Hi there, I told you I would report back after our ride.
We stayed a couple or 3 days at Keenes Horse Camp and would give it a OK rating, but the problem was not close enough to running water, the trails were dusty but there 2-3 ok rides.
We then went out and checked out the Mt Adams horse camp but didn't stay there. Even though the local sherriff really wanted us to, he is a BCH member and was really proud but it was 95 degrees, dusty and no running water.
We then decided to try Kalama Horse Camp and I think it is the nicest horse camp and give it a A+. We pulled in the day after labor day and it was pretty much empty. You ride pretty much on the south side of Mt St Helens though and you can ride through one of the old mud flows from 80 eruption, you don't really see the blast area. There are 3-4 trails there, ranging from a fairly flat 5 mile ride up the Kalama River through wilderness to a 15 mile ride that definately has a "pucker factor" if you don't like crossing steep areas. The trails were in great shape though and I am looking forward to going there again. It is VERY nice. We hosed off our horses each night when returning to camp and they have a area for the horses to roll in the sand. The sites each have at least 4 corrals and there are a few group areas. There are a few corrals that have extended poles that you could put a tarp over if you wanted. Anyway, try it or at least go look at it.
I think you said you were around Olympia so it's only an hour or hour and half drive for you. There our a few pictures at our local BCH site that they posted from both areas, they are the first 10 pictures you see I think.
Here is the link http://www.olympicbch.org/
Hope you find this helpful.
Hey - thanks for the report on the other camps! Glad you had a good time, if dusty. I think everything was dusty that week, and hot, but it won't be long now till it's mud.
Kalama is the one we wanted to check out so it's good to know it is the best anyhow. Thanks for the link to the pictures.
I've checked out the trail map out of Kalama and want to see it for myself one day, maybe we'll do that one next year. Tell me about the climb from the freeway into the camp. Remember, we're trying to baby our truck and don't want to burn it up trying to climb up something too steep all loaded for camping. It looked like the road pretty much followed the Kalama River up to camp and that usually means it's a relatively gentle grade.
Wow Hair, this looks like a nice group! I sure wish we had a group like this around here. It looks like they pretty much ride all year too. Y'all ought to join up!
Hey welcome back:)
Great pictures. Sounds like a good trip.
Becky
Welcome to the thread, Delmont!