![gallery_176_163_171977.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2F1303928064%2Fgallery_176_163_171977.jpg&hash=566926417655d763589abe04f190e497)
DD had mentioned that this place was kind of trashed, so we spent some time picking up garbage. It wasn't too bad but then it is early in the season. Our harvest:
![gallery_176_163_55165.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2F1303928064%2Fgallery_176_163_55165.jpg&hash=e9279cad1475cc0a848506ebbbfd9965)