2013 ANNUAL PINEBARREN TRIP 5/17-19th

OK Folks- We need to get reservations in soon for our annual Pinebarrens Trip.

Please post up here and let me know if you are going. There are only 2 tents per site- so we need to know how many sites we will need in advance.

i'll have to get back to you on this, if i go i wouldn't be there until night time on the 17th probably due to Fire Department courses in Aberdeen until 4pm... i don't suppose i could borrow a tent again?!

Absolutely, you can borrow our tent! It is Ok if you get there late.

Members: we need to have an idea of who is going on this trip by Sunday, March 10th. Reservations start on March 11th and sites fill up quickly.

Here are the rules for this campground:

2 tents, 2 vehicles, a max of 6 people per site.

No campers over 22 foot long. A camper counts as a vehicle. So if you have a camper and the tow vehicle you are at your 2 vehicle max. No water or electric on the site. There is a bathhouse and it is decent.

Pet friendly sites are available..but they go quickly.

Each person going will need to reserve their own site. Prior to making the reservation we will post up as to what sites we are planning to book. Fee is $25.00 per night.

Can't wait for this! Always a good time!!!

Mudslinger wrote:

Absolutely, you can borrow our tent! It is Ok if you get there late.

Members: we need to have an idea of who is going on this trip by Sunday, March 10th. Reservations start on March 11th and sites fill up quickly.

Here are the rules for this campground:

2 tents, 2 vehicles, a max of 6 people per site.

No campers over 22 foot long. A camper counts as a vehicle. So if you have a camper and the tow vehicle you are at your 2 vehicle max. No water or electric on the site. There is a bathhouse and it is decent.

Pet friendly sites are available..but they go quickly.

Each person going will need to reserve their own site. Prior to making the reservation we will post up as to what sites we are planning to book. Fee is $25.00 per night.

Do you know if the 22 foot limit is for maneuvering or a hard size limit at the campsite? I think our pop-up is 19 foot LOA with the tongue, and 24 foot when the ends are pulled out. Any idea if there is a width issue, since we also have a side slide-out dinette.

i still have to sort it out with my folks if i can go, i will do my best to let you all know by the deadline...still trying to reach Blackmagic to see if he is gonna go as well

HEY!!!!! long time silent yall, but yep!!!! i will be going to pinebarrens for sure!!!!!!!!

BlackMagic KJ wrote:

HEY!!!!! long time silent yall, but yep!!!! i will be going to pinebarrens for sure!!!!!!!!

lol well that answers my concern quite well, Blackmagic, we gotta discuss transportation issues since i assume you want to carpool, i plan on going again for sure!

I called up Wharton to ask about the limits on camper size. Issue is we'll probably bring Brutus, this means we'll probably go with one of the pet-friendly sites, and these are generally smaller sites (so camper is out for us). I have Mary talked into doing tent camping, I guess I'll have to find our larger tent that I have not used since last April; usually it is just Billy and I in our 3-person tent. But put us down for a site. BTW, the pet-friendly sites are $5 extra per night.

Some questions:

1. Are campfires allowed (and are there fire rings)? Subject to burn bans?

2. What kind of cooking gear is allowed? I have a 2-burner propane camp stove, a tiny wood burning stove (probably good for boiling water for dehydrated food), and a campfire grate for cooking over a wood fire.

3. I'm guessing no bringing in of firewood. The prohibitons on bringing in invasive species seems to be pretty universal at camp sites now. So are we allowed to scrounge the forest for deadwood to cut up for fires (I have a 21" bow saw that works for fairly small stuff)?

I'm guessing I can get water at the bathhouse for my fire bucket.

1. For campfire regulations we need to call ahead before we go as it is dependent on weather conditons. Each site does have fire rings and picnic tables. Depending on the season they do have periodic burn bans. So far, each year we have gone there was not a burn ban in effect. I believe they prefer you to get your firewood there, but I did not see a ban on the site. When we call to find out the fire regs we can confirm. There is usually plenty of stuff to scrounge and we have not had any issues with doing so in the past.

2. For cooking gear- we usually have a two burner coleman stove which is fine. The stuff you have seems like it will be fine to use.

3. There are water spigots throughout the campground so you can get water for your fire bucket.

Also, just FYI there is a food store and a Walmart within a 15-20 min drive. We usually go up Friday and just shop at the local walmart for what we need for the weekend. Sam and I are off on that Friday so we will probably get there at check in time (around 3).

Can't wait

If worst comes to worst, and roll-cage cant make it, you can put my name down for a campsite.

BlackMagic KJ wrote:

If worst comes to worst, and roll-cage cant make it, you can put my name down for a campsite.

might as well just put your name down anyway, since i won't be able to stay the whole time

@Orangecrush - are you planning on calling in a hold on some specific campsites on Monday, and then let us know when to finish up our own reservations with Wharton?

I have a wedding to go to that day! But sounds like I'll miss a good time!

Ok. I booked site 36 for Dennis and me -arriving Friday, May 17 and checking out Sunday, May 19th. Site 36 is across from the pet friendly sites. Jeff, I was thinking you could book site 26. Mike and Tina could book site 35 (this is non-pet friendly site). Mike/Erich- you guys could book either site 43 (right behind Mike and Tina or 39 right behind Dennis and me. Right now, these sites are all available, but please book soon-they will fill up quickly. If anyone else is planning to go, please let me know.

To view a campground map. Go to http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/wharton.html. Scroll down until you find Atsion Campsites and will see a link to the campgrounds.

To reserve a site you need to go to the Reserve America website. This is new for 2013. When you enter the site go to park name (on the left side) and type in Wharton State Forest. Wharton State Forest will come up in blue, click on it. After you click on it, on the left site you will see a drop down menu -go to Loop. Click on Atsion Family. From there it will take you to the individual camp sites that you can book.

Can't wait for this trip!

Mike and I are booked for campsite 35! WooHoo!

Booked #26 for Mary, Billy, Brutus, and myself

YES!!!! booked site 39 for Roll-Cage and myself!

Can't wait!

I'll be there with bells and whistles on...

Unfortunately, we'll be unable to attend. I have to work that weekend

I booked site #43!

Awesome Cannot wait!