Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Site #2 in San Bernardino National Forest
Sustainable Camping
Like many millennials who also grew up in California, camping was an essential part of my childhood. Every summer without fail, the family would pack up our camping gear and take a road trip to some National or State park around California or the West Coast. I didn’t know at the time what ‘sustainability’ or even what ‘eco friendly’ meant, and I can guarantee that it wasn’t a huge concern to my parents at the time. Because our whole family getting outdoors and camping in the woods or on the beach made us feel close to not only each other but also nature. Essentially we were choosing Eco Travel before we even knew when Eco Travel was.
Today I am here to give you the lowdown on how to make your camping trip sustainable, because its just too easy to go on Amazon or head to Walmart or Target and just buy what looks good and is easily accessible. Every brand that I have chosen is for a specific reason, you’ll see some brands use recycled materials, while others harness the power of the sun, and some items I have found are handmade in small batches.
My goal in this sustainable camping series (yes get EXCITED, this is the first of many to come) is to introduce you to positive brands that are not only making quality gear that is meant to last a lifetime, but also brands that are doing good for our environment and putting the health of Mother Earth first. So you will be able to see first hand how I put the sustainable camp gear to the test, as the most sustainable thing you can do is buy something that will last a lifetime and doesn’t need to be replaced but can be repaired.
My second goal that is equally as important is to introduce my fellow Americans and world travelers to the beautiful wonders of North America. Because I am going to tell you right now, you don’t need that reservation to go camping that was made 6 months ago (yes in National Parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone, you often need 3-6 month out camping reservations). I want to introduce you to FREE camping ( and yes its legal) also known as dispersed camping. And to start you off, we are going to introduce you to Thomas Mountain and a little known secret called Yellow Post sites.
Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Site #2
Fusion Solar Oven, Solar Table & Portable Solar Fridge by GoSun
Backpacking tent from REI
It had been years since I had properly went camping and with the pandemic (Covid-19) in full swing when I first started the research of this article, I found that most State & National Parks were closed. However after a trip to the Mojave Desert, I realized that some types of camping were still allowed and after more research online I discovered the word ‘Dispersed Camping"‘ and from what I could find online not only did dispersed camping mean that you didn’t need a reservation but it also meant that on certain areas of Federal land even during this pandemic, I could head out and practice some extreme social distancing for free.
The first focus (don’t worry the Mojave Desert will be featured later) was the Yellow Post Sites on Thomas Mountain. Found by chance while looking to picnic and escape the heat of the Coachella Valley, I began to research online and quickly realized how little information was really out there (not to mention how outdated the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service website is).
One of my absolute favorite sustainable camping essentials is actually a three part kitchen set up from GoSun. This set up include the GoSun Fusion Solar Oven, that can work in both sunlight and at night from the GoSun power bank or even your car if needed. The Solar table is what powers the Gosun Solar Cooler, and my only advice is to have the power bank completely charged before your camping trip. To keep the Solar fridge working throughout your whole trip, you just need to place the table in full sunlight and connect it to the power bank and then have the power bank connected to the cooler. From my four camping trips with this setup, I can tell you that as long as you keep the power bank charging, you’ll be able to keep your Solar Fridge going for the duration of your camping trip.
This setup costs about $1300 however because I paid $20 when purchasing and became an ambassador I can offer you 15% off your purchase if you use the code AMBANL when checking out!
GOSun Ultimate Off-Grid Solar Kitchen bundle $1349 (USE AMBANL AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE 15%)
Getting to Thomas Mountain
There are two way to access Thomas Mountain and the Yellow Post Sites
Coming from Idyllwilld you pass Lake Hemet on highway 74, shortly after on the right hand you’ll see Forest Road 6S13 (sign is pictured below) The only thing to note is that half way up the mountain you’ll come to a fork, to get to the Yellow Post sites on Thomas Mountain stay to the left)
Coming from Anza you can use the address 60195 Hop Patch Spring Road, Mountain Center, CA 92561 to find the entrance to the Forest Road 6S13 (note that this side is a lot easier to drive up, we saw a couple Priuses and Civics use this side of the mountain, however I would arrive before sunset if you are not in a car that has high clearance and 4wd)
Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites
Forest Road 6S13 is the same as Thomas Mountain Road on Google
(side note the Thomas Mountain Hunting Ground Yellow Post Sites are not what I am featuring and are over an hour away, I have yet to visit them myself however they are on the list).
One of my favorite things to use is my Feetup yoga trainer, this amazing yoga tool allows me to practice inversions (fancy word for upside down yoga) safely. The bonus to the Feetup Yoga trainer is that it is an ethical vegan product that contains no animal products and uses recycled and regenerable materials, like wood. Read more about their sustainability HERE Something about realigning my spine a couple times a day, really makes a camping trip that much a smoother transition from your bed to a sleeping bag.
Feetup Yoga trainer $149 buy HERE Side note if you are a yoga trainer, you can apply for a discount really easily on their website.
The yoga mat that I have layed out is actually deceiving as its a yoga towel (meaning easily washable after being on the dirt). What I love about Slowtide is that they are serious about responsibility and sustainability, all of their cotton is certifiably sourced through the Cotton LEADS program™. The Cotton LEADS program™ is a leader in sustainable cotton production and is founded on core principles that are consistent with sustainability, the use of best practices and traceability in the supply chain. The program offers manufacturers, brands and retailers a reliable cotton supply chain solution and confidence that their raw material is responsibly produced and identified.
Red Rock Yoga Towel currently on sale for $39.95 instead of $59.95 buy HERE
Camp fires may be one of my absolutely favorite things when camping, however knowing how to create a fire safely is just as important as knowing how to properly put out a camp fire. If you are going camping on Thomas Mountain to one of the Yellow Post Sites or another site on the mountain, you need to get a fire permit online before going.
Lets talk about using nature as your bathroom…
There are two things that are very foremost essentials when it comes to camping without bathrooms. First you need to know that you shouldn’t go to the bathroom close to your campsite, they recommend 100 feet however I normally aim for at least 400 feet away.
When your doing the deuce, you must be away from water and also must use a small hand shovel to dig a hole that is at least 6 inches deep.
My latest and greatest discovery is the Kula Cloth that is hanging on the left. This little invention is amazing and really is a game changer when using less toilet paper, it is an antibacterial cloth and replaces toilet paper when ladies are only peeing. Its hand washable and helps prevent seeing those little bits of toilet paper in the middle of the wilderness.
Kula Cloth venture out $22.95 buy online HERE
Hanging from my backpack on the right is the portable Tushy Travel Bidet. This makes squatting over a hole covered in dust, feeling refresh and makes sure that even if you miss a shower or two, you’ll still be squeaky clean down there.
After my first trip to Thomas Mountain, I immediately knew that I needed something to hide from the bugs in ( as there were horse flies and if you didn’t know horse flies BITE).
I did my research it it came down to two different tents, I ended up choosing the Big Agnes Deep Creek Tarp & Bug House (The alternative was the Nemo Equipment BugOut Tent).
Big Agnes is a brand from Steamboat Springs, Colorado that creates camping gear that is made to last (with an amazing warranty against any manufacturing defects). This brand equally cares about social responsibility and environmental responsibility. In 2008 Big Agnes started to include fabrics and materials from recycled fabric and recycled materials.
Sold as 2 pieces, I choose this tent because of the versatility of setting it up. With only two poles, you can use the stakes to get creative and either block the wind or create shade. The only downside is this is much smaller then the Nemo Bugout Tent $169 + $112 buy HERE
Nemo Bugout Tent
Sold as 1 piece, this looks like a great alternative that is a little bigger (12x12) from a company that equally believes in sustainability and social responsibility $249 buy HERE
On our second trip to Thomas Mountain, we came prepared with two chairs and two additional tables (one not pictured). This trip turned out wonderful, as we were able to sit under the Deep Creek Bug House and use the Big Agnes Soul Kitchen Table to play a game of Bananagrams, protected from flies and mosquitos.
While trying to find camp furniture that falls under the sustainable category, I ended up focusing in on two brands Nemo Equipment and Big Agnes.
Nemo Equipment ‘Designs to Last, not to Landfill’ and stands behind all their products with a full lifetime warranty. Read more about Nemo Equipment and their commitment to sustainability HERE
Big Agnes not just committed to Social responsibility but also sustainability. Read about both ways Big Agnes is helping to protect the backcountry and creating products that are also made to last a lifetime HERE
Putting away the Stargaze™ Recliner Luxury Chair from Nemo Equipment
This was my first time putting away the Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair from Nemo Equipment and it was pretty easy. It took a minute to remember to take out the poles that I put into the underneath fabric seat part but after that it was simple to fold and then the base comes apart much like a tent and it all fits back into its soft case.
The Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury chair is really comfortable and was my immediate favorite when comparing it to the Big Agnes Mica Basin chair. However don’t get me wrong, I sat in both throughout the trip and the Big Agnes Mica Basin chair would be perfect for backpacking, as it was about 1/3 of the size and weight of the Nemo Stargaze Recliner. The Big Agnes Soul Camp Kitchen Table was also a favorite, as it was super lightweight and was very simple to set up and take apart.
Nemo Equipment Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair buy online HERE
Big Agnes Mica Basin Chair $129.95 buy online HERE
Big Agnes Soul Camp Kitchen Table $129.95 buy online HERE
Harnessing the power of the sun, to run your campsite is seriously so gratifying. It reminds me of girl scouts the pure satisfaction of taking an hour to bake chocolate chip cookies in a self made solar oven.
GOSun Ultimate Off-Grid Solar Kitchen bundle $1349 (USE AMBANL AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE 15%)
xoxo Noelle Lynne
Creator of Florum.
Almost Vegan.
Wine Aficionado.
Travel Addict.
Nature Lover.
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