Question about Kennedy Meadows in Southern Sierra

Prof, maybe it's time to dust off your mountain bikes? You're in MTB country now.

Otherwise look at bald mt, Sherman Pk.

If you're high speed/high miles maybe drive into kennedy meadows and pick up one of the many trails (ibcluding Pac Crest) going itno the Domelands.

No kidding about the MTB's. Even 20 years ago, I was nearly run down by a mountain biker on the Freeman Creek Trail. There was also much OHV activity then, and trails were very dusty.

This area was where I set my Personal Best of remoteness: 48 hours without seeing or hearing another person or vehicle. It is probably more populated these days.

Some fairly current resources for the area:

USFS Sequoia NF list of hikes:
https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_058588.pdf

A SummitPost overview page for the Southern Sierra:
http://www.summitpost.org/southern-sierra/172317#chapter_10

Dan , Google Rock House Basin and Long Meadow CG. Not too popular as it's in and out route. Remote, quiet, a windmill and an outhouse with a small CG off of Chimney Peak Rd coming in off the Hwy 178 by Canebrake on the west side of Walker Pass. Dirt from 178 up hill with a few switchbacks, there is another CG up from the fork going to Rock House Basin, just before you top out at Chimney Peak, name escapes me right now. BLM "should" have the Canebrake Rd graded by now as they have a station at Chimney Peak and usually access it from that side. Have a cold one at Grumpy Bears between Chimney and Kennedy Mdws. 9 Mile Canyon is the paved way up off 395, but if you take your time you'll be okay. Coming down is the exciting drive....:)

I talked to the ranger yesterday afternoon -- they say that although the road to Kennedy is open from Pearsonville, a lot of the other roads up there are still blocked by snow and closed to all traffic. So we will see -- still considering various options . . . .

Probably alluding to Sherman Pass and Cherry Hill Rd. coming over from the Mtn 99/ Johnsondale side. Kennedy Meadows CG and the dispersed area along the south fork of the Kern River shouldn't be too over run with ohv's and motorcycles yet til school is out.

Not sure how much you will enjoy the Kennedy Meadows area with a lot of single track (motorcycle) tracks. Not much ATV or 4x4 off highway trails up there, except a very few select forest service roads which are allowed to be ridden on. We have camped a lot at Horse Meadows Forest Service Campground (more on the west side of the range). Did not go last year because of the drought, most likely Salmon Creek was mostly dry (it was almost dry the year before). There are a few dry camping sites (free) in the area. There is some private land in the area, mostly cattle ranching.

We've done some hiking in the area. Big Meadows to Salmon Creek falls and back. The Salmon Creek trail goes a lot further east into the mountains than we have explored. On the East side of Big Meadow there are few trails that take you east and loop back. In this area of the Sequoias (away from Kennedy Meadows) the motorcycle riding is restricted to one main trail that goes near Big Meadows, but for the most part you will not see them.

You will hear the occasional truck/camper/rancher on Cherry Hill Road (FR 22s12).

We get there by taking 14 North to Walker Pass West to Lake Isabella, North to Kernville (fuel up here). North along the Kern River (this can become an absolute zoo during holidays, just drive through and watch for pedestrians, slow drivers, and people who cannot park completely off the road). Just past Brush Creek, hard right turn onto Sherman Pass Road (start a slow ascent on a windy two lane paved road for about 6 miles). Turn right onto Cherry Hill Rd (FR 22S12). This road is mostly 1 to 1.5 lanes wide, windy, slow, blind corners, is mostly paved for about 5 or 6 miles, then becomes dirt, washboard, bouncy, windy. The locals (ranchers) will drive it pretty fast sometimes, I think I average about 15mph on this road. We go about 9 or 10 miles to Horse Meadow Campground (last time we were there $17/night), they might have running water, pit toilets, no trash pickup. There are about 40 sites, but typically you might see 4 in use. Cherry Hill road continues South along the range for another 20 miles or so, lots of dispersed camping areas.

Leaving this area, or leaving Kennedy Meadows - make sure you are prepared for a long steep descent and can stop your vehicle.

Thanks again for the tips! Very helpful.