well off the beathen path

Camping without a campfire sounds like swimming without water to some people. Half the reason to go camping is to sit around the group fire at night enjoying the gorgeous night air & good conversation. Here in California we have many fire restrictions in place, especially in Southern California. With the expanding population moving in to the state, we now have less rural lands available than ever before. Current ongoing drought conditions in much of California means tight restrictions on campfires - inside and outside of campgrounds. You are responsible for knowing the campfire restrictions in the forest you are visiting, so make sure to find out ahead of time. NFS   Late Summer to Autumn season campfire restrictions can apply to backpacking in the high country, back roads dispersed camping, and sometimes even regular campgrounds. When wildfire danger is greatest no campfires are allowed anywhere in the forest, even inside developed campgrounds. Our over-managed f...

Campground Reservations w/ Reserve America are back! just in time for summer No hurry, no worries, as you coast down the forested route to your premiere camping destination. A shady campground near an alpine lake or fishing creek is a favorite destination for many in California. Summer time is here and it seems everyone is on vacation; but alas, you have camping reservations at this perfect spot - a camp site held specifically for you. Over the past two decades Total Escape has seen numerous affiliate programs disappear, hundreds of independent lodges go out of business and recreation outfitters close shop. About 5 years ago ReserveAmerica , the nationwide campground reservation system, was acquired by Active.com. Soon after most of our campground links were null and void, so DanaMite updated them to something more relevant. Well it has taken a several years but we finally got all the new camping reservation links back up, so you can now reserve a campground through Tot...

California Lake Destinations Record low lake levels at most reservoirs & lakes! The mega drought continues. Don't be disappointed on vacation: Lack of water at your lake destination may leave you mad this season. Know before you go. Check out the California Water Information page for more specific information. Reservoirs listed below are the lakes with the most water in California (as of June 2015). Number represents percent of capacity. WHISKEYTOWN LAKE West of Redding, CA 98% full  LEWISTON LAKE Trinity County, Weaverville, CA 94%  ANTELOPE LAKE Northern Sierra, Susanville, CA 99%  ENGLEBRIGHT LAKE Yuba Gold Co, Grass Valley, CA 95%  BULLARDS BAR Reservoir Gold Country, Grass Valley, CA 59%  ICE HOUSE Reservoir Gold Country, Placerville, CA 84%  UNION VALLEY Reservoir Gold Country, Placerville, CA 81%  LAKE TULLOCH Central Valley, Modesto, CA 96%  INDEPENDENCE LAKE High Sierra, Truckee, CA 95%  PYRAMID LAKE L...

Destinations Map of Gold Country All old REGION maps on DESTINATIONS will slowly be replaced this summer with new, customized GoogleMaps. Showing links to small towns, sightseeing stops, hiking trailheads, dining options, cabins and camping. The destinations and links will grow over time with more being added. Sierra Nevada Foothills, Historical Gold Rush California

Destinations Map of The Sierras Long ago I began compiling photos and data on remote back roads of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Now it's my (dream) job. Reworking and updating old pages every decade, whether they need it or not. All old REGION maps on DESTINATIONS will slowly be replaced this summer with new, customized GoogleMaps. Showing links to small towns, sightseeing stops, hiking trailheads, dining options, cabins and camping. The highest peaks in the nation seem like a good place to start. Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

Responding to the width of any device. The phrase 'responsive web design' did not exist a decade ago because bigger was better and the large 1500 mega pixel wide flat displays were all the rage back then. Wider photographs, crystal clear imagery, streaming videos and playing movies on your home computer. Gone were the days of ugly web 1.0, w/ limited screen space and 800 width, as advertising banners and text ads filled any blank space. Fast forward to today and web sites now need to look good on all computers, from desktop to palm sized. NEW SITE DESIGN IS IN THE WORKS for the content site of Total Escape. Map store sales are on the way out! Total Escape is celebrating 18 years online this month and it continues to be the independent travel guide to California Outdoors and Off the Beaten Path.

California Wildfires & Fire Information Extreme drought conditions means super high wildfire dangers for all of California. As of August 1st, nearly 60% of the golden state is under EXCEPTIONAL drought, one level up from the 'extreme' classification. We are more than one years worth of water overdue. Wildfires in California are quiet common and occur annually in the later part of the year (summer - autumn)  when the natural vegetation, brush and forests are the driest. Drought.gov will show just how bad the drought conditions are currently in the Western U.S. drought.gov Southern California as well as Northern California experience wildland fires, and since Central California is backed by the Sierra Nevadas, you should expect forest fires at high elevations and lower river canyons too. California is currently experiencing extreme fire dangers, so many parks and forest areas have higher than normal restrictions. The new normal is becoming extreme, as you can im...