Yellow Post Campsites San Bernardino

[whirlybirdbrewing]

Any of you folks spent any time up at the Yellow Post Campsites?

They look like they'd be something cool within a quick drive but I also could see them being completely slammed on a normal weekend.

Looks like a bunch of them - San Bernardino National Forest - Recreation - https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/sbnf/recreation/?cid=fseprd832693

The three areas up at Big Bear (Mountaintop District) or maybe out in San Jacinto. Tool Box on Thomas Mtn looks like it might be rad.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[badsamaritan]

The group just did a big get together at some of the yellow post sites. I didn't go but I'm sure some will chime in

 

[Overlandeffex]

The yellow post that are enroute to the grouo camp were really nice.

 

[MTN RNR]

Any of you folks spent any time up at the Yellow Post Campsites?

They look like they'd be something cool within a quick drive but I also could see them being completely slammed on a normal weekend.

Looks like a bunch of them - San Bernardino National Forest - Recreation - https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/sbnf/recreation/?cid=fseprd832693

The three areas up at Big Bear (Mountaintop District) or maybe out in San Jacinto. Tool Box on Thomas Mtn looks like it might be rad.

Any insight would be appreciated.

I use them all the time in various locations. Like everything, some are better than others. But most come with a picnic table and fire ring.

 

[whirlybirdbrewing]

Appreciate the feedback. Looks like the group was in Coon Creek.

Any issues finding a site there on the weekend? I'm fine as long as I get a place to throw a tent down but I'd hate to trek up there and be all packed up with no place to go..

 

[landcruising]

In my experience any time during the week Monday to Friday morning they are mostly empty. The weekend on a Friday night or Saturday may just be a crap-shoot. Although it has been a couple years since I last went to one. Others may have more recent experience with many people laid off or working from home. With Covid impacts I seem to see more people out and about away from urban areas.

 

[Bud_Dude]

Not a holiday weekend and getting colder, I reckon sites will be readily available. I camped in YP19 for the 30th anniversary trip in August which was a nicely secluded site well off the road (so low road dust factor), but it damn near needs 4-low to get into it and doesn't offer much in the way of flat tent pads... Ted (MTN RNR) was in YP18 which was perhaps the prettiest site, perhaps an Eagle Scout project site and had at least two nice tent pads.

 

[bajaphile]

The last couple years have been pretty brutal with people. The YP sites used to be sort of "hidden" and you had to find them with an old school GPS or just come across them while you were cruising around. That being said, I was out at the Coon Creek ones in early June this year and the last few sites were not being used even on the weekend. The flies however were in full force! : )

FYI most areas that have yellow post sites allow for you to also camp in pull out areas off dirt roads. The rule is to be within one car length off the trail, but it is rarely enforced. The last 2 years I have been finding myself doing this more often than not as the masses find out about the YP sites.

 

[Shanduhh]

The last couple years have been pretty brutal with people. The YP sites used to be sort of "hidden" and you had to find them with an old school GPS or just come across them while you were cruising around. That being said, I was out at the Coon Creek ones in early June this year and the last few sites were not being used even on the weekend. The flies however were in full force! : )

FYI most areas that have yellow post sites allow for you to also camp in pull out areas off dirt roads. The rule is to be within one car length off the trail, but it is rarely enforced. The last 2 years I have been finding myself doing this more often than not as the masses find out about the YP sites.

Second this! YP have become more and more popular and it's hard to find an open one on a weekend/holiday.

 

[whirlybirdbrewing]

Word. Assuming my schedule holds, I will try and make a trip up to either Coon or Tool Box in a couple weeks. I’ll post a mini report when done.

 

[whirlybirdbrewing]

Mission success. Headed up towards the town of Thomas Mountain. A couple of turns later and we pulled onto FS 6S13 and worked our way clockwise along the half-loop. Road was in great shape. Your average 2001 Camry could probably make it up to about the 6S13D split.

The actual Tool Box sites take about 20 minutes to get to. They were at about 50% capacity by mid-day and all looked pretty decent. We sniffed around but decided to try our luck up the road as the map showed a few other Yellow Post Sites nearby. In hindsight, we made the right call!

After another 10 minutes of driving, we ended up near the peak of Thomas Mountain. Fantastic views all afternoon and an epic sunset above the clouds.

In the morning, we continued clockwise on 6S13. The road was a little rougher (no longer Camry-able) but still easy for anything with high clearance. Took roughly 45 to an hour to get back around to 74 including a stop for a click or two.