Author Topic: August (Sept?) GTG Information Thread - Down South!!! (Read 5050 times)

ianacole · « **on:** July 21, 2005, 08:22:22 PM »

Update: 3 August 2005, 4pm

THE INFO GATHERING IS CLOSED...

The sign-up thread can be found HERE! Please come on out!!

Update: 25 July 2005, 11:25am

Just got off the phone with the Park Reservations and here are the available dates for Group Picnic Areas 1 & 3 (both have the water, serving/prep area, extra grills):

#3:
-Sunday September 4 -> This labor day weekend. There is a chance that the park will fill up, then cars will only be allowed as ones leave (one out, one in). Last year Monday was the only day over Labor Day weekend where they experienced this volume...still a risk.
-Sunday, September 18

#1:
-Saturday, September 10
-Sunday, September 11 -> I personally would very much like getting together with a group of friends on this day...

Once we decide on a day, the Parks department will hold the reservation for 2 weeks before payment is due. So, once we decide on a date, I will need "donations" quickly, either mailed to me, or we can work through paypal or meetings, etc.

Update: 23 July 2005, 2pm

Drove down today, it's about 1 hour from Lakewood. After taking the long way around, and ending up in the wrong spot, the best way to get there from the north would be to take Founder's Pkwy to SH86, turn east (left). Drive out to Franktown (about 7 miles) to the only light, which will be US 83. Turn south (right) and the park's main entrance is down about 5 miles on the right.

I realized that I am racing on the 14th, and will not be able to make that date, but I have some recommendations that would change the dates all together.

Recommendations:
--Because of heat and fire danger, I recommend that we move the GTG to sometime in September, the first or second weekend.
--We should try to get group picnic area #3. This area includes a larger area with more tables, a prep/serving table, an outlet, and a sink. It is also better protected from the wind and separated from the other two picnic areas. This will also increase the cost to $150 from $125.
--Someone should bring a gas grill in case it is a red flag fire day.

I have added a bunch of pictures showing the different areas, to include parking and the picnic and playpark areas.

Since the last one was such a blast...I figured we should ride the "high!" We'll start this thread in an information/suggestion format, then convert or start a new one with the details as warranted. I'd like to go down south, so that some of the southern enthusiast will come (I'm assuming they will want to). To this end, I suggest Castlewood Canyon, which is just east of Castle Rock. Here is a map:

The dates that I recommend are August 14th or August 21st (they have no picnic areas available the 20th). There is one minor catch...the cost of the picnic area will be $125 (I will need help with this, the wife won't let me spot this amount), and there will be a $5 per car fee upon entry into the park.

I recommend starting earlier in the day, say 1 or 2pm, with cooking to begin about 3pm.

Let the comments and suggestions begin...

evil_O · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:43:08 PM »

I am good with the 21st.

Will the picnic area hold all the potentials? In other words, how many cars can we get into the area for $125? $5 entrance fee is no worry.

Rocky Mountain Club B5 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:43:08 PM »

hotani · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:43:12 PM »

If at least 13 people show up that's $15 total per person picnic area + entrance fee which is not bad at all (think of a trip to the movie in comparison, and this would be WAY more fun!

).

So I'm in. I will probably have the little one with me this time around. Do they have covered shelters? I can't remember from the last time I was there (looking *really* hard on google earth!) With the 100°F days we've been having I wouldn't want to be standing in the sun at 3 or 4pm without shade. 8O

ianacole · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:54:02 PM »

The area that I am thinking of does have covered picnic benches. There are 3 event facilities all in roughly the same area (for roughly 50 people each) that include covered benches, parking, nearby facilities, etc. Here is a link to the map of the area where the event facilities are (the multi-bench icon):

Picnic Area
(I can't figure out how to imbed the PDF...)

I'm going to try to get the wife and kids to drive down this weekend. We'll take some photos and report back about the layout of the area.

BHase · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:59:54 PM »

I vote for the 14th, even though it is a good friend's birthday, as I won't be here on the 21st.

Ben

TurboDub · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2005, 11:27:41 AM »

Sounds cool! I'm flexible with the days so count me in...

PasSoup · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2005, 11:53:54 AM »

I move for the 21st, The Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games are on the 13th and 14th.

ianacole · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2005, 06:18:29 PM »

So, from the trip down today...plenty of parking:

The picnic areas from the parking lot:

Group picnic areas 1 & 2; almost one large picnic area:

Picnic area 3. You can see picnic area 1 in the background. The lower photo shows the serving/prep area:

The grill at picnic area 3. Notice the grills are shut down. If it is a red flag fire day, we cannot have a charcoal grill. A gas grill is fine:

And here are the extra facilities around the picnic areas (bathroom and playground):

Spicoli · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2005, 08:23:03 PM »

This looks like a nice place to go. Let's DO IT!

evil_O · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2005, 10:28:02 PM »

We just have to hope the "No Fires!" sign and cover (on the grill) is gone when we go

hotani · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:53:59 PM »

Thanks for running the recon mission and getting pics Ian!

I hope I can do a day in September, although right now that month is looking extremely busy for me since I'll be moving sometime during the first couple of weeks, then have a big conference with work up in the mountains the 3rd weekend.

ianacole · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:58:04 PM »

Quote from: "hotani"

Thanks for running the recon mission and getting pics Ian!

I hope I can do a day in September, although right now that month is looking extremely busy for me since I'll be moving sometime during the first couple of weeks, then have a big conference with work up in the mountains the 3rd weekend.

I'll be calling on Monday and finding out when #3 is available, we may get lucky and find that it's available the final week of August. If not, perhaps you can take a break from the moving...

hotani · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2005, 12:39:31 AM »

Yeah - moving is going to be spread over about 2 weeks (3rd of September to the 19th) so there will be several days of rest in there!

ianacole · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2005, 03:30:18 PM »

I've made an update to the Group Picnic area availability...

PasSoup · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2005, 03:36:25 PM »

Can't do the 10th or 11th (Longs Peak Highland Festival), and would prefer no to deal with Labor Day crowds. So I think the 18th would work best for me.

SweetVW · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2005, 04:03:48 PM »

September 11th would be great for me. I would be able to bring the family. The location look great, thank you for the work.

hotani · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2005, 04:08:53 PM »

I could do the 11th.... the 4th is right after I 'take possession' of the new place so might be busy fixing up/painting?/moving stuff that weekend.

weekend of the 18th is my conference with work so wouldn't be able to do that one.

ianacole · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2005, 04:10:14 PM »

I've added a poll...

scott · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2005, 09:51:09 PM »

do you guys mind if I get the 719 crew in on this? we could go right up 83 to that park... it is a very nice drive actually!

BHase · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2005, 10:21:23 PM »

I don't know...after that picture with all the 719 guys flipping us off...

I'm definitely out (back in St. Louis), so you could pretty much invite anyone you want. :cry:

Ben

Colorado_Baja · « **Reply #20 on:** July 25, 2005, 10:36:47 PM »

Their is REALLY awesome bouldering in the canyon. I know JR is down...

ianacole · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2005, 11:52:05 PM »

Quote from: "scott"

do you guys mind if I get the 719 crew in on this? we could go right up 83 to that park... it is a very nice drive actually!

This was our intention in gathering to the south...please do join us!

TurboDub · « **Reply #22 on:** July 26, 2005, 01:40:40 AM »

Looks awesome! I'm still flexiable with the dates, but if we push it back to Sept. then we still need to do some kind of drive in August :lol:

ianacole · « **Reply #23 on:** July 29, 2005, 01:46:16 PM »

Are there any other inputs regarding the date?

aowhaus · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:43:15 PM »

the 11th sounds good to me.

ianacole · « **Reply #25 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:02:04 PM »

Then sign up HERE

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Poll

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Author Topic: August (Sept?) GTG Information Thread - Down South!!! (Read 5050 times)

Rocky Mountain Club B5