Dry Lake Backpacking Campground

If you can get out here right after a good rain/snow storm passes through, you will not regret it. It's a pleasant hike to the campground, there's tons of trees around the lake, and though you have to camp on 1 side of the lake, there's lots of options. Definitely recommend a mid-Fall or Spring trip.

We camped here on our way to summiting San G (as we lovingly call it).  Although it was May and the weather was beautiful at sea level, it was cold up here!  There was snow on the ground but the air was the coldest I've ever felt.  

We got to the camping area and it's tucked in the woods so there's lots of nooks and crannies even though it's a primitive open group camping area.  It's right next to a dry lake - go figure - and there are lots of areas to go explore beyond the trail that leads to the top.  

The ranger was there to spend a few nights and said that the night before hit negative digits!  We thought we were prepared with our "all weather" bags and backpacking tent, but I promise you I have never been so cold in my life.  I laid there awake the entire night, and couldn't move a muscle or freezing air would seep in.  The ranger said it only got down to 7 degrees.  When light finally hit we heated some water and went to sit on the frosty ground in the open field/lake and when the sun finally hit us it was like life-changing.  

FYI it's leave no trace and don't attract bears

**Campground Review: **

I want to start out by saying this is a backcountry, backpacking campground. Only accessible by foot. This is a heavily used campground by many backpackers not only trying to get away for an overnight, but also get a shot at summiting Southern California's tallest mountain, San Gorgonio. This campground is accessible via the South Fork trailhead off of Jenks Lake Road W. There is an established parking lot and you must have a day pass or an adventure pass to park.(You can get the day pass at Mill Creek Ranger Station before coming up the mountain!!) 

Once you start on the trail it is 5.1 miles with 2,200' of elevation gain to get to the base of the' lake'. Don't let the name fool you because there is only a lake currently due to the wet season we had out here. It is drying up quickly as to fall back into its usual place with its name! At the base of the lake opening, you head left for less than a quarter mile. The whole camping area is heavily treed, but you will see the flatten, bare spots sporadically throughout the area within the campground'limits'. We headed back to the back of the area as most of the established'sites' were taken. We found a spot that had 2 perfect'sites' for our group. We had a late hike in by choice so you will see in the photos the early morning set up we had as were just hanging around.

 The area is just beautiful and I never have any complaints. Though the campground was pretty much full, we still felt seculded since the grouped 'sites' were spread apart. You will see in the background of my site video, people standing around there areas. I love this campground for its accessibility and beauty. Completely worth it for an overnight trip! 

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time- today I had the awesome opportunity to test the Firebiner  by Outdoor Element.

I am an avid backpacker and as so there are a few things that I love when it comes to gear. Multifunctional, light weight, and simplicity. All these items were checked-off my list when I received the Firebiner to review. At first glance this just looked like a typical carabiner, but when you really get into the looking at this Firebiner, you know that this is something unique. I was really excited to take this over the weekend to try it out. For our hike in to the campground I used it to attach my solar lantern to my pack and it held up, with no issues. Once at camp I transferred that set-up from my pack to the inside of the tent while we got ready for bed. In the morning I was able to test out the features a bit more. I played with the gate mechanism by just flicking it open with my thumb multiple times and I will say that is the only feature I wish was more heavy-duty. It closes properly, but just feels a tad weak. However, it did still complete its intended job of holding on to whatever I clip it to with no failures. I will cut it some slack because I know for a light weight biner it isn't going to be a thick/heavy gate that’s going to snap close in the speed of light. Isn't like I am going to be repelling off of it either. After its main feature comes the spark wheel! The firestarter and key appeal to me about this piece of equipment. I used it to light my Jetboil and it only took one flick for it to ignite the flame. Take a look at the videos included to see how quick and easy it was. This is priceless to me because at high alltitudes, the Jetboil’s normal ignitor has troubles. It is a peace of mind knowing that included in my normal piece of gear (carabiner), I have a fire starter no matter what. On top of that, you don't have to worry about the ferro rod dying out because it is replaceable! Instead of having to rebuy the entire firebiner, you can just replace the inside ferro rod and keep on sparkin'. When you purchase the finebiner, it includes two replacements! Its next feature that it includes is a tiny stainless steel blade along the spine of it that you can use to cut anything around camp that. I would see this especially hand if you fish to cut a quick line! Next feature is at the top of the spine you see a flatten edge. This is a screwdriver tip! Always a handy item to have. Between the screwdriver tip and the stainless steel blade you get a bonus feature... a bottle opener! I mean, no one can argue about this not being a great add-on! Last feature that makes this product to great in my eyes it’s the key-holes that the very bottom. There is a spot to attach your key ring without the fear of losing your keys when using the carabiner portion! 

To make this simpler for you here is a breakdown of the pros and cons I saw while testing out this product! 

Cons:

• Gate closes 'softly' 

Pros:

• Light weight

• Multifunctional

• Simple 

• Fire starter/ spark wheel

• Screwdriver tip

• Stainless steel blade 

• Bottle opener

• Replaceable ferro rod

• Designated spot for a key ring

  Conclusion: I definitely recommend this product for just about anyone! It's is a handy tool that is multifunctional and light weight so there is no reason to not have this in your gear list! Thank you Outdoor Element  for this awesome product!