MARY E. ILIUM Questions

[cafesote]

TBF virgin here.  Have a 4 day pass and camping in ilium.  I was hoping someone who has camped here could give me some insight and a general feel for this campground.

I read in another post that further back in the campground is better.  accurate?
Also, how have you handled food in the past?  Should i be packing in bear safe containers or could I get away with keeping a cooler in my car (no vehicle pass) and resupplying ever day?  Last thing I want is to come back from an awesome day to find my provisions have been raided by our four legged friends.  Is there anywhere to buy ice during the festivities to keep some perishables going?

Out of my mind excited to fest with all of you.

 Listening to: OCMS

[heaubeau]

As far as where to camp within Ilium, I don't think there is really all that bad of an option.  The earlier you get there (the campground opens on Sat. the 12th, but the year I stayed there, 2007, didn't get real crowded until Tuesday sometime).  They also sell ice at the front entrance each day, so you won't have to worry about transporting it from town or anything.  We also didn't have any animal problems with our food, but I wouldn't leave anything outside of a cooler.  There are so many people around that most critters will be scared off by the amount of noise that number of people create.  We heard a pack of coyotes running along the river a couple of our first nights, but never saw any evidence that they ventured into camp. 

My best suggestion is to take everything you will need for the day (rain gear, money, lunch, night clothes [it gets cold real fast], water bottle, sunscreen, etc.) with you in the morning, because going from the festival to camp and back is about an hour minimum round trip with the bus schedules, so unless there is an act or act and a half you are willing to miss, you won't want to be shuttling back and forth.

[HuckinFappy]

going from the festival to camp and back is about an hour minimum round trip with the bus schedules, so unless there is an act or act and a half you are willing to miss, you won't want to be shuttling back and forth.

And as we all know, the schedule this year just doesn't allow for that!

[skyrunner]

   Last year was my first, here are some things I learned. 1. Mary E. is a great place to camp!!! 2. Our neighbors were assume. 3. there was a guy that came through selling ice every day. 4. No problem with critters. 5. Take your own T.P. trust me on that one . 6. Finally, If you have to take a "hippie bath" in the river-----It's frickin COL :lolD!

 Listening to: Hot Rize

[Hot Sugar]

Keeping food in the car will get pretty annoying. That's not a trip you want to make too often. You should be fine just keeping the cooler at your camp.