I'm in the process of planning the next cruise up to the mountain. It was one of the favorite cruises of last year and can hopefully be bigger and more fun this year but, first I want to hear what everyone would like to see done to make it better this year. So, give your ideas everyone.

Give me some dates that we can think about
possible activities we could do while there
potluck again this year?
also would like to see this promoted so we can have a even bigger turnout.

Also, tell what you liked or disliked about last years cruise

 

I will try and make this one this year.

That right there makes it better already.

 

im up for it if its on a sunday

 

well i would like to see us have a little more time after the trip up the mountain to hang out and chill, with some good BBQ or a potluck type of deal..
so like a sooner start or not going thru the visitors center(wich was very cool btw)
and maybe try to get one of the covered picnic area's
(in case it rains)
and to have jason there...lol

just our 2 cents worth!

 

I'd say a Sunday would be a good day also, maybe meet up earlier, maybe check into reserving the covered area there at the park if its possible. The only thing better than having Jason there, is to have him there in his red suit.

 

the covered area i think can be rented online or over the tele. seaquest state park..

get to work rob...jk

 

I would love to go...........oneof my favorite places to go..........amazing to see..........sunday would be good........start early.......so we can spend time there........

 

That's an awesome place to go, went there last summer when I went to Canada, got some cool pics, wish I lived up there closer to you guys or I would go!

 

any chances of going to the ape caves??

 

Yes we need a date ASAP...so I can book the day off. I really enjoyed our drive up there 2 years ago, and think it would be sooo fun to do with my scion family.

 

I like Robbie's idea..

I would like to stay there at the mountain longer to see more 'cause that's a long drive up there just to kick it for 20-30 min. If they have areas for potlucks there then I say let's do that so that way people can see more, do more or hike if they want to 'cause there is a lot to see there that no one else got to last time.

I think a earlier start is a good idea and for me, any weekend really - lets just make sure it doesn't fall on a weekend of a show.




What are the ape caves????

 

PROS -
Not too much other traffic when we went before (which allowed Will to do some crazy sh**)
Loved Tu & Rob going ahead for some great bridge crossing photos and their cool cameras that took great parking lot photos from the hillside
Glad so many people brought walkie-talkies
Liked the caravan there (started at Star Lake P&R, then Centralia/Chehalis, then right off I-5, etc)

CONS -
Cost to get in (it was $335 for the group to go into the center) - for me it was worth it for the group photo and the car shots but I think we should have gone in and then out OR do like Shawn said and spend more time there for the money but time we had there was kinda awkward and then cut short
Hated the wait times at each of the caravan stops (each stop averaged 20-40 minutes)
Not really a fan of parking under trees (pine needles & sap) but there is no way around it at this location

Also our caravan drove by Winter on the way down and it was fun to come up and confuse the bejeebers out of him.

Try and pick a non-July or August date. I can help if needs-be as I did the planning for the last one. Do you know if this is in the Dick Hannah marketing area?

 

^

agreed - don't pick a hot summer month so that way we can enjoy outside.

Yes I agree, the meeting spots took entirely too long, those will need to be cut down in order to have plenty of time out there

 

give me a time and a day and i might make it...

 

It looks like almost all of April is open is that enough time to plan?

 

April works for me - that way it isn't too hot out and or going to be too busy there (I think )

 

http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp...dpark=Seaquest
^ Seaquest State park info/reservations

http://www.parks.wa.gov/mountsthelens.asp
^Mt. St. Helens/Silver lake Visitors center

Looks like Dick Hannah is the closest dealership to the park as well.


I heard that last year's was lots of fun and went well! From what I am hearing, the potluck idea worked out, the visitor's center time was cut short (and was expensive), more time was needed over all, and less stops (or as mentioned before more overall time).

It looks like it costs $3/person for the Vistitor center & Observatory each. I say each person bring $10 & a dish for the potluck @ Seaquest!

 

We will have to wait until the roads open up, the road to Coldwater center is open now, but the road up to Johnston Ridge is still closed. Last year we went up the week of, or week after the road to the Ridge opened, which is early June. No place up there to do a pot luck, no place to cook.
Leaving early from Castle Rock would put us up there earlier, as far as caravaning, its cool, but if you stop everywhere there is a group and your the fartherest out, you stop alot, experence that when we drive north, turns into a parking lot tour. $3 per person, no way around that. No other real parks along the way for picnic.
It would be great if we could get Hannah to help out some, use their lot for pot luck afterwards or something, but its doubtful. Good luck Rick, I will be attending and will help out wherever possible.

 

Last years event was on June 2nd. How would everyone think about doing it on Sunday May 4th. To what I can see it would be the only Sunday open that month. The 11th is Mothers day, the 18th has a show down in the gorge area and the last Sunday is Memorial day weekend.

 

I'm good with whatever date. But do we want to wait for the road to Johnston Ridge to open up? This winter was milder than last year so maybe it'll open sooner? Rob - from your experience do you think it'll be open in May?