Kingston Campground in Smoky Valley, NV

[DonTom]

Just over the mountain from where your at there is Big Creek. It is on the Reese River Valley side.

Yeah, I already noticed Big Creek on Google Maps.

I am right next to Kingston Creek.

But I assume you mean the Big Creek Campground.

I will check it out someday.

Have you been to either or both? If so, how do they compare?

Looks like this one has a lot more trees.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[DonTom]

See, what did I say?

Now I am 100% convinced. The tent campers left, and now there is a rig in the same site!

There is nothing special about that site that I can tell, it's not one I would have picked. I just walked around the entire campground and these two (them and me) are the only two being used here.

I have to wonder why. I can only assume they feel safter grouped together with others.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[Sierranevada]

Don Tom. Back when we were at Big Creek there wasn't a campground and we never camped
in campgrounds. We checked out Kingston and did not camp. We have camped thru out Nevada
always looking for property, we have 40 acres north of Eureka and 5 acres in Kennedy Meadows
where we live. We have camped the Reese river valley, Big Smokey valley, Monitor Valley, Aurora,
Masonic, truman Meadows and various other Nevada locations. George

 

[DonTom]

See, what did I say?

Now you're right four times in a row!

The RV'ers behind me left this morning and now there is another camper in that slot. Not only that, another RV came in after and parked as close to me as possible on the other side.

However, a car coming here got their car stuck on the unpaved road near here when a tree fell down in front of them. Happened less than a half mile down the road, so they walked here asking for help. We all went together to help cut the tree and get it off of the road. The couple behind me has a large ax which helped a lot. None of us have a saw, which would have been faster, but there is no hurry. In the process, we all got to know each other and actually had a good time BSing with each other as we were doing what we could to help.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[DonTom]

Back when we were at Big Creek

I just came back from there, taking the unpaved roads on my motorcycle. 12 miles that way, but a rough road.

I will start a new thread about Big Creek Campground in a few minutes.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[CharlesinGA]

Now you're right four times in a row!

The RV'ers behind me left this morning and now there is another camper in that slot. Not only that, another RV came in after and parked as close to me as possible on the other side.

However, a car coming here got their car stuck on the unpaved road near here when a tree fell down in front of them. Happened less than a half mile down the road, so they walked here asking for help. We all went together to help cut the tree and get it off of the road. The couple behind me has a large ax which helped a lot. None of us have a saw, which would have been faster, but there is no hurry. In the process, we all got to know each other and actually had a good time BSing with each other as we were doing what we could to help.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

I'm chuckling because it has happened to you so many times. I'm certainly glad everything worked out OK for the folks in the car and everyone involved.

I have a Makita battery chain saw that cuts as good as a gas one. I cut down a half dozen 6-8 in diameter trees on one pair of batteries (two 18v) If I take any long trips I'm seriously considering taking the saw and four or five batteries (I have a dozen) as I always take my LED work light. The work light has come in handy a couple of times.

I do carry a 30ft Yankum Kinetic Recovery Rope, plus a couple of steel shackles, which might have come in handy moving a tree.

Charles

 

[DonTom]

I have a Makita battery chain saw that cuts as good as a gas one. I cut down a half dozen 6-8 in diameter trees on one pair of batteries (two 18v)

I have battery operated saws at each of my houses, but I never thought about taking one on an RV trip.

But I do have plenty of lights of various types, but mostly flash lights and this set, which has come in handy a few times.

I'm chuckling because it has happened to you so many times.

But only here, because it is the only time I have been mostly alone at RV campsite, where I stayed long enough to watch others come in. Anyway, I am now well convinced that most people like to group together.

I didn't want to ask them why today when I had the chance because I am afraid they will take it the wrong way. The truth is I do not care at all as long as they do not complain about things such as when I run the genny. But if others are here, I will not run it when it is dark. When I am sure nobody else is in this entire campground, I will run it at any time, even at midnight or later.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[CharlesinGA]

I have not been in that situation, however in the video I mentioned, Marc did comment it has happened to them more than once. I guess it is a human nature thing. When you are out in the middle of nowhere, you sometimes want a little space. Step out at night and not have any lights around so you can see the stars, or just sit and listen to the night sounds.

Charles

 

[Jackiemac]

I have not been in that situation, however in the video I mentioned, Marc did comment it has happened to them more than once. I guess it is a human nature thing. When you are out in the middle of nowhere, you sometimes want a little space. Step out at night and not have any lights around so you can see the stars, or just sit and listen to the night sounds.

Charles

We were on a beach in Hawaii with no one else around and a family appeared and plonked themselves a few feet away. Jings.

 

[DonTom]

Jings.

For those like me, who do not understand Scottish language here is the English translation:

"Jings is a Scottish slang exclamation used primarily to express surprise, disbelief, or mild annoyance, functioning similarly to English exclamations like "cripes," "gosh," or "goodness." "

 

[DonTom]

I am back at Kingston Campground.

What a big difference compared to last time that I was here! This place was FULL when I got here today. I was ready to leave, as I did not have a place. But then I got lucky. I discovered a bunch of tent campers in a large space was getting ready to leave. So I am now in that space, a nice large one, across from the one I was at last time, which has a tent camper in it. By far, I have the largest rig here, all the others are tents or Class B's.

The creek still has a little running water, but a lot less than the last time I stayed here.

I plan on staying here for at least several days & nights.

This place is now 100% full.

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[DonTom]

The Bob Scott Campground is 25 miles north of here and is closer to Austin, NV. And it is now closed.

Perhaps that is why here at Kingston Camp is now full.

I have never been to the Bob Scott Campground.

-Don- Kingston Camp, NV

 

[DonTom]

I just walked around this entire camp. To my surprise, everybody else left. I am the only person here again. Yesterday must have just been a weekend crowd or whatever.

They did a good job in cleaning up, no evidence at all that anybody was even here last night when the place was packed.

I walked to the spot I was at last May, and discovered the same creek is as full as ever. The water level is less on this side, perhaps because here the creek is a lot wider than at the old spot.

The creek is running at full speed at the old spot and just as deep, so I can get water here again and filter it and use the bleach this time:

Front of the place I am right now.

Solar, Starlink (I am now using--look between the solar panels--the small white thingy on the ground). My HFT PWR Station is behind the rear solar panel well it gets some shade. I am getting around 254 watts from the solar and will have no need to run the genny. The two on the ground are in series with the one on the roof of this rig. 500 watts solar max total, if under perfect conditions. I am now getting around half that, which will be enough to be 100% SOC before the sun goes down.

The spot I stayed at last May. There is a path to the creek (not well shown) on the right side)L

No need for the bike while here as I will be hiking, not riding, from here

The other side of my spot:

-Don- Kingston Campground, NV

 

[nibroc]

thanks for the pics

 

[DonTom]

Today's hike was to Groves Lake. The lake now has very little water:

Has a metal foot bridge to cross the creek below:

The hike up the unpaved road to get there looks like this:

-Don- Kingston Camp, NV