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Originally Posted by vettech2112
BTW, what did you think about Hermit's Shack and/or Butterfly Springs camp areas? I also have questions about where the primitive camers will need to park? (Trying to judge distance from the car to the site)
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Hopefully, someone else has camped at those or seen them and can provide first-hand commentary. I'm afraid I haven't hiked by either of those or checked them out. My experience is limited to checking out the Wilderness Camp site last May, and my relatively frequent (for me, anyway; 1-2 times a year) camping trips in the West Verde Creek sites there. Parking for the Wilderness Camp and most hiking in that area of the park would be at the Trailhead Equestrian Camp. It's a large enough gravel lot to accommodate folks who are camping at the equestrian camp, as well as folks day hiking or heading for Wilderness Camp for overnight use. You'll have a vehicle permit from the park headquarters, so they'll have no problem knowing your car's supposed to be there overnight. The ranger lives on site, in the old ranch house, btw.
I think you're approaching this the same way I'll approach my first backpacking trip, so no worries. The way I look at it, planning is always a good thing -- I've done my share of "D'oh!" misadventures outdoors, and the result has always been learning to be more prepared and better informed. I hope your schooling wraps up smoothly and quickly and that you enjoy your trip immensely!
P.S. If you got in any kind of jam, there are usually at least several horseback riders in the park on weekends. One reason I did my solo trip out there was I knew if I did something stupid or somehow got hurt, I wouldn't be far from assistance. The park has a relatively new (2-3 years old) friends group called
Hill Country State Natural Area Partners that's currently comprised mostly of equestrians, but they've been doing a lot to help the park -- including serving as spotters during some of the events at the park (such as a recent 24 hour foot race... goodness only knows
who would want to RUN the trails there, but apparently there are folks who do that!
)
For that matter, you might have good luck writing the folks at HC-SNAP via their website for more info on current conditions at the various primitive campsites. They're out they're more often than most of us, and might have some good info for your upcoming trip! :ribbit: