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Patterson Campground
Modoc Nat'l Forest - Warner Mountain Ranger District

Up, up and away in the South Warner Range.  Tucked up near the Southern Summit of the Warner Range is Patterson Campground.  Patterson camp is located next to the Patterson Ranger Station, approximately 10 miles east of Blue Lake.  Access is from a gravel Forest Road, which was no problem for our Chrysler minivan (just dusty!).  The sizable and verdant Patterson Meadow is across the street from the Main Entrance.  Distantly across is evidence of the recent Blue Fire.  Fortunately, this side of the meadow was spared.

The campground is set up in a dense pine forest around a little meadow.  The road around camp is dirt, which is of no surprise since you drove down miles of gravel road to get here.  Sites are very pleasant and spread decently far apart for privacy.  There are water spigots and trash service available.  This campground is typically not very busy, except when used as overflow around holidays or when a large group shows up to hike out of the trailhead.

Hiking is definitely the most common activity around here.  You can set out on foot right out of camp on the Summit Trail.  Or if you prefer to hoof it, there is a corral across the street from camp near Patterson Meadow.  Although I have not hiked out of Patterson camp before, I have heard that the South Warner Summit Trail backpacking trip is outta sight!

All things been said, the Patterson camp is a fine out-of-the-way getaway and a perfect stop over before a big hike.  Facilities are clean, and the scenery is good.  Besides, it's about 10 degrees cooler up here than down at Blue Lake or Mill Creek Falls.  Desolation and cooler day time temps...sounds good to me!  Reviewed 07/2005.