Swimming in the river

[lyndsayj]

I've never been to Wakarusa. Is it possible to swim in the river? Is it easily accessible from the primitive campsite?
Thanks!

[Pauly's Cheese]

Yes, you can swim in the river but it is not easily accessible. There is a trail that leads down to it, but it's not an easy hike. Also, the trail was closed about halfway into the festival last year because somebody broke their ankle and some folks weren't respecting the laws of the National Forest Service.

It's better to drive down to the river from the festival grounds. It's a 10 minute drive to a good swimming hole.

Welcome to the forums!

[lyndsayj]

Thanks for the info. Is it easy to take your car from your campsite to drive to the river? Will we loose our camping spot if we move our car? We can always leave the tent, but will that be enough to reserve our site?

[Pauly's Cheese]

Well, I'll put it this way.....if you leave and come back, and find a wook partying it up in your tent, I think an ass whoopin' is legally required.

[Chewbacca]

Unless that wookie is myself. Then I might even introduce you to Yoda if you let me catch some Z's in your tent while you swim.

[Wartockman]

Come sleep with the brown eyes chewy! We'll need a good roar in the mornin fer breakfast time.

[lmnopxz]

Im glad you asked that. =] I was about to ask the same thing.

[Clairity]

Is this the same trail that leads to that waterfall I keep hearing about? Because I want to go there! - and promise to bring proper hiking attire to avoid breaking any ankles.

[BabeinToyland]

Isn't part of the volunteer-run Waka transportation they are looking for people for? Giving rides to the river for swimming or canoeing? I'm thinking they are going to have a bus to the river...but I'm not totally sure...

[Sunflower]

I wouldn't count on it. I think the transportation people are carting artists and others to and from airports, hotels, etc. I've never heard of them shuttling people to the river.

[~dave~~wave~]

I'm thinking they are going to have a bus to the river...but I'm not totally sure...

Last year they advertised a shuttle to a swimming hole, but it never happened.
When I inquired they cited safety and liability concerns.
I doubt that will change.

Best to make one's own arrangements and let the fest organizers control what happens inside the gates.

[Sunflower]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

[Pauly's Cheese]

I will be taking myself and a group of others to some private land in my heady, heady unofficial, official SUV at some point. If you wanna get in on this, find Camp Stella (48) when you arrive to get on the list.

[Aaron Spence]

PAULY how was the fishing last year!?

[WakaPanic]

You can drive down from the site to the mulberry river to go swimming but if you are camped in primitive or mainstage it will be like any other big festival where your car will probably get surrounded by tents and you can't get out.

[johnny ak]

I've only ever been to 10KLF and Rothbury, and some smaller fests, but at all of them they made sure to keep driving lanes open that were accessible to all cars. I thought they had to do this in case of emergencies.

[vhbhkc]

I've only ever been to 10KLF and Rothbury, and some smaller fests, but at all of them they made sure to keep driving lanes open that were accessible to all cars. I thought they had to do this in case of emergencies.

It's a great idea in theory, and I'm sure that is the intent, but it doesn't usually work out to well. With the volume of people expected, I am sure they will pay more attention to folks setting up. We shall see...

[beconscious]

I know we were blocked in last year and it wasn;t even at capacity.

[Clairity]

Yeah. I think those driving aisle at Rothbury were the exception to the typical festie experience. I've never seen that anywhere else.

[Pauly's Cheese]

RV reserved won't have any problems getting in and out. Again, if you are interested, come to camp 48.

[kim93079]

come to camp 48.
See you there!

[The Lioness]

Can you ride a bike to the swimming hole?

[scottt]

Can you ride a bike to the swimming hole?

I can't say for certain as I've never tried, but....

1. You don't want to ride a bike along the Pig Trail (aka Hwy 23).

2. If there is a biking trail it'll probably be an exhilarating ride down the mountain before your swim, followed by a grueling climb back up once you're done - remember, that is *if* there is a bike trail.

3. Pauly will gladly give you a lift since he's a sucker for any Lioness ;)

[brycona]

I attempted to find the waterfalls last year.... The trail down to the falls isn't so bad, but make sure you are in the right mind coming up, haha.

AND above all else, find the right waterfall. Me and my camp did the whole trek to find a waterfall (a really little one) and on our way up discovered that there was another better one that we missed.

Just a little piece of adivice...

[Mallory]

I have heard so much about the waterfalls and I can't wait to check those out. I'm glad more people know about them so maybe I might run into some like-minded hikers on my way there. :D:D:D:D

[newlife39]

i was blocked in last year at waka in primitive - finally was able to get out at noon on Sunday - don't count on being able to get your car out -

[Jeffs_cousin]

Park the car on the perimeter of the campground. If I remember correctly they had a flag line/fence around the perimeter of main stage camping and folks pulled off and parked perpendicular to the paved road (near Moon Beam).

For those that haven't been to this venue just remember that nothing is that far so even if you parked your car on the other side of the venue from your tent it would be a quick walk to stow/retrieve your car/stuff.