Wondering if anyone would be interested in a midwest GGG. I have contacted Travis Leanna,he is up for meeting at Yellow River State Forest which is by Marquette Iowa in the north east part of the state the weekends that work for us are april 14-15 or 21-22 or may 12-13 If interested post on this thread with the weekends that will work for you. The weekend that will get attended the best wins. Please list all weekends that will work for you not just the best one. I know this is kinda last minute but this does not have to perfect, just a start. We can always plan another one in the future, lets see if we can get this one going. This area is a good meeting place for Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa BPLer's. But anyone from any area is welcome. I can bring plenty of seasoned firewood from in state so it is legal, the park often supplies wood to the hike in sites. These sites are 1/4 to 1/2 mile to hike into and we will pick the site to best match our group size. I have called the rangers to warn them this may happen. There is no charge for the hike in sites. Hope we can keep this simple and make this happen. Ok lets run with it!

Edited by mtmnmark on 03/20/2012 23:34:18 MDT.

As Mark has said, we've been in contact, and I'd like to see something happen! I've yet to meet another BPLer, and we can't let the West coast have all the fun.

So c'mon Midwest, meet us out for a night in IOWAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!


Edit: Spelled "IOWAHHHHHHHHHH" wrong the first time.

Edited by T.L. on 03/20/2012 23:02:56 MDT.

I might have spelled that wrong If you BP and are from Iowa you understand the WAH part. And by the way this area is some of the best iowa has to offer, its a corner of the state the glaciers missed, rocky, bluffs and coldwater trout streams

Edited by mtmnmark on 03/20/2012 23:30:45 MDT.

If anyone is near the freeway from Milwaukee to Madison, then over to Iowa, I'll be able to take 2 more people and gear. I know there's a BPLer in Madison...

There is no turning back after the first one. Get together, have fun, repeat. Hope you guys get good weather.

Travis. Not much farther than going to the UP for me. I need to check with the boss.

The May weekend is mothers day. I for one could still make this work but dont want to invite Mom, she would bring her RV and embarass me

i'm in

I can drive a couple people from minneapolis if anyone needs a ride.

Whoot!

Hey great to see some takers. Now does April 14&15, 21&22 or May 12&13 work? Please let me know which dates work listed in order of preference. Oh and there is trout fishing in the state forest and all over that area. Fly fishing and tying journal spring 2012 has a article on this area.

Edited by mtmnmark on 03/22/2012 16:15:21 MDT.

Put me in the strong maybe category if it's the April 14-15 weekend. The May weekend is a non-starter for me (Mother's day). Apr 21-22 has problems that may or may not happen so it's hard to know at this time.

Carpooling from the mpls/st.paul would be good.

And watch for an announcement about a winter outing next winter (Afton State Park in MN)

Okay, so put me in for a pretty strong yolo for 14-15 april. I need to get out of dodge.

I have not been thru madison in a while. I may Megabus it to Chicago then on to Madison, or just drive it. Anyone in MI want to get trapped in the car for 8 hours listening to old BPL podcasts can come along.

So, what is the plan at the site? Family or non-family? Official beverage?

As far as families go anyone is welcome this is a public area and we might end up with boy scouts or a church group in the same hike in area. This is a pretty lightly used area compaired to the drive in pay camp groud and I feel confident we can get plenty of space and I dont plan to apply for a group permit to get it all reserved for us, at least not this time as Im guessing this wont be huge the first time. As far as offical beverage I will check into the park rules and regulations on alcohal. I dont drink anymore but have got nothing against anyone bringing in their own. This is a sport that can be enjoyed by families as well as solo and I hope this gathering is also. I may just bring my 10 yr old grand daughter if others are bringing kids.

Edited by mtmnmark on 03/23/2012 13:15:51 MDT.

Thanks. 14 April is at the end of kids spring vacation. I just wanted to get some idea if kid could come or not.

Oh man, would love to do this. April dates don't work, May is a possibility, but that's iffy. I'll keep an eye on the thread. I'd love to represent the West Coast (of Iowa).

Good to see some people are joining in!

IMO, the "official beverage" is whatever you want, just so everything stays under the umbrella of responsibility. I plan on bringing beer as long as the park allows it.

Travis,

What is the official cheese?

Tim

I like what the Iowa DNR has to say about the hiking trails. If you ware training to go out west to go on a "real" hiking trip, this place is for you.

Tim,

Lol! Cheese curds.

Cheese curds

I'm already salivating! (pls don't tell my doc)

For my wife and I, May 12-13 for sure, April 21-22 re roofing, April 14-15 possibly, but would have to switch some plans.

has the date been settled?

Hi Jim thanks for asking. NOTE TO ALL: I will post the winning date this sunday evening, so far it looks like april 14-15 is winning and May 12-13 is second. That is assuming that the people who just said "Im in" can do any of the dates which is my case, I just want to pull in as many people as possible. I will put up a few signs in the park/state forest on the roads and the trailhead registering area to direct you to parking and the hike in area I will get there the friday b4 as early as possible and I assumn some people will come friday also. If anyone would like to contact me about routes to get there or any other questions pm me with E-mail address or better yet a phone # and best time to call. If you don't mind get me your phone #s and I will enter it in my phone and get you mine it might help incase of emergency or getting lost or stranded. There are some very scenic routes to get there. If you have the time and are coming from the south or south east I highly recommend The great river road national senic byway. It is the slower route and runs along the mississippi as much as it can. I hope more will try to make it out to this and I'm looking forward to meeting you all. But I really want to see and touch a Elightened Equipment quilt... Travis??? I will bring my hand sanitizer. So everyone get out the Ti trowel or get off the fence ;^)

I had earlier said I was a go for Apr 14-15 but that has changed. Hope y'all have a good time.

If Jim is out then it looks like a tie between april 14-15 and May 12-13. Travis, Doug and I can do any date James L didnt state a date so I will PM him to check. If anything has changed for anyone or Anyone else wants to come post ASAP

May works best for us.

I can do either, but I am leaning towards May.

May looks better. It looks like I have lost control of my schedule for Apr.

Ok so May 12-13 weekend it is. Tim Z said this works for him also.

Iowa is higher than the rockys, that is with this bump

As Mark said above, May 12-13 is the date!

Will anyone be arriving on Friday? My wife and I will be coming from the Rochester area
and can get there almost anytime after 6PM Friday.

Dave. I am shooting for Friday. It looks like about 9 hours for me.

So the plan is hike in camp site. Looks like some nice day trails. Any other thoughts?

I will get there as early as I can on friday maybe even thursday night. I will try to get Doug to scan and post a map of the forest/roads/trails. There is a shelter at one of the hikein sites Im leaning to that site but will get up and check all 4 areas in the next couple weeks.

Edited by mtmnmark on 04/03/2012 12:20:15 MDT.

Mark. I give. What does GGG stand for?

Tim

Edited by asdzxc57 on 04/03/2012 12:19:29 MDT.

I other areas of the country It's Gathering of Gear Geeks but thats not to say that our third G couldnt be Greats or Gladiators or Genius's or___________!

Grain fields.

Now hold on there Mr Grizzly bear man, Mike Clelland endorses the use of corn cobs as a alternate to T.P. And I think most will be surprised at this part of the state we do have a little that was not burned and plowed. Although there are parts of the area we are going that borders corn fields.

Edited by mtmnmark on 04/03/2012 12:44:30 MDT.

Hahaha. Be happy you're not in Kansas. I have to take antidepressants just for the drive across that state.

I am going to bring my Tenkara gear. If any one is interested I have an exrta rod.

I'd like to try a tenkara and the streams up there would be great for that style of fishing. I know one year Doug and I had a hell of a time finding a place that sold fishing licenses we actually went to Cabelas just across the mississippi in prairie du chien wisconsin to get an Iowa license. You could likely get one on line in advance. Otherwise Decorah, marquette or mcgreagor most likely has places that sell them but some of these small towns really close up early. Also you need a trout stamp to fish for trout in Ia. you get that added to your license.

Edited by mtmnmark on 04/05/2012 08:30:20 MDT.

I would like to attend the May 12-13 GGG, as long as people are ok with me bringing my dog? I dont have a dog sitter so she would need to come with. Shes a good dog that doesnt bite or bark.

The only rules here are there are no rules. I dont speak for everybody but my opinion is if its legal and follows the park/forest service rules its ok for the GGG. So to answer Josh's question on bringing dogs I'd say bring your dog. If its a well behaved dog I dont think anybody will mind and you can set a good example for dogs and backpacking. If its a bad dog and barks all night and wizzes on our tents, I'm sure the mob will rule. I look at this first midwest GGG like this I'm going camping out in the woods and I made an open and in some cases private invitation for anyone to come join me. If a church or scout group shows up in the area they are welcome also cause legally they can. If our group wants to divide up to have a quiet camp there are lots of places to camp here. If anyone wants to camp somewhere alone thats fine to. I plan to post a sign at the trail head sign up about our group where most of us will be and people may want to avoid us if they are looking for solitude. I know with different personality's things are not going to be perfect for everyone but I hope this gathering is as perfect as it can be for everyone. I have little control on how this turns out but as a group I think we have alot of control

Edited by mtmnmark on 04/05/2012 09:42:40 MDT.

We don't have a problem with dogs either. I'll bring my extra rod along with some more line. I guess I can handle the extra 4-5 oz.

Thats great. Count us in. I contacted the forest service and dogs are allowed as long as there under control and on a leash while in the campground. Thank you, Josh.

since this is the wives first mothers day, i don't want my bivy to become my body bag. that being said please please do this again, in the summer or fall or winter.
cheers,
jim

The real question about your dog is if she carries her own pack or not. And is it a framesless pack.

Dave. I will bring items used for fishing even though after much testing they don't work.

Tim,
I resemble that remark.

> please please do this again, in the summer or fall or winter.

+1. Can't make the date and this location is a bit far for me from central IN for just a weekend, but I'd try if the date was open.

This trip was a quick lets do it thing. I hope to get alot of imput from this group and others online as of where and when to hold the next one. Ive got alot of ideas like north central Illinois in a group camp ground or the shawnee national forest southern Il.also alot of places in missouri. The thing is to me this is not a backpacking trip and/or a wilderness experience. I dont go out to the winds to be with a large group rather I want to get away I look at GGG as more of a seminar/party in an outdoor setting. If we pull to far south we might loose the minnisota, wisconsin michigan people, the michigan folks already got a big lake in the way of getting here. We as a group need to decide what states we want to pull from and find a place centered in that area. Also Im not much of an organizer and would have no problem handing the reins over to some one else to run this, I just wanted to see this happen and so far as I know nobody else has attempted to get one going. So far this has been real easy I messaged Travis and others called yellow river (which was the only place I could get anyone on the phone) tried a few others and the rest you see here. I think we should start a seperate thread just as soon as this is over and start planning the next one

Hi Mark,

I had a look and its a ten hour drive for me.

Its an awful long way to go for a gear fondling session :-)

Cheers,

Stephen

"The real question about your dog is if she carries her own pack or not. And is it a framesless pack."

The only thing she carries is the trail magic I sometimes need.

I got up to yellow river this past weekend and hiked into all 4 backcountry campsites and it looks as if Heffern's Hill camp will work out the best it does have a small trail shelter and a lot of divided areas close with a couple large fire rings and several smaller ones.

I have it circled on my map.

Everyone still in for next weekend? Will be posting the trout stocking info later this weekend

Here's the trout stocking info I promised for the week of the GGG trip. All these streams are within a 15 minute drive of the camp area and two are in the park itself and are hikeable.

Paint Creek is very close to the camp site and is on an unannounced schedule, but the do usually stock it at least once a week, and there is some holdover trout.

Little Paint Creek is a smaller stream and would probably be great for the Tenkara style of fishing. The DNR is scheduled to stock that on Friday the 10th.

There are three more unannounce streams close to Yellow river, North Cedar, about 10 miles south of where we will be and would also probably be a great Tenkara stream.

Wexford which is about 10 mile north. It's a bigger stream with limited fishing options, only a couple of places to fish from.

Hickory Creek is about 10 miles West of Yellow river. I really don't know too much about it, although I have heard it can be good.

Bloody Run is a nice long stream that is supposed to be stocked on Tuesday the 8th. It is very close to Marquette, Iowa and is heavily fished. A good portion of this stream is hike in only fishing, but I really don't know how much pressure the hike in part gets.

Sny Magill is the last stream within the 15 minute window. It's a nice long stream that it supposed to be stocked on Thursday the 9th. There are alot of parking areas available along this stream so it's usually a short walk to the water.


Licence fees: Resident Annual $19 7 day $13.50 1 day $9.50 Trout Stamp $12.50

Non Resident Annual $41 (so not fair) 7 day $32 3 day $17.50 1 day $10.50 Trout stamp $15.00

The licenses are available online at the Iowa DNR website or shops in the area.

And if your real nice I might be persuaded to catch a few for dinner.

Hope to see you all up there next weekend.

By the way, I will probably be up there in the afternoon on the 10th.

Edited by sparky52804 on 05/04/2012 08:52:07 MDT.

I will also head up on thursday the 10th. Once again the plan is to meet at the Heffern's hill camp.

I from Waunakee WI.

Yellow River State Forest Trail, Harpers Ferry, IA is 2 hrs 42 mins away from me. I just joined today so we will see if I head up there in a few days.

I might just do it.

Edited by Trekked on 05/04/2012 21:56:02 MDT.

Welcome to BPL Michael, and hope to see you there next weekend.

Doug and Mark,
What time are you guys planning on showing up on Thursday?

David, We are going to try and be there around 3pm or so, kinda depends on Mark's work schedule. While I'm here, I was wondering if anyone wanted to do a group dinner or something. I've never been to one of these so I really don't know what to bring. Any ideas?

Doug,
I typically do freezer bag cooking but we could try for a group meal. I will probably show up Thursday PM and leave late on Saturday. It wouldn't be very hard to do steak and a baked potato on a wood fire. I would assume they have fire-pits with grilles? I am still planning on bringing two Tenkara rods with plenty of line. I will probably put some lightweight waders in the trunk in case we drive to another location. Let me know if you want to do steak so I can adjust my meals. Where do you suggest for parking?

Edited by dpnoll on 05/05/2012 17:36:55 MDT.

Directons Hwy 76 to state forest rd when you see a half circle drive to the right there is a map and information and a camp host. The next drive to the right is the ranger station and trail sign in and water you should sign in, there are NO fees . Getting back on state forest rd you go over paint creek then in about 1 mile you cross over little paint creek take the next right to the equestrian camp grounds go past both horse camps just B4 you get to a bridge with a road closed sign (closed may be vandal scratched off and open spray painted over) there is a parking area to the left. This is the trail and parking area for hefferns hill I think there will be enough parking here. The ranger said we just had to be off the road. I am bringing plenty of firewood and there is usually wood there left by the rangers anyway. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY OUT OF STATE FIREWOOD. Im looking forward to meeting everyone

Edited by mtmnmark on 05/07/2012 13:37:16 MDT.

Any thoughts on a group meal for Thursday night?

Any ideal on how many people are going?

Group meal for thursday night sounds good to me I think it will be just you, doug and I thursday I just sent a message to josh but didnt ask when he is coming and James Byrnes will be up real early sat am. I have not heard from anyone else on ETA But I like your idea of steak and potatos over the fire maybe with some grilling beans. I dont think there are grills but we can bring some for over the fire

Edited by mtmnmark on 05/07/2012 14:59:41 MDT.

Mark,
I'll bring three steaks. If anyone else is coming Thursday night let me know and I will bring more.

I should be there before dinner on Friday. I would like to do some grilling with you guys, but mine will have be done on Friday.

Edited by jpovs on 05/07/2012 15:43:46 MDT.

So far Doug T. David N. James B. Josh P. and Mark R. have posted in the last few days I'm not sure about Travis L, Tim Z, James L, Jim C, Mark M, and Mike M. Travis, Tim and James L had sounded pretty sure a while back

I won't bring steaks for everyone Friday, however I am willing to grill a second night.
It won't be that far back to the car and a cooler. Possibly not quite BPL but sure would taste GREAT.

Mark, when I called the park office last week they said I should park at the headquarters building. If its ok to park just past the equestrian campgrounds like you say, that's even better.

I will probably cooking up some brats or polish sausages on Friday.

Edited by jpovs on 05/07/2012 17:21:13 MDT.

David I sent you a PM not sure if you got it but yes steaks sound great and thanks for bringing them. Doug and I will handle the rest of dinner. Josh brats on friday sounds good I will make a food run friday and or saturday as Im not gonna get the time to do much shopping or plan a menu b4 I leave.

Mark,
No, I didn't get a PM. Looks like a grilling weekend. Great. I will have to leave early Pm on Saturday. Steak and then brats. There go the dinners I built. See you guys tomorrow.

Edited by dpnoll on 05/09/2012 14:49:28 MDT.

Mark. I have to cancel. My apologies.

Thanks for the notification Tim I hope you can make the next one. And feel free to voice when and where you would like to see it happen next time.

Edited by mtmnmark on 05/09/2012 23:28:26 MDT.

Despite my absence in BPL the last two months, I'll be at the GGG this weekend! Anything I should bring?

Travis just your happy self and your favorite gear to show off

Thursay at noon Im leaving so for any information needed you might try to PM Doug as he has internet on his phone BUT the cell coverage is very bad up there. If anyone else wants to come on up to yellow river state forest to the Hefferns Hill hike in camp here in beautiful climate controlled Iowa The weather report looks very good. Ok one last shower and Im gone

I want to say thanks to Mark for getting things together for the first Midwest GGG. I had a great time meeting new people, seeing some cool gear, and spending time in the woods.

Everyone had a completely unique kit. There were no duplicates of any gear except that Mark and I each had a First Ascent down vest.

If anyone ever sees James B. on the trail, ask to see his car key! :)

I know there is a fall get together in the works, and dates/location will be posted as soon as we can get them.

Thanks again everyone, and I look forward to seeing y'all again!