I'm having second thoughts about the location of the camping bash for one reason: The elevation of Mt. Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest is in excess of 7,000 feet. I've been acclimated to that for years now, but for those who are not, it could get mightily unpleasant, and potentially dangerous. Altitude sickness is not something to mess around with. Some years back, I took an old friend who is an avid cyclist and one of the fittest humans I know hiking in the San Gabriel mountains at an elevation of a little over 5,000 feet. He barely made it 10 minutes into the hike when we had to turn around. I practically had to carry him out he was so short of breath, and was miserable the rest of the day.
That said, if I know everyone who wants to come has spent a good deal of time in 5,000+ elevation over the last few years at least, then let's do it.
Otherwise, we'll have to come up with an alternate location. I'm planning on looking into Leo Carrillo State beach just north of Malibu that has a nice campground in the canyon with lots of Sycamore trees, and another about 10 minutes north of that with a similar but smaller canyon campground, Point Mugu State park. The upside is both have showers and running water, which Mt. Pinos has neither. The ideal season for both is early-mid spring when everything is nice and green(provided we actually get some meaningful rain this season).
More to follow, and input appreciated...