Up in Washington, we've been hearing tales of gear theft and vandalism out at the Grasslands campground. Anyone have recent experience/knowledge staying at the grasslands?

I'll be heading down in a couple of weeks, and am trying to decide where to stay. I've always opted for the free camping, but may consider the campground at the park.

Your opinions and thoughts about where to camp would be quite welcome.

I have camped there a few times over the years. I had a friend a while back have his entire slacksline setup stolen, gnarly webbing and old 'biners and all. And my advice is this: don't leave anything during the day, including tent, sleeping bags, etc. Packing up your gear every morning and setting it up every night is a hassle, but worth not getting gear stolen, and not having to pay a camping fee (as one does at the closer Smith Rock campground).

Then again, with the cost of gas as it is, and considering you drive an extra 14 miles roundtrip everyday, it may be worth just camping at the closer campground.

We just returned from Smith last week. Some squatters have moved into the Skull Hollow CG and have trashed the place, generators on late at night, etc. We camped 1/2 mile past the CG and didn't have problems, but I wouldn't leave stuff. All the locals are kind of bummed. Someone should notify the land managers that these squatters have overstayed the 14-day limit. If you are tent camping the better option is at the state park.

That is a disappointing thing to read. I love skull hollow and that whole area (obviously smith) - too bad that we have to worry about safety stuff - including our trashed slack line setups!

That's a shame. Who's authority is it to kick people out if they stay too long or are causing problems?

I called National Grasslands office today and they said it is resolved. They got the police to make them leave.
Tom

Received this from the FS

To All Campers for US Forest Service, Skull Hollow Campground by Smith Rock State Park:
The campers that were in violation have been evicted, as of 10/23/07.
Thanks so much for your assistance in reporting and patience resolving the situation!
Barbara Kraft
Information Assistant
Crooked River National Grassland
District of the Ochoco National Forest
(541) 416-6640

Thanks to everyone who took proactive steps! It's great to see the climbing community coming together to solve problems instead of just groaning about them online. I was at Skull Hollow this weekend and everything was back to normal in terms of the crowd there. For what it's worth, we left our tent (and nothing else) at our site and had no problems.

On another topic, there is a new(ish) sport route just to the right of the first pitch of Lion's Jaw. A few bolts up a face near a rounded, broken arete. Felt like 5.8 or so. Does anyone know what this is?

Andy,
the bolted line put up next to lion's jaw is anonymity, rated 5.9, 6 bolts. it was put up ~ a year ago, give or take.
seems like a pretty easy 9. hope that helps.