I just read this notice about a camping prohibition except for developed campsites. Is Kelly's Camp considered developed? It was leveled and had buildings at one time....
Dispersed camping
I think that Kelly Camp counts as developed, since the name is on the official Forest Service topo map. But it also doesn't have the campground symbol like Commanche Camp has, so it makes me less certain. I suppose you could still use the map to argue that Kelly Camp is developed if anyone gave you a hard time. Because it really is developed.
https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.2403 ... =15&b=f16a
From what I recall, in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, if you choose to do "dispersed camping" on your permit then you are NOT allowed in one of the official reserveable/quota campsites because it would then get over-camped.
Anyway, has anyone ever seen a ranger anywhere near Kelly Camp? I haven't. Especially not during Covid, though I did meet a few in SEKI this past Summer.
If you go, let us know how bone dry the Kelly Camp Spring is, after you carry your water up from Columbine Spring anyway.
https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.2403 ... =15&b=f16a
From what I recall, in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, if you choose to do "dispersed camping" on your permit then you are NOT allowed in one of the official reserveable/quota campsites because it would then get over-camped.
Anyway, has anyone ever seen a ranger anywhere near Kelly Camp? I haven't. Especially not during Covid, though I did meet a few in SEKI this past Summer.
If you go, let us know how bone dry the Kelly Camp Spring is, after you carry your water up from Columbine Spring anyway.
My hiking trip reports: https://hikingtales.com/
Legally speaking the definition is simply "an area which has been improved or developed for recreation" https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 319614.pdf. So I have a hard time understanding how they could enforce that language for sites like Kelly Camp which has obviously been improved past the "leave no trace" state
I don't see it on the list. "Developed" usually means some sort of facilities, like firepits or toilets.