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Squilchuck State Park Reserved

TotemLake

By TotemLake
in Northwest

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TotemLake

+TotemLake

Posted
Posted (edited)

We are booked for August 19-21 inclusive. Check in time is 2:30 on Friday; check out time is 1 PM on Sunday unless we want to push the booking to Monday.

 

Here’s a quick summary:

 

-There are 20 camp sites in the group site, there are no other camp sites.

 

-There is running water

 

-There is a men's and women's shower facility.

 

-Park is open to the public, but we will have signage announcing our reservation.

 

-The area does have bear and cougar, so appropriate food handling is required.

 

-August is also big on yellow jackets up there, again, appropriate food handling is required.

 

The ranger I spoke with, Mike Barry, is interested in geocaching and was surprised to hear there are a number of them surrounding Squilchuck. He'll be wanting to talk with us and find out more about our sport. ;)

Edited by TotemLake
Half-Canadian

+Half-Canadian

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Posted

Sounds great! How do we go about nailing down one of the campsites? Do we reserve them through WSGA (is there a signup sheet) or reserve through the State Park website? I've got a pickup with a slide-in camper.

 

I don't recall if this was discussed previously -- we assume dogs are OK? The boss wants to know...

TotemLake

+TotemLake

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You can go here for general information, and go here for more specific information.

 

On page 2 of the second link, it indicates pets must be on a leash and under physical control at all times. Pets are not permitted on designated swimming beaches, which is a standard statement for all State Parks.

 

Camp sites will be on a first come first served basis. We'll have more detailed information on a per cost basis in a couple of days when I receive the packet in the mail.

 

Hopefully a map will be provided so we can get that scanned in and give a general idea of how the area is laid out.

TotemLake

+TotemLake

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As for hookups... there are two other State Parks just outside of Wenatchee. One on the Wenatchee River near Monitor and The Confluence State Park on the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers within 15 -20 minutes of Squilchuck.

 

We are also in the planning stages of group activity(ies). Please feel free to post your ideas in this thread.

 

As for hiding new caches in Squilchuck, I want to try to keep the rangers abreast of our plans and ask them to help us with locations.

TotemLake

+TotemLake

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TL, let us locals know if you need anything. We'll be happy to help out. (I'm speaking for all of them because I love to delegate!!) :mad:

:(B):DB):D

 

Have no fears. I have a sincere belief all the work should not be in one set of hands.

Ambrosia

+Ambrosia

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I guess it would be self-defeating for me to camp there, since I live a couple of minutes away from the park. :mad:

 

Hey, if the campsite fills up, people can camp in my back yard, it's almost the same thing! :(:D

robinego

+robinego

Posted
Posted
Do we get hot coffee in the morning if we camp in you back yard?  Peace, Nolenator

Sorry, don't drink coffee.

 

But maybe you could get some hot chocolate. :P

Who says you have to drink it? You only have to make it for him! ;) Of course, you may need some lessons, I'm sure Nolenator will teach you. I can make my own coffee, but I make a meaner martini! ;)

TotemLake

+TotemLake

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Do we get hot coffee in the morning if we camp in you back yard?  Peace, Nolenator

Sorry, don't drink coffee.

 

But maybe you could get some hot chocolate. ;)

Who says you have to drink it? You only have to make it for him! :P Of course, you may need some lessons, I'm sure Nolenator will teach you. I can make my own coffee, but I make a meaner martini! ;)

So maybe Irish coffees at the end of the day... maybe? huh? huh? huh? :P

Edited by TotemLake
TotemLake

+TotemLake

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How hot does it get over there in the summer?

My topo shows it at just 3000 feet. The parks page states Squilchuck State Park is a 288-acre camping park covered with forests of fir and ponderosa pine. The park sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and is a popular site for winter sports.

 

The dry siders can feel free to correct me, but it's likely we can see the weather reaching the 80's. I'm waiting on the packet to arrive anytime now which will hopefully have all the info we're seeking. With the El Nino in effect, this can be higher. I can do a historical look at the weather and see what we might be up against.

robinego

+robinego

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How hot does it get over there in the summer?

 

Um...real hot. ;) But it's a "DRY" heat... Seriously, coming from the beaches of SoCal where I'm used to ocean breezes and think "hot" is anything above 80, I can handle the heat here without a problem.

 

So maybe Irish coffees at the end of the day... maybe? huh? huh? huh? 

 

Irish, Russian, Mexican, Swedish...you name it. ;)

 

Robinego (aka: the rolling bartender)

 

Have booze, will travel.

xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy

+xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy

Posted
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The scout camp just above the state park gets into the 90s on the hottest days. There is plenty of shade at Squilchuck and all of the high country caches in the near vicinity. It is much more pleasant up there in the woods than down in town. It is always nice down by the river too. I just talked with the ranger and he told me that if we are camping at Squilchuck, we can visit any of the other state parks during our stay and not have to pay the $5 day use or parking fee.

 

So we can plan on getting to use the swim area on the river or have a picnic at the beach too. Even on the hottest days, it is comfortable to be down at the river.

 

He also told me that State Parks just came out with a policy that allows Geocaches to be placed in Wa State Parks by permit. Restrictions: No weapons, no porn, not in "environmentally sensitive areas."

Edited by xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy
Patudles

+Patudles

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How hot does it get over there in the summer?

It can easily be up to 105 in Wenatchee on a hot summer day. (I've seen it hotter). You can count on it being at least 10 degrees cooler up Squilchuck. It is a pleasant park even when it is hot. Lots of trees. You just might not feel like hiking as hard. If it is hot bring a boat and water skis. River is only a little ways away with wonderful picnic and skiing spots. Wenatchee weather is unpredictable. We have had some summers where you have to wear a jacket in August. It just depends on the year. Eveings can be cool so be prepared in any case. We will be ready for ya all so plan on a good time!

Anonymous'

+Anonymous'

Posted
Posted
How hot does it get over there in the summer?

It can easily be up to 105 in Wenatchee on a hot summer day. (I've seen it hotter). You can count on it being at least 10 degrees cooler up Squilchuck. It is a pleasant park even when it is hot. Lots of trees. You just might not feel like hiking as hard. If it is hot bring a boat and water skis. River is only a little ways away with wonderful picnic and skiing spots. Wenatchee weather is unpredictable. We have had some summers where you have to wear a jacket in August. It just depends on the year. Eveings can be cool so be prepared in any case. We will be ready for ya all so plan on a good time!

I don't like it when it's really humid. I feel sick when it's hot and humid. It's good to know this is dry heat. The hottest it usually gets here is 95, a few years ago it hit 100.

Ambrosia

+Ambrosia

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Sorry.

 

Two adults, two kids.

 

Although we won't be going camping (though we'll visit), and we've gone to almost all of the local caches...

 

Oh, well, we'll be one of those people in the lawnchairs, laughing. :laughing:

GeoRoo

+GeoRoo

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Hey great to see it's going to be on the bestside, I mean eastside. Sign me up. I've left most of the Wenatchee caches to just this opportunity. Timewise works out great for me. If you like I can get over early and do a sweep of the park and make sure all the rattle snakes are gone... :laughing: I hope it's 100 degrees then we can play in the river. You eastside slackers better start putting out some caches is all I gotta say....... :P

Half-Canadian

+Half-Canadian

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Count us in also, with one large tent. I could bring the espresso machine, but then I would also have to bring the generator to run it.  :mad:

 

I always carry my little Honda EU 1000 watt generator for those sorts of emergencies :mad:

TotemLake

+TotemLake

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The packet came in, and it only had the rules and regs, and an application. The application has been filled out and sent back with the application fee for the group camp site. I have a call back to Squilchuck to find out the details as a lot wasn't included with exception to the following:

 

The lodge and group camp are booked separately.

 

The lodge is available at a fee per day of $50 for the first 20-50, anticipated usage, and it goes up in increments of $50 for each additional 50 people anticipated to a max of 100, although they would like to see less than 70. The lodge is equipped with a full kitchen, running water, restrooms, firelplace and sun deck. There are 8 banquet tables and 48 folding chairs on site. It is surrounded by a large lawn area with several picnic tables. There is no smoking allowed in the lodge, and no overnight stays are permitted. This will raise the per cost for each and every person coming if we decide to book this, and there are no guarantees it is now available. I can only advise it was available as of 5 days ago.

 

The group campground consists of 20 campsites with no electrical hookups. There is a centrally located restroom building with shower facilities and electricity is available for camp use on a limited basis. I don't yet know the total cost to us for the use of this campground based on our estimated usage although it may be similar to the lodge charges.

 

Keg beer was brought up in the previous thread. Squilchuck requires a banquet license is gained from the liquor control board and a copy of that permit be provided for the ranger in advance. IF anybody decides they want to bring a keg along, please advise me at totemlake at comcast dot net and I will make arrangements to receive that permit copy from you and get it to the ranger.

 

I will keep you posted of new details as soon as I receive them.

Edited by TotemLake
xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy

+xy,xx,xy,xy,xy,xy

Posted
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Having been there, I'd suggest we book the lodge as well. Maybe saturday anyway? It'd give options for group meal prep and dining as well as hangout space. I remember couches and a big fireplace. Frequently campfires are prohibited by August (although that is not always the case, especially in a campground.) You can always use a fireplace. $50 a day turns cheap when divided among many of us.

TotemLake

+TotemLake

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Are we going to rent the lodge too? If so, power won't be an issue for espresso machines and such.

Just cook the coffee long enough over a campfire and it will be just as thick as espresso. :mad:

TotemLake

+TotemLake

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
Having been there, I'd suggest we book the lodge as well. Maybe saturday anyway? It'd give options for group meal prep and dining as well as hangout space. I remember couches and a big fireplace. Frequently campfires are prohibited by August (although that is not always the case, especially in a campground.) You can always use a fireplace. $50 a day turns cheap when divided among many of us.

I'll need an overwhelming YEA on this and it will be divided evenly on all campers whether or not they choose to use it.

Edited by TotemLake

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