Southern Tier with hammock or tent

[Pavel]

This is the third time I've asked you to give me the links you say you are finding everywhere, but I'm not seeing.  I don't care if you live there, I've found more than one person on the internet spreading mis-information before.  Yeah, I know that's got to be a shock.  What sort of hammock and suspension do you use?

If it's about hammocking, it's on Hammock Forums, of which I'm a long standing member.  I've heard about several states but not yours.  I'm not saying you are wrong, but I want it confirmed.  The fact that you think you know all about Colorado is cool.  Now show me the link. My search shows NOTHING.  It's real simple ... a ling to an authoritative source and you can be completely right on this topic.

Oh, and what's your strategy for talking a park ranger to change the price for you?  Thats something I could use almost as much as more National forests which are free for me.

[Pavel]

Last bit on this Ty.  It turns out you were completely right.  I checked with a source I trust on Hammock forum who emailed over time the attorney general of each state as well as the heads of the State parks system and Colorado is one of the worst in the union for being Hammock unfriendly. 

This is from the Notes section of the spreadsheet of Colorado, from 2013:
A definitive statement has not come back from the parks dept as of yet, but a HF member had the following to say on the matter, "I can tell you that in every state park I've ever been at here in Colorado, the answer is a resounding no. They list it in every park's camping literature, give the same line when you call. I also often have park employees include a "no hanging anything on trees" line when checking in with me - unprompted by any hammock questions."

So, sadly, you were absolutely right.  No links needed.

That's one state where I'm boycotting the state parks if I happen to go there.  Too expensive.  Fortunately lots of State Forest land in the West part of the state.  I'll probably not bother cycling that state, but take my motorcycle instead and keep to the free parts.   

[Ty0604]

This is the third time I've asked you to give me the links you say you are finding everywhere, but I'm not seeing.  I don't care if you live there, I've found more than one person on the internet spreading mis-information before.  Yeah, I know that's got to be a shock.  What sort of hammock and suspension do you use?

If it's about hammocking, it's on Hammock Forums, of which I'm a long standing member.  I've heard about several states but not yours.  I'm not saying you are wrong, but I want it confirmed.  The fact that you think you know all about Colorado is cool.  Now show me the link. My search shows NOTHING.  It's real simple ... a ling to an authoritative source and you can be completely right on this topic.

Oh, and what's your strategy for talking a park ranger to change the price for you?  Thats something I could use almost as much as more National forests which are free for me.

The type of hammock and suspension I’m using is irrelevant. They don’t allow ANYTHING to be hung from trees. I use an Eno Single Nest with the Atlas straps though. If you go to each individual parks website you’ll find the rule.

“Absolutely nothing may be hung on, from,
or attached in any way, to trees, shrubs, or any Park buildings or signs.”

Cherry Creek: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/CherryCreek/Documents/CampgroundRules.pdf

There’s one example.

It’s pretty easy. I just explain that since I’m on a bicycle that I don’t think it’s fair I have to pay the same price as a car camper. I offer to pitch my tent on any piece of ground they have. I don’t need a full site or a table/fire ring.

[Ty0604]

Last bit on this Ty.  It turns out you were completely right.  I checked with a source I trust on Hammock forum who emailed over time the attorney general of each state as well as the heads of the State parks system and Colorado is one of the worst in the union for being Hammock unfriendly. 

This is from the Notes section of the spreadsheet of Colorado, from 2013:
A definitive statement has not come back from the parks dept as of yet, but a HF member had the following to say on the matter, "I can tell you that in every state park I've ever been at here in Colorado, the answer is a resounding no. They list it in every park's camping literature, give the same line when you call. I also often have park employees include a "no hanging anything on trees" line when checking in with me - unprompted by any hammock questions."

So, sadly, you were absolutely right.  No links needed.

That's one state where I'm boycotting the state parks if I happen to go there.  Too expensive.  Fortunately lots of State Forest land in the West part of the state.  I'll probably not bother cycling that state, but take my motorcycle instead and keep to the free parts.   

Glad you were able to find the information. I’m sad I’m right because I love my hammock

It is baffling to me that Colorado State Parks doesn’t list that rule specifically on their page. Instead they make you go to each individual state parks page to find the rule.

[Pavel]

I've always been charged full price, but never thought to explain it that way.  I'll sure try it in the future.

I guess we can tell the OP "no don't bring a hammock - if you're going through some states - research required.  But me, while I bring both my Hilleberg or Tarptent, depending on conditions, I've always brought that hammock.  I don't do "ultra-light".  I tend towards "ultra-comfy".

[Ty0604]

I've always been charged full price, but never thought to explain it that way.  I'll sure try it in the future.

I guess we can tell the OP "no don't bring a hammock - if you're going through some states - research required.  But me, while I bring both my Hilleberg or Tarptent, depending on conditions, I've always brought that hammock.  I don't do "ultra-light".  I tend towards "ultra-comfy".

I only carry about 10lbs on two rear panniers.

[staehpj1]

But me, while I bring both my Hilleberg or Tarptent, depending on conditions, I've always brought that hammock.  I don't do "ultra-light".  I tend towards "ultra-comfy".

Obviously there are several ways to look at this, but for me...

The whole point of ultralight to be ultra comfy.  Two places where comfort is key on tour are on the bike and when sleeping.  The large majority of my time on tour is riding or sleeping.  The remainder of time I am still doing things that don't require much/any extra gear.  To me there is nothing comfy about carrying a lot of extra stuff.

On the bike, carrying less and riding a more sporty bike is much more comfortable than riding a heavier bike with more gear, in my opinion at least.  While actually riding, the ultimate in comfort is a carbon fiber road bike completely unladen.

I don't spend much time in my tent or bivy other than sleeping.  A bunch of sprawling space isn't required for sleeping or even for reading.

Combining those two sets of requirements, to me means carrying my U/L backpacking gear.  So for full cooking and camping gear I could get by with 9-10 pounds of gear including bags, but I tend to take a little extra and wind up with closer to 14-15 pounds.  I don't that so much to go faster or farther, but to be comfortable.

An unladed bike is a joy to ride.

[thnodwa]

I'm hoping to ride the Southern Tier this spring and had planned on bringing a hammock, but I'm wondering if there will be enough trees along the way. Has anyone camped on the Southern Tier with a hammock? Any advice on which to go with? Very excited about this trip. Thanks y'all.

Tent


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[Ty0604]

I've always been charged full price, but never thought to explain it that way.  I'll sure try it in the future.

I guess we can tell the OP "no don't bring a hammock - if you're going through some states - research required.  But me, while I bring both my Hilleberg or Tarptent, depending on conditions, I've always brought that hammock.  I don't do "ultra-light".  I tend towards "ultra-comfy".

FYI Here’s the official regulation provided in an email by the Colorado State Parks.

I guess hanging stuff from trees falls under the “modifying” category.

Ty

[Joyride]

Are there hammocks that can also be set up as tents?

[Ty0604]

Are there hammocks that can also be set up as tents?

Alpine makes a bivy that can hang as a hammock.

http://www.alpinehammock.com