Independence Pass Camping? Lincoln Creek?

Headed out to Independence pass to do some climbing and hiking on the west side of the pass. I know of all the pay campgrounds, but I was told there was free dispersed camping up Lincoln Creek Road. Has anyone been up there? Do you need 4WD or high clearance to get back on the road and is this actually true hearsay?

Thanks for any info in advance. (You can PM me if you don't want to advertise your special free campsite in the area on here, I know how it is.:)

ian

There is dispersed camping along the Lincoln Crk road. The road is pretty bumpy and kind of a hassle to drive in and out of each day. Best campground (my opinion) in regards to climbing is Weller. It is below Weller Slab and just a few minutes from quite a few formations. First come, first served, 16 bucks a night however.

The camping up Lincoln Creek Rd. is great. It is free, there is easy access to bouldering (site #5)and climbing, and there are some great swimming holes and cliff jumps (site #2 & site #7) along the creek.
The Road is quite Bumpy and takes some skill if in a low clearance vehicle, but is easily passable in a subaru, just drive slow. If you do camp there bring some bug spray, I was there last weekend and the mosquitos were thick. The grotto wall is 5 min down the road from the entrance to Lincoln creek rd. and good trad and sport at any of the crags @ Lincoln Creek.

Tim Hosbach wrote:The camping up Lincoln Creek Rd. is great. It is free, there is easy access to bouldering (site #5)and climbing, and there are some great swimming holes and cliff jumps (site #2 & site #7) along the creek. The Road is quite Bumpy and takes some skill if in a low clearance vehicle, but is easily passable in a subaru, just drive slow. If you do camp there bring some bug spray, I was there last weekend and the mosquitos were thick. The grotto wall is 5 min down the road from the entrance to Lincoln creek rd. and good trad and sport at any of the crags @ Lincoln Creek.

I have to second all of this. I stayed at one of the dispersed camping sites in late June. The bouldering is pretty cool, and the swimming holes are awesome. The drive is kind of tough but really isn't terrible.

Do you guys think a honda crv-it's maybe little less than subaru clearance- could get in there easily? How far up Lincoln Crk rd is it, or how longish?

I had no issues on this road in my CRV. Just take it slow & you'll be fine.

If memory serves me correctly the road goes for 6 miles or so. Lincoln creek campground Is maybe less than a half mile in and there is another campground 6 miles back. In between there are 22 free dispersed sites all marked by number. If you can snag a closer one you'd be better off probably. We stayed in number 13 weekend before last and it was great. Have fun grotto wall is great and so was Zanzibar dihedral.

I second the recommendation of bug spray. I've always been eaten alive at the lower elevations on the Pass. Great area though.