West 4th of July Weekend at Taklach Lake, Gifford Pinchot NF

[longdog]

Well, it's a developed campsite, so not really boondocking, but I plan to check out some nearby boondocking sites. Anyone wanna come along?

Actually I think it's spelled Taklakh

[Boondocker]

had to google that one. Man, that looks like sweet camping. If I were closer I would be in in a new york minute.

[Mel]

Hi longdog - I posted a review of Takhlakh a couple of years ago. It's a beautiful spot, but bring lots and lots of bug repellant and make sure the screens in your Airstream are intact.

[Stefrobrts]

That's an awesome spot! It's not very 'developed' from what I remember, but we haven't been up there for about 6 years. How are the roads getting up there though? I know one of the main forest roads from the west was shut down from a landslide last year and I don't know if it was repaired yet, and there were several more major landslides this winter. Lack of funds are keeping them from fixing the roads. It sounds like it's going to be tough going getting around in the GPNF this year!

[silverleeper]

Current road conditions for Takhlakh Campground NOTE: A series of winter storms occurring the fall of 2006 caused extensive damage to many roads and trails across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. As a result, there will be no road access to Takhlakh Campground from the south via Forest Road 23 or west via Forest Road 90 during the 2007 camping season. A major Washout occurred on Forest Road 23, closing the road five miles south of Takhlakh Campground near Babyshoe Pass.

It is not known when reconstruction of the road will be completed. Please check local conditions before traveling to the Forest. For current information, contact Cowlitz Valley Ranger District at 360-497-1100. For more complete information on forest road and trail conditions check the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/current-conditions/ .

This is a beautiful place. Go if you get the chance. The other side of the lake from the camp ground has a Hummingbird nesting ground. Nothing like hundreds of Hummingbirds zooming around you.

If you get light headed it's not from the elevation it's from lack of blood.

[Stefrobrts]

Here's a picture from our last trip there. But we were a little woozy from the blood loss...

[longdog]

Uhoh.... this is starting to sound like my childhood in northern Canada. Are we talking noseeums, skeeters, blackflies, or vampires?

Should I make other arrangements? Maybe a screen shelter for outside cooking/sitting?